Faith In Action
El Pueblo de Flagstaff had its first distribution day supporting local immigrant families neglected by the federal stimulus packages.
The team was able to give out $32,000 in grants and 70 boxes of fresh produce.
Read MoreSome thoughts from Michael Curry.
Read MoreThe Arizona Faith Network, members from the First Church UCC Phoenix, Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist, and Jewish congregations, residents of the Beatitudes Campus, and the Greater Phoenix Network of Spiritual Progressives are sponsoring an interfaith discussion via Zoom of Revolutionary Love by Rabbi Michael Lerner.
Read MoreThe Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the very tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims in the 1600s, is at risk of losing what is left of their homelands due to a determination made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Mashpee Wampanoag, the People of the First Light, have occupied the same region for over 12,000 years and have faced diminishment of their homelands since colonization. The latest decision is a blow to Tribal sovereignty and undermines the future and sustainability of the tribal nation. The Tribe is asking Congress to protect its reservation lands and has put forth the "Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (HR.312)." We are asking for signatures in support of this legislation.
Read MoreAs people of faith, we must call on our government to provide more funding, not less, to ensure that the WHO and other global health institutions have the resources needed to ensure all nations have the medicine and equipment needed to fight COVID-19.
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Join interfaith leaders throughout Arizona to learn more about the Census and celebrate the count! This short program will educate, encourage and call our communities to engage in action to ensure we are all counted in 2020. Join us!
Click here to register - Click here for the Facebook event
¡Únase a líderes multireligiosos en todo Arizona para obtener más información sobre el Censo y celebrar el conteo! Este breve programa educará, alentará e invitará a nuestras comunidades a participar y tomar accion para garantizar que todos seamos contados en 2020. ¡Únase a nosotros!
Haga clic aquí para registrarse - Haga clic aquí para ver el evento de Facebook
Read MoreAs “shelter in place” directives developed in mid-March, United Church also increased its commitment to Santa Fe’s Shelters for persons who are homeless. Since it’s not feasible (or safe) to provide food from individual kitchens, they have contracted with “Felipe’s Tacos” to provide twice-weekly lunches for 100+ Interfaith Shelter guests. They are also continuing our monthly dinners for St. Elizabeth and Casa Familia (30+ guests for each).
They invite you to join this effort by contributing financially to United’s “Shelter Meals” outreach ministry.
Read MoreHolly Herman has been very involved with the effort to support the immigrant community through University Presbyterian and the East Valley Network. She's been sending out occasional summaries of the needs.
Currently they are asking for monetary donations for a particular congregation (Iglesia Christiana el Buen Pastor) in the network as many of their parishioners are experiencing severe financial stress as a result of the pandemic/lock-down. See how you can help.
Do you have sewing skills you would like to put to work? Shepherd of the Hills will be making face masks to protect the 600 residents at the Beatitudes Campus.
Read MoreTucson Mutual Aid is a collection of efforts operating in response to the coronavirus outbreak in Tucson, Arizona. Prioritizing assistance to folks with limited access, their efforts are focused on connecting people with food + sanitizing products and to facilitate the connection of resources with those needing them. Seeking support? Check out the RESOURCES section. Offering support? You can DONATE GOODS, DONATE MONEY, or VOLUNTEER.
Read MoreDesert Palm UCC included this list of ways to help their neighbors in their recent newsletter.
Read MoreThe UCC Environmental Justice Minister Brooks Berndt has written a book entitled Cathedral on Fire!: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis. It focuses our attention on the unique and vitally needed gifts that churches can offer in this dire time. The book is designed so that it can be read one chapter at a time by church groups.
Berndt himself will be facilitating a weekly teleconference discussion of the questions at the end of each chapter.
Read MoreWe rely on the tireless labor of our immigrant neighbors. Today, they need to be able to rely on us.
By contributing to the COVID-19 Fund for Flagstaff’s Immigrant Families, you help local families and individuals pay their rent and utilities, buy groceries, and obtain urgently needed medical care. You also let them know they are valued in our community.
As we move forward, the Census must be agile and flexible, committing to new ways of counting hard to reach populations. Since the Administration has been less than forthright in their management of the census thus far, we are calling on Congress to take an aggressive oversight role calling for transparency in methodology and timing – not truncating the census or using the COVID crisis to manipulate the census count. Please join with us, both in encouraging those you know to take the census, but also to advocate for the best count possible.
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For many immigrant families the pandemic has exacerbated existing uncertainty and fears about seeking medical care. On March 13, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that testing, prevention, or treatment for COVID-19, would NOT be used against immigrants in a public charge test or green card application. Immigrant and mixed-status families are encouraged to seek the care they need.
Read MoreThe South Scottsdale Ministerial Group in which Rev. Carol Reynolds of Scottsdale Congregational UCC participates is sponsoring another food drive to benefit Scottsdale Seniors and Vista del Camino Food bank.
Saturday and Sunday April 25-26, 10 AM-2 PM.
Drive through and drop items in bins at three locations:
First Baptist Church of Scottsdale 7025 E. Osborn Road, 85251
Shepherd of the Desert Church 9590 E. Shea Blvd, 85260, and
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church 25150 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
Read MoreA big thank-you to Scottsdale Congregational's youth and their mission team, who are busily assembling masks for staff at Phoenix Children's Hospital, as well as to Judy, who made 35 masks for personnel at Scottsdale Banner Behavioral Health. She has also been making and delivering masks to many individuals, including our Southwest Conference Minister Bill and Tina, the UCC weekend chaplain at Children's Hospital!
Read MoreParents are college-educated, a wife speaks English, her husband currently bikes to English classes. They have a 14-year-old daughter (English speaking) and 2yr old son. Have attorney, hearing postponed till September. Have a caseworker with the International Rescue Committee. Described as trustworthy and helpful. Have been with a volunteer from Rincon shelter. We have been contacted by Person from Rincon, Ginger Taylor 337-281-0187. Any questions or ideas call Ginger or Gypsy Lyle 887-4933
Read MoreAs a faith community we are compelled to speak out against hate in all forms. The act of loving one another is done by countering and resisting racism and discrimination in all forms. Let us show support for our Asian American and Pacific Island neighbors in this crucial moment. Our actions now, in this crisis, show us who we really are.
“Faith-based and community leaders continue to be valuable sources of comfort and support for their members and communities during times of distress, including the growing presence of COVID-19 in different parts of the country. As such, these leaders have the unique ability to address potential concerns, fears, and anxieties regarding COVID-19. Additionally, by reiterating simple hygienic precautions and practices, these leaders can broadly promote helpful information, managing fear and stigma, and restoring a sense of calm into the lives of those in their care."
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