Author and activist Mark Charles will assess the Biden administration from an indigenous Christian perspective in this free webinar. Has Biden been a climate savior or a neocolonialist? Sign-up now.
Read MoreJPANet: March Newsletter
Each month, the Justice and Peace Action Network Editorial Board meets to discuss possible topics for the next Getting to the Root. This month we asked UCC Washington D.C. Public Policy and Advocacy Office Director, Sandy Sorensen to speak to the concerning rise in threats to reproductive healthcare access across the country.
Read MoreThe Pollinator: Mark Charles Webinar, Line 3 Action, and More
The Pollinator is a digital platform of the UCC for the sharing of ideas and inspiration. Its focus is the building of a faith-filled and faith-rooted movement for the care of creation. Read this month’s newsletter.
Read More100 Angels
The Immigration Task Force of First Church Phoenix invites you to drive through our parking lot Sunday, March 14 or Sunday, March 21 from 8am-10am to drop off needed medical supplies and donations to assist families seeking asylum. The donations benefit One Hundred Angels, a local volunteer group that assists asylum seekers with basic medical care.
Read MoreLet's Get Rid of Private Prisons
Private profit driven prison contractors are inherently incentivized to maximize profits while minimizing costs. These contractors' primary duty is to their shareholders rather than to New Mexicans. New Mexico relies more heavily on private prisons than any other state in the US and ranks high on the number of people incarcerated per capita. It is time for this to change.
Read MoreSahuarita Food Bank Groundbreaking
Ten local dignitaries turned golden shovels on a sunny afternoon February 11, marking the first step toward completion of SFB-CRC’s new building. Board President Penny Pestle and Executive Director Carlos Valles directed them to seats centered on the property south of The Good Shepherd UCC where the 14,300 sq. ft. facility should be ready in less than a year.
Read MoreHope House of Sedona - February Update
“We are hopeful that homeless families with children in Sedona will not have to spend another winter in the cold in their tents or cars. Instead, they will be able to move into Hope House if they choose.”
Read MoreWe Need the American Rescue Plan
We need to pass meaningful COVID relief, not just to address the immediate impacts of the pandemic and economic crisis but also to build people and communities back up. Congress needs to act now.
Read MoreSofa Spirituality
Wednesday, March 17, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Join us on the sofa to learn about diverse faith practices and enter into dialogue together. Despite the limitations of physical distancing, a new reality of our interconnectedness through technology has blossomed. We realize that our work doesn’t need to end; rather, it needs to evolve. Sofa Spirituality allows people of faith and hope, curiosity and interest, to learn about each other while being in dialogue with each other. The intimate style of Sofa Spirituality affords each one of us to have a seat on the sofa and a voice in the conversation. Join us from your own sofa to learn about Passover practice from Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman, Rabbi of Congregation Kehilliah and Vice President of Arizona Faith Network.
Climate Justice Update
The latest news from the Council on Climate Justice, the national UCC group working to curb the impact of Climate change.
Read MoreCall for Equity in Vaccine Access at the WTO
Recent studies have warned that in low and middle income countries, a majority of people will not have access to the vaccine until 2024, if at all, unless more is done to ensure equal access to vaccines and treatments. If we have learned anything from this crisis, it is that we are all connected as one global community and our safety depends on everyone being given access to vaccines, tests, and treatment.
Read MoreUCC offers relief, issues Winter Storms appeal for Texas, beyond
On Friday, February 19, the United Church of Christ issued an appeal to raise funds for 2021 winter storm relief and long-term recovery in Texas and beyond.
UCC Issues Appeal in Response to Winter Storms
UCC News story on how churches already are responding
Statement on Sonoran Science Academy vandalism
As Tucson area clergy committed to love, inclusion, and justice, we unite to condemn the racist vandalism that occurred at the Sonoran Science Academy on February 1. We are angry and sad, though not surprised, to see this sort of hateful action that does violence to our hearts and minds taking place in our community where diversity is celebrated and many have intentionally worked to know and appreciate neighbors from different backgrounds, orientations, religions, and races.
Read MoreLiving by Faith: Overcoming Hurricanes in Nicaragua and Honduras
Webinar on March 3 at 3pm ET
Representatives from the Moravian Church in Nicaragua, Christian Mission Church of Nicaragua, Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras, and Christian Commission for Development in Honduras will share about their work responding to the two category four hurricanes, Eta and Iota. In November of 2020, they caused massive damage and flooding across Nicaragua and Honduras.
Read MoreUpdates from the UCC's Council for Climate Justice
Thanks to Rev. Tom Martinez, our Conference Liaison on the UCC’s Council for Climate Justice, for the update.
The UCC's Council for Climate Justice is provides timely information and educational resources for everyone interested in taking action on behalf of God's creation.
Read MoreGreen Justice bills in New Mexico
from First Congregational UCC Albuquerque’s newsletter
As a Green Justice church, our call is to keep tabs on our elected officials and let them know what policies are important to us. Now that the state legislature is in session, we are holding Zoom meetings to follow some bills and learn how to advocate for them.
Read about the first group of bills they’re following.
Read MoreAt-home COVID tests are now available for free in New Mexico
from Taos UCC newsletter
This is a simple spit-in-a-vial test, and your results are sent to you by email. Click here to order a test.
Please be sure you are signed up on the NM vaccine registry. Then update your registration to include past and present conditions or illnesses.
Health care professionals are now saying that it is important to upgrade your mask from a single mask to a double mask. KN-95 masks are also available online or in some stores. Look for those FDA approved.
Read MoreSummary of February 3 UCC Council for Climate Justice event
submitted by Rev. Tom Martinez
The UCC Council for Climate Justice organized a February 3, 2021 webinar featuring some national ecojustice leaders who each presented ways for individuals and groups to get involved.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network Interfaith Youth Conversation
Sunday, February 21, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
If you are a 14–22-year-old Arizona youth or young adult interested in the intersectionality of interfaith dialogue and social justice, join us for an informal conversation. Together we will learn more about diverse faiths, our communities, and one another! All youth and young adults active in their faith communities are welcome for this conversation.
Faith leaders and the Arizona COVID vaccination plan
This week Dr. Cara Christ, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, and Maria Cristina Fuentes, Director of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, briefed faith leaders on the COVID vaccination plan being implemented across Arizona.
Read More