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!

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.

As the election approaches, many United Church of Christ congregations have been asking where, exactly, churches should draw the lines around political engagement. The webinar, “Be Prophetic, Not Partisan: Navigating Election DO’s and Don’ts for Churches,” which took place last week, has answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Find the full recorded webinar here! 

The seriousness of the choices awaiting us this election season and the impacts they will have for the future are overwhelming for many of us, especially those of us committed to using our voices and votes to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). And purposefully divisive messaging fills our devices with the language of fear and hate.

If you are looking for ways to stay centered and connect to the divine image that dwells in each of us, Join the Movement toward Racial Justice has curated a collection of practices, prayers, and art to for such a time as this. Our Election Season Spiritual Care Package offers everything from rituals for when you’re feeling unwanted, to gender affirming chants and centering meditations. We hope that these resources will offer you a tender place of care as we wade in the God-troubled waters of this election season, seeking a more just world for all.

Learn more.

For the Apache and other Indigenous peoples, Oak Flat is a sacred site akin to Mount Sinai. It is currently under threat of being mined for copper by Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the multinational mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP. A legal effort to block the transfer of public land for the project was denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court.

The speakers will be Dr. Wendsler Nosie, leader of Apache Stronghold, Sarah Augustine, Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, and Rev. Carol Rose, co-pastor of Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, AZ. Apache Stronghold's legal case, seeking to prevent the transfer of sacred land at Oak Flat from the Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper Company (a subsidiary of multinational mining corporations Rio Tinto and BHP), is being appealed to the United States Supreme Court. Resolution Copper is planning to dig a copper mine that would destroy Oak Flat forever, violating Apache religious freedom. The mine would also require 250 billion gallons of water in drought-stricken Arizona, and create 1.4 billion tons of toxic mine tailings.

Join us to hear from those who have been engaged in the struggle to defend Oak Flat as it enters this crucial stage. Even if you cannot make it at its scheduled time on Wednesday, August 14th at Wednesday, August 14 at 10:00am Arizona/Pacific Time, 11am Mountain Time, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!