Participants will be leaving for the mission trip to Puerto Rico on Friday, December 7th and will return on Saturday, December 15th.

“Upon my return from Niagara Falls, NY, where I was blessed with the opportunity to represent the Southwest Conference at the 2018 Widening the Welcome National Gathering, I was asked to write an article that provides an overview of what I learned during the two day conference.”

UCC Refugee Ministries created this simple lawn sign resource to support you in your ministry of welcome this Advent.  Share the story of Jesus’ birth and proclaim to your neighbors that when we welcome refugees, when we welcome asylum-seekers, we are welcoming Christ.

Last month, a bipartisan piece of legislation was signed into law reauthorizing the Global Food Security Act for the next five years. This legislation funds the “Feed the Future Initiative,” a program that has helped U.S. foreign assistance become more effective by strategically investing in sustainable agriculture, food security, nutrition, and other programs that address the root causes of global hunger and poverty.

Passage of this legislation points to what can be done when concern for the common good overcomes partisan divides. While we should take the opportunity to thank members of Congress for passing the Global Food Security Act, we also must call on Congress at the same time to overcome partisan gridlock and pass the Farm Bill before the end of the year. The Farm Bill is the central piece of legislation that sets U.S. policy on agriculture, nutrition, and food policy which directly impacts the poorest among us.

From Rev. Robert Koth:

I followed up with one of Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund's suggestions for action steps to create ministries among people with mental illness. She recommended that we form partnerships with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The Department of Homeland Security recently issued a proposed rule changing the definition of what it means to be a “public charge.” These new rules could potentially impact the life and well-being of millions of immigrant families. Currently immigrants must meet several requirements before obtaining permanent residency and citizenship.

An assessment of whether an immigrant is a “public charge” evaluates whether that person will rely on public assistance. The new rules greatly expand the definition of what qualifies as a public charge; and if finalized, will penalize tax-paying immigrants’ families and create an immigration system that prioritizes the wealthy few over families working to secure a future in the United States.

In December 2018, government delegates from around the world will meet in Katowice, Poland to decide how to implement the Paris Agreement. The faith community will be there again to support action on climate. Interfaith Power & Light is joining the People’s Demands for Climate Justice -- a joint global call to government delegates demanding that this year’s climate talks actually lead to meaningful, just climate solutions. 

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for communities to come together and remember transgender people, gender-variant individuals, and those perceived to be transgender who have been murdered because of hate.

From JPAN - Justice and Peace Action Network:

Thank you for all of your faithful work on the UCC Our Faith Our Vote campaign – helping to empower congregations and communities to participate in the 2018 midterm elections. The voting turn out for this election was higher than it has been in decades for a midterm election. It is estimated that 114 million Americans showed up at the polls to make their voice heard. All over the county, you participated in voter registration drives, candidate and issue forums, and voter mobilization efforts. You learned about voter protection efforts and volunteered to make sure everyone could cast their ballot. 

You made a difference!

I want to update you about what UCC Disaster Ministries is doing to respond to the California wildfires and how churches can help.

Arizona Foundation for Contemporary Theology will host Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz for a talk entitled Spiritual Courage on November 14 at 7 PM at Congregation Beth Israel located at 10460 North 56th Street in Scottsdale.

by Rev. Dr. Delle McCormick, in her November 7 update from the migrant shelter:

Dear Friends,
 
Today, the elections are over and the struggle for justice and joy goes on.  Our shelter is operating at capacity and every day we have more new volunteers and organizations that want to partner with us. Every day, many times a day, we witness the transformation of our volunteers, guests, the broad community in Southern Arizona, and beyond. I have so many stories to tell and space only allows me to share a few.

From Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA:

The resources in this toolkit are intended to be customizable to your community and your context. There are suggestions for which modules may connect well with one another, but you are encouraged to pick and choose the sessions your community is most interested in, after you have shown or made available the opening video.

While we mourn, we must also take action, and that means showing up and voting. If you went to a vigil this weekend, show up at the polls. If you plan on marching to change the injustices of the world, show up at the polls. Make sure that the people we elect will take bold and dramatic action to end gun violence - and vote to keep those who have done nothing accountable.

To be clear, the United Church of Christ stands in full support of the transgender and intersex community. We deplore the abuse of government power and authority that assembles to deprive transgender and intersex Americans from their God-given and constitutionally mandated inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Information and interest gathering is beginning for a mission work trip to the Virgin Islands to assist in debris removal and cleaning from the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  Southwest Conference Disaster Coordinator Phil Shea and a small interest group of about seven others from Scottsdale Congregational and Black Mountain UCC are meeting this week to share date possibilities and details in the hopes of forming a team from the Southwest Conference to respond. 

The United States is in a season of great concern over the immigration crisis and the constant rhetoric about the border wall. For nearly twenty years The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ has actively been involved in the humanitarian movement working with migrants in the desert in Southern Arizona as well as advocating for better understanding of immigration and border issues.