Dear friends in Christ,

Grace and peace to you as we approach Holy Week.

As all of us gather together in worship on Palm-Passion Sunday, it's also a time to find solidarity in community. It is also a time to enter into the passion and suffering of Jesus on behalf of the world.

On March 16, I joined the 38 UCC Conference Ministers and together, we joined our counterparts in the Episcopal Church (the House of Bishops) by unanimously signing on to a statement they released March 15, 2016. This unprecedented action -- the leaders of our two denominations joining together -- is in response to the unprecedented political climate in our country as the presidential primary season continues.

You can read our statement below. You can find it in this story here [Link].

I invite you to read the statement of pastoral concern aloud as part of your announcements on Sunday. I invite you to make room for this in your bulletins. I invite you to forward this email to the members of your congregations. However you are moved to share this word to the church, I am grateful for you, your ministry, and the witness we are called to bear together.

Bill

Rev. Dr. William M. Lyons,
Designated Conference Minister
Southwest Conference UCC
917 E Sheridan St.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Office: 602-468-3830
Direct: 602-317-2724