Join people of faith from throughout the state for our Arizona Faith Network 2020 Annual Meeting!
Monday, April 20, 8 am - 12:30 pm at Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Cutler✡Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 East Culver Street Phoenix, AZ, 85004
Engage on some of the most important issues facing Arizona today. Topics include: mass incarceration, environmental justice, migrant justice and relief, interfaith education and dialogue, race and economic equity and the division in our country.
Faith In Action
Arizona Faith Network survey
Arizona Faith Network is conducting an interest survey to assist in planning upcoming Faith Education Events (entitled "Faith 101"). They would appreciate your input, interests, and suggestions. CLICK HERE FOR THE BRIEF SURVEY.
Read MoreFlorence Project Presentation
Thursday, March 5, 7 pm
Desert Palm United Church of Christ, 1230 E Guadalupe, Tempe
The Florence Project provides free legal and social services to detained men, women, and unaccompanied children in immigration custody facing removal proceedings. Two of their attorneys will speak to volunteers and other interested persons at this presentation. Hear about this amazing nonprofit, learn about the current laws and regulations governing the asylum process, and hear about a potential new way to serve. You can optionally RSVP to hhbillsmom@gmail.com or just show up.
JPANet: Tell Congress to Limit Endless War
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. Let us pray and fast for peace with Iran and use our collective voice as people of faith to stop the drumbeat to war.
Read MoreDesert Heritage Church to participate in 25 Million Stitches
10 a.m. on March 1, 2020 at Desert Heritage Church, 1020 N Horne Ave, Mesa, AZ 85203
Please join Desert Heritage Church as members of the church share their hand stitch on fabric panels to raise awareness of the global refugee crisis and a visual representation of the sheer volume of this astronomical figure of refugees. Their panels will be a part of a larger community art installation in Sacramento, California.
Read MoreLove Creation, Plant a Tree
Help protect the planet: Plant a tree. United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministries is inviting members and congregations across the wider church to celebrate Earth Day's 50th anniversary by participating in the Three Great Loves Tree Planting Campaign.
Planting trees is something UCC'ers like to do. In 2013, the UCC planted over 141,000 trees as part of Mission 4/1 Earth. The campaign ran 50 days, from Easter Monday to Pentecost.
Read MoreUCC officers: Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice matters
The UCC Our Faith, Our Vote campaign provides information and ideas to assist individuals and congregations in developing nonpartisan and meaningful ways to engage the political and electoral process. The Our Faith, Our Vote resources can empower UCC members to engage in voter registration, issue education and voter mobilization. We must equip ourselves and our communities to make informed, thoughtful decisions about who will lead us into the future. The Our Faith, Our Vote campaign is one way to do just that, and we hope you will join this effort in 2020.
Read MoreRacism Confirmed as a Public Health Crisis
In 2020, people are still working towards dismantling structural, systemic, and individual racism. The work of addressing racism is intersectional, and stems from historical unjust business practices, and policies and laws impacting every aspect of our lives. We have an opportunity during the 2020 election to pay close attention to politicians upholding the status quo by working against justice for all. Restore justice! In 2020 it is critical that you exercise your vote and your voice so that our nation is healthy and equitable for all.
Read MoreOppose the Proposed Updates to the National Environmental Policy Act
In mid-January, the Trump Administration proposed a plan to roll back the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which could cause great harm to God’s creation as well as to public health and safety. Please submit a public comment opposing the proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Read MoreUpdate from Equality Arizona on the dehumanizing trans bill HB2706
Transform Arizona Schools held meetings in Phoenix and Tucson to look over the language around HB2706 to discuss its intent and brainstorm ways to block it from moving forward.
Currently, the Arizona Interscholastic Association represents 269 schools in every Arizona county. They have a protocol in place to ensure competitiveness and inclusion for trans youth, and HB2706 would destroy all of this progress. We noted the dehumanizing nature of the bill and contrasted the language with 10 other states that have proposed similar anti-trans bills.
Read MoreHow can your faith organization support the 2020 census?
Some ideas from AZ Census 2020. Your ideas are welcome.
Read MoreUNLOCKING JUSTICE: An Afternoon of Experience and Education
Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 2 - 6 PM
Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
111 E Taylor St, Phoenix, Room 544
Join the Arizona Faith Network and community partners as we engage in education and experiences on mass incarceration in Arizona. This event is designed to dive deeper into the crisis of incarceration and help attendees understand how they can help solve this crisis.
February JPANet Newsletter
This month’s “Getting to the Root of It” is Justice and Witness Ministries’ “State of the Union.”
Read MorePrimary Elections: Important dates
The information here is for states within the Southwest Conference UCC. For more details. visit Rock the Vote.
Read MoreUnited Church of Santa Fe Honored by National Environmental Organization
The United Church of Santa Fe (Santa Fe, New Mexico) is one of the six national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) 2020 Cool Congregations Challenge runners up. The annual contest accepts applications from religious congregations around the United States who are doing work to address global warming by reducing their carbon footprint as they create models of sustainability within their communities.
Read MoreFaith Climate Action Week, April 17-26
A message from Rev. Doug Bland, Arizona Interfaith Power & Light:
Earth Day is going to be a big deal this year. The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, is right around the corner. It’s also the 5th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’.
I’m writing to encourage you to participate in Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-26. There are so many possibilities from which to choose.
Read MoreCongratulations to United Church of Santa Fe and First Christian Church, Las Cruces!
From New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light:
Blessings all,
This from our national office with our congratulations to United Church of Santa Fe and First Christian Church, Las Cruces for receiving runner-up awards for their work in addressing climate change and caring for creation. Of 10 top winners, 2 are from New Mexico. It is wonderful to share such hope-filled actions and accomplishments!!!! Start planning your entry for 2020 contest now.
Read MoreFrom Monroe to Miller: 200 Years of Immigration in 60 Minutes
DACA Anniversary event at Mesa Community College
Presentations on:
Tuesday, February 11, in Room SC-11E, 10:30 to 11:45 and
Tuesday, February 25, in Room SC-11E, 10:30 to 11:45
The Aliento Club at MCC is hosting a presentation by Victor Aronow, an immigration lawyer and member of Uncage and Reunite Families Coalition.
Since this is the 10 year reunion of SB1070, he presents the politics and racism behind US immigration policy from the very beginning in 1790, then explores the development of US financial and economic influence that the US exerted and still exerts over Latin America.
Read MorePeople Not Prisons Vigil
Wednesday, February 12, 4 - 7 pm
Arizona State Capitol Lawn
1700 W Washington St, Phoenix
*** (From ACLU of Arizona) ***
Light candles on the lawn of the state Capitol for every incarcerated person who's lost their lives in DOC custody, every incarcerated person suffering due to lack of treatment for medical and mental illnesses, and all our friends, family, and loved ones in Arizona prisons. Let's show state lawmakers that we want real sentencing reform NOW.
Read MoreFilm Discussion: Just Mercy
Sunday, February 9, 4 pm
Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ
4425 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale
Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC) and the Arizona Faith Network (AFN) are sponsoring a discussion of the movie "Just Mercy." People who still need to see the movie can go to the 1:00 pm showing on Sunday 2/9 at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square theater. Movie times are subject to change, so check the Harkins website before you go.
Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director of AFN, will be there, as will also Khalil Rushdan, with the ACLU (and AFN Board Member), who will be there to share his personal incarceration experiences.