Thursday, May 2, 12–4 p.m., Anshei Israel, 5550 E. 5th Street, Tucson
Interfaith Community Services and the Southwest Folklife Alliance are putting together a symposium for leaders in congregations around helping the people they serve to consider their life, their mortality, and their planning for the kind of care they would want near the end of their life. We’re doing this as part of the Arizona End of Life Care Partnership (www.azendoflifecare.org). It’s open to anyone interested in building awareness and confidence in addressing this aspect of life.
Read MoreAs people of faith, we believe every person has the God-given right to self-determination. One of the founding principles of our country is the ability to participate in our democracy, and yet we continue to see the right of self-determination threatened by significant barriers to voting accessibility. The prevalence of gerrymandering, archaic and antiquated voter registration polices and unconstitutional voter purges make it harder for many individuals to vote. These barriers are especially harmful to low income individuals and persons of color. Additionally, the current system of unchecked money in campaigns means that many voices are being ignored and denied.
In early March, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the “For the People Act of 2019,” a sweeping bill aimed at protecting the rights of American voters and getting money out of politics.
Read MoreOver the past two years, a coalition of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and faith-based organizations have drafted a bill that would address the root causes of violence and fragility. The resulting legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate as the Global Fragility Act (H.R. 1580/S.727). This bill would require the U.S. government – in collaboration with civil society – to develop a 10 year strategy to enhance stability and to reduce violence and fragility around the world.
Read More“We have named our facility – Hope House of Sedona. We are quite excited that our new mission has this meaningful name: offering Hope to those in Sedona who truly need it. Extending the reach of Christ has taken on new form and meaning for our church.”
Read MoreJoin the community at First Church UCC for a pre-PRIDE Parade celebration. Light refreshments will be provided.
From the church parking lot, we'll head out to the parade location "loading" site to find our interfaith and interdenominational friends to prepare to participate in the Parade. The Parade begins at 10am, so if you aren't planning on coming to this event, meet at the PRIDE "loading" site.
Read More“ . . . all people should have access to the full range of safe and affordable family planning services, and that the government should not impinge on any woman’s freedom of choice to follow her personal religious and moral convictions concerning the completion or termination of her pregnancy.”
Read MoreThursday, April 18, 10 a.m. to noon (arrive by 9:30 a.m.)
at Temple Chai, 4645 East Marilyn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032
The training will have two segments:
Training on how to identify persons abusing opioids.
How to utilize Narcan for persons that have overdosed on opioids.
Read MoreBill 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.
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