There was hours of singing and praying and reading our demands. The State Police arrived. There was pushing and shoving and more reading our demands. The long day ended with us being handcuffed and taken out into police cars.

Written by Connie Larkman

Living on the United States border with Mexico, the Rev. Randy Mayer spends much of his time, as he has for almost two decades, ministering to his migrant neighbors. The pastor of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Ariz., is a founding member of many of the border humanitarian groups in the Santa Cruz Valley.

This week, Good Shepherd volunteers are accompanying a young mother from Honduras and her three sons — the infant, Diego, a six week old American citizen — to a check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Maria and her boys have been in this country just two months, and have had to navigate changes in U.S. immigration policy since their arrival

written by Martha and Ray Phillips of St. Paul's UCC in Rio Rancho, NM:

In the past two weeks, we have participated in a teach-in at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, stood by ourselves with signs at three locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, driven to Phoenix to join a ​demonstration (including St. Paul's own Gordon Nelson, who met us there) outside the ICE headquarters, and joined with many others (including Rev. Jocelyn Emerson) at Senator Martin Heinrich's rally in Albuquerque.

Why are we doing this? Because "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Micah 6:8

On June 26, in a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld President Trump’s Muslim Ban, a policy which, from its inception, was based on blatant discrimination on the basis of nationality and religion.

Thank you to everyone who donated to immigrant justice by giving money and personal items to be donated to the children incarcerated at Tornillo Detention Center in Tornillo, TX. Jose Gonzales was grateful to get so much support from the Taos UCC community. With a Taos UCC mission grant of $300 combined with your donations on Sunday, we were able to give $753 to support immigrant justice at the border. 

Leaders of the New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice are joining together to plan a sustained plan for the next several months that not only highlight opportunities to engage in education, advocacy, and direct service needs, but how this issue of family separation and family detention is seen within the context of systemic problems and attacks on the immigrant community at all levels. The efforts that NMFCIJ is undertaking need thoughtful leadership from the affected community and from allies who prioritize centering those most directly affected. 

Taos UCC received a Cool Congregation award this year; in this letter from Interfaith Power & Light's Executive Director, see how your congregation can become a Cool Congregation:

Leaders from the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) issued a statement in support of the Singapore Summit and its aspirations, acknowledging it as a first step in a long process. This support aligns with past General Synod statements, including a 2015 resolution which recommitted the UCC to continue its work for peace, justice, and reunification in Korea.   

Amanda Sheldon, a UCC Disaster Ministries staff member, reported this week the long-term devastation to the El Rodeo village and community in Guatemala. She spoke this week to our Conference Disaster Coordinators from a very personal place having done ministry/justice work near El Rodeo in the past. 

Monday, June 18
Two Locations: Gallup &  Santa Fe

Missionary Mark Behle reflects on his nearly 22 years in Lesotho, in one of his last newsletters, Morija Times.

United Church of Christ is responding to the victims of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala

Disaster Ministries has already provided a $3,000 solidarity grant to Global Ministries partner Christian Ecumenical Council of Guatemala for hygiene kits, medicine and burn kits in unofficial shelters where needs. UCC network partners within Guatemala (the ACT Alliance) will be issuing an appeal within the next several days with comprehensive plans for recovery which UCC Disaster Ministries will be supporting as well.

At a time when women are increasingly making their voices heard in arenas across the American spectrum, many clergywomen and women that sit on investment committees are seeking opportunities to use their church endowments to positively impact society.

Can your church realize a competitive return and pursue active social engagement? The answer is yes. The Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization and United Church Funds (UCF) invite you to join us in exploring this timely subject in a webinar.

What we covered:

• The importance of socially responsible investing (SRI)

• How UCF enables churches to align and integrate their faith and values while growing their endowment

Thursday, June 14, 6 p.m.
First Church UCC Phoenix, 1407 N. Second Street, Phoenix

sponsored by the Phoenix Restoration Project

Fact-based discussion of the assault on migrant families is a necessary foundation for effective community responses to the recent practice of separating children from their parents at the U.S. border.

Hear the perspective of immigration lawyers and other experts. Bring your questions, and be part of this important community conversation.

Tuesday, June 12th, 6 pm
First Church UCC, Phoenix
1407 North Second Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Join us for a facilitated discussion about the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, militarism, and ecological devastation hosted by Arizona Poor People's Campaign.

Slots open for July and beyond

Shadow Rock UCC visits the Phoenix ICE Field Office at 11:00 a.m. on the 17th of every month. They use this time to stand with our immigrant neighbors and their families, make a prayer or statement, and pass out water and snacks for those waiting in line for appointments.

Transcend AZ is looking for people identifying as LGBT with immigration related questions who might qualify for free legal representation. There will be a free clinic on Saturday June 16th with the Florence Project.  For more information, please call Transcend Arizona at 480-234-1476.

The 40 days of action will culminate with a mass rally in Washington, DC on June 23rd. Join us on the National Mall at 10:00 AM between 7th Street and 9th Street for words of inspiration, spirit-filled music and the chance to connect and strategize with advocates from around the country.