This month: The Complexities of Human Trafficking in Southern Asia

9:00 am Monday, January 20 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 15th Street & Jefferson

If your church has a group participating, please notify Wende so we can add the info here. Thanks.

A return to diplomacy is the only way forward. We must remind our officials of the shared humanity between our nations and find creative ways to build peace. This Epiphany let us pray and fast for peace with Iran and use our collective voice as people of faith to stop the drumbeat to war. 

Call on Congress today to assert its constitutional war powers and prevent any funds from being used for war with Iran. 

The following statement appeared on Friday, January 3 in the Arizona Republic, and it is a testament to the value of building community relations: We faith leaders condemn the attacks on the Jewish people.

Arizona Jews for Justice is honored to award Pastor James Pennington, the 1st Arizona Jews for Justice "Partner in Justice" award! 

From The Good Shepherd UCC:

We are delighted to have an unprecedented response to our Common Ground on the Border / Border Issues Fair event. January 16-18, 2020. We have individuals and groups coming from across the country to learn more about what is happening in our borderlands.

Due to limitations of space, we found it necessary to close registration to those wanting to attend the entire conference. However, for those who are still interested in attending part of the event, there are still some opportunities available.

Got new gadgets for Christmas? Time to clean house! Shadow Rock is partnering with AZStRUT to collect your "no longer needed" electronics during the weekend of January 10-12.

United Church of Santa Fe’s youth ages 13 + will join in SALT Immersion to U.S./Mexico Border Sunday, March 15 to Friday, March 20. They’ll stay in Tucson and will partner with Good Shepherd UCC and other organizations dealing with issues surrounding immigration.

7 p.m. on January 9 at the Southwest Conference office

Rev. Alan Johnson, Chair of the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network who chairs the WISE Conference on Mental Health, has agreed to make a Zoom presentation on the topic of "Follow Up Steps for Churches."

For faith advocates working for justice, trying to bring the voices and concerns of the most vulnerable to the center of public policy decision-making, this last year has felt like an advocacy marathon. And what a marathon you have been running in 2019! During the past year, you helped to send 60,000 email messages to legislators and over 2,300 Tweets. You have prayed, marched, witnessed, and acted for justice in countless ways. In 2019, members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network have countered the narrative of fear, exclusion, and scarcity on issues ranging from refugee admissions, gun violence prevention, climate justice, voting rights, nutrition assistance, reproductive health care, gender-based violence, trade agreements, increased militarization, and violence and armed conflict in regions around the world. You have made a difference, made your voices heard, and we give thanks for your partnership!

[A press conference will be held at noon on Thursday, December 19 in the Rose Garden at the Arizona State Capitol .]

Phoenix – On Nov. 21, 2019, 23 state representatives signed a letter to ICE officers in support of a request for parole for a young woman from Guatemala named Maria so she could be reunited with her 6-year-old niece, “Flor.” Maria and Flor were separated when they presented themselves at the Arizona border to request asylum at Lukeville in March of 2019.

In Tucson on Monday, December 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the federal building, 300 W. Congress.

House of Sedona has found property! As of this week, we have secured property for our project to provide temporary transitional housing for homeless families with children, and elderly women. It is located in west Sedona near Basha's, a great location close to food, businesses and bus access.

It has been a long journey to reach this exciting point and we continue to be grateful for you, our supporters. Now that we have property, we can move to our next steps.

Tuesday, December 17th, 11 a.m., ICE Field Office, 2035 N Central Avenue, Phoenix

We join with Shadow Rock UCC and visit the ICE Field Office at 11:00 a.m. on the 17th of every month. We 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. Please join us and take part.

This is a peaceful action, statement, and prayer.

The UCC Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice campaign offers resources to help congregations engage the electoral process in a meaningful, nonpartisan way, through voter education, issue education and voter empowerment and mobilization: www.ourfaithourvote.org.

The December newsletter of the Justice and Peace Action Network.

Church of the Red Rocks shares wonderful news regarding Hope House:

The IRS has granted us our 501(c)(3) status! We are thrilled that we are now a not-for-profit organization and can accept donations as such. We are in the process of setting up a bank account separate from the church and are looking into the AZ tax credit.

In terms of property for Hope House . . .