Faith In Action
Rincon Congregational UCC's Ukraine Emergency Relief Benefit Concert last Saturday was a HUGE success, raising over $27,000 for Ukraine relief!
Their church accompanist, Dr. Alex Tentser, who was born and raised in Kyiv, pulled together this concert with members of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. The audience numbered in excess of 350 people, PLUS those watching (and donating) online.
Read MoreThe Biden administration intends to admit 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. Rev. Irene W. Hassan, Minister for Refugee and Migration Ministries Global H.O.P.E., breaks down what that means for our ministries in the church and how we can gather to support and affirm this decision.
Read MoreIf vertical and centralized powers can threaten to destroy, people’s power can protect, resist, rebuild, and nurture life. Let us hope that this would also be a moment for our generation to reject the fascination with power and violence, kleptocracy, and ideologies of superiority based on skewed anthropological theories and the glorification of narcissistic leaders.
Read More
Please join us in urging Congress to take immediate action to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Our country is failing to protect mothers and pregnant people because of a failure to adequately address racial and health disparities across the board. It is an abject moral atrocity and can be turned around with the right investments and political will. Your voice is needed as a person of faith to help reverse the course on maternal mortality.
Read More
To answer the urgent call for action today, this special online Earth Week event will focus on what the Hebrew Prophets can teach us as well as what prophetic actions are currently being taken. The event will consist of three parts: an opening keynote, a panel discussion, and a suggested action for congregations to take in their own community.
Read More
Allan Mestel
Today Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, Conference Minister for the United Church of Christ in Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas issued the following statement calling for the immediate end of Title 42.
Read More
The Red Hill Watershed and Aquifer Initiative Act (WAI) introduced in both the House and Senate would permanently close the facility, and requires the Navy to cover all cleanup costs associated with spills in the facility’s lifespan. The bill would also reimburse state and local entities for expenditures made in response to the public health threat it imposed, and replace the facility with water treatment and quality-testing facilities. Passage of this legislation would not only benefit the people of Oahu, but would also set precedent for action in other communities impacted by hazardous underground storage tanks at other military installations in our nation and abroad.
Read More
From the ACLU:
In solidarity with Los Revolucionarios (migrant-led organizers) in Nogales, Sonora, we are marking the infamous 2-year anniversary of Title 42 with a rally calling for its end! Join us at Phoenix's ICE Field Office on Monday, March 21 to demand the Biden Administration restore asylum NOW!
Read MoreAs people of faith, we must do what we can to support Ukraine directly by supporting this Ukraine Relief Fund, as well as advocate for a robust international humanitarian response.
Read More
In this webinar, Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries, will introduce the resource, “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience” and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday.
Read More
Arrival of Ukrainian refugees at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing Medyka. Here the refugees are provided with warm food and clothing. From here, they are transferred by bus to major cities and collective shelters. Photo copyright Christoph Püschner/Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal for the people of Ukraine and will be working with global partners to assist the hundreds of thousands fleeing that country. Help will extend to vulnerable communities within Ukraine. Learn how you can help.
Read MoreThose Naïve, Idealistic Peace Activists…
Read More
We continue praying for Ukraine, for Ukrainians, for peace, and for the many displaced people now on the move. We give thanks for the host countries in Europe providing refuge and for the humanitarian aid being made available.
The UCC is collaborating with close partners in the Reformed Church of Hungary (RCH) to channel aid to Ukrainians. See how you can help.
Take action with us again: call on congress to pass H.R. 2590 which calls of accountability for Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights.
Because of the commitment of supporters like you, tens of thousands of messages have been sent to members of Congress lifting up these concerns and asking for changes in US policy. And we have seen positive impacts.
The introduction of legislation calling attention to Palestinian human rights concerns, like H.R. 2590, are demonstrative of a growing coalition within Congress that recognizes that violations of Palestinian’s rights cannot be ignored. Your actions are making a difference.
At the same time, the situation on the ground in Israel and Palestine has not improved.
Read More
Douglas Tallamy’s books have awakened thousands to the problem of wildlife decline and the solution that resides in habitat restoration. This is a solution of which you and your faith community can be a part. The solution can be as close as your backyard or the property surrounding your place of worship.
Read More
Before the President gives the State of the Union Address, hear from United Church of Christ advocates in Washington D.C. on what we are listening for on key issues like the climate crisis, conflict in Ukraine, addressing child poverty and voting rights protections. Please join us on Monday, February 28 at 7 PM ET.
Read MoreSouthwest Conference Minister William Lyons visited Ukraine three times between 2001 and 2003 with S.A.R.A. – Sharing America’s Resources Abroad – a mission of the then Ohio and now Heartland Conference United Church of Christ. He remembers his experiences today as Russia attacks Ukraine.
Read More
In transforming thread into whole cloth, the weaver transforms her circumstances. Beauty and Hope return.
“In just two months since Cecilia’s been able to weave again, she’s visibly changed. When we first met, she was quiet and rarely met anyone’s eyes. Now, she smiles easily, and moves with confidence and agency, enthusiastically teaching others, pointing out shapes and symbols that represent the lush flowers and animals of her beloved mountains. In the precious work of her hands preserving her cultural and familial arts, Cecilia feels at home at last. Grace abides in each mending stitch and every pass of the shuttle through warp and weave in the la Casa de las Misericordia trauma-informed arts and activities program.”
Read More
This webinar will provide an overview of environmental justice concerns pertaining to the U.S. military while also centering the voices of those engaged in the struggle to stop the pollution caused by the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on the island of Oahu. Faith communities will not only learn about the issues, but also how they can take action for justice.
Read MoreThere is a new task force at Church of the Palms: Othering and Belonging (O&B). It has formed out of the continued investment in education events around the social justice issues of anti-racism, oppression, marginalized people, criminal justice, etc.
O&B will be exploring further education opportunities, additional social justice ministries opportunities and collaboration with other social justice like organizations/ institutions for those we sadly call “the other” in our society.
Read More
