When it goes live near the end of December, the reconstructed national website of the United Church of Christ, ucc.org, will feature more than just a new look, according to staff members who have worked on it.

A series of United Church of Christ YouTube videos and coming seminars focus on generosity as a spiritual practice -- something that can invigorate a local church.

A congregation brightens up its community with a 171-foot lighted tower, a forest of Christmas trees, giant animal puppets roaming the church grounds, live music – and an invitation to support a local agency helping kids in crisis.

I will never forget the night when I sat in the damp and cold dungeon known as Missouri’s death row.