On November 5, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) was included on the list of “front organizations of local communist terrorist groups” presented to the Philippines House Intelligence Committee by the Department of National Defense (DND). The NCCP was one among several humanitarian and service-oriented organizations on the list that the government is “red-tagging” by alleging they provide funds to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) through “International Solidarity Work.”
The NCCP is a fellowship of churches dedicated to seeking Christian unity and engaging in common ministry to serve the people of the Philippines, especially the poor and those vulnerable to violence, marginalization, and natural disasters. The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), the UCC’s partner church in the country, has been a member of the NCCP since its founding in 1963. The NCCP has been involved for decades in trailblazing work on human rights, migration, women's empowerment, HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention, and children’s ministry including the protection of children against online sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Read MoreThe UCC Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice campaign offers resources to help congregations engage the electoral process in a meaningful, nonpartisan way, through voter education, issue education and voter empowerment and mobilization: www.ourfaithourvote.org.
Read MoreAround the world, the marginalized communities are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis most profoundly. Women and children in these communities suffer the most along with all those who are disproportionately affected by hunger, poverty, and the structural history of colonialism and racism. EAD 2020 will focus on this intersection between climate change and economic injustice as together we gather to “Imagine, God’s Earth and People Restored!”
Visit EAD 2020 and plan to join a UCC pre-event on Friday April 24th.
Read MoreThe December newsletter of the Justice and Peace Action Network.
Read MoreChurch of the Red Rocks shares wonderful news regarding Hope House:
The IRS has granted us our 501(c)(3) status! We are thrilled that we are now a not-for-profit organization and can accept donations as such. We are in the process of setting up a bank account separate from the church and are looking into the AZ tax credit.
In terms of property for Hope House . . .
Read MoreWednesday, December 18, 6:30 PM, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix
People of all faiths are invited to join the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and Congregation Beth Israel for an exciting interfaith concert this December. This uplifting event will feature Christmas and Hanukkah music from Jewish and African-American spiritual traditions in an effort to promote dialogue and understanding between our two communities, as well as people of all races and religions.
Admission is free. People of all faiths are welcome. Doors open at 6 pm. No RSVP required.
Read MoreThursday, December 12, 6 PM - 7:15 PM, ICE Downtown Office, 2035 N Central Ave, Phoenix
As many of us from various faiths come together for the holiday season, we must remember that there are hundreds of families who have been separated due to a broken immigration system.
Join us for a candlelight vigil in solidarity with all the affected families.
Read MorePamela Ayo Yetunde teaches pastoral care and counseling at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Out of her concern that some women with cancer fall through the cracks of spiritual care networks that could be life-saving if utilized or created, she’s launching a research project on women, spirituality, and cancer. She asks us to share with women we know in the U.S. who have or had cancer.
Read MoreJoin our faithful action to relieve the health-poverty trap and erase crushing medical debt for thousands of individuals. With your gift, we will raise awareness of this issue and purchase debt for pennies on the dollar through our partnership with RIP Medical Debt. Please give generously and join us in lifting up in prayer families that are on the edge of financial ruin because of unbearable medical debt.
Read MorePhil Shea is our national coordinator for scheduling this exhibit. He would love to schedule an event with our churches and the community.
Additionally, he's available to do a Borderlands presentation focused on the environmental impact of the wall. He has a slide presentation that he can speak to based on current information and his experiences on the border.
Reach him at 602-663-5065 or philofthedesert@yahoo.com.
Read More7–8 p.m. December 5 at Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza, 200 N Plaza St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
In addition, it’s time to “Paint the Town Red!” for World AIDS Day 2019. “Paint the Town Red” is a day to show support for those living with HIV and combat HIV stigma by wearing a red t-shirt.
Read MoreWe are called to be people not just of words, but tangible actions. Take action today by letting the administration know that restrictions on nutrition assistance are immoral, and tell Congress to act to end malnutrition around the globe.
This Thanksgiving, tell the administration you oppose cuts to SNAP.
Read MoreDecember 1 - December 11First Church UCC Phoenix1407 N 2nd St, Phoenix, Arizona 85004Join us for a week-long commemoration of World AIDS Day. This is an opportunity for us to recognize those who have passed away as well as those who are thriving!
Read MoreJoin our faithful action to relieve the health-poverty trap and erase crushing medical debt for thousands of individuals. With your gift, we will raise awareness of this issue and purchase debt for pennies on the dollar through our partnership with RIP Medical Debt. Please give generously and join us in lifting up in prayer families that are on the edge of financial ruin because of unbearable medical debt.
Read MoreBrave New Films is looking for faith-based screening partners to show their film on voter suppression called Suppressed: The Fight To Vote which highlights the tactics used by now Governor Brian Kemp to disenfranchise thousands of people from voting to defeat then-candidate Stacey Abrams during the 2018 Midterm Election in Georgia, and how those same tactics have historically been used and will be used to impact voters in 2020. It’s a 38-minute film and they’re offering this film with a discussion/action guide and an interfaith reflection guide for free to show to your community.
Learn more and register for a film screening here.
Read MoreUrge your Senators to ensure any tax package that moves through Congress includes these improvements to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Your voice as a member of the faith community is needed to support these critical programs for low-income families.
Tell Congress to support working families now!
Read MoreThursday, November 21, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Congregation Beth Israel
10460 N 56th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Great personalities in religion are sources of inspiration. They allow us to see the best in religion. The category of Religious Genius has been developed in order to allow us to appreciate outstanding individuals across religions. Who is a religious genius? what are the qualities that make him or her special and how can these speak to everyone?
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ Washington D.C. office, in partnership with the UCC General Counsel, has created a new video resource for the Our Faith, Our Vote, campaign.
"The UCC Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice campaign offers resources to help congregations engage in the electoral process in a nonpartisan way, through voter education, issue education and voter empowerment and mobilization," said Sandy Sorensen, director of the UCC D.C. office.
The video, When Religion and Politics Meet, provides important information for pastors and congregations engaged in the electoral process, to ensure their participation remains non-partisan.
Read MoreNovember 15, 2019, 1 p.m. Mountain Time, 2 p.m. Central
The UCC Worship and Witness Artists Group, a growing network of ministers, artists, and activists seeking to document, declare and demonstrate the work of the Liberating God in our times, presents an opportunity for encounter via webinar.
Read MoreSunday, November 17, 7 p.m. at the ICE Field Office, 2035 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Taking a stand against an unjust system
In honor of their five-year anniversary and 60th visit to the ICE Office for our monthly vigil, Shadow Rock UCC invites you to join them and have music, prayers, candle lighting, and cupcakes. Our faithful action each month lifts up our immigrant brothers and sisters as well as the workers at ICE who are part of the broken system.
Read More
