The United Church of Christ is issuing a call to action to help the people of Haiti. “We are issuing an appeal through the Global H.O.P.E. team to raise funds to assist in Haiti in any ways that we can, short-term, and also to assist with long-term recovery needs.
“We hold our partners and Haitian siblings in our thoughts and prayers through this time of suffering.”
Read MoreIn their latest church newsletter, Shepherd of the Hills UCC included a link to this piece.
“Find out what Christians should know about Critical Race Theory by exploring a roundtable discussion, infographics, articles, action steps and more from our United Methodist friends. Share the resources with your friends and family to expand and support racial justice work.”
Read MoreHundreds arrested in D.C. as Poor People's Campaign presses for voting rights, $15 minimum wage, including UCC Washington office’s Sandy Sorenson.
Read MoreGiving much gratitude to the Desert Palm family for your immediate response to the request for financial support in the amount of $629.00 to help provide mats for cooling centers. The mats allow people to lie down and relax and/or sleep.
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You are invited to come and listen as Michael Curry, Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness in the Southwest Conference, shares his story about the challenges he faced as child and adolescent growing up in the church. We will explore why it is difficult for many people to be authentic and true to who they are. Michael will share an overview of how your faith community can become a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaging for Mental Health. Register here.
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Our history as a country of enslavement and white supremacy must be addressed and H.R. 40 outlines a path for the study of reparations. As people of faith, we believe in restoration, and that healing and repair are needed for true justice. We are asking that Congress bring this bill to the House floor for a vote before the summer recess. Please contact your member of Congress and use your voice to help bring us into a right relationship with one another.
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Invitation from Rev. Rich Doerrer-Peacock:
AZ JFON is offering a video that I’ve seen before. It is a virtual tour of La Casa, via Zoom. The informative video provides a first-hand view of the shelter and the clients as well as insight into the decisions that these people face as they decide their next steps. Following the video there will be a time for questions and comments.
It is this Thursday, August 5th at 1:00 pm (Arizona time), 2:00 pm (New Mexico & El Paso time).
Read MoreThis report from the US-Mexico Border on the current immigration struggle was written by Rev. Randy J. Mayer for the American Waldensian Society.
The US/Mexico Borderlands are sweltering in record heat this summer, with temperatures already spiking to 115 Fahrenheit (46 Celsius). As a result, migrant suffering and migrant deaths have also spiked. It is literally impossible for most migrants to carry the 6 to 10 gallons of water, weighing between 48 and 80 pounds, that they will need to survive a three-to-seven-day journey in the scorching heat across the Sonoran Desert.
But the situation is much more serious than just the extremely high temperatures and the difficulty of carrying enough water for three to seven days in the desert.
Read MoreRev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, Environmental Justice Minister of the UCC, “Historically, we have been a denomination of firsts, and I am excited to see our members leading the charge to undo a legacy of colonial theology and planetary destruction.” He continued, “This resolution is about undoing a centuries old theology of empire and colonialism. It puts into the dustbin of history worldviews that regard the natural world around us as something to be exploited and consumed by humans with callous disregard.”
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This nonviolent direct action will call on Senator Kyrsten Sinema to pass key voting rights legislation, including the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and to put an end to the Filibuster. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. William Barber, Barbara Arnwine, and other national leaders will join to train, speak, and lead us in this movement.
Call on the Biden Administration to keep up the push for a temporary “TRIPS Waiver” and use its leverage on EU partner countries before the next round of negotiations this month.
Read MoreAs people of faith, we believe in upholding the dignity of each person, which means protecting their sacred right to participate in the democratic process, unencumbered by voter suppression. It also means making sure all voices are lifted up, not just those who can afford a corporate political action committee. The For the People Act is an important step toward helping us live more fully into the promise of a democracy for ALL.
Please contact your Senators asking for their full support and swift passage of the For the People Act, so we can make sure that each person’s voice and vote are protected.
Read MoreCheck out anti-racism resources from CHHSM (Council for Health and Human Services Ministries, UCC).
Read MoreAll things ONA from the Open & Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
Read MoreSome proposed climate policies have been described as false solutions by climate activists and policy analysts because they fall short in meeting the moral demands of science, equity, and justice. Learn what faith communities need to know.
Read MoreSee updates from Katie Adams in our D.C. office about the child tax credit, infrastructure package, national gun registry, IMF special drawing rights, AUMF, and Iran's ballistic missile program.
Read MoreCongratulations! Rev. Teresa Blythe, director of the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction at First Church UCC Phoenix, and Rev. Chad Abbott, Conference Minister for the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC, have written “Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awakening in Congregations” (Fortress Press, 2021) to encourage spiritual growth and vitality in faith communities in a listening pursuit.
Read MoreRev. Susan Valiquette at First Church UCC Phoenix was quoted extensively in this article on “Jesus and Justice” and the future of the church — it was published online May 30 and on the front page of the Arizona Republic on Saturday, June 5. If you have a subscription, you're able to read it here.
Read MoreVideo and resources from the June 9 webinar.
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