Register for Ecumenical Advocacy Days

March 11, 2024 in Faith In Action

In person Ecumenical Advocacy Days has returned! This May, EAD will host a “summit” May 17-19 in Washington, D.C. The guiding theme is: “Faith in Action: Advancing Human Rights and Peace for All.”

The EAD 2024 Spring Summit will include advocacy training for new and growing participant categories (seminary students, young adults) and will offer a chance for those who work with domestic and international priorities to connect and share. Ultimately, we want the universal voice of God, one of compassion, justice, and peace, to be lifted during these challenging times.

UCC Webinar—How Long Till Justice?: Flint, Jackson, and Red Hill

March 03, 2024 in Faith In Action

In April, the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan will be marked. Yet, justice, in many forms and by many measures, has remained elusive. In Jackson, Mississippi and near the U.S. Navy’s toxic Red Hill facility in Hawai’i, justice has also been difficult to achieve in the wake of water crises. Learn how leaders from these communities envision the path to justice in this webinar on March 13th at 1 pm ET. Register now!

Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest

February 10, 2024 in Faith In Action

To give our children and youth a voice this election season, while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation, the UCC will be conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest in 2024.

From March 1st to April 16th, art submissions will be accepted.

Participating churches should register now to receive important information and updates.

UCC Climate Action Assembly

February 10, 2024 in Faith In Action

The UCC Council for Climate Justice will be hosting a Climate Action Assembly on March 6th at 1 pm ET (11 am MT). We will hear updates on the three endeavors launched for this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Register to join!

Interfaith Youth and Young Adult Conversations

February 03, 2024 in Faith In Action

Sunday, February 18, 4:00 - 5:00 pm via Zoom

People of all ages are welcome to join the Interfaith Youth and Young Adult Conversations, held on the third Sunday of each month. The IYC program seeks to help educate and connect young leaders from diverse faiths throughout the state. These young leaders engage in interfaith dialogue and interfaith education experiences with trained religious leaders from faiths represented throughout the state. Leadership training and development is offered in important areas including civil dialogue, social justice, advocacy work and public speaking.

RSVP

Getting to the Root: February JPANet newsletter highlights

February 03, 2024 in Faith In Action

Keep up on the latest from the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network:

Imagine Reparation Germination

Asylum is Not a Bargaining Chip

Join the UCC to Power the Polls

Join the Movement “Woke” Lent Series

Celebrating Black Stories

Fill the J.A.R. of God’s Economic Justice: A message from the new UCC economic justice minister, Rev. Seth Wispelwey

Racial Justice Sunday: Blessing Banned Books

The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award

The UCC’s Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest

Oak Flat updates from the Apache Stronghold

January 27, 2024 in Faith In Action

Oak Flat will continue to be a sacred place of congregation if we continue to uphold the obligation of the U.S. Government to protect places of worship, Indigenous rights, and the water. Right now, there are two ways you can join the Apache Stronghold in this movement.

Breaking the Barriers of American Christian Nationalism - a 3-Part Webinar Series with Rev. Caleb Campbell

January 20, 2024 in Faith In Action

Join the AFN community for a 3-part hour-long webinar series on American Christian Nationalism with Rev. Caleb Campbell from Disarming Leviathan. This series follows the successful in-person and film discussion events in 2023. In 2024, we’ll be engaging in a number of varied programs with National and Local Faith Leaders, Historians, Museums, and Movement workers to explore the impacts of American Christian Nationalism and its impacts on this great democracy.

This particular series is broken down into 3-one hour webinar trainings on how to engage with those who believe differently than we do. Following this series, those who attended all three parts will be invited to an invite only in-person event both in Tucson and Phoenix in April 2024.

Part I: Discover the political, spiritual and cultural elements of American Christian Nationalism.

Part II: Explore the ways that American Christian Nationalism functions as a tribal identity and power structure that promises to meet the core needs of those that adhere to it.

Part III: Learn methods and postures for engaging Christian Nationalists with curiosity, hospitality and humble subversion.

2023 JPANet Sign Off

January 06, 2024 in Faith In Action

“…it’s important to reflect back on all we have accomplished this year as a community committed to creating our UCC vision of a Just World for All. Together we have mobilized and advocated on issues ranging from peace in the Middle East and Ukraine to protecting and expanding LGBTQ+ rights, from demanding common sense gun legislation to passing a just Farm Bill and federal budget, from defending voting rights to calling for reproductive justice for all, and much more! During the past year, UCC advocates have sent over 26,000 messages to legislators.

“As we look ahead to what will likely be a contentious election year, amidst continued tension and strife in the U.S. and around the world, our collective voice will be needed more than ever. We look forward to advocating alongside you in 2024, but for now, we wish you rest.”

UCC Webinar— Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions

January 06, 2024 in Faith In Action

Recent headlines have highlighted a "waning enthusiasm" among voters who have helped propel environmental justice champions into office in previous elections. A decline in enthusiasm has been noted among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. Among voters concerned about the climate crisis, dissatisfaction and anger have arisen as fossil fuel projects in Alaska and Appalachia move forward.

In this webinar, we will focus on what can be done to create the momentum needed for champions of climate justice to be elected into office. We will look at how climate solutions can be prioritized in the primaries, so that policies in accord with environmental justice values can be advanced. Our featured webinar guests include speakers from the League of Conservation Voters, the Black Voters Matter Fund, and the Green New Deal Network.

Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on January 10th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Christmas JOY at Sun Lakes UCC

January 06, 2024 in Faith In Action

The members of Sun Lakes United Church of Christ celebrated Advent JOY with a Christmas toy drive for underprivileged children in the Chandler area. The members of the church received JOY by shopping for the children. They gave JOY to the volunteers at Matthews Crossing Food Bank, who stated that they had never received such a large contribution of toys at one time. The members also gave JOY to many children in the area who received the toys for Christmas. The members of the church donated over 120 toys with a weight of 138 pounds.

“I am proud to be a member of this church,” said Stewart Thompson, the Coordinator of the Mission and Outreach Ministry of the church. “Their generosity is overwhelming, and we are glad that we can help make a few more children have a brighter Christmas this year.”

Environmental Day at the Arizona Capitol 2024

January 06, 2024

Thursday, January 25, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Join the Sierra Club, AFN, and more than 20 other organizations as we combine to take action on those priorities at the Environmental Day at the Arizona State Capitol. Hear great speakers, meet other awesome advocates, and meet with your legislators to advocate for protecting our environment and our democracy.

RSVP to get in the loop with trainings, workshops, and connect with your legislative district team. No experience is needed!

The Good Shepherd UCC's Rev. Randy Mayer's OpEd in The Arizona Republic

January 06, 2024 in Faith In Action

Opinion: What we saw on a recent trip to the border is no different than what we've seen over 30 years: A mess that security measures alone can't fix.

Read Rev. Randy Mayer's full OpEd published in The Arizona Republic.

Pastor Susan (Valiquette) from First Church UCC, Phoenix, accompanied Randy on this Friday afternoon trip. First Church also made a financial donation to the humanitarian work at the border to pay for supplies and the upkeep of their vehicles and gas. The Samaritans are able to reach migrants in remote areas that the Border Patrol cannot.

If your church would like to support this ministry, you may send your check to 'The Good Shepherd UCC' and designate it to the 'Samaritans, Sahuarita' 17750 South La Cañada Drive, Sahuarita, AZ 85629.

Common Ground on the Border 2024

December 30, 2023 in Faith In Action

January 11 – 13, 2024 at The Good Shepherd UCC

The United States-Mexico borderlands has always been a beautiful mix of culture, language, cuisine, economies, and people. It has also been a place of struggle, high and low temperatures, a fragile environment, and the push and pull of immigration.

The Borderlands is the perfect place to explore the arts, touch the culture, and have deeper conversations about the complicated issues that collide here.

On Friday afternoon, we will enjoy the wisdom and gifts of our artist-in-residence, Sister Lika Macias, and on Saturday afternoon, you will be able to choose from a variety of local cultural and tourist sites or you may have a time of rest and renewal.

On Saturday morning, we will have two border information lectures with stimulating national and international scholars and activists sharing their perspectives on our current border and immigration crisis.

In addition, there will be field trips to the border, into the desert, and other nearby locations on Thursday. And, of course, there will be a dynamic concert on Friday night with our musician-in-residence, Namoli Brennet and a movie premiere on Saturday night. We will enjoy two community meals together on Friday and Saturday nights.

Learn more and register now!

Witness for Justice: Jesus in the Rubble

December 16, 2023

by Jessica Quinn, Communications Specialist in the Washington D.C. Office

You may have seen the photo. A baby Jesus figure, lying amidst the rubble, a piece of black and white checked fabric draped over his body. This is the nativity scene displayed by the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. The scene was created to symbolize the reality of the children living and being born in Palestine at this time. “If Christ were to be born today,” said the Reverend Munther Isaac, “he would be born under the rubble and Israeli shelling.”

JPANet December 2023 Newsletter

December 09, 2023 in Faith In Action

Read it here.

This month, the Rev. Noel Andersen, national field director for Church World Service and minister for immigration justice for the United Church of Christ, helps us understand the current debate in Congress around including changes to asylum laws in any deal reached on foreign aid.

U.S. Asylum Laws Rooted in Sacred Tradition Must Not be Traded Away for Military Aid

Other items this month:

Education Resources for Advocacy on the Farm Bill
Abolition Advent Calendar from Join the Movement
The Work of Justice Needs Leaders
Ensure All Are Fed
A UCC appeal: Help give humanitarian aid to people amid war in Gaza, Palestine and Israel
Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions
Sign up for 2024 Our Faith Our Vote Communications
Climate Action Commissioning Service
Praying Through Advent
Justice Resources

UCC Event—Climate Action Commissioning Service

December 09, 2023 in Faith In Action

The UCC Council for Climate Justice is convening a Climate Action Commissioning Service as our members across the country launch into advancing climate justice in 2024. The preacher for this event will be Nellis Kennedy-Howard who once worked alongside Winona LaDuke as the Co-Executive Director of Honor the Earth in addition to later working as the Sierra Club’s Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

Sign up to join us for this online event on Wednesday, January 3rd at 1 pm ET (11 am MT)

Remember you are not alone

November 25, 2023

Mental Health Support:

The 988 Lifeline: 988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. (Please note, the previous 1-800-273-TALK (8255) number will continue to function indefinitely.)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990, or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Information HelpLine provides information and referral services. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) and www.nami.org.
The Trevor Project hotline offers support for LGBTQIA+ youth and families struggling with mental health challenges at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386) and theTrevorProject.org

Copyright Justice and Musical Misappropriation

November 25, 2023 in Faith In Action

This live webinar is a special online event from the Then Let Us Sing! Working Group in partnership with the 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism program.

Together with members of the Then Let Us Sing! Working Group, you will explore how we continue to sing justly. The ways in which we learn, teach, share, and reproduce (copyright) songs help us express our commitment to justice. This gathering time will discuss Then Let Us Sing’s principles when it comes to justice in song, including its copyright policy and anti-racist/anti-oppression framework. We will ask questions about respecting and honouring other traditions and practise ways to learn and teach these songs. This webinar will have English‒French interpretation.

And, of course, we will sing together!

Register on CHURCHx for this gathering time. 