We applaud the Senate for passing the Great American Outdoors Act. Fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund will protect our great public lands and help communities thrive and recover.
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Conversation on Racism
Watch this conversation on racism with Dr. Cari Jackson and Pastor James Pennington of First Church UCC Phoenix.
Read MoreKtizo UCC, St. Mary's Food Bank, and the National Guard
On June 6, the members of the National Guard helped with Ktizo UCC’s event with St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The Southwest Conference was able to work with SWC Disaster Coordinator Phil Shea to bring this about, in light of COVID-19 impacting volunteer availability.
Thanks, Phil, for making the connections.
So glad the ministry can continue!
Read MoreFirst Church UCC hosts ‘drive-by donation’ event
Sunday, June 28, 7:30—10:30 a.m.
First Church Phoenix UCC is partnering with Refugee Aid which makes regular trips to the Navajo Nation with supplies. The Navajo Nation has been hit hard by the coronavirus. Currently they have the third-highest infection rate in the US. They are in desperate need of masks and cleaning supplies. See the list.
Read MoreWhat We Should Do to Heal From Mr. George Floyd's Murder and Its Aftermath
Thank you, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. for this prophetic message and your gracious permission to share it with our conference.
Read MoreHow to Speak to Your Faith Community About Racial Justice
Many faith leaders and communities have expressed a desire to engage in racial justice work in their communities but do not know where to begin. Join this brief informal conversation with diverse interfaith leadership of AFN's Racial Justice Initiative team. This conversation is design for faith leaders who are currently serving communities of faith.
Read MoreHave you registered for Saturday?
The Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington Digital Gathering is this Saturday! We have been working with the Poor People's Campaign and over 200 organizations across the country to build momentum to ensure the message is heard: 'Somebody's been hurting our people, and it's gone on for far too long. And WE WON'T BE SILENT ANYMORE.'
Read MoreSacred Conversations to End Racism Summer Institute 2020
Register and become part of a listening and learning community. Commit to gathering for five sessions and learn best practices towards dismantling racism.
Read MoreCity of Mesa - Give Food - Get Food
Non-perishable food items only. Items collected will be used to replenish United Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank supplies. One CAN make a difference!
Read MoreTo Those Upset about COVID in Arizona and the Lack of Mask Wearing
There is only one way to get back to a new normal which is to wear a mask. Since the Governor of Arizona will not seriously promote wearing a mask it is up to us to do something about it.
[written by Peter Fox, PhD, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University since 1990]
Thank you, Peter, for your strong and compassionate advocacy on behalf of the people of Arizona. Thank you for allowing us to share it.
Read MoreA Pastoral Reflection on Racism
The Pension Boards United Church of Christ offers this pastoral reflection on racism.
Read MoreVirtual Pilgrimage for Racial Justice
The Church of the Heavenly Rest in partnership with Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary invites you to a 3-day immersive experience to learn, pray, and act on issues of racism and racial justice.
Read MoreThe Pollinator: A Time for Action
This month’s issue of The Pollinator: A UCC environmental justice forum for the sharing of ideas and inspiration.
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Juneteenth 2020: And Still We Rise
Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the U.S. June 19, 1865, and the recognition of African-American history and heritage. Join the United Church of Christ for moments of remembrance, education, celebration, and calls to action. Register and join the live webinar, Juneteenth 2020: And Still We Rise, Friday, June 19, 2020 at 12 noon until 1:30 pm EDT.
Read MoreSame Soup, Different Bowl
All are welcome to this class with First Church Phoenix UCC. Contact office@phoenixucc.org for the link to join.
Read MoreRegister for Rebuilding Roots: An Evening of Music and Storytelling for World Refugee Day
An evening of Music and Storytelling in celebration of World Refugee Day, which is observed on June 20th. This free online event will be centered on the theme of Rebuilding Roots, an experience that our refugee and immigrant neighbors know well.
To register to watch the event or to sign up as a performer, go to rebuildingroots.eventbrite.com.
Read MoreWe must act to end police violence.
Our role as people of faith, and advocates is not just to mourn, although that is needed. We can pray and we can march. We can grieve and we can call on our elected officials to take action. There are specific and actionable steps that can be taken right now to disarm police, change their tactics, and hold those who violate the public trust accountable.
Read MoreAn Exciting Update from Hope House of Sedona
We have some extremely exciting Hope House news to relay to you: the $336,000 grant funds have been released! For that to happen, the environmental review of the property had to be completed. That was done at the end of May. We started working on Hope House a year and a half ago, so this is thrilling news to all who have worked so hard to make this a reality in Sedona. We received the call yesterday afternoon that HUD had released the funds for Hope House, so we can now move forward with the next steps of the project.
Read MoreA Letter to the United Church of Christ from The UCC Mental Health Network
The UCC Mental Health Network Board of Directors desires to add its voice to those who in pain and despair are seeking to express their outrage about the murder of George Floyd and the deaths of so many other people of color who have suffered and died because of the violence born of the systemic racism that has pervaded our country for centuries. We join with the many groups and organizations which decry these violent acts, and we commit to working for a seismic shift in our national consciousness that will bring determined actions toward dismantling racism.
Read MoreAssisting Navajo Nation Members
The response to the crisis in the Navajo Nation has been heroic. And yet the Navajo Nation needs our assistance. Most of the Navajo Nation land mass lays within the boundaries of the Southwest Conference. 40% of the people living there have no running water. Two thirds of the Diné people have no electricity. There are only 13 grocery stores on the reservation, a region roughly the size of West Virginia. People must drive up to 100 miles round trip to purchase basic needs if those products are even available. While the temptation is to collect goods and ship them to agencies and ministries, the best way to provide immediate relief is to send monetary donations to vetted agencies and ministries assisting Navajo families. The long term need for not only the Diné people but for all indigenous people is to end the centuries of oppression that systemic racism and colonialism has metered out against them.
Here you will find the contact information for Navajo agencies and our ecumenical partners’ ministries offering assistance to members of the Navajo Nation.
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