Set against an ethical-theological-philosophical framework of the role of love in the Abrahamic tradition, it highlights the heart-wrenching witness of refugee families seeking asylum from the Northern Triangle in Central America to the U.S. The book originated from the author’s four years as a volunteer chaplain with the families, two while she facilitated art as spiritual care inside an immigrant family detention center located in Texas.

The Green Team at First Congregational UCC Albuquerque shared this helpful article in their February newsletter:

The New Mexico legislature is hard at work examining hundreds of bills. We will be affected by whatever is ultimately passed on to the governor for her signature as well as whatever is consigned to the legislative dustbin. Our news media simply can’t cover all the legislation—there’s too much! Is there a bill that you are passionate about? Take a good look at the website nmlegis.gov. You can learn a lot!

The Arizona Foundation of Contemporary Theology presents
The Unacceptable Casualties of Christian Theologies: 
How We Can Stop Turning Women's Bodies into Battlefields? 
by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, PhD. 

Dayspring United Methodist Church, 1365 East Elliot Road, Tempe
Friday, March 8, 2019 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

State of the Union Response, Climate Change and Forced Migration Webinar, and More

Arizona State Capitol Complex, Rose Garden Area
Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 8:30 AM - 2 PM

7 p.m., Wednesday, February 27 at Desert Palm UCC

Desert Palm UCC, Dayspring Methodist Church, Tempe Emanuel and University Presbyterian have all joined together to take turns hosting a community dialogue. These events are quite simple and very “user friendly.”

“We have looked into the eyes of the homeless children, the most vulnerable in our community, and we have seen the hope that’s there.” – Rev. Cindy Parker

Following a lengthy meeting on January 22, the Sedona City Council voted to award the grant to The Church of The Red Rocks! After administrative fees are deducted, the grant will be worth approximately $300,000!

Presidents' Day, Monday, February 18, 2019, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Invitation from Jo Vredenburg of Desert Palm UCC, Justice and Witness Tempe:

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Arizona legislative process and meet with your State Senator and House Representatives. Children are also invited with their parents as Presidents' Day is a national holiday with children off from school and a holiday for some adults.

[Editor’s note: this event begins on the same weekend as the SWC Annual Meeting]

Come to Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2019 and UCC Pre-event:
#GoodTrouble for a Just World

Calling all justice advocates! You are invited to join other UCC advocates for the 2019 Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference, “Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the World -- #GoodTrouble!” This year’s conference will focus on movements, best practices, and highlight the voices of young activists to energize today’s struggle for justice.

Convergence Leadership Project Equips UCC Ministers to be Movement Leaders through Congregational Renewal

In 2017, Convergence, together with the Center for Progressive Renewal, launched an innovative continuing education program for new and seasoned ministers based solely online. This program is unique for two main reasons: 1) it focuses on the work ministerial leaders need to do to move their congregations and communities from thinking to action, and 2) it seeks to equip congregational leaders with the tools to work together with their congregations and communities to do the work of the church.

November 1–2, 2019; location TBA

Friday, Nov. 1, we will offer Mental Health First Aid Training. Saturday, Nov. 2, we will partner with United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministry to offer WISE training. 

Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 11:30 AM—1:30 PM

Arizona State Capitol Rose Garden, 1700 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ, 85007

Arizona Faith Leaders for Criminal Justice Reform is a luncheon gathering of faith leaders to announce our intent of solidarity with people affected by the criminal justice system. Arizona’s faith leaders will unite to raise awareness on the issues that disproportionately impact women, elders and people of color, and work together to find solutions from a Biblical perspective.

Wednesday, January 23rd, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Southwest Conference UCC office, 917 E Sheridan Street, Phoenix

Phil Shea is hosting a Sierra Club Climate Resolutions Event at the Southwest Conference Office.

During Sierra Club’s "Our Climate Resolutions Week", we are gathering our Phoenix area climate community to collectively envision the future we want and begin to generate plans for how we can all work to enact that future - starting where we live. This will be a group discussion event led by the host.

An eight month workshop on what is means to be white, anglo or euro-identified in racial reconciliation efforts. This one will be specific to the Taos community.

January is recognized in the US as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the 2009 UCC Synod Resolution against human trafficking urges congregations to recognize January 11 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, affected some 24.9 million people in 2016 and is one of the most profitable forms of transnational crime. Traffickers prey on those who are in vulnerable communities and force them into labor, exploit them in commercial sexual enterprises, and move them across national or state borders against their will.

Saturday, January 19, 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N Central Avenue

Networking event for hospitality providers

Shadow Rock UCC is partnering with other local organizations for "Call for Solidarity: A mini-concert and networking event."

Is your church participating in the Women’s March in your area? Send the details to Wende at wgonzales@uccswc.org.