Faith In Action
The UCC Movement for Palestinian Solidarity (MPS) is launching a Southwest Conference chapter on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10:30am (AZ) via Zoom! A presentation will be given about MPS and the resolution calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine, which was passed by General Synod this summer, and we will decide concrete ways to take action in our conference.
To register, please email: sabrinarjennings@protonmail.com
Protests, marches, and rallies are vitally needed in democratic societies, but what happens the day after these public events and then the next day? What’s the long-term strategy for everyday people to exercise their power to influence their government? Your church can learn about the pro-democracy movement in a couple of ways. Invite Sam Daley-Harris, the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy,” to give a Zoom presentation for members of your church. Daley-Harris is coaching UCC leaders to start Climate Hope Affiliates that are actively engaged in developing ongoing relationships with members of Congress as part of a broader pro-democracy movement to defend government institutions like the Environmental Protection Agency.
Request a presentation from a member of the Climate Hope Affiliate Leadership Team. As people of faith, we have the opportunity to help defend and promote the common good in our society.
The Global HOPE Office offers three grants through its Refugee and Migration Services ministry that are intended 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 (bergertm@ucc.org) with any questions.
October 11th is National Coming Out Day and in celebration Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries is inviting YOU to share your story of Love OUT LOUD with the wider church! Share your story with us so we can spread the message of an inclusive Jesus for all! Submit your story here.
Is your church just beginning to explore the work of decentering whiteness? If so, Level One is the perfect place to start. This level is all about building a shared vocabulary and understanding in a compassionate and supportive environment. We believe that a strong foundation is the key to all subsequent work.
Our Goals for Level One are to:
Establish a shared understanding of terms like "decentering whiteness," "white supremacy culture," and "racial justice".
Begin to recognize how whiteness shows up in church traditions, worship, and decision-making.
Create a safe space where congregants can ask questions and engage in dialogue without fear of judgment.
Suggested Activities to get you started:
At a time when the head of the EPA is dismantling the protections that safeguard our environment and public health, the UCC is hosting a national webinar featuring some of the best legal and policy experts on the EPA in the country. They will address not only what has happened but also what can be done to take moral action in this moment.
Speakers will include Ann Carlson from the UCLA School of Law, Jen Duggan from the Environmental Integrity Project, and Chitra Kumar from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Even if you can’t make it for the scheduled time of Wednesday, October 8th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, still sign-up and a link to the recording will be sent to you. Register now!
Every congregation is on a different part of their spiritual journey. The same is true for their journey toward racial justice. The Decentering Whiteness Task Force recognizes this and has created a structured program plan designed to support congregations at all stages. We want to meet you where you are, not ask you to jump to a place you’re not ready for.
Our approach is designed to be invitational and action-oriented. We offer three "levels" of engagement, providing a clear pathway for congregations to grow in understanding, courage, and commitment. Congregations can start at a level that aligns with their current journey and comfort, knowing that each level builds upon the last.
Level One provides foundational understanding and language. This is for churches just beginning their work, focusing on education and awareness.
Level Two encourages more critical self-examination and dialogue for those who have some familiarity with racial justice concepts and are ready to look inward.
Level Three challenges congregations to directly confront difficult historical and contemporary symbols and practices that uphold whiteness. This is for churches already engaged in ongoing anti-racism work and ready to move into concrete action.
This structured pathway is not a race; it's a pilgrimage. It allows your congregation to grow at a sustainable pace, building the necessary trust and shared vocabulary to tackle more challenging conversations and actions down the road. Our goal is to empower you to become a more inclusive and equitable faith community.
Next Step: Are you ready to find out which level is right for your congregation? Visit the Our Program: Engaging Your Congregation page on our website to learn more, and stay tuned for our next posts where we'll break down each level in more detail.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has placed a blanket repeal of Arizona’s Electric Energy Efficiency (EE) Standards on its Sept. 17th open meeting agenda. Buried in the agenda, Item #23 would dismantle critical standards that save families money, reduce waste, and make our grid more reliable—all while prioritizing utility profits over the interests of Arizona ratepayers. This recommendation also comes on the heels of APS’s request for a rate increase and abandonment of clean energy goals. It’s time to voice your opposition.
ACTION: Oppose the Repeal of Energy Efficiency Standards
Submit a comment to the Docket through the ACC Portal by 9/16.
Docket No. RE-00000A-24-0025
Mark “against” for your position on the Docket.
Company Name: ACC - Electric Rules as the company name.
Call ACC staff (1-800-222-7000) to leave a comment.
Post on social media & share broadly with your network.
The Global HOPE Office offers three grants through its Refugee and Migration Services ministry that are intended to encourage local UCC congregations, associations, conferences and covenanted ministries to engage in ministry to migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylees in their midst.
The goal of this program is to nurture a deeper understanding and care for the most vulnerable in our local contexts. We encourage participating churches to partner with other organizations in their local contexts who are engaged in similar work. We also encourage program participants to think long-term about how they might raise awareness to address systemic injustices present in immigration policy or consider how they might more completely live into a new understanding of what it means to love our neighbor.
Contact Megan Bergert (bergertm@ucc.org) with any questions.
Before we can begin a new journey, we need to understand the map. Two terms that are central to this work, and which are often confused, are "racial justice" and "decentering whiteness." While they are deeply connected, they have different focuses.
Click through to read more.