Articles from the UCC’s The Pollinator May newsletter.
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Faith In Action
Hiring: Heat Relief positions with Arizona Faith Network
Arizona Faith Network is now hiring staff and recruiting volunteers for our 2026 Heat Relief Program! Positions are available across Maricopa County—including Glendale, Phoenix, and Tempe—and will run May through September, with a potential extension into October.
We are hiring for:
Heat Relief Site Leads
Heat Relief Site Assistants
Heat Relief Safety Specialists
Heat Relief Volunteers
These roles are essential to creating safe, welcoming spaces for community members most impacted by extreme heat.
Positions are open until filled—apply and share with your networks today!
APPLICATION AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Read MoreWatch the UCC Earth Summit on April 25th
An inspiring keynote speaker, leading practitioners in advancing just and affordable energy, amazing artwork from children and youth… These are just some of highlights of the UCC’s fourth annual UCC Earth Summit. Our theme is "A Future with Hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).
To ground and inspire us as people of faith, the Jim Antal Keynote Annual will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, a renowned advocate and organizer for justice from the Atlanta, Georgia area. 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. 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.
Register now to join us at 11 am NM & El Paso / 10 am AZ.
Read MoreTake Action: Urge Your Congressional Leaders to Protect Public Lands Surrounding Oak Flat From Foreign Exploitation
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.
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Statement from Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr.
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.
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Emergency help for Hawaii Floods
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.
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Interfaith Dialogue: Shared Values in American Scripture
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.
Read MoreYou Are Not Alone: How the Southwest Conference Supports Your Journey
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.
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Webinar: “Preparing for the Coming Medicaid and SNAP Cuts from the One Big Not So Beautiful Bill (H.R.1).”
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."
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UCC Webinar: Leaves of Healing (Only for Some)—Trees, Churches, and Redlined Neighborhoods
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!
Read MoreUpcoming virtual offerings from the Open and Affirming Coalition
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.
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Racial Justice Ministries offer Black History resources for the month and year-round →
by Kayla Berkey | published on Feb 3, 2026
This February, United Church of Christ Racial Justice Ministries are offering the invitation to commit to a focused study of Black history both this month and throughout the year.
Black History Month resources are available for the month of February that include a Call to Worship incorporating the names of “ancestors who made a way out of no way with God before them, beside them, and lovingly guiding succeeding generations.”
These resources can also be used for the UCC’s designated Racial Justice Sunday, which falls on Feb. 8, the second Sunday in February.
Black History 365 resources are available to intentionally engage with Black history all year. These offer a four-part spiritual journey of reading, listening, and sitting with a long history of God’s human family from the continent of Africa. It is divided into four sections that focus on human migration around the globe, “looking back and moving forward” with Sankofa, the creation of humans, and exploring virtual spaces dedicated to Black history.
The four Black History 365 sections are intended to align with quarterly learning sessions, with the invitation for people to develop a plan with congregations, groups, or individually to participate together throughout the year.
“Black History 365 is a gateway to remember we are gifted and diverse people, culturally and ethnically. We are made in the image of God and members of God’s human family,” said the Rev. Velda Love, minister for Racial Justice.
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New Webinar: Strength in Our Stories: A Workshop for LGBTQIA+ Christians’ Spiritual Self-Care
From the Open and Affirming Coalition UCC:
Practicing Sacred Storytelling in a World That Tries to Erase Us
In a world of systemic and intersectional injustice that often tears LGBTQIA+ communities down, having confidence in the knowledge of who we are as God’s beloved creations is essential to our survival and flourishing as LGBTQIA+ Christians. As a result, personal storytelling and testimony is a vital spiritual practice of self-care and rootedness that enables us to explore our identity, learn about ourselves in prayerful conversation with God, prepare to engage with an unjust world, and discover ways to thrive and flourish. This session will lay a scriptural, theological, and experiential framework for storytelling as a spiritual practice of self-care and rootedness, provide three opportunities to practice storytelling through creative writing activities, and generate safe space for sharing together.
Tickets are offered on an honor-system sliding scale. Please choose the rate that best fits your circumstances.
• Student Rate – $15 (For students and seminarians.)
• Sages Rate 65+ – $15 (For participants age 65 and older.)
• Standard Rate – $30 (Helps cover the true cost of the workshop.)
• Pay-It-Forward Rate – $45 (For those who are able to give more and help expand access for others.)
Click through for more details.
Read MoreSharing the Journey: Stories from Our Congregations
The journey toward decentering whiteness can sometimes feel isolating, but you are not alone. There are congregations across the Southwest Conference engaged in this work, and hearing from them can be both inspiring and informative. Stories are a powerful way to build community, share wisdom, and remind us that we are all on this path together.
Our website will be a dedicated space for these stories. We are collecting videos and testimonials from churches as they share their experiences, learnings, and challenges. By sharing your story, you can help to inspire and encourage other congregations to begin their own work. We want to hear from every stage of the journey—from those just starting to those who have been at it for a while. Your story, no matter where you are, is valuable.
Click through to read more.
Read MoreClimate Action Pilgrimage
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.
Learn more and read the daily updates here.
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Climate Hope Art Contest for Children and Youth
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.
Read MoreRemembering Renee Nicole Good — One Week Later
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.
Read MoreReady to Start? A Reflection Guide to Begin the Work
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.
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Tell Congress to Protect Oak Flat
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.
Read MorePlease hold Dr. Nosie and the Apache Stronghold in your prayers.
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.
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