Faith In Action
Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07) introducing legislation to preserve public lands in the Chi’chil Biłdagotel Historical District that lie directly adjacent to the land that was transferred to Resolution Copper following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. Her legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to preserve the natural condition of the public land and prohibit mining related activities including rights-of-way, toxic waste pipelines, road development, and related infrastructure on the public land in the Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District.
Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to engage in government-to-government consultations with Indian tribes with ties to the Chí’chil Biłdagoteel Historic District and enter into cooperative agreements requested by these Indian tribes to ensure access for traditional activities and preservation of sacred and cultural areas. The full text of the bill is available here.
“While I am deeply disappointed by the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, the fight to save Oak Flat does not stop here,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Thousands of acres of public land surrounding the transferred parcel remain at risk, and these lands are sacred to the Apache people. Congress must act to immediately preserve a site of immense cultural, spiritual, and natural significance. We cannot enable the destruction of Oak Flat by turning a blind eye to all of the disruptive mining infrastructure and toxic waste that will irreparably harm the surrounding lands.”
Click through to read the full article.
Many of you have heard that on Friday, the Ninth Circuit again refused to stop the Government from giving Oak Flat to Resolution Copper for destruction. This is sad news. But we will never stop fighting to protect Oak Flat and each place that is sacred to our people. And we are still fighting—in the courts, in Congress, and, most importantly, spiritually.
In the courts, there are still four lawsuits seeking to protect Oak Flat. All four cases are still going. And any one of these cases could still put a stop to the Government’s and Resolution’s plans to destroy Oak Flat.
Click through to read the full statement.
Severe Kona storms have caused widespread flooding across Hawaii, directly impacting several United Church of Christ congregations and surrounding communities. Local churches are serving as emergency shelters, and the UCC Global HOPE team is coordinating immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Please keep those affected in your prayers and consider supporting UCC’s emergency response.
Thursday, April 23, 5:00 pm AZ / 6:00 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Join AFN for a series of four monthly online gatherings followed by an interfaith prayer vigil as we mark 250 years of the American experiment. Drawing on the faith250 framework, we will gather to reflect on texts that have shaped our history, from the call of the New Colossus, to the promise of the Declaration of Independence and more. We will hear from diverse guest speakers and together, we will seek divine guidance to move beyond polarization and toward a future where "liberty and justice for all" is a lived reality for every neighbor.
These conversations will also acknowledge the complex and unfinished nature of the American story. For many, the ideals of liberty and equality have been sources of hope and belonging; for others, the nation’s history carries deep wounds connected to colonization, slavery, exclusion, and broken promises. In this series, we hold these realities together with honesty and humility, recognizing that living within the identity of the United States means wrestling with both its aspirations and its contradictions.
Register using the link below to receive Zoom information and occasional updates about the series. You may participate in as many of the five sessions as your schedule allows.
The theme for the fourth annual UCC Earth Summit is "A Future with Hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). To ground and inspire us as people of faith in difficult times, the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, a renowned advocate and organizer for justice who serves as the pastor of Victory for the World Church in Decatur, Georgia. This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel discussion entitled “Power to the People: Energy Justice for an Equitable Future.”
Panelists will include Dr. Shalanda Baker, who headed the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the Department of Energy under the Biden Administration, and Chandra Farley, who serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. Celebrations at the summit will include the announcement of the winners for both the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award and the Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. Moreover, we will recognize our newest Creation Justice Churches and our first Climate Hope Affiliates.
The Decentering Whiteness journey is not one you have to take alone. The Southwest Conference Decentering Whiteness Task Force (DWTF) is here to support congregations on this path. Whether you have questions, need guidance identifying resources, want assistance facilitating conversations, or wish to share feedback about your church's activities, we are ready to walk alongside you.
This is a collaborative movement, and our role is to empower you.
Here's how we support you:
Conference Support: We provide ongoing communication through our regular newsletters and “In The Loop” reminders, sharing suggested activities and reports from other congregations to keep you inspired and informed.
Clergy Involvement & Training: We offer Clergy Lunch & Learn calls specifically focused on integrating these efforts into preaching and pastoral care. These discussions with Conference leadership help ensure clergy are equipped to lead this work pastorally and theologically.
Guidance & Resources: The DWTF can help you identify suitable resource people, including outside facilitators, Sacred Conversations to End Racism (SC2ER) and ASDIC graduates, or paid experts as needed. We are a central point of contact for you to find the support you need.
Liaison Role: We want to reiterate the importance of designating a local church contact person or committee to liaise with the DWTF. This simple step ensures smooth communication and is the key to accessing the full spectrum of support we offer.
Your feedback on the program plan, resources, and your congregation's experiences is invaluable. We are building this journey together, and your insights help us all grow.
Final Call to Action: The most crucial step you can take today is to designate a person or a committee in your church to begin this work. Then, connect with the Decentering Whiteness Task Force to get started. You can find all the resources and contact information you need on the Decentering Whiteness section of the SWCUCC website.
Wednesday, March 11th at 1 pm AZ / 2 pm NM & El Paso on Zoom
The Circle of Protection invites you to join their webinar: “Preparing for the Coming Medicaid and SNAP Cuts from the One Big Not So Beautiful Bill (H.R.1).”
You’ll hear from faith leaders and policy experts including Representative Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Reverend Richard Williams (Lead Pastor at the Metropolitan United Methodist Church & Executive Director at the Beacon Center), Sammi Goldsmith (Deputy Director of Public Policy at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger), Paulo Pontemayor (Senior Director of Government Relations at the Catholic Health Association), and Reverend Adam Russell Taylor (President at Sojourners).
They will discuss how the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will impact your community and opportunities to mitigate the damage.
To register for the webinar, click here.
"The Circle of Protection is a broad coalition of Christian denominations and ministries that span the theological and political spectrum. We are united in our shared faith in Jesus Christ and His call to love and serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). As followers of Christ, it is our moral duty to stand up for the most poor and vulnerable in our society. To that end, we are bringing together speakers who can describe how last year’s budget reconciliation bill will impact the health and nutrition of low- and middle-income communities."
Invitation from Creation Justice Ministries:
We know many are holding immense grief and uncertainty right now. We’ve witnessed horrific tragedies, both on our own soil and beyond. As we begin this new year, may our commitment to the intersectionality of creation justice remain steadfast, holding onto the truth that our collective liberation is bound to each other and the natural world.
With that commitment in mind, we invite you to join us for an advocacy 101 training. This offering will be an introduction for beginner advocates who want to take their advocacy a bit further and a refresher for folks who feel a bit rusty.
Join us on March 2nd at 7pm ET / 4pm PT to learn about:
🌏 The role people of faith play in advocacy right now
🌏 Tips for advocating at the federal level
🌏 Ways to build relationships with your Members of Congress
🌏 Ideas to engage your community to take action
In this time of immense uncertainty, grief and for many sacred rage, people of faith have an important role to play. Together, we will plant seeds of hope for loving God’s creation and our neighbors.
Creation Justice Ministries has released a new downloadable resource for churches just in time for Earth Month. The new resource is entitled "The Canopy of Creation: Trees, Faith, and the Work of Justice." The resource invites us to consider the following truth: in many cities, tree canopy follows the same fault lines as historic redlining. Neighborhoods that were denied investment generations ago are often the same neighborhoods with fewer trees today; neighborhoods experiencing higher temperatures, poorer air quality, and greater vulnerability to flooding.
Learn more about this issue and the new resource available to churches in this webinar in which we will hear from Derrick Weston, the Director of Theological Education and Formation at Creation Justice Ministries.
Even if you cannot make the live event on Wednesday, March 18 at 10 am PT, still register, and we will send you a recording. Register today!
In this season, LGBTQ+ people and our allies and accomplices need spaces to connect, encourage one another, and remember we are not alone. We are in the midst of a movement—and movement work calls us out of our silos and into community.
These offerings are opportunities to learn, grow, and build relationships with people across the country who are committed to justice, affirmation, and faithful resistance.
Come build community with us. Come be strengthened for the work ahead.
Click on the graphics below for more info or to register.