The UCC Mental Health Network has been working diligently to bring attention to mental health in our congregations. The program is for congregations to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) about mental health. These days, given that there is global anxiety about this new COVID-19, one of the fallouts could be the lessening of community connections leading to growing isolation. The phrase “social distancing” has a chilling edge to it as well as a reality so as to prevent spreading the virus. Paying attention to the downsides of this pandemic can lead to some creative ways to sustain the connections even when the physical connections are not recommended. Being attentive to any who are disconnecting due to this virus, whether or not there is a mental health challenge, the well being of everyone can be enhanced. 

From Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival:

We support the call to pass House Coronavirus Bill - HR6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act because it provides critical resources for food assistance, testing, unemployment insurance, immediate paid sick days, and protection for health care workers. Importantly, this bill also includes things the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has been demanding for a long time — a suspension of work requirements for SNAP, worker protections in the form of paid sick leave, increased resources for Medicaid and free testing for all, including the uninsured.  

Right now, Members of Congress are considering an immoral “merit” or points-based immigration system. As people of faith, we recognize the inherent dignity of all people and families - and reject any proposal that commodifies individuals or denies protection to people based on arbitrary evaluations. Any proposal should strengthen family unity, modernize the family immigration system, and remove barriers to immigrants seeking to adjust their status.

We are asking faith leaders to sign on to this important letter by COB Friday, March 20th in support of our current family-based immigration system and diversity immigrant visa program which have helped to create the rich, vibrant, and multicultural U.S. communities of today.

Conference Minister Rev. Bill Lyons received an email last week, naming Rincon Congregational and First Congregational Flagstaff as recipients of the Neighbors in Need grants. We’re so very appreciative of the close communication we have had here about the ministry that these two churches are doing and our effort to support them in it. Keep telling the story!

March 19 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032

With Joy Ladin, the author of eleven books, including 2018’s The Soul of the Stranger: Reading God and Torah from a Transgender Perspective (Brandeis UP), a finalist for both a Lambda Literary Award and Triangle Award that received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

Suggested Donation: $18

Register here

From First Church Phoenix:

This Lent we invite you to choose a spiritual discipline that provides an opportunity to put your alms together with others at First Church in partnership with RIP Medical Debt to buy and abolish medical debt, thus manifesting the great commandments: to love God and love your neighbor, and to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.

Read the March-April 2020, Vol. 5 Issue 2.

Getting to the Root of It

March is Women's History Month. In honor of this month, we asked Brenda Joyner and Loey Powell, both called by the Rev.Traci Blackmon to act as consultants to a Women's Table, to connect this month to our faith and to the UCC's history of advocacy for women.

Because all Americans have the right to breathe clean air, the United Church of Christ has just released a new report that identifies the 100 industrial facilities spewing the most toxic air pollution in heavily populated areas across the United States.

“Breath to the People: Sacred Air and Toxic Pollution” pinpoints the locations of the U.S. “Toxic 100 super polluters” in 28 states and documents the hazardous chemicals being released into the air. The report includes a detailed demographic breakdown of people living within three miles of these toxic facilities. Notable in the demographic details are the number of children under age 5 living near the Toxic 100 — the most vulnerable members of the population because of their developing bodies and brains.

Leaders of the church, known for its environmental justice work, unveiled the study at an Ash Wednesday news conference Feb. 26 in Washington D.C., joined by a representative of the Environmental Integrity Project. The research firm, enlisted by the UCC to compile the report, based its research on self-reported data from the 15,500 facilities included in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory.

Friday, March 13, 6:30-8:30, 2020 and Saturday, March 14, 9-12 noon

First Congregational Church UCC, 2801 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico

How Do We Live Religious/Spiritual Lives of Integrity in a Time of Climate Systems Change?

A Special Retreat With Dr. Larry Rasmussen

What needed gifts do faith communities bring to climate action?

written by Rev. Karen MacDonald

While Rincon UCC – Tucson is in an interim pastor season, things are growing. Our Creation Care Ministry, begun about a year and a half ago, received a generous grant this year from the UCC’s Neighbors in Need offering to nurture the expansion of our ministry.

The heart of our work this year and next is to re-wild significantly neglected portions of our campus as native habitat. This picture shows how it looks now. We’re imagining a vibrant desert landscape to come!

Join people of faith from throughout the state for our Arizona Faith Network 2020 Annual Meeting!

Monday, April 20, 8 am - 12:30 pm at Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Cutler✡Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 East Culver Street Phoenix, AZ, 85004

Engage on some of the most important issues facing Arizona today. Topics include: mass incarceration, environmental justice, migrant justice and relief, interfaith education and dialogue, race and economic equity and the division in our country.

Arizona Faith Network is conducting an interest survey to assist in planning upcoming Faith Education Events (entitled "Faith 101"). They would appreciate your input, interests, and suggestions. CLICK HERE FOR THE BRIEF SURVEY.

Thursday, March 5, 7 pm
Desert Palm United Church of Christ, 1230 E Guadalupe, Tempe

The Florence Project provides free legal and social services to detained men, women, and unaccompanied children in immigration custody facing removal proceedings. Two of their attorneys will speak to volunteers and other interested persons at this presentation. Hear about this amazing nonprofit, learn about the current laws and regulations governing the asylum process, and hear about a potential new way to serve. You can optionally RSVP to hhbillsmom@gmail.com or just show up.

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. Let us pray and fast for peace with Iran and use our collective voice as people of faith to stop the drumbeat to war.

Thank the Senate for passing S.Res. 68 and urge your representatives to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk.

10 a.m. on March 1, 2020 at Desert Heritage Church, 1020 N Horne Ave, Mesa, AZ 85203

Please join Desert Heritage Church as members of the church share their hand stitch on fabric panels to raise awareness of the global refugee crisis and a visual representation of the sheer volume of this astronomical figure of refugees. Their panels will be a part of a larger community art installation in Sacramento, California.

Help protect the planet: Plant a tree. United Church of Christ Environmental Justice Ministries is inviting members and congregations across the wider church to celebrate Earth Day's 50th anniversary by participating in the Three Great Loves Tree Planting Campaign.

Planting trees is something UCC'ers like to do. In 2013, the UCC planted over 141,000 trees as part of Mission 4/1 Earth. The campaign ran 50 days, from Easter Monday to Pentecost.

The UCC Our Faith, Our Vote campaign provides information and ideas to assist individuals and congregations in developing nonpartisan and meaningful ways to engage the political and electoral process. The Our Faith, Our Vote resources can empower UCC members to engage in voter registration, issue education and voter mobilization. We must equip ourselves and our communities to make informed, thoughtful decisions about who will lead us into the future. The Our Faith, Our Vote campaign is one way to do just that, and we hope you will join this effort in 2020.

In 2020, people are still working towards dismantling structural, systemic, and individual racism. The work of addressing racism is intersectional, and stems from historical unjust business practices, and policies and laws impacting every aspect of our lives. We have an opportunity during the 2020 election to pay close attention to politicians upholding the status quo by working against justice for all. Restore justice! In 2020 it is critical that you exercise your vote and your voice so that our nation is healthy and equitable for all.