Trinity United Church of Christ: Justice January 2026

Jan 07, 2026

Happy New Year, Justice Family!

I pray you all had a peaceful and reenergizing holiday season and are ready to engage in the work that 2026 will bring.

This month marks our 5th Annual Justice January. Join the Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team and our Liberation & Outreach Ministries for the following events:

Thursday, January 8, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Illinois Election Protection Information Session: Learn the Law. Protect the Vote. Get Involved.

The 2026 midterm elections will be among the most consequential in recent history. Protecting every voter's freedom to cast a ballot will be critical. Illinois Common Cause is hosting this virtual session designed to:

Provide a clear overview of voting laws in our state
Explain what the Election Protection Program does to safeguard voting access
Explore volunteer roles available and how you can get involved

Friday, January 9, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Belonging Beyond Brown | FILM NOTES WITH REV. MOSS | Film Screening and Filmmaker Conversation

Join us in the Trinity UCC Sanctuary for Belonging Beyond Brown, a critical documentary that examines the challenges of the Brown v. Board of Education decision and the complex connections and impacts that left African American students vulnerable due to "unforeseen" circumstances. View the trailer HERE.

Sunday, January 11, Following 7:30 AM and 11:00 AM Worship Services | Justice Watch Team and Liberation & Outreach Ministries Fair – Trinity UCC Atrium

It is easy to slip into complacency when we are overwhelmed with challenges on every front. Come to this Ministry Fair and connect with Trinity UCC ministries that are on the front lines. We need you! Don't miss this opportunity to get your questions answered and to engage in doing justice.

Sunday, January 11, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | A Rising Tide | VIRTUAL Film Screening and Panel Conversation

A Rising Tide examines the impact of homelessness on Black families and service providers in California's Alameda County. The documentary juxtaposes the perspectives of stakeholders across the "new housing" industrial complex. Told through the eyes of children and their families living with housing insecurity, the film captures the adversity faced by homeless families and explores the plight of service providers and social workers involved in the housing crisis. CLICK HERE to register.

Friday, January 16, 5:15 PM - 7:45 PM | MLK Gathering: Joined for Justice | A Convening of Church Organizers and Denominational Justice Organizations

(Progressive Community Church, 56 E. 48th Street, Chicago)

The Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team, in partnership with McCormick Theological Seminary and Progressive Community Church, is hosting a convening of Chicago-area social justice organizations and the faith community to discuss justice priorities for 2026 and opportunities for collaboration. The evening will begin with a meal and short presentations by various organizations sharing their missions, top 2026 priorities, and how the faith community can help. Following the presentations and meal, we will reconvene in the church sanctuary for a worship service featuring Guest Preacher Rev. Stephen Thurston, beginning at 6:45 PM. This promises to be a powerful evening to kick off justice work across the city in 2026!

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used to gather allies in the basement of Ebenezer Baptist Church on his birthday weekends for planning and strategy discussions. This event will invoke the ancestors to restore that spirit of hope, faith, determination, and, importantly, unity.

TENTATIVE Sunday, January 18, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Hot Topics | Conversation Featuring Triibe Editors and Local Justice Warriors (Trinity UCC)

The Triibe is a dynamic local news publication that produces some of the best stories on politics and justice for the Chicago community. This facilitated panel conversation will provide insight into the challenges we face across greater Chicago as we benefit from The Triibe's investigative reporting for our community.

Monday, January 19, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Confronting Pharaoh: Free Community Organizing and Movement Training (Kenwood UCC, 4600 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago)

As we are called to action to preserve existing rights, defend democracy, and continue expanding human rights and dignity for all, organized movement-building is critical. We are thankful that the Community Renewal Society is hosting this opportunity to add this skill to your toolbox. Click Here to register – lunch will be provided.

Additional items to be aware of:

Pretrial Success Act: Please use THIS LINK to send a letter of support for the expansion of the Pretrial Success Act. We are almost at our goal of 1,000 letters.
Deliberate Dollars Campaign: Our campaign is ongoing! One of the tools we are developing is a website that will allow you to search for businesses deserving of our dollars. To help with that, please CLICK HERE to provide information about businesses you know.