Dialogue Institute of the Southwest would like to extend an invitation for you to join online "fast-breaking" dinners in the holy month of Ramadan.

Each event will include Muslim families which will be sharing their experience about Ramadan.

These events are a great opportunity to discover the meaning of Ramadan and fasting by celebrating the breaking of the fast.

Advocating for an accurate census is an act of faith. It is an affirmation of the God-given dignity and worth of every person. It is an important step toward making sure every individual has access to the social services they need and representation in the electoral process. Educating for and promoting an accurate census is one way we can act for justice in these challenging times.

Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in March. 48.1% of households have already responded to the 2020 Census. That means 51.9% of our current population have not yet completed the 2020 Census. Our primary interest and responsibility as people of faith to make certain everyone is safely and accurately counted.

Here is how you and your congregation can help.

For the last 10+ years, SEMA Foundation has been bringing people together through Ramadan Iftar Dinners. Due to the limitations of our current global health crisis, this year we are joining with our friends at Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ to facilitate online meeting programs with different themes starting on April 23, through May 23.

The idea is simple: We will encourage community members to find a conversation partner during this time of physical distancing via PHONE or VIDEO CHATTING, with the intention that once our physical distancing restrictions are lifted, we can perhaps transform these "relationships" into in-person interactions, whether it's a dinner or sharing a tea/coffee time. 

We believe and hope it will ignite many new friendships.

Normally, around this time in early Spring, UCC advocates would gather with other people of faith at Ecumenical Advocacy Days for a weekend of education and skill building for advocacy. Unfortunately this year we are not able to gather in person. Nevertheless, as faith advocates across traditions, we are still joining our voices together this week to advocate for justice in our nation’s capital. 

Congratulations to all who provided Smith’s gift cards and the funds for same. Together, with the Sandoval County Federation of Democratic Women and friends and members of St. Paul’s, gift cards amounting to $1,405 were presented to Jarmaine McChriston (pictured here) on April 21. He and his boss, Lee Roberts, have devised a plan for distribution to the families they work with.

The Arizona Faith Network, members from the First Church UCC Phoenix, Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist, and Jewish congregations, residents of the Beatitudes Campus, and the Greater Phoenix Network of Spiritual Progressives are sponsoring an interfaith discussion via Zoom of Revolutionary Love by Rabbi Michael Lerner.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the very tribe that welcomed the Pilgrims in the 1600s, is at risk of losing what is left of their homelands due to a determination made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Why is this important?

The Mashpee Wampanoag, the People of the First Light, have occupied the same region for over 12,000 years and have faced diminishment of their homelands since colonization. The latest decision is a blow to Tribal sovereignty and undermines the future and sustainability of the tribal nation. The Tribe is asking Congress to protect its reservation lands and has put forth the "Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act (HR.312)." We are asking for signatures in support of this legislation.

Sign this petition

Tucson Mutual Aid is a collection of efforts operating in response to the coronavirus outbreak in Tucson, Arizona. Prioritizing assistance to folks with limited access, their efforts are focused on connecting people with food + sanitizing products and to facilitate the connection of resources with those needing them. Seeking support? Check out the RESOURCES section. Offering support? You can DONATE GOODS, DONATE MONEY, or VOLUNTEER.

The UCC Environmental Justice Minister Brooks Berndt has written a book entitled Cathedral on Fire!: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis. It focuses our attention on the unique and vitally needed gifts that churches can offer in this dire time. The book is designed so that it can be read one chapter at a time by church groups.

Berndt himself will be facilitating a weekly teleconference discussion of the questions at the end of each chapter.