“It is easier for me to get a gun than to get a job or birth control.” This line is from a Facebook post by high school student Maya in Albuquerque that put into motion a trip with 11 other youth and seven adults from her church and four other churches in the Southwest Conference United Church of Christ.
"Maya's words were an invitation for Maya and her peers to exercise their power to create a safe world through the agency of the Southwest Conference," said the Rev. Bill Lyons, conference minister. "We shared Maya's wisdom on our conference Facebook page. And we sent out the invitation for Southwest Conference high schoolers to join the March for Our Lives in Washington. This trip is Christian formation, a justice witness, and a civic engagement all in one."
Read MoreAll UCC, UU, Catholic, and other church-related youth, friends, and chaperones are invited to a late night discussion and sleepover at Encanto Community Church.
You are also invited to attend the March For Our Lives Empowerment Gathering.
The youth event will begin around 8:30 p.m. on Friday March 23, 2018, immediately following the 7:00 pm March For Our Lives Empowerment Gathering.
Read MoreSunday, April 8, 7 pm
Sandia Presbyterian Church
Llive music, sweet treats, and a silent auction!
Read MoreMany local March For Our Lives events are in the works at churches across the conference. If your church is planning a rally or is marching in your city's event, please notify Wende Gonzales at wgonzales@uccswc.org OR fill out this form so that we may put together a list of all our church events.
Read MoreIn the Minnesota Conference, it's a number of essays; in the Southwest Conference, it began with a Facebook post.
Those are just two items powering UCC youth participation in the gun violence prevention rally, March for Our Lives, created, inspired by, and led by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, survivors of one of the deadliest mass school shootings in U.S. history.
Read MoreSee the JPANet March 2018 Newsletter HERE
Read MoreA group from our church went to Santa Fe for the Ecumenical Advocacy Ministry Day. This event is sponsored by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry to educate people of faith about issues facing the legislature. We learned more about Health Care in New Mexico and Negative Impacts of Taxing Food. There are many ways to act on our faith. Legislation and Advocacy is one way we do that.
Read MoreDid you know that most congregations can cut energy costs by up to 30% by investing strategically in efficient equipment, facility upgrades and maintenance? The EPA’s ENERGY STAR program can help congregations do this with their staff, free tools, trainings, and technical support.
Read MoreChurch of the Red Rocks has a team in Guatemala this week, and we are glad to share their updates and photos! Check back soon, as we will add more as they send it.
Read MoreHow does one live in a world gone mad when mainstream culture endorses the insanity? The Reluctant Radical, a documentary produced and directed by Lindsey Grayzel, explores this question in relation to the ecological crisis.
The film follows Ken Ward, a lifelong activist who took time off from his environmental work to help raise his son. During his down time he plunges into the literature on Climate Change, growing all the more alarmed as he ponders the fate of the world awaiting his child. The experience convinces him he needs to act.
Read MoreBill Lyons will be speaking at this event, and he and Rock Fremont are on the discussion panel.
Read MoreIt is time to say – Enough! As people of faith, we are called to heal our society’s acceptance of violence and idolatrous fascination with weapons. Here are three things you can do.
Read MoreJoin with Arizona Faith Network to support AFN partner CHISPA and the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños Campaign!
Tell the State of Arizona Governor’s Office that you support CHISPA and healthy Arizona communities
Read MoreIn recent months, there have been numerous stories of sexual misconduct by men of power in various settings of business, media, entertainment, and politics. In each case, it took the courage of one to name their experience of being sexually harassed or abused by someone more powerful than themselves in order for the sin of sexual abuse to finally be recognized.
We confess that the United Church of Christ (UCC) is not immune to these sins of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct. We repent when those in power at any setting of the UCC has acted inappropriately and violated others with their words, actions, or power. We, the Church, have sinned, and we ask for forgiveness from those, who have been violated.
Read MoreA youth delegation is forming to attend the March For Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24. If your church has young people who would like to participate please contact Bill Lyons ASAP at blyons@uccswc.org.
Read MoreContact your legislators today and demand that they protect Dreamers through legislation that offers permanent protection and that doesn’t threaten family reunification or endanger other immigrant populations. There is still a crucial deadline to hit, and we need to continue putting the pressure on Congress to get something done and support the Dreamers!
Read MoreI thought I would just say this now rather than reply to messages about my increasing advocacy and outspokenness for gun control legislation. Saves time. And it's cathartic. And it's an invitation to join me in the effort, but not in a discussion or debate - not over this issue because it involves the lives of our kids so there isn't anything to debate. My love and respect for all of you require that I share my truth and speak prophetically.
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ and the United Church of Canada, coming together to celebrate the contributions of people of African descent worldwide, are launching a joint commitment to the United Nations resolution on the issue with an introductory video released during Black History Month.
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