This weekend we celebrate the leadership and sacrifice of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The United Church of Christ has so many proud moments in its legacy working for the U.S. civil rights movement -- including the time a UCC leader met with Dr. King and inspired much of the early media justice movement. The UCC's media justice ministry, called the Office of Communication, Inc., was created after the UCC's original Communications Director, Dr. Everett C. Parker, met with Dr. King. As we get ready to celebrate Dr. King, we're sharing the UCC-made documentary, OC Inc., The Untold Story, as a resource for UCC churches to learn more about this unique UCC connection to MLK's legacy (available in the full 22 minutes or a 6-minute preview.)

This is a collaboration between Justice and Local Church and Wider Church Ministries. While many UCC congregations have already been doing accompaniment with asylum seekers, the need is great and many more UCC congregations want to learn more about how they can get involved.

Please join UCC Asylum Accompaniment Webinar on January 24th at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT

On this webinar, we’ll hear from UCC congregations who are doing this work to learn more about best practices and how to confront challenges.

at the Arizona State Capitol on Thursday, January 16, 10 am
Arizona House of Representatives, 1700 West Washington St, Phoenix

Marco Gonzalez is Executive Director of Yahad-In Unum, an organization dedicated to discovering genocide wherever it is found around the world, providing documented proof of crimes against humanity and serving as a voice of protest on behalf of all past and present victims of systemic hate crimes and mass murder. Working closely with its well-recognized founder, Father Patrick Desbois, Marco has become the foremost authority on the tragic episode of history known as “Holocaust by Bullets”.

Friday, January 17, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Harkins Theatres at Norterra
2550 W Happy Valley Rd, Phoenix

Join Arizona Faith Network on the afternoon of Friday, January 17th at Harkins Norterra to see "Just Mercy." Afterward, we will gather next door in the Norterra room at Elevate Coffee Co for a time of discussion.

In Puerto Rico, a series of powerful earthquakes have killed one person, injured several, unleashed small landslides and caused homes and other buildings to crack and crumble. The earthquakes and aftershocks have taken out power across most of the island, also leaving hundreds of thousands without water.

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC associate general minister and co-executive for Global Ministries, is dispatching funds to Global Ministries partner IEUPR (Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico) so the church can assist with needs of first response, such as hygiene kits.

Disaster Ministries is also issuing an emergency appeal to continue to assist the people of the island. Goal: $250,000. Click here to donate.

This month: The Complexities of Human Trafficking in Southern Asia

9:00 am Monday, January 20 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 15th Street & Jefferson

If your church has a group participating, please notify Wende so we can add the info here. Thanks.

A return to diplomacy is the only way forward. We must remind our officials of the shared humanity between our nations and find creative ways to build peace. This Epiphany let us pray and fast for peace with Iran and use our collective voice as people of faith to stop the drumbeat to war. 

Call on Congress today to assert its constitutional war powers and prevent any funds from being used for war with Iran. 

The following statement appeared on Friday, January 3 in the Arizona Republic, and it is a testament to the value of building community relations: We faith leaders condemn the attacks on the Jewish people.

Arizona Jews for Justice is honored to award Pastor James Pennington, the 1st Arizona Jews for Justice "Partner in Justice" award! 

From The Good Shepherd UCC:

We are delighted to have an unprecedented response to our Common Ground on the Border / Border Issues Fair event. January 16-18, 2020. We have individuals and groups coming from across the country to learn more about what is happening in our borderlands.

Due to limitations of space, we found it necessary to close registration to those wanting to attend the entire conference. However, for those who are still interested in attending part of the event, there are still some opportunities available.

Got new gadgets for Christmas? Time to clean house! Shadow Rock is partnering with AZStRUT to collect your "no longer needed" electronics during the weekend of January 10-12.

United Church of Santa Fe’s youth ages 13 + will join in SALT Immersion to U.S./Mexico Border Sunday, March 15 to Friday, March 20. They’ll stay in Tucson and will partner with Good Shepherd UCC and other organizations dealing with issues surrounding immigration.

7 p.m. on January 9 at the Southwest Conference office

Rev. Alan Johnson, Chair of the United Church of Christ Mental Health Network who chairs the WISE Conference on Mental Health, has agreed to make a Zoom presentation on the topic of "Follow Up Steps for Churches."

For faith advocates working for justice, trying to bring the voices and concerns of the most vulnerable to the center of public policy decision-making, this last year has felt like an advocacy marathon. And what a marathon you have been running in 2019! During the past year, you helped to send 60,000 email messages to legislators and over 2,300 Tweets. You have prayed, marched, witnessed, and acted for justice in countless ways. In 2019, members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network have countered the narrative of fear, exclusion, and scarcity on issues ranging from refugee admissions, gun violence prevention, climate justice, voting rights, nutrition assistance, reproductive health care, gender-based violence, trade agreements, increased militarization, and violence and armed conflict in regions around the world. You have made a difference, made your voices heard, and we give thanks for your partnership!

[A press conference will be held at noon on Thursday, December 19 in the Rose Garden at the Arizona State Capitol .]

Phoenix – On Nov. 21, 2019, 23 state representatives signed a letter to ICE officers in support of a request for parole for a young woman from Guatemala named Maria so she could be reunited with her 6-year-old niece, “Flor.” Maria and Flor were separated when they presented themselves at the Arizona border to request asylum at Lukeville in March of 2019.

In Tucson on Monday, December 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the federal building, 300 W. Congress.

House of Sedona has found property! As of this week, we have secured property for our project to provide temporary transitional housing for homeless families with children, and elderly women. It is located in west Sedona near Basha's, a great location close to food, businesses and bus access.

It has been a long journey to reach this exciting point and we continue to be grateful for you, our supporters. Now that we have property, we can move to our next steps.