Faith In Action
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.
This holiday song sheet is crafted to ready our communities for collective action. Each track is a holiday remix by the Songs in the Key of Resistance (SKOR) artist collective, offering music that helps keep us connected in the streets and in our organizing spaces. We share these songs with the hope that the lyrics remind us that the rituals and practices of this season are rooted in long traditions of communities caring for one another and struggling for liberation. We invite you to use these songs to learn, teach, and carry movement music into your communities—fueling resilience, collective voice, and action.
In an upcoming webinar, we will hear from three panelists about how people of faith can play a vital role in challenging authoritarianism.
Maria Stephan, who co-authored "Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict" with Erica Chenoweth, will provide an overview of international resistance movements. Brother Rodrigo Peret from Franciscans International will speak out of his experience under the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil as well as his arrest for anti-mining protests in Zimbabwe. The Rev. Jorge Bautista will speak about his practice of faithful solidarity after a U.S. immigration officer shot him in the face with a pepper ball while attending a prayer vigil.
Even if you cannot make the live event on December 10th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, still register, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
UCC Justice and Peace Action Network
The Global HOPE Office offers three grants through its Refugee and Migration Services ministry to encourage local UCC congregations, associations, conferences, and covenanted ministries to engage in ministry to migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylees in their midst.
Applications are open! Contact Megan Bergert at bergertm@ucc.org with any questions.
Education is the foundational bedrock of this work, and books are a powerful tool for learning, reflection, and discussion. Our Resource Hub is a curated library of materials designed to support your congregation's journey, no matter where you are starting from. We've included a wide range of texts—from personal narratives to theological deep dives to practical guides.
Join Arizona Interfaith Power and Light leaders on Thursday, December 4 at 1:00 PM at the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) public hearing regarding their proposal to repeal Energy Efficiency (EE) Standards.
Showing up in-person for the hearing shows the ACC that you are paying attention and care about Arizona's energy future. If you are concerned about climate change and energy efficiency, we encourage you to testify during these hearings for the public, Dec. 2 and 4 (details below).
If those dates don't work for you, click through for information on submitting a comment online or by phone before the comment deadline on December 4.
Click through for details on in-person and online information.
Across our nation, LGBTQ+ people are under attack. Trans and nonbinary youth are being targeted by cruel legislation. Inclusive books and curricula are being banned. Families and faith communities are being silenced for affirming love and dignity.
In moments like these, the Church must rise — not with fear, but with faith. Not with silence, but with love in action.
That’s why the Open and Affirming Coalition is launching A.C.T OUT: Advocacy, Community, and Transformation — a national, faith-rooted movement committed to resisting hate, protecting our neighbors, and organizing for a just and inclusive future.
Please take 5–10 minutes today to complete our A.C.T OUT – Building a National ONA Movement Inventory & Interest Survey:
https://forms.gle/Ci4nA6kPwMGKyXXNA