In Tucson next Friday, January 31. #SaveAsylum

As we mark the one year anniversary of MPP (Remain in Mexico) and the one month anniversary of its implementation in Nogales, we raise our voices as people of faith to say: “There is room at the inn!”

2020 has been off to a tumultuous start. This election year promises to bring uncertainty and challenge. In these times it is important to take stock and make a game plan. How do we as people of faith want to engage with the elections?

The United Church of Christ General Synod has affirmed the idea that our faithful and civic lives are inextricably linked and who we are as a country, and how we care for the most vulnerable among us is, “an expression of our love for God and all whom God has created.” That, “The God of love is also the God of justice. The two are related, for in the Bible justice is the social form of love.”  [Twenty-fifth General Synod, For the Common Good]

George Lakey, long-time Quaker activist and author of How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning, will be offering four events in the Phoenix area during the last week in January.

January 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Citizens United decision opened the floodgates of corporate spending in election campaigns. Ten years later, a report issued by Public Citizen shows that corporations and megadonors have poured nearly $2 billion into election campaigns since Citizens United.

In this pivotal election year, we must restore integrity to our democratic process and undo the damage done by Citizens United. Every vote should matter, and every vote should count. Urge your senators to break the logjam in the Senate and support the For the People Act.

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.