"I invite you to check out my Letter to the Editor in Today's Arizona Republic. Just what I was hoping for to send my voice and presence since I cannot join folks at the rally.
Read MorePhilip Shea's letter to the editor
Rev. Bill Lyons among crowd gassed by Phoenix police Tuesday night
“The news headlines don’t tell the whole story about Phoenix police use of force to disperse crowds outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday night,” said Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, spiritual leader of the United Church of Christ in Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX. “Police continued to deploy chemical munitions against a crowd that was chanting, ‘Peaceful protest! Peaceful protest!’ while holding their hands in the air. I know because I was there. I was gassed.
Read MoreUnity Vigil & March photos and stories
In the words of First Church UCC Phoenix: Thank you for your joining us for an incredible vigil and march downtown! We made our presence known.
Read MoreOur deepest condolences to Debby Stinton
Our deepest condolences to Debby Stinton, pastoral assistant at Church of the Palms, on the loss of her son, Rick Woodford.
Read MoreProgressive faith community in Arizona readies for Trump rally
The progressive Protestant leadership in Arizona is uniting behind a call against the evil of white supremacy in advance of President Donald Trump's visit to Phoenix Tuesday evening, as two UCC faith communities and the Southwest Conference organize an assembly of love and justice in response to the president's rally at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Read MoreStatement from Arizona Bishops and Executives Roundtable
As leaders of our faith traditions in Arizona, we, the undersigned members of the Bishops and Executives Roundtable, join our voices to affirm the value of every human being. We stand together to bear witness to what is happening in our streets, offering a truthful counternarrative to stories that blame victims and rationalize bodily harm and murder. We name as evil the thoughts, words, and deeds of white supremacy because they violate the image of God in which every human being is created.
Read MoreYou are invited to join in the Unity Vigil & March!
Just Peace Sunday on September 17
This year, Just Peace Sunday is September 17th and our theme is Remember, Repent, Renew: The Way of Just Peace. This theme is based on the lectionary passage Genesis 50:15-21 in which Joseph is reconciled to his brothers.
Read MoreNational Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life
September 10, 2017 is World Suicide Prevention Day. That weekend, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Faith Communities Task Force invites faith communities across the nation to pray for those whose lives have been touched by suicide. In collaboration with other leaders in faith, business, government, healthcare, and social justice, the Task Force has organized a campaign for a National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life.
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Unity March against Hate and Bigotry
Tuesday, August 22 at 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Hosted by First Church UCC Phoenix:
"President Donald Trump and Gov. Doug Ducey have made it clear that they are on the side of hate and bigotry this week. After the recent events in Charlottesville, VA, Gov. Doug Ducey is still in favor of keeping the racist Confederate Monuments up at the Capitol.
We will meet Tuesday outside of the Phoenix Convention Center where Trump will be speaking to denounce his hateful rhetoric at 8:30 pm and will march from the Phoenix Convention Center to the Arizona State Capitol to rally against Confederate monuments that Gov. Ducey wont remove! We will get to the Capitol around 910 pm for those who wish not to march. Transportation will be provided back to the Convention Center."
East Africa Famine 2017
The famine designation was lifted from South Sudan, thanks to a concerted global effort that included your generous support to One Great Hour of Sharing and its recent East Africa Famine Response campaign.
But millions remain at risk of severe malnutrition and need help to feed their families as the rainy season gathers momentum.
Read MorePlease join us in praying for Debby Stinton's son, Rick
On the morning of Tuesday, August 8, Debby Stinton, Member in Discernment and pastoral assistant at Church of the Palms UCC, learned that her son, Rick, had been hit by a car and suffered numerous internal and external injuries.
Read MoreThe 3 Great Loves Initiative
The 3 Great Loves is the denomination’s opportunity to express how our Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation work together to address the inequities in our current world.
Read MoreNational Call for Moral Revival ~ Mass Meeting in Albuquerque
You are specially invited to a Moral Revival Mass Meeting in the style of the civil rights movement with national religious leader Rev. William Barber, Repairers of the Breach team and local NM & AZ faith and justice leaders.
Read MoreCall to Action: Bipartisan Dream Act of 2017
Please contact your Senators to support the Dream Act of 2017. NBC News is reporting, "The legislation was introduced with some urgency because a group of conservative state attorneys general has issued an ultimatum on the subject to President Donald Trump.
They’ve demanded that by Sept. 5, his administration stop renewing or granting temporary deportation deferrals and work permits to young immigrants through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The DACA program was authorized by former President Barack Obama."
Faith Leaders: Sign On to Stand with Immigrant Youth
The consequences of repealing DACA would be severe and profound, as it would put the nearly 800,000 dreamers at immediate risk of deportation.
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The New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice is asking for our help on behalf Kadhim Al-Bumohammed.
Please call and email ICE:
Read MoreHow will you and your congregation respond to resolutions and pronouncements from General Synod 31?
Having given us their best advice and counsel, and having made requests of us, each Conference, association, and local church within the United Church of Christ now begins the covenantal responsibility of reviewing what General Synod has discerned, and asking itself, "What does this mean for us? What now shall we do in response?"
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Medicaid Advocacy: Tools and Talking Points
The Medicaid Talking Points and a Medicaid Advocacy Toolkit will give you guidance as you reach out to elected officials and demand they protect healthcare for the most vulnerable in our society.
Read MoreThe Long Road To Asylum: A Case of Collateral Compassion
written by Randy Meyer
Last June the Good Shepherd and the Green Valley/Sahuarita Samaritans agreed to accompany a Honduran family that was getting ready to present themselves to immigration officials at the US/Mexico Border.
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