Following in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work as expressed in his “I have a Dream” speech, this session will include an examination of these themes, shared prayers and dialogue. It will involve a call to specific action for participants to stand up for justice, equity and inclusion, rooted in the richness of our various faith and spiritual traditions.
Bill Lyons is one of the faith leaders presenting that evening.
Read More
A note from Rev. Andrew Black, Director of Community Relations, Education and Veterans Outreach
Dear Spiritual Leaders,
As many of you know, today President Trump was in Salt Lake City today to announce devastating cuts and drastic rollbacks to environmental protections to both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments.
Our work and trip to Bears Ears was not and has not been in vain and now more than ever your voices are important, your wisdom is needed, your prayers are essential and your advocacy must know no bounds.
Read More
We're receiving more resources and information to assist with community outreach and sharing the spiritual leaders' trip with others. Thanks to Sophie Shemas, Public Lands Fellow, New Mexico Wildlife Federation for these.
Read More
Here are links to various news stories and articles about the visit to the Bears Ears National Monument in Southern Utah of nearly 30 faith and tribal leaders. These were collected by Rev. Andrew Black, Director of Community Relations, Education and Veterans Outreach, New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Read More
"We just returned from a visit to the Bears Ears National Monument in Southern Utah in the company of nearly 30 faith and tribal leaders. Our group undertook the journey to stand in solidarity with the indigenous tribes that have held this land sacred for millennia, and to raise a moral voice for the importance of the protection of indigenous sacred sites and public lands that are endangered by the expressed intention of the Trump Administration to diminish or eliminate many national monuments."
Read the entire Bears Ears National Monument Op-Ed piece signed by some of the spiritual leaders, including our Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, who recently came together to protect this sacred place.
Read More
From Sandy Sorensen, Director
United Church of Christ Washington Office
The Senate is voting this week on a tax bill that will cause enormous harm. We don’t have a lot of time to stop this massive bill – congressional leaders want it on the President’s desk as soon as possible.
Please call your senators today and urge them to oppose the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Then contact your representative and say the same thing.
Read More
From Shantha Ready Alonso, Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries
This is the week Creation Justice Ministries will release companion advocacy materials to build on the sacred journey you took, to cap off Native American Heritage Month. If you haven’t yet added your name and commitments, please consider it today!
Read More
A note from Steve Davis, Board of Directors
Arizona Interfaith Power and Light
Three Great Loves: Children, Neighbor, Creation. It’s been my experience that one love at a time can sometimes be more than enough. Given the dismantling of environmental priorities and our nation’s administration exempting the U.S. from the international Paris Climate Accord, I offer my serenade for Love # 3: Love of Creation.
Read More
In the middle of Native American Heritage Month, nearly 30 spiritual leaders converged on a threatened Native American heritage landscape: Bears Ears National Monument. When religious community leaders received news that President Trump intends to make an early December trip to San Juan County to announce he will downsize and diminish conservation protection for Bears Ears National Monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and possibly other public lands, they were compelled to go there to stand with the tribes.
Read More
The Church has always understood itself to be an extension of Jesus Christ's healing ministry in the world. As such, it is our call as people of faith and leaders in the United Church of Christ to help connect our neighbors with the health care they need.
Read More
The victims, survivors and the families impacted by gun violence are often forgotten. Therefore, the Newtown Foundation, in partnership with Faiths United Against Gun Violence, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown Survivor Network, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Organizing for Action, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, St Marks Episcopal Church and Women's March on Washington will host the annual national vigil service of mourning and loving remembrance for all who have fallen victim to the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in America on December 6th and nationwide vigils/events from December 6-17th.
Read More
In spite of all the political smoke about cutting off Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) payments and repealing the Affordable Care Act, NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN ARIZONA.
Read More
Join Duet as they gather during National Caregiver Month with experts for two different sessions - one for family caregivers in the morning, and one for facilitator training in the afternoon. CEUs available.
Read More
Duet is offering a free one-hour information session for faith communities interested in starting a congregational health program to promote health in body, mind, and spirit among their congregations.
Read More
from Justice and Peace Action Network:
The deadly mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival on October 1st is yet another tragic reminder of the terrible toll taken by gun violence in the United States. Far less likely to make the headlines are the injuries and deaths that arise from the use of guns in acts of domestic violence.
Read More
For those interested, we will be organizing a special UCC immersion experience before the SOAW Border Convergence that will include a desert walk with Samaritans, witness at Operation Streamline, theological reflection on border ministry and UCC strategic discussion on immigrant justice at a national level.
Read More
October 02, 2017
Written by Traci Blackmon
Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:1-3
"The worst mass shooting in modern American history."
We’ve heard these words before. We’ve heard them far too often only to have the next mass shooting supersede the former. During the night, people attending an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas unexpectedly found themselves assaulted by gunfire from the 32nd floor of the Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Early reports indicate this violence is the work of a lone, 64-year-old, white gunman equipped with multiple assault weapons. It is too early to know whether we will ever have knowledge of his provocation for this deadly act. It is too early to know what life experiences he may have had, or what propaganda he may have absorbed, that might have moved him from hateful thought to hateful action.
Read More
Three and a half million Puerto Ricans are facing a devastating humanitarian crisis in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Flooding and mudslides have left millions without power, 40 percent without drinking water, and only 11 of the islands 69 hospitals in operation.
Read More
Great news! Thanks to your tireless advocacy we were able to stop another congressional attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We know that the Graham-Cassidy bill would have been devastating for millions of Americans – especially seniors, people living with disabilities and children. Your prayers, phone calls, and letters made this possible.
Read More