from their newsletter: volunteer opportunities and current needs list

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona & AFN TDC Next Steps Committee, in partnership with Kindness Films, invite you to a ONE DAY ONLY screening of "Free Trip to Egypt," a documentary film following one man's search for random Americans concerned about an Islamic threat and offering them a free trip to Egypt. In addition to the screening, there will also be a live panel discussion on bringing more listening and kindness to the world.

There will be a large shipment (2,200 lbs) of medicine and medical supplies delivered to the Office of Emergency Management. We need help unloading it! These supplies will be shared with all shelter sites. Please come if you can help, or send anyone that is able to help.

The shipment will be here Monday, June 10, at 2:00 PM, at 1170 N Solano Dr. Please drive around to the back of the building, or, enter on the south side and go up to the OEM to ask for instructions. You can ask for Cullen Combs.

The Rev. David Zerby, disaster response coordinator for the Ohio Conference UCC, teamed up with the Rev. Carl Robinson from the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association (SONKA) and Jay McMillen, senior pastor of Shiloh Church UCC, to coordinate initial assistance in Southern Ohio. On May 24, a string of 13 tornadoes ripped through Dayton and several burgs. Shiloh Church sits right in the middle of the devastated area and quickly became a distribution point.

The Reverend Joyce Blair Buekers received the prestigious Guardian of Peace Award from the International Confederation for Peace in Assisi, Italy on April 27th, 2019.

On April 12, around 100 gathered including the mayor, head of the state NAACP, and members of The Arizona Commission on African American Affairs.

TiLT (Taos Initiative for Life Together) will be hosting a Watershed Way Summer Institute of community events starting June 3.

12:00 PM – 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at First Church UCC Phoenix

Join Phoenix PD Officer Chance to discuss the characteristics and behaviors of traffickers commonly known as pimps, and the people who are purchasing sex from sex trafficking victims. We’ll explore the recruiting techniques pimps use to locate victims to work for them as prostitutes, and the factors causing these victims to be exploited in the prostitution lifestyle. Finally, we’ll end with tips and resources for reporting possible sex trafficking situations.

A light lunch is provided from 12:00 to 12:30.

The current US approach toward Iran has brought us to the brink of war. Another way is possible. Peace is possible! As a Just Peace Church, the United Church of Christ has advocated in support of the Iran deal, against nuclear weapons, and our General Synod has called for engagement and friendship with the people and nation of Iran, rather than war, saying, “Our sacred scriptures all point to our calling as disciples and peacemakers, to do what we can to bring healing into the world, not hurt, to end bloodshed, not to initiate it, to stop the killing and terrorizing of children and adults, and to make all of God’s Creation a safe place in which to live.”

As communities begin to assess needs, UCC Disaster Ministries and Conference Disaster Coordinators are helping activate long-term recovery groups even as they working to support local UCC congregations in their initial response and already has provided $15,000 to local UCC food pantries and hot meals programs in hard-hit Nebraska and Iowa. 

Being a caregiver can be even more complicated when you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This new caregiver support group is designed to allow you to speak freely about your concerns and issues with others who will completely understand you

New volunteer positions and opportunities for families and groups at the Rincon Migrant Shelter.

Help support the release of immigrant rights defender Jose Montelongo from immigration detention to be reunited with his children and continue to hold local law enforcement and immigration enforcement accountable.

from the Justice Peace and Action Network of the United Church of Christ

Between 500 and 700 Palestinian children are detained by and prosecuted in Israeli military courts each year. Since 2000, more than 10,000 children have been subjected to the military court system, which does not guarantee their rights of due process, highlighting the two-tiered system of justice in the occupied Palestinian territories—Israeli civil courts for Israeli settlers, and Israeli military courts for Palestinians.

After dragging their heels and delaying passage of a disaster aid package, the Senate looks poised to introduce a bill that could unlock more than $17 billion in assistance to ailing communities. This comes not nearly soon enough for many communities, especially Puerto Rico. The island has essentially run out of the block grant providing for nutrition assistance and many residents are going without basic necessities. We have a powerhouse advocate in our UCC DC office, Katie Adams, and she is asking for our help to reach the Senate and Congress.