World Refugee Day is quickly approaching on June 20th (also Juneteeth observed). It is important that we honor those forced from their homes to seek safety due to violence and persecution. This day recognizes their resilience, strength, and determination -- and our moral and legal imperative to fully restore refugee and asylum protections in the United States.
Now is the time to make your voices heard to tell your national, state, and local leaders to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers and to hold the administration accountable to re-establish bold U.S. leadership to invest in our capacity to welcome people fleeing violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day - and every day - we affirm the spirit of welcome that our communities show when we embrace our new neighbors as friends, colleagues, and peers.
Read MoreAs the fossil fuel industry is using the war in Ukraine to push for more production in the U.S., communities on the frontlines of the industry face the wartime threat of more pollution. Learn more in this webinar.
Read MoreThis June, two of our Southwest Conference clergy left their church buildings to bring the Good News of God’s unconditional love to the halls of the Senate.
The Rev. Sue Joiner, Senior Pastor at First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque and the Rev. Sarah TevisTownes, Pastor and Teacher at Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC in Albuquerque, just returned from Washington DC, where they met with legislators to discuss federal protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
Read MoreA UCC pastor shares how Title 42 places children, like the 5-year-old he found in the desert, in danger.
Read MoreOur faith gives us rituals and voice to grieve with those who are mourning. But it also instructs us to let our prayers become actions. To not just lament but work to build a world restored. We are not powerless in making these changes; we can take steps to reduce gun violence. Tell your elected leaders to take immediate bipartisan action.
Read MoreWe saw a glimpse into a future without abortion access with the Politico SCOTUS leak, which inspired questions and commentary about how we can step up collectively as faith leaders yet again to support people who need abortions and reproductive justice. However, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where you might fit in. With that in mind, here is a list of so many ways, and so many things that all need support and doing. Not one person can do all of them. But between our coalitions and our collective hope for the world, we can all do some of them. Join us in the faith-filled future for abortion access.
Read MoreRev. Sarah TevisTownes at Church of the Good Shepherd UCC in Albuquerque, and @disorganized.religion on TikTok, is quoted extensively in this CNN article.
Read MoreSofia Del Valle, Development Coordinator for RIP Medical Debt , passed along this thoughtful note received from a beneficiary who was directly impacted by the generosity of the SWC last year. She writes, “As you can see, Southwest Conference United Church of Christ's contributions were truly life-changing for this kind soul and so many others!”
Read MoreThese are the first 2 of 3 in the series.
Read MoreFor those who were unable to attend live, the recording of the Ecumenical World Refugee Day Worship Service is here: World Refugee Day Ecumenical Worship Service - YouTube
Any part of this recording is available for use by local churches in their own contexts for honoring World Refugee Day.
Other tools and events that churches are encouraged to promote for World Refugee Day are also available.
Read MoreNavajo composer Raven Chacon has won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in music for a composition made possible in part by a grant from a regional body of the United Church of Christ.
The piece, “Voiceless Mass,” for organ and instrumental ensemble, was commissioned by the Wisconsin Conference, Plymouth Church UCC in Milwaukee, and Present Music, a Milwaukee ensemble.
Read MoreFor years UCC members and congregations have been participating in Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This year the work continues with even greater urgency. As we have done in past years, we hope to see thousands of UCC advocates joining the mobilization either in-person or online.
Read MoreWednesday, June 1, 11am AZ / 12pm NM-EP
This service will include litanies, prayers, and reflections on global mass migration and bring us together to inspire in us a faithful and loving response.
Read MoreAs people of faith called to bring good news to the prisoner, it is incumbent upon us to raise our voices to those in power and call on them to bring release to the captive. Act today and urge your Senators to move the EQUAL Act forward into law. 36 years of injustice is 36 too many.
End the Disparity in Cocaine Sentencing: Call on the Senate to Pass the EQUAL Act
Read MoreFaith leaders from across Arizona are urging the ACC to take a moral stand against the proposed SRP gas generator expansion in Coolidge which is a threat to the air and water of Arizona and an environmental injustice affront to our historically Black neighbors in Randolph.
Read MoreHorrific acts of violence in African-American communities are too numerous to count. In this moment, many African-American communities are feeling unsafe, anxious, and fearful. Going to buy groceries is a ritual and a necessity. The grocery store is often a place where you see neighbors, exchange hugs, and share stories of daily life and family events. It should not be a place to take your last breath.
Read MoreAccording to a recent UN climate report, the world has less than three years for its greenhouse gas emissions to peak and head into a relatively rapid decline. Careful discernment is needed on where to place our time and energy in seeking policies that will lead to a more just and hospitable world.
Read MoreFirst Church Phoenix is hosting a screening of the documentary "Migrant Women Rise: Stories of Red-Tagged Overseas Filipino Workers” Friday, May 27 at 6pm.
The filmmaker is Carl Catedral. He is from Arizona, is a Filipino-American, and now lives in Hong Kong. He will be at the screening to answer audience and press questions.
Read MoreApproximately “1.25 billion [menstruators] have no access to a safe, private toilet, [and] 526 million don’t have a toilet at all.” Period poverty is a justice issue and a “hidden” public health crisis. Because our faith encourages us to care for our bodies as well as our spirits, we are invited to care about this issue.
Read MoreYour legislators need to hear from you that we will not sit by and allow attacks like the one in Buffalo to be a part of everyday America. In our collective grief, let our prayers become actions. Tell your elected leaders to take immediate bipartisan action.
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