In 2021, the UCC General Synod called on the church to “promote the Rights of Nature,” including the right to healthy habitats and the right of species to flourish. It recognized that as people of faith, we are stewards of the land and its inhabitants in our care. That is why we must act as faithful caretakers and call upon our leaders in Congress to reintroduce and pass the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
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In this month's Global H.O.P.E. news: Inclusivity in Disaster Ministries, a map of current recovery efforts, Lesli Remaly's retirement, the position opening for her replacement, and young adult leadership immersion opportunities. Plus appeals to support our neighbors in Syria/Turkey and Ukraine.
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The Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church, Disciples of Christ has maintained a relationship of solidarity and accompaniment with Cuban partners for more than 60 years. Now is the time to raise our voices, and speak out for the Cuban people! Contact the Administration and Congress today and urge them to take Cuba off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
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This online event will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11 am ET (8 am AZ, 9 am NM/El Paso). The theme is “What’s Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope.”
This two and a half hour summit will feature a keynote from the Rev. Jim Antal, a panel of inspiring speakers, the presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, and a video showcasing the uplifting story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis.
Even if you cannot make the event 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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Join MID (Member In Discernment) ellie hutchison to support the San Francisco Night Ministry's Care Line. During the beginning of the pandemic, ellie was embarking on her CPE program and completed over 300 hours sitting alongside folx on the SFNM Care Line. Since then, she continues to volunteer a few times a month in order to remain connected to returning callers as well as being witness with and alongside many new callers.
SFNM is a fantastic organization to volunteer with AND, the best thing is that you can do it directly from your home! For more information, send KA an email and tell her ellie sent you their way.
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Please join us and contact your Member of Congress asking them to fully oppose this legislation, and any like it, that would cause harm to our transgender siblings. Ask them to listen to their constituents who speak to the immense damage these bills have on transgender youth. As people of faith, it’s critical we add our voices to the chorus of others saying transgender people are loved wholly and without reservation.
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Many churches celebrate God's creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day (April 22nd). Sign-up now for this webinar that will help your congregation make the most of it: bit.ly/EarthSunday2023
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If implemented, this new asylum policy would result in the return of asylum seekers to their home countries to face war, persecution, and even death. Right now, the Administration is taking comments from the public on this plan. And your voice is needed! As people of faith, and an immigrant-welcoming denomination, we are called to work toward ensuring every person has access to safety and home. The comment period closes on Monday, March 27, 2023.
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We are in the midst of a pivotal moment in our shared story. The well-being of transgender and non-binary youth is being debated in legislative sessions across the United States. As of March 3 there have been 385 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced, with 108 of these bills aiming to end gender affirming healthcare for trans and non-binary youth. This places more than 54,000 trans youth actively taking life-saving gender affirming medical care at risk.
This is the highest number of anti-LGBTQ bills ever introduced in a single legislative season.
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In this month's Justice and Peace Action Network newsletter:
Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
UCC advocates join rally at the White House in response to the Administrations new asylum ban
Planning Ahead for Earth Day
Registration for the 2023 Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Apply for the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award
Join the UCC’s delegation to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women
Women’s History Month Sees Launch of New Resources
Justice Resources
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. Our faith compels is to declare that a culture of violence and death is not inevitable. We are not powerless in making these changes; we can take steps to end gun violence. Tell your elected leaders to summon the moral courage and take immediate action.
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Keep up with the work of the Team through their (nearly) monthly e-newsletter. To subscribe, email globalhope@ucc.org. Learn more about UCC Global H.O.P.E. here.
Click here to read news from Global H.O.P.E.
a Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ's Wider Church Ministries
There is ample evidence to show that broad sanctions against a country mostly affects the people who are already disadvantaged in that country: the poor and marginalized. United States sanctions policies have exemptions for humanitarian purposes, but in practice it is extremely difficult to get a humanitarian license. And even if a group receives a license, getting banks who are naturally risk-averse to allow any transactions, even for food and medicine, takes time and a lot of effort.
Our partner, the Middle East Council of Churches, has called for “the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria and allowing access to all materials, so sanctions may not turn into a crime against humanity.” We join our partners in this call and therefore urge the Biden Administration to lift sanctions against Syria.
Read MoreIt has been 7,349 days since I last used illicit opioids. Truthfully, at this point in my journey, I rarely count days anymore. A ritual that once held immense importance for me has given way to different ways of measuring the trajectory of healing in my life. However, this January 3rd, the annual marker of freedom from the hold of my problematic relationship with drugs felt quite different.
Read MoreThe news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event. See how to help.
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We can call on our elected leaders in Congress to reintroduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 1280) to begin the work of national comprehensive police reform. Key reforms included are:
Restriction of “no-knock” warrants, chokeholds, and carotid holds,
Creation of a National Police Misconduct Registry to compile data on complaints and records of police misconduct,
Requiring law enforcement officers to complete training on racial profiling, implicit bias, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force.
Christ taught us that true peace is not achieved through the use of violence. It is up to us as people of faith to be the voice for change so that we may all live in communities free of violence—including at the hands of those sworn to protect us. Please call on your Representatives today!
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Each month we ask UCC advocates to help us unpack the complex justice issues that we’re working on. This month, as we prepare to hear the President’s State of the Union address, International Policy Advocate, Rev. Michael Neuroth (with some input from the D.C. team) has offered a helpful list of what to listen for on February 7.
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As a justice-seeking people, we must remain committed to preserving and protecting access to the full range of reproductive health care for all – including legal abortion – as an imperative rooted in our deeply-held faith beliefs in social justice, moral agency, and religious liberty for all. Please contact your member of Congress to ask them to introduce and support legislation protecting an individual’s right to access abortion and the full range of reproductive healthcare access.
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News from Global H.O.P.E.
a Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ's Wider Church Ministries
January 2023
In this issue:
Position opening for a Communications Specialist
Call for applications from college students and young adults for UCC Spring Break for Service at Back Bay Mission 2023
Young adults 2023 leadership immersion opportunities
Drastic policy changes in U.S. migration
Disaster Ministries to assist victims of deadly California storms
"Willing to Respond" UCC churches and conferences
Mission sites currently recruiting volunteers
UCC delegation heading to Europe to track Ukraine response
Appeals to support neighbors
