Public Spiritual Care
This cohort will explore how faith leaders can provide spiritual care outside of the traditional walls of sacred spaces. In these times of increased immigration enforcement, increased numbers of unsheltered individuals, public attacks on the queer community, rhetoric rooted in racism, and other events that call for public displays of faith and justice.
Session 1) Understanding trends and barriers to Faith Community Connections.
Session 2) Providing a Healing Public Presence (with your building, your body, and your voice)
Session 3) Public Relationships and Spiritual Care
Cohort created by Rev. Dr. Christie Love
Rev. Dr. Christie Love holds a Master’s Degree in Practical Theology from Regent Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary. She specializes in the research and study of the intersections of faith and religious trauma. She regularly writes about religious trauma and trauma-informed ministry practices and resources on her Substack revchristielove.substack.com.
She serves as the Senior Pastor at Englewood Christian Church in Yakima, WA- an open and affirming Disciples of Christ Congregation. In her community, she is active in the support of immigrants, leading interfaith organizing, and the local NAMI chapter. Nationally, she serves as the Second Vice-Chair of the NAMI National FaithNet Council.
Cohort facilitated by Rev. Ali Lopez-Valcarcel
Rev. Lopez-Valcarcel is originally from Puerto Rico. She is US Army Veteran who served as Chaplain Assistant in the US Army for 9 years. After completing military service, Pastor Ali relocated to the Rio Grande Valley, a place she has called home for over 15 years. She has a Master of Social Work, and she has used her skills in several settings including an unaccompanied minor shelter for migrants and at a Veterans Affairs Health Care Center.
Rev. Lopez-Valcarcel is a graduate from Brite Divinity School and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. She currently leads The United Church of Christ Rio Grande Valley, an emerging congregation that seeks to do justice for migrants, refugees, people in the margins and LGBTQ individuals in Brownsville, TX. Rev. Ali is also an adjunct professor of the school of Social Work at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Her biggest passion is to share the expansive love and grace of God to all of God’s
creation by advocating for justice and equality for all of God’s people.
Dates: 6:30-8pm CT May 19, June 16, July 21 & August 18, 2026
all cohort meetings will be online
Ministry Cohorts
Ministry Cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your own time. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and your Cohort members gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced church leader.
Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.
Completion of this Ministry Cohort provides 9 contact hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the participant's credentialing body.
