Going Deeper: Level Two - Self-Reflection and Critical Dialogue

in
Going Deeper: Level Two - Self-Reflection and Critical Dialogue

If your congregation has some familiarity with racial justice concepts and is ready to look inward, Level Two is your next step. This level moves beyond basic definitions to engage in critical self-reflection and dialogue. Here, we begin wrestling with the more difficult questions: not just "what is this work?" but "how does it apply to us?"

Our Goals for Level Two are to:

  • Move beyond basic definitions to explore how whiteness shapes our specific church culture, leadership, and theology.

  • Begin wrestling with the discomfort that comes from self-examination and intentionally examining who is centered and who is marginalized in our worship, leadership, and decision-making processes.

Click through for suggested activities and next steps.

Read More

URGENT CALL: Join Oct. 13 Vigil for Oak Flat on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Support the Faith Leaders' delegation

in
URGENT CALL: Join Oct. 13 Vigil for Oak Flat on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Support the Faith Leaders' delegation

Please watch and share the Multi-faith Vigil at Oak Flat:

Monday October 13 at 1:00 pm AZ / 2:00 pm NM & El Paso

Livestream can be viewed on Facebook here.

In solidarity, alongside joining the livestream, we are requesting “echo” vigils across the country between Oct. 11 and Oct. 20 to weave a web of prayer throughout time and space. There are many ways to protect Oak Flat: perhaps you and a couple friends come together to hold a vigil and watch the livestream recording, or maybe you offer a prayer as a part of a pre-existing gathering, or maybe you invite your community over in Presence for Oak Flat and sacred land. See our echo vigil toolkit for guidance/support, and register your gathering here.

Read More

Southwest Conference chapter of the UCC Movement for Palestinian Solidarity (MPS)

in

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

Read More

Starting the Journey: Level One - Foundational Learning for Your Congregation

in
Starting the Journey: Level One - Foundational Learning for Your Congregation

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:

Read More

A Pathway for All: How to Engage with Our Decentering Whiteness Program

in
A Pathway for All: How to Engage with Our Decentering Whiteness Program

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.

Read More

ACTION ALERT: ACC Aims to Repeal Energy Efficiency Standards

in
ACTION ALERT: ACC Aims to Repeal Energy Efficiency Standards

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. 

Submit a comment here.

Read More

Applications Open for Global HOPE: Migration, Immigration, Refugee and Asylee (MIRA) Unified Grant  

in
Applications Open for Global HOPE: Migration, Immigration, Refugee and Asylee (MIRA) Unified Grant  

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.

Applications are open!

Contact Megan Bergert (bergertm@ucc.org) with any questions.

Read More

A poem/song for Indigenous Peoples Day

in

Burke Scot Beu, a member of Washington Park UCC in Denver, introduced this poem/song at the General Synod of the UCC in Kansas City in July. It was read at a poetry reading hosted by the UCC's General Minister, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson.

Burke has shared it with us for use in our congregations on Indigenous Peoples' Day (Monday, October 13) and the day before (Sunday, October 12). He's been focusing his efforts recently on DC-based organizations to promote the idea of reciting his poem with the national anthem on Indigenous Peoples' Day.

This poem can be spoken or sung as lyrics to St. Denio, a traditional Welsh melody known in many churches as the hymn "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" by Walter C. Smith. The first verse is a stand-alone secular piece. The second verse, for church, is a modified version of the original hymn.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Open our eyes

to that which we overlook or minimize.

Let's see all of history, the best and the worst.

Remember and honor those who were here first.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

in light inaccessible, above the skies,

the highest, most holy, the Ancient of Days –

yet think of the lowly when God’s name we praise.

© 2025 Burke Scot Beu

(free to use w/ copyright acknowledgment)

Read More

Election Protection Arizona Poll Monitor Training

in
Election Protection Arizona Poll Monitor Training

Various dates/times, August 21 - September 16 via Zoom

Join Election Protection Arizona (EPAZ) to help answer voter questions during the CD-7 election on September 23 across Tucson, Yuma, San Luis, Bisbee, Tolleson, Avondale, Gila Bend and more! Election Protection Arizona volunteers act as nonpartisan poll monitors and help answer voting process questions in real time. This training is virtual through Zoom and will last approximately 1 hour. Completing this training is a prerequisite to serve as a poll monitor. Upon completion of the training volunteers will be allowed to sign up for an in-person shift on Election Day.

AFN is working in partnership with EPAZ to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count.

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Read More

Immigrant Rights

in
Immigrant Rights

written by Diana Winston in the Scottsdale Congregational newsletter, iConnect:

Even in this era of aggressive immigration enforcement, immigrants in our community are not without rights. Many are unaware of those rights, and as allies to our immigrant friends and neighbors, we can help them by letting them know they are not helpless and by speaking up if we see anything we believe violates their rights.

 Contrary to what some would claim, the Bill of Rights of our US Constitution applies to visitors and immigrants as well as citizens. Generally speaking, people approached by ICE or CBP agents have the right to remain silent. They should not speak or answer questions. They particularly should not answer questions about where they are from or how long they have been in the US. Other general rules are to never lie or run away, and to refuse a search. 

Click through to read more.

Read More