Bill Lyons participated on the panel during the HIV and Faith Breakout Session at the 5th Annual Integrated HIV Symposium on March 26.
Faith leaders, people living with HIV, and advocates discussed how their organizations have invited dialog about HIV/AIDS. Faith leaders discussed how to encourage other faith based organizations to serve as catalysts for change in thwarting HIV-related stigma and provide much needed emotional support for people living with HIV.
This panel was organized by the City of Phoenix Fast Track Cities Initiative, a voluntary committee appointed to heighten HIV eradication goals as part of a global United Nations led effort. The committee leverages existing resources to end HIV as an epidemic by 2030.
Read MoreI want to thank you for signing the NMIPL letter supporting a strong Renewable Energy Standard in New Mexico. I also wanted to say that your signature added with so many others made a difference. Thank you also for your prayers and support. Much work and many challenges were part of this bill. SB 489, the Energy Transition Act did pass both houses of the New Mexico Legislature and was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham on March 22. The Energy Transition Act includes funds for worker re-training in the Four Corner's Area, funds for economic development which will be advised by a group of local people from that community, and a path for more renewable energy jobs, a cleaner environment for health and a way to address climate change. We are now required to have 100% Renewable Energy by Investor Owned Utilities by 2045 and 100% by Rural Electric Co-ops by 2050.
Read MoreOur faith teaches us that each person bears the image of God. Sexual or physical violence against any person defies this belief and represents a grave injustice. Violence impacts all of us - tearing apart the fabric of communities and our society. Everyone deserves to live free from violence.
Read MoreConference Minister Bill Lyons is a panelist at this event and will be sharing about HIV/AIDS ministry in the UCC at the HIV and Faith Community Forum on March 26. The Southwest Conference, especially clergy, are invited to join us.
Read MoreUpdated lists of volunteer and donation needs for the asylum seeker transition program in Phoenix, provided by Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.
Read Morefrom 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.
Read MoreThis 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 Morefrom 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 MoreAs 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 MoreAs 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 MoreThe March newsletter of the United Church of Christ, Justice & Peace Action Network
Read MoreThe 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 MoreFriday, 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
Read MoreOur 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 MoreThe 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.
Read Morefrom Rincon Congregational UCC’s newsletter
While Rincon is on pause, there are other shelters serving migrants seeking asylum.
Read MoreRebel & 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 MoreOur 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 MoreSet 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.
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