Faith In Action
In January and February, three New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light team members are walking from Carlsbad to the State Capitol in Santa Fe, arriving on Climate Action Day.
Rev. Clara Sims of First Congregational and Jerry Kennell of Taos UCC are involved.
This pilgrimage is a spiritual and moral journey — an act of witness, confession, and hope. We walk carrying prayers for a livable climate, for justice, and for future generations.
Our path begins in the Permian Basin, the heart of New Mexico’s oil and gas country, and ends at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, where our leaders face a choice: to serve the few or act for the common good.
On Wednesday, the UCC officially launched the 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth! The theme this year is “A Future with Hope.” Children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian.
Register your congregation now to participate!
They’ll accept art submissions from February 6th to March 20th.
From Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ:
Please watch this video. Today marks one week since the killing of Renee Nicole Good. We are speaking because this is our issue, and solidarity across every margin is not optional—it is a moral and faith imperative.
One of the most important steps for any congregation is to establish a person or a committee to drive the work of decentering whiteness. This designated body is crucial for spearheading the initiative, liaising with our Conference's Decentering Whiteness Task Force (DWTF) to access resources and guidance, and providing feedback to inspire other congregations. This is about building local ownership and accountability.
But where do you start the conversation within your church? It can feel overwhelming. To help you begin, our website provides a downloadable reflection exercise to guide your congregation in a process of honest introspection and communal accountability.
The guide is divided into two parts. Click through to learn more.
In December, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) introduced her first piece of legislation in Congress - the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act. First introduced by her father in 2015, the landmark bill would repeal the 2014 controversial National Defense Authorization Act rider that handed over 2,422 acres of Arizona's Tonto National Forest, including the sacred site of Oak Flat (Chi'chil Biłdagoteel), to Resolution Copper, a foreign mining corporation.
As Christians, we are called to care for all of Creation and to promote environmental justice. The Save Oak Flat From Mining Act protects a site of profound religious, cultural, historical, and environmental importance to Tribal Nations in Arizona and across the country. It also halts a mining project that would deplete Arizona's scarce water resources, create one of the largest toxic waste sites in North America, and transfer U.S. copper to a foreign mining venture with direct shareholder ties to the government of the People's Republic of China.
Urge your Members of Congress to stand alongside the Apache people in calling for Oak Flat's preservation and protection. Take action here.
Dr. Nosie’s letter ends with this paragraph, but we encourage you to click through to read his entire letter.
I will be departing from Oak Flat on Sunday, January 4th at 11 AM. I will be walking and a little jogging to arrive in downtown Phoenix to attend the court hearings (AZ Reform Mining Coalition, ITCA, San Carlos Apache Tribe and Lopez/Kinsey(Burdette)cases vs. U.S.) which begin at 10 AM on January 7, 2026. For those who do know me well, I had a spiritual encounter and must travel in this spiritual way. I ask each of you, if possible, to make ceremonial fire, light a candle, or be in prayer. The decision of the federal judges will weigh heavy on the future for water, environment, religion, and the ability to give federal exemptions to corporations without following legal policies. Usen(Creator), hear my prayers, as I make this journey to encounter many ugly obstacles but also witness the beauty of all life. I will let No Fear distract me, for all the beautiful spirits will be in all four directions.
Learning is not limited to books. Our journey of decentering whiteness can be explored through a variety of engaging and thought-provoking media. In our Resource Hub, we've included a collection of documentaries, films, and podcasts to help your congregation learn and grow in different ways. These resources can be a powerful entry point for those who might be hesitant to start with a book, and they are excellent tools for sparking group discussions.
Click through to read about the Decentering Whiteness Resource Hub!
As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year.
Our preacher will be the Rev. Jim Antal, author of "Climate Church, Climate World." Rev. Antal currently serves as the Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC General Minister and President.
Even if you cannot make the live event on Wednesday, January 14th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, still register, and we will send you a recording. Register today!
Moral Monday Vigil-AZ Poor People’s Campaign
Monday, December 22, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Mesa Monterey Park • 7045 E Monterey Ave, Mesa, AZ 85209
There will be a brief march from the park to Biggs's office, speakers, and an effort for a contingent to meet with Congressman Biggs or his staff. Congressman Biggs is running now for the GOP nomination for Governor. We will speak out about the policy violence inflicted upon the poor and low income Arizona residents, including major cuts to Medicaid, ACA subsidies, SNAP (food stamps), cash supports to food pantries, housing programs (Section 8 Vouchers), Medicare, and other funds in order to provide large tax cuts to wealthy individuals and corporations.
Those that have a story to tell about how they are, or will be, impacted by pending cuts made in the Budget Resolution enacted this summer are asked to let us know if you would like to speak out and tell your story in 2-3 minutes. RSVP
Some of the materials related to this action are HERE.
A group from First Church Phoenix went to the border recently, led by Rev. Dr. Randy Mayer from The Good Shepherd UCC.
First Church member Carlos da Silvia donated supplies through his nonprofit, Powered by Love.
Watch the podcast episode where Pastor Randy Mayer discusses the Samaritans' work. It includes a clip of Pastor Susan Valiquette of First Church.
And click through to read a message from Jane McNamara on behalf of the Immigrant Welcoming Team.