Webinars, workshops, podcasts from the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.

written by Karen Schafer, Mission and Outreach Ministry Chair, St. Paul's:

As a continuation of St. Paul’s commitment to work with the Rio Rancho office of Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), we are gathering supplies for two families. Melissa Garcia at CYFD works to keep families together.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Gymnatorium of First Institutional Baptist Church, 1141 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix. 

Join us to raise the voice of faith in Arizona and create positive change on issues that affect us all.

Another update from Dave Coatsworth: 

Friends, here's a brief update on what transpired at the Monday (April 23) PPC meeting in Phoenix at the Unitarian Universalist Church.

Thank you, Jayne! We missed you at Annual Meeting, but are grateful for your presence at this event.

We will update this article as you share your stories of how you are supporting teachers, children, and/or parents during this time.

We received this message from a friend of the Southwest Conference, Dave Coatsworth:

Friends, you are receiving this message because you have expressed interest in the Poor People's Campaign (PPC) through prior communication with me, or I suspect you may be interested in the PPC based on my general understanding of your interests and fundamental values.

I'm writing to give you some high-level information about the PPC, to encourage and request your direct participation, and to quickly build our Arizona PPC network, as we're very late to the dance.

As people of faith, scripture calls us to protect, restore, and rightly share God's glorious Creation. 

Here are three ways to act.

SCUCC had a great team of over 20 people who helped make their presence at the Pride Festival and the Pride Parade extravagantly welcoming.

Arizona Faith Network is calling people of faith to sign this statement calling for reform of our criminal justice system.

Did your church participate? Send the info to Wende - wgonzales@uccswc.org.

This issue is packed with articles from the National Council of Churches' Unite to End Racism Rally to a faithful response to drone warfare, and a five-week series "ALIVE! in our sexuality and faith" - check it all out HERE.

"The news from the courts regarding immigration and undocumented residents is unwelcome and unwelcoming. Our Gospel message of love and inclusion, that God calls us to “fear not” living as we share our privileges and blessings, is needed more than ever!"  - Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons

It is critical our Members of Congress hear that their constituents oppose the detention of pregnant women and that we urge them to call on ICE to stop this practice and restore a presumption of release.

From Scholarships AZ, the local United We Dream affiliate:

On April 9, “the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that DACA recipients are no longer eligible to receive in-state tuition rates in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). This decision will impact DACA students across all public AZ colleges & universities.”

Last year, the Todo Tucson ID Campaign ramped up its efforts to push the city council to implement a city-wide Municipal ID. This ID would be available to undocumented people and other marginalized groups who don’t have the correct documents for a state-issued identification. Almost 20 U.S. cities and counties have issued a similar ID.

Alejandra was granted a bond hearing for Thursday, April 19, after being detained for over a month at Eloy Detention Center. She is calling for wide community support. There will be a caravan of folks headed to Eloy that day from Tucson. If you would like to join, please fill out this form. AmyBeth Willis of Southern Arizona Sanctuary will be going and would love for other Coalition members to join her!

On May 8, UCAN launches the first in a series of online national conversations on HIV with a focus on HIV testing. A popular HIV testing slogan is, “Everyone has a status, do you know yours?” In preparation for National Testing Day, Wednesday, June 27, Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer will moderate this conversation via Zoom about the importance of everyone knowing their HIV status and the status of the church in promoting and facilitating HIV testing.

First Church UCC is honored to host Congressman Ruben Gallego's Town Hall meeting this Saturday, April 14th at 11 am. Doors open at 10:30 am.