PHOENIX, AZ – First Church United Church of Christ (UCC) is celebrating our common humanity and the resiliency and power of those most oppressed among us.

First Church UCC was forever changed by the presence of 115 immigrants from Central America, mostly from Guatemala, where hunger, drought, and unemployment compelled them to leave their homes to find a way of providing for their families.

Abeth Spencer said that Shadow Rock doesn’t often publicize this work for obvious reasons, but once word leaked out to the media on Monday, the church started receiving a number of offers of assistance. “We want to respect the safety and privacy of our guests. But we have taken a lot of calls. A lot of people in the community want to know how they can help out. People who have seen us and are coming forward to assist. It’s been really been awesome.”

It is hard to pinpoint exactly when the US immigration system became callous, cruel, and irretrievably broken. Each administration over the past 20 or more years has foolishly built upon the misguided policies and principles of the other and hastily surpassed the previous administration in its brutality and nastiness. If a group of policy wonks and administrators were put in a room with the objective of creating the most heinous Immigration system for the United States, they could not have created the pure evil that we are experiencing today.  

The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter – October 2018

This month Katie Adams, our UCC Domestic Policy Advocate, focuses on Domestic Violence Awareness Month and actions you can take to support survivors.

The Good Shepherd is committed to experiential education as we host individuals and groups that want to come to the borderlands and learn about immigration and border issues.  Please contact us if you are in the area or are planning a mission trip. 

The Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family is hosting a faith community roundtable on substance abuse designed to engage faith traditions across Arizona. Participants will learn the latest drug trends, how to connect with community resources, and how to participate in a facilitated discussion on substance abuse.

Info about civics ed for congregations, a friend-to-friend texting app for political campaigns, and an ask for election day transportation.

It’s important to learn how to educate yourself on a candidate or issue. Additionally, as people of faith we have an additional responsibility to faithfully and prayerfully discern what issues and candidates we ultimately support. Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “but test them all; hold on to what is good.” In other words, don’t take what you’re hearing at face value and learn to be a discerning citizen and voter. Here are a few simple tips to learn more about candidates and their issues.

New Mexico communities are holding many events and you are invited. 

The Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ asks you to vote yes on Proposition 127. From “in the beginning” [i] God trusted humanity to “tend and watch over” [ii] creation for the benefit of everyone. And God’s covenant is not just with people but includes “every living thing.”[iii] Within this covenantal understanding of the web of life, each person of faith has the responsibility to strive for right relationships among all of God's creation. Passing Proposition 127 protects creation. Passing Proposition 127 is a matter of faith for us, not a political issue.

Are you in a UCC church and wanting to begin or expand an Our Whole Lives / Sexuality and Our Faith ministry? Do you need monetary support? Contact owl@ucc.org by Nov. 1 to request an application.

Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 p.m.

First Church UCC Phoenix, 1407 N 2nd Street, Phoenix AZ 85004

Rev. Bill Lyons has been invited to speak at this event to share why people of faith need to stand with those living in poverty.

Join us for a night of unity as The Poor People's Campaign organizes the interfaith community in the Phoenix metro area to help carry on the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in the 60's and fight for 140 million people currently living in poverty in America and the many who live in poverty in Arizona. 

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness
The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter

Please pass along to your faith community / parish nurse.

The United Church of Christ has long supported the work of the International Criminal Court, as reflected in our 2005 General Synod resolution. Our support for the ICC is a reflection of our faith values that calls us to defend the most vulnerable, uphold human rights, and build a world in which peace and justice are intertwined (Psalm 85:10) in the vision of Just Peace.

At a time in which human rights and international institutions are under attack, we must speak out to affirm such values and institutions, asserting with clarity our commitment to building a Just World for All.

More than 65 million people, nearly one third of the U.S. population, are family caregivers that provide unpaid care for a loved one. On Thursday, October 18, Duet: Partners In Health & Aging will host the 3rd annual Family Caregiver Symposium—an event meant to equip, empower and celebrate family caregivers. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First Christian Church of Phoenix, 6750 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix and costs $20 for family caregivers and $40 for professionals.

As people of faith we know that the face of God is in every refugee, asylum-seeker and sojourner in our midst, and we must make sure that our Members of Congress do everything they can to hold the Administration accountable for meeting the 45,000 refugee admissions goal for 2018 and urge the Administration to commit to resettling at least 75,000 refugees in fiscal year 2019.