Great news! Thanks to your tireless advocacy we were able to stop another congressional attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We know that the Graham-Cassidy bill would have been devastating for millions of Americans – especially seniors, people living with disabilities and children. Your prayers, phone calls, and letters made this possible.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference UCC is one of 39 supporting respondents in an interfaith amicus brief that was filed this past Monday, September 18 by Morrison & Foerster LLP at the U.S. Supreme Court to express our opposition to the Executive Order banning entrance to our country by the nationals of six predominantly Muslim nations and all refugees.
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Sheryl Bronkesh, chair of Generations After - Descendants of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Phoenix, is reaching out to area churches to tell them about a program available in the Valley - Willesden Read. This program is based on the memoir, The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek. The program is sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Phoenix Holocaust Survivors' Association, Generations After, and Scottsdale Community College.
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Support YOUR LOCAL DREAMERS. If you have asked "What can I do to help?" Here is your chance. Donate to help fund the final DACA renewals before October 5th.
Read MorePlease see the updates below on UCC Disaster Ministries’ efforts following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. We are starting to hear from some of our conference churches and members about how they are planning to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery. Next week we will share some examples and creative ways people are offering to help. We encourage you to donate to UCC Disaster Ministries through your congregation
Read MoreThe nearly 15 million people who call the Southern Border region home are part of a vibrant community that contributes to and strengthens our nation. But for decades, border communities have endured hyper militarization to the detriment of our economy, our safety, and our dignity. It’s time for common-sense border policies that revitalize, not militarize, our communities, and do the following:
Read MoreTo speak out that “less lethal” force is not acceptable when American citizens are acting within their constitutional rights, you may attend local listening sessions hosted by representatives from the police and mayor’s office who will be receiving questions and comments from the public.
Read MoreThe Conference Minister for the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, has issued the following statement regarding the administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.
Read MoreAs we mark Just Peace Sunday on Sept. 17, we share John Leung's sermon from August 6, which he kindly forwarded to us.
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Terminating DACA would mean turning our nation’s back on immigrant youth who are valued members of our communities. The consequences of repealing DACA would be severe and profound, as it would put the nearly 800,000 dreamers at immediate risk of deportation.
Read MoreWe pray God’s blessings in abundance on Taos UCC as they hold their first Sunday gathering!
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As we watch the devastation being wrought by Hurricane Harvey we join with many of our fellow Americans who are praying for and extending their concerns to those affected. Events of this scale are accompanied with immediate shock. But, it will be many days before we will begin to comprehend the full extent of loss of life and property damage (both personal and real). We assure you we will keep you informed about our UCC congregations impacted and how you can assist them and their communities. Phil Shea is your point of contact for the Southwest Conference, philipshea@justicestar.org or 602-663-5065.
Read MoreUCC Disaster Ministries is already gearing up for long-term recovery work in the region.
Read MoreHaving learned that the President has pardoned former sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ stands in solidarity with our Latino neighbors, and we share their outrage. As a Christian and a person of faith, we denounce the president’s action as an affront to the worth and dignity of all human beings, particularly people of color and immigrants.
Read MoreThank you, Tom Martinez, Marilyn Rampley, and Barb Doerrer-Peacock for getting these fantastic shots.
Read More"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 More“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 MoreIn 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, pastoral assistant at Church of the Palms, on the loss of her son, Rick Woodford.
Read MoreThe 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.
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