An evening of Music and Storytelling in celebration of World Refugee Day, which is observed on June 20th. This free online event will be centered on the theme of Rebuilding Roots, an experience that our refugee and immigrant neighbors know well.

To register to watch the event or to sign up as a performer, go to rebuildingroots.eventbrite.com.

Our role as people of faith, and advocates is not just to mourn, although that is needed. We can pray and we can march. We can grieve and we can call on our elected officials to take action. There are specific and actionable steps that can be taken right now to disarm police, change their tactics, and hold those who violate the public trust accountable. 

We have some extremely exciting Hope House news to relay to you: the $336,000 grant funds have been released! For that to happen, the environmental review of the property had to be completed. That was done at the end of May. We started working on Hope House a year and a half ago, so this is thrilling news to all who have worked so hard to make this a reality in Sedona. We received the call yesterday afternoon that HUD had released the funds for Hope House, so we can now move forward with the next steps of the project.

Religious leaders will gather in solidarity at Washington and 7th Avenue in Phoenix at 10:00 a.m. weekdays. We will gather on the sidewalk in the shade to the West of the Phoenix Police Department building.

Please bring:

• water

• a mask

• a sign

• something to identify you as clergy

For more information please text Pastor James Pennington at 608-628-5040.

Work for peace! Friends are welcome!

“We left our Annual Gathering in early March with renewed hope for “Justice and Grace—Together.” Events since then have shown us how far we have to go as a nation to find justice or grace, much less hold them together. Indeed, much of what has occurred is the absolute opposite of CHHSM’s vision of a just, caring, and compassionate world.”

An online ELCA Prayer Service for the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine, including Bishop Eaton and leaders from around the ELCA, on June 17, 2020. More info at: elca.org/emanuelnine

This series is an experiential voyage of naming the harm, reflecting on our ancestral stories, connecting through the hope of our shared humanity, and acting in a way that doesn't repeat the past harms.

This special webinar series is for women who are white/euro/anglo identified and living or working in northern New Mexico.* Community activists and volunteers, board members, nonprofit staff, retirees, mothers, company leaders, and all other women are welcome.

This series is especially helpful for those who are interested in what it means to be an ally or otherwise want to deepen their understanding and support of the historical communities of northern New Mexico.

Getting to the Root of It

Each month, the Justice and Peace Action Network meets to discuss possible topics for the next Getting to the Root. This month there was one thing weighing heavy on all of our minds. Online Communications Specialist for the D.C. Office, Jessi Quinn attempted to address recent events and assembled resources we could all use in this present moment.

June 24, 2020 01:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

This webinar is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministry and the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People's Justice Council.

Instead of becoming suppressed by the pandemic, the spirit of justice has arisen with fierce determination and become embodied in countless ways. This webinar will reflect upon how protest has manifested itself during this time and the lessons that can be learned for communities of faith dedicated to answering the unrelenting call of justice.

Can you add your name to this NEW open letter to the US government about immigration policy in the time of COVID-19? Deadline to sign is June 12.

Desert Palm UCC is collecting cards for Refugees at the Eloy Facility, for The East Valley Church Network, the week of June 15-20. A CARD COLLECTION BOX will be set up inside the church gate for you to drop your cards off. 1230 E Guadalupe Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283

The Holiday Card project last November sent 5000 cards to asylum seekers held in the Eloy Detention Center. They are doing it again. Their goal is to collect several hundred "Thinking of You" cards by June 30th. Several worship communities in the East Valley Network are taking part. If you have friends or neighbors looking for something to do, you might suggest they write some cards.

by Katie Adams, UCC Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues

What does it mean to be a witness for justice? We show up at protests (in person and virtually) as physical witnesses to atrocity, we speak out and advocate. Saying we see this. We will not ignore this. We are also witnesses to justice as the work we do; as the church, and as faith advocates each day. So I hope this week this list is showing that each person, each injustice, is seen. And that as part of the Body of Christ the United Church of Christ is showing up in those spaces and saying you are seen, you are loved, and we will stand in solidarity with you. Please see this update, not just as a list of what is broken in the world, but of what justice advocates are doing for radical restoration.

In partnership with a number of organizations, the Arizona Undocumented Workers Relief Fund is being gathered by the Arizona Community Foundation and provides essential support for rent, food and other life-critical essential needs as a result of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. 

Thursdays in June, 7 - 8 pm

The Arizona Faith Network and the Sema Foundation invite you and your family to a series of Virtual Interfaith Prayer Vigils for Global Health. Join us each Thursday night throughout June from 7 pm to 8 pm as interfaith and community leaders throughout Arizona offer prayers of strength, hope and healing.