COMMIT TO JUSTICE IN 2025:
a program for church-goers, laypeople, clergy, anyone looking for tools and support in their journey to building a better world.
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Faith In Action
February 14th: Valentine's Day Action
Participate in the UCC's nationwide day of action on Valentine’s Day as we urge members of congress to have a heart for climate, our children, and our children's future. Organize a team to visit the district offices of your congress members on February 14th. Involve the children and youth of your church in the visit! Learn more and register your church.
Read MoreSubscribe & Listen! The Fill the JAR Podcast is Up and Running
Beginning in 2024, economic justice efforts in the United Church of Christ were centralized under the banner of “Fill the JAR” – Jubilee, Abundance, Reparations – God’s economic justice.
Dedicated campaigns for churches are coming (stay tuned new year 2025!) and a Fill the JAR podcast was begun: conversations with colleagues and collaborators in this shared work of fighting for liberation, equity, and thriving while staying whole and thriving ourselves. There would be more episodes, but I (Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Minister for Economic Justice) welcomed a new baby and parental leave for a while!
For now, you can subscribe and listen to conversations with Dr. Sharon Fennema (Join the Movement), Hill Brown (Faith in Harm Reduction), and Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt (Environmental Justice)…and expect many more in 2025!
Read MoreUCC Webinar: Reclaiming Our Democracy
After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to "stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options?
(1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game.
(2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures.
(3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many.
Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process.
In his book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy," Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen's Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, December 11th at 1 pm ET (11 am SWC time), still sign up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
Read MoreDesert Palm UCC is the first A2A church in the SWC
This summer, the UCC Disabilities Ministries certified Desert Palm UCC as an “Accessible to All” (A2A) church. Our church is the first church in the Southwest Conference to attain this milestone. The achievement followed seven years of sustained work, two internal audits of our campus, educational outreach, and numerous meetings.
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November 16th: Ecumenical Climate Ambassador Training
On November 16th, Blessed Tomorrow and a range of denominations will offer a training that will equip attendees on understanding the climate crisis through a faith lens while considering its impacts and how we can advance solutions. Attention will be given to how to best communicate with others and become engaged in taking action.
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The Cool Congregations Challenge
The Cool Congregations Challenge is an annual national contest to recognize congregations that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models. The contest is conducted by Interfaith Power & Light. The deadline for entries is December 15th, and the prize for each category is $1,000. Categories range from renewable energy to stewarding sacred grounds.
Read MoreReflections on U.S. Presidential Election - Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Watch the message from Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, GMP of the United Church of Christ, inviting us to pause, pray, and prepare to live love boldly as we process the election outcomes.
"No outcome of the election would deter us from our quest for justice. As people of faith and followers of Jesus, our values and our commitments are not changed by the politics of the day. We remain called to be advocates for justice and to find ourselves providing solidarity with those whose voices have been silenced, those who find themselves living on the margins of our society, and those whose rights are threatened among us."
‘Our Faith Moves Us to Vote’
The current and four former General Ministers and Presidents call on UCC to vote faithfully and with love.
The group of UCC leaders collaborated to create a video addressing the pressing importance of voting with a lens of faith values as part of the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote campaign.
The historic message is given by the following Presidents and GMPs of the UCC:
Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, current GMP beginning 2023
Rev. John C. Dorhauer, GMP from 2015 to 2023
Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, GMP from 2009 to 2015
Rev. John H. Thomas, GMP from 1999 to 2009
Rev. Paul H. Sherry, President from 1989 to 1999
Congregations are invited to share the video for Vote Faithfully Sunday on Nov. 3, and a bulletin insert is available to accompany it.
Read MoreVoting for a just world: UCC election resource roundup
All UCC election resources rounded up in one place.
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UCC Webinar: What Is Owed—International Climate Debt
While developed countries disproportionately caused the climate crisis, developing countries have disproportionately suffered the consequences. As a result, a debt is owed. Yet, the opposite is happening as developing countries are the ones saddled with the crushing burden of debt payments. According to a report from the IMF and World Bank, 47 developing countries will pay $400 billion dollars to service their debts in 2024. With the risk of default, these countries are not able to devote the money needed to address the climate crisis. As the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Azerbaijan, we will focus on the enormous moral and financial issues at stake with climate debt.
Athena Peralta from the World Council of Churches and Karimi Kinoti from Edeni Platform will discuss these critical matters.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
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Vote Faithfully Sunday (November 3): Worship Resources Available Now!
We invite you to join us in observing the Sunday, November 3rd as “Vote Faithfully Sunday.” This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our commitment to the common good, ground ourselves before Election Day, and prepare to vote as a community. You are welcome to use and adapt the materials available on our website for any ecumenical setting.
Check back on this page soon for an upcoming video from Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson!
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Our Faith Our Vote Resource Toolkit: Available for Download Now!
The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is designed to engage the faith community in elections. Our Resource Toolkit provides a wide-range of material ranging from:
💙 How to mobilize your congregation this election season
💙 Guidelines for faithful and respectful discussion on the issues
💙 Election centered worship resources
💙 Much, much, more!
Please use and share this toolkit to help center LOVE this election season. Let us together continue the UCC’s mission to welcome all, love all and seek justice for all!
A Joint Statement on the Current Crisis in Haiti
GMP releases call to denounce hate, stand with Haitian community in Springfield: The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson responds to the recent rise in violent threats and harassment toward members of the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, following widely spread, false narratives about Haitian immigrants. Read More.
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UCC Webinar: Project 2025 as a Threat to God's Creation
Project 2025 is a compilation of policy proposals and a presidential transition project launched by the Heritage Foundation. The proposed policies would have far-reaching implications from bolstering the US military to cutting social welfare programs.
In this webinar, we will look specifically at what Project 2025 would mean for environment justice. Our panelists will include Xavier Boatright from the Sierra Club, Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Abigail Cipparone from the Advocacy Office of the United Church of Christ.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on October 9th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
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Why Your Faith Matters When You Vote
Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 - 8:00 pm MST via Zoom
As part of AFN's "Voices of Faith, Votes for Justice" campaign, this online event will help faith attendees understand the intersection of faith and civic responsibility. It aims to foster a space for thoughtful reflection on how personal beliefs can align with values in the political realm, emphasizing moral principles, community impact, and long-term societal well-being. The webinar will be led by Canon Lisa Derrick.
Read MoreDr. Toni went to Washington!
Dr. Toni was honored to represent the Southwest Conference UCC in Washington, DC in support of Oak Flat- Apache Stronghold in their case before the Supreme Court last Wednesday.
Here are pictures of Dr. Toni with National UCC staff from the DC office and Cleveland office, with John Maddaus of First Congregation UCC - Albuquerque, NM, with other Arizona clergy, and with Rev. Dr. William Barber II, and a poignant photo of Wendsler Nosie.
Many people along with our indigenous siblings from around the country converged at the Supreme Court steps for prayer.
Please continue to join us in prayer.
Apache Stronghold‘s Visit to First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque
First Congregational UCC of Albuquerque, in cooperation with Albuquerque Mennonite Church, Monte Vista Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Interfaith Power and Light of New Mexico and El Paso, hosted Apache Stronghold on their prayer journey to Washington, DC, from Sunday evening, August 18 to Wednesday morning, August 21. Apache Stronghold, in turn, blessed us with their presence, prayers, ceremony, and message.
From the Southwest Conference, Dr. Toni and Rev. Tracy Howe will join other clergy from all over the country in a show of support.
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UCC Webinar: Churches as Climate Refuges in Times of Trouble
As the climate crisis leads to more extreme weather events, faith communities can play a vital role as places of refuge and resiliency. For example, a house of worship with solar panels, battery storage, air conditioning, and an air filtration system can provide a place for community members to come during heat waves, power outages, or unhealthy air quality days. Faith communities not only can serve as drop-in centers, but they can also serve as evacuation zones, emergency shelters, and resource hubs in times of trouble.
In this webinar, we will learn more about the cutting edge of how faith communities are embodying a love of neighbor in very tangible and needed ways. We will hear from those leading the way in their local communities to make this happen with the help of government funding.
Even if you cannot make it at its scheduled time on Wednesday, September 11th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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Democracy, Faith, and Peace-Building in 2024
Join best-selling author and pastor, the Rev. Jim Wallis, in reflections on the current state of our democracy and his most most recent book, The False White Gospel: Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith, and Refounding Democracy.
This event is being co-sponsored by AFN, The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, the African American Christian Clergy Coalition, and Arizona Democracy Resiliency Network.
RSVP to the Phoenix event here.
RSVP to the Tucson event here.
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