Updated lists of volunteer and donation needs for the asylum seeker transition program in Phoenix, provided by Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.
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Stop USDA from Restricting SNAP Benefits
from justice and peace action network:
Earlier this year the Administration posted a notice for proposed rulemaking through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restrict states' flexibility to provide vital nutrition support to people who struggle to feed themselves and their families. It is estimated this change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would result in 755,000 people losing access to life-saving nutrition benefits.
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2019 Phoenix PRIDE Interfaith / Interdenominational Invite
This year, First Church UCC Phoenix is partnering with Scottsdale UCC to march together during the PRIDE Parade as well as to staff and "stock" (provide promotional materials from our churches) their table for the 2-day festival. Our goal is to show a united Interfaith and Interdenominational coalition.
Read MoreDuet "Partners in Compassion" Luncheon
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 | Registration 11:30 a.m., lunch program 12 – 1 p.m.
Black Canyon Conference Center 9440 North 25th Avenue | Phoenix, AZ 85021
Help for Asylum Seekers
from Scottsdale Congregational UCC’s newsletter
The coalition led by Lutheran Social Services is still collecting clothing and meds for asylum seekers being dropped off by ICE with no resources.
Read MoreTake Action on Dangerous Mercury Standards Rollback
As people of faith we strive not only for environmental stewardship but to protect human health and wellbeing. Rolling back mercury pollution standards does not fulfill the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment and fails in our duty to safeguard God’s creation. The current Mercury and Air Toxic Standards help us in our pursuit to care for God’s creation and uphold the common good.
You can help by writing a public comment opposing the proposed rule. The deadline for comments is April 4 and having a significant number of comments will impact the final rule.
Read MoreGolden Rule Banquet
As the Vice President of Education for The Arizona Interfaith Movement, Rev. Rock Fremont would like to invite you to join him at the Shepherd of the Hills Table at the 14th Annual Golden Rule Awards Banquet! Read on to learn about this year's honorees, truly those who are "living out" the Golden Rule.
Read MoreMarch JPANet Newsletter
The March newsletter of the United Church of Christ, Justice & Peace Action Network
Read MoreFaith to Ford
The UCC has joined with Interfaith Power and Light and United Methodist Women in a campaign called “Faith to Ford” calling Ford to account for their actions. A group of UCC and UMC Albuquerque residents, including our own Joyce Overton and Randy Madonna, will be visiting our local Ford dealerships on March 13 to discuss this change of policy. Please consider signing the petition to stand in solidarity with them.
Read MoreDay of Action Against Domestic Violence
Friday, March 8 from 2 to 3 PM Mountain Standard Time: a video/phone conference
Learn about the Day of Action
Share information of what you have planned or are planning
Be part of a nationwide network to increase social awareness of the number of deaths from intimate partner violence
Together we can make a change
Please RSVP to Day of Action March 8th Phone Call
https://dvdayofaction.org/phone-call-sign-up
SB 489, the Energy Transition Act Needs Your Support (New Mexico)
Our friends at New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light are asking us to contact Sen. Carlos Cisneros and ask him to support SB 489, the Energy Transition Act, which increases renewable energy in NM to 50% by 2030.
Read MoreTemporary space for asylum-seekers in Phoenix
The International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org/phoenix) is looking for help to provide temporary shelter and support to immigrant families seeking asylum in Phoenix.
The families that need our help are in legal proceedings to seek asylum, and have recently been released from Immigration Customs Enforcement. They just need shelter for 48 to 72 hours until volunteers can arrange their travel out of state to join their sponsors.
We are looking for help providing a temporary place to stay, meals, in-kind donations or volunteers support for families. If a congregation can only provide a space, IRC can rally food, donations and volunteers to do the rest.
Migrant Shelter Consortium News
from Rincon Congregational UCC’s newsletter
While Rincon is on pause, there are other shelters serving migrants seeking asylum.
Read MoreRebel & Divine Opening Their First Housing Program!
Rebel & Divine will be opening a house in Arizona City that will house up to 10 people experiencing homelessness with the goal of getting them healthy, employed, and into their own housing.
R & D is looking for individuals that would help run the program. Compensation will be $13-$15 per hour, depending on experience. A clean background is a must. If interested, call Daniel at (480) 570-5500.
Read MoreTell Congress to Take Action on Gun Violence Prevention: We Need More Than Thoughts and Prayers
Our faithful voice cries out, “how long, oh Lord” will these attacks keep happening? In that grief, let our prayers become actions. Lend your voice by asking your member of Congress to support HR 8.
Read MoreThe Ethics of Hospitality: An Interfaith Response to US Immigration Policies
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.
Read MoreGratitude Summit in the Desert: 3rd Annual Northwest Tucson Multi Faith Celebration of Prayer and Unity
Rev. John Angiulo from Casas Adobes Congregational Church UCC will participate in this summit. These leaders have committed to come together annually in prayer as representatives of diverse and distinct faith traditions but united in a shared humanity.
Read MoreThe New Mexico legislature website
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!
Read MoreJustice Leads to Unity, Says United Church of Christ Leader at Ecumenical Prayer Service
“With Christ as our head, each of our churches is a part of the Body of Christ. By the grace given to each of us let everyone among us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned,” said the Rev. Dr. William Lyons, conference minister of the United Church of Christ’s Southwest Conference in his reflection. “Let our love be genuine. And let us walk the path into unity by doing the kind of justice together.”
Read MorePort Arthur Disaster Recovery Trip Cancelled
The March Disaster Ministries Work Team trip to Port Arthur Texas has been cancelled. For a variety of reasons the March date was no longer viable. The need in Port Arthur and other locations continues and we will re-evaluate other dates. If you or your congregation are interested in forming or being part of a disaster recovery work team, please contact Phil Shea at philofthedesert@yahoo.com or 602-663-5065.
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