Faith In Action
Oklahoma v. Castro-Huertas overturned decades of jurisprudence and practice in concluding that “the Federal Government and the State have concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed by non-Indians against Indians in Indian country.” This cuts to the heart of tribal sovereignty, which asserts that only the native tribes or the federal government can prosecute alleged crimes committed on tribal land (often called “Indian Country” in legal documents).
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A smattering of upcoming UCC digital programming.
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Here’s a list of resources including stories, advocacy actions, and theological and liturgical grounding for prayerfully considering the issues around reproductive justice. There are worship resources to use in your congregation as we process this news and in preparation for the next part of this struggle, a social media and messaging toolkit, and links to past UCC actions on reproductive health access. We hope this will complement the work many of you are already doing and that these resources can be shaped and molded to suit your particular needs and community.
Read MoreMany are rightly shocked by the Supreme Court’s repudiating the constitutional right to reproductive choice. Less surprising is the Supreme Court’s recent history of saying anything, however contradictory, to get to a desired result. Because issues of constitutional law are not always easily understood, some explanation is helpful, but it is also likely to cause further shock over the Supreme Court’s disingenuous philosophies of legal interpretation called “originalism” and “textualism.”
Read MoreThe Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice put together this stunning video of our Associate Conference Minister Barb Doerrer-Peacock's poem.
She writes, "Thank you all who added your voices to my words! It's very humbling. Let us not be narrowed by our own fears, misunderstandings, our "small" selves that seek control. But let us be open to how intertwined are the great inseparable gifts of BOTH life AND choice, and persevere to preserve them."
Read MoreA pop-up shelter for asylum seekers being dropped off by ICE in Phoenix will open July 5. This shelter is needed to increase capacity and relieve over-crowding at the Welcome Center already operating. This is a cooperative effort. Immediate needs include 125 twin blankets, a full-size washer and dryer, and monetary support to purchase water bottles, towels, hygiene products, snacks, and undergarments for women, men, and children.
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The Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ is pleased to endorse the Arizona Fair Elections Act (AFEA) a proposed 2022 Arizona ballot measure that removes barriers and ensures equal access to voting.
Read MoreA pastoral letter by church and ONA Coalition leaders asks congregations to show their love and support for their trans and nonbinary neighbors not only in prayer, but in words and actions. Churches must "come out," the letter says, so transgender and nonbinary folk in all of our communities will know that there are churches where their dignity and worth as human beings are valued, wanted, and needed. The resources provided by the national setting include a Guide to Transgender and Nonbinary Justice, tips for advocacy, the text of the pastoral letter and worship aids for local congregations.
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from Rev. Jennifer Hawks, Associate General Counsel, BJC - Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty:
Thank you for your continued support of the Save Oak Flat Act. I’m writing to share the next phase of our campaign: garnering grassroots support. We want to show Congress that support for this important legislation extends into our local networks.
BJC is launching an individual sign-on letter for the Save Oak Flat Act today. First, I invite you to sign the letter yourself. Second, and most importantly, I hope you will consider asking your constituents to add their names. The letter will remain open through the end of September and will be delivered to Congressional offices for Indigenous Peoples Day.
Read MoreWorld Refugee Day is quickly approaching on June 20th (also Juneteeth observed). It is important that we honor those forced from their homes to seek safety due to violence and persecution. This day recognizes their resilience, strength, and determination -- and our moral and legal imperative to fully restore refugee and asylum protections in the United States.
Now is the time to make your voices heard to tell your national, state, and local leaders to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers and to hold the administration accountable to re-establish bold U.S. leadership to invest in our capacity to welcome people fleeing violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day - and every day - we affirm the spirit of welcome that our communities show when we embrace our new neighbors as friends, colleagues, and peers.
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As the fossil fuel industry is using the war in Ukraine to push for more production in the U.S., communities on the frontlines of the industry face the wartime threat of more pollution. Learn more in this webinar.
Read MoreThis June, two of our Southwest Conference clergy left their church buildings to bring the Good News of God’s unconditional love to the halls of the Senate.
The Rev. Sue Joiner, Senior Pastor at First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque and the Rev. Sarah TevisTownes, Pastor and Teacher at Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC in Albuquerque, just returned from Washington DC, where they met with legislators to discuss federal protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
Read MoreA UCC pastor shares how Title 42 places children, like the 5-year-old he found in the desert, in danger.
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Our faith gives us rituals and voice to grieve with those who are mourning. But it also instructs us to let our prayers become actions. To not just lament but work to build a world restored. We are not powerless in making these changes; we can take steps to reduce gun violence. Tell your elected leaders to take immediate bipartisan action.
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We saw a glimpse into a future without abortion access with the Politico SCOTUS leak, which inspired questions and commentary about how we can step up collectively as faith leaders yet again to support people who need abortions and reproductive justice. However, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where you might fit in. With that in mind, here is a list of so many ways, and so many things that all need support and doing. Not one person can do all of them. But between our coalitions and our collective hope for the world, we can all do some of them. Join us in the faith-filled future for abortion access.
Read MoreRev. Sarah TevisTownes at Church of the Good Shepherd UCC in Albuquerque, and @disorganized.religion on TikTok, is quoted extensively in this CNN article.
Read MoreSofia Del Valle, Development Coordinator for RIP Medical Debt , passed along this thoughtful note received from a beneficiary who was directly impacted by the generosity of the SWC last year. She writes, “As you can see, Southwest Conference United Church of Christ's contributions were truly life-changing for this kind soul and so many others!”
Read MoreThese are the first 2 of 3 in the series.
Read MoreFor those who were unable to attend live, the recording of the Ecumenical World Refugee Day Worship Service is here: World Refugee Day Ecumenical Worship Service - YouTube
Any part of this recording is available for use by local churches in their own contexts for honoring World Refugee Day.
Other tools and events that churches are encouraged to promote for World Refugee Day are also available.
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