The Global Climate Action Summit will bring leaders and people together from around the world to “Take Ambition to the Next Level.” It will be a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action.

On September 8, 2018 People across the country will be gathering to demand bold action on climate, jobs, and justice. Faith Contingents will be a part of many of the marches.  Find below some of the IPL leading a group to their local Climate March.

Our 3 Great Loves writers team has created a special devotional series intended to be a complement for UCC congregations and individuals as they reflect on the seminal book by the Rev. William Barber and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, The Third Reconstruction. May this reflection inspire not only awareness but responsive action to bridge racial divisions and truly live out God’s love by loving our neighbors. Download the devotional series.

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). The remaining two-thirds support local justice initiatives throughout the UCC.

Our Washington, DC team is now accepting applications for our Justice and Peace Fellowship. This 1-2 year position is a perfect opportunity for young leaders who are seeking to learn and work at the intersection of our faith, public policy, and our call to work for a just world for all. Applications are due by August 15th with an expected start date in September. Apply now and help us spread the word!

It can be tempting to disengage from the political process, but as people dedicated to creating a just world for all, we know we must be involved. Read Rev. Traci Blackmon’s invitation to participate in the UCC Our Faith Our Vote campaign and learn more about how your congregation can legally engage in the elections.

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend is Labor Sunday, a day to lift up workers and celebrate their contributions. It is also a day to commit ourselves to improving jobs and our economy so that all workers have wages, benefits, and work hours that allow them to live in the fullness of life – which is God’s intention for each of us.

This year, Just Peace Sunday will focus on the theme “Wisdom Cries Out!” based on the lectionary passage, Proverbs 1:20-33. Worship, learning, and craft materials will be available online making connections between our witness as a Just Peace Church and our particular concern at this time for those migrants fleeing violence at our border. 

On Thursday, August 9, Arizona Faith Network will be represented on a panel to speak about DACA. The purpose for the event is to raise community awareness of the imminent legal threat to DACA.

United Church of Santa Fe has been involved in border ministries for a number of years. They are an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation, and have had youth and adult service trips to the border (often partnering with Good Shepherd) since 2000.

If you register to vote online, be sure it is through a trustworthy site, such as Rock the Vote. 

voter registration deadlines:

Arizona: July 30, 2018

New Mexico: October 9, 2018

Texas: October 9, 2018

From Rincon's newsletter:

I am excited to share news of the church mission trip the week of December 9th to Puerto Rico with our UCC mission partners there.  UCC Disaster Relief Ministries is seeking groups from UCC churches to help church partners in Puerto Rico in recovery efforts from the two major hurricanes that devastated Puerto Rico last year.

The dates are set for CRR's next service trip to Guatemala to help build homes for people who are living in extreme poverty. They will be there the week of February 11-15, 2019; travel dates are still to be determined.

The trip will be organized in conjunction with Constru Casa (“Construct a House”) which is a non-profit organization very similar to Habitat for Humanity except that they address the needs of people who are very poor.

The Women's and Men's Fellowship of the Sierra Vista Community United Church of Christ will be providing a luncheon for approximately 100 people at the Salvation Army Center.

A United Church of Christ sanctuary church offering immigrants refuge in the Arizona borderlands will soon be offering a place of hospitality, support and hope on the Mexican side of the border for people who find themselves deported from the United States.

The Shadow Rock UCC Sanctuary Action Team and the Rev. Ken Heintzelman, in an extension of the spirit and intent of their ministry of sanctuary in Phoenix, are in the process of establishing Hope Station Nogales, in Sonora, Mexico.

Jose Gonzales sent this thank you to everyone who donated to the trip he led to support children and families at the border. Taos UCC collected and donated $750.

Taos Immigration Allies are collecting donations again for another trip to the border to support refugee children and families. If you would like to donate for this next trip you can reach Jose at 575-779-6765 or jgonza37@unm.edu   

Conference Minister Rev. Bill Lyons signed a letter on behalf of the Southwest Conference supporting a designation to care for creation through a Wild and Scenic Designation of the Gila River area.

Mind, Body, Spirit: Linking Lives for Health and Wholeness

The Faith Community Nurse Health Ministry Newsletter

The Southwest Conference has signed on to this amicus brief described here by Zachary Kolodin of PATTERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER LLP.

We call on faith leaders to sign on to a faith letter supporting refugee resettlement and opposing nomination of an anti-refugee extremist for a key position in the administration.