Faith In Action
As a faith-rooted organization committed to justice, stewardship, and the flourishing of all creation, the Arizona Faith Network strongly opposes the public lands sell-off proposal embedded in the Senate budget reconciliation package, introduced by Senator Mike Lee.
Selling over 2 million acres of public lands, lands that belong to all Americans, betrays our shared moral and spiritual obligation to care for the earth and ensure equitable access to its abundance. These lands are sacred: They hold ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance for Indigenous communities, sustain local economies, and provide sanctuary for all who seek renewal in creation.
This proposal is not only reckless but also a violation of public trust. Congress is prioritizing short-term political and corporate interests over the long-term well-being of our communities, our climate, and our common home by attempting to force through this sell-off under the guise of budget reconciliation without public input or environmental review.
As people of faith, we say clearly: public lands are not for sale. Their purpose is not to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, but to support life, biodiversity, and intergenerational justice. Once these lands are privatized, they are lost forever, fences go up, access is denied, and the public loses an irreplaceable gift.
We call on Arizona’s Senators to reject any provision that authorizes the sale of public lands. Let us uphold our sacred trust to future generations by defending our shared landscapes, not auctioning them off.
Let us act with courage and care now for public lands.
Apache Stronghold vows to continue fighting to save sacred site from destruction
Washington, DC: On June 23, the Apache Stronghold will be filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to reconsider its refusal to hear our appeal. As you heard, two Justices voted to hear our case, calling it "vitally important," and criticizing the Ninth Circuit's ruling against us as "highly doubtful as a matter of law." In addition, any day now, the Supreme Court will issue its ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which is another case about government-imposed burdens on religious exercise. We think the Supreme Court's decision in Mahmoud will add further support to our case.
The fight to protect Apache Religious Freedom and the sacred land of Chi'chil Bildagoteel (Oak Flat) from destruction IS NOT OVER! Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. and the Apache Stronghold will begin their journey to the Supreme Court on Thursday, June 19. We ask all our supporters to join with us in praying that the Supreme Court will reconsider its terrible decision not to hear our case.
Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr. reminds us that while we are petitioning the Supreme Court of this nation, there is a higher court with the Creator as judge that guides our journey. Just as Moses spoke in the Bible warning the people of breaking from God’s ways, we pray that this nation’s people and the Supreme Court will finally change their path of death and choose life. “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deut. 30:19)
Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth is a moral failure and a heartbreaking injustice. This ruling abandons vulnerable children and their families to the political whims of state governments, disregarding the lived realities, medical consensus, and human dignity of transgender youth.
As people of faith committed to justice and radical inclusion, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ grieves this ruling and the harm it inflicts. We reject the idea that any government has the right to deny life-saving, evidence-based healthcare because of a young person’s gender identity. We reject a theology that would permit such cruelty. And we reject the misuse of power that seeks to control, erase, and endanger trans lives.
The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ is honored to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer two powerful new resources: the Purple Sunday Toolkit and Clergy Guide. These tools are designed to help ONA congregations raise awareness, extend care, and build inclusive communities of support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias especially within LGBTQ+ communities.
We received this update from Melanie Beikman of Arizona Power & Light:
Greetings Amicus Brief supporters of Apache Stronghold,
We have updates for you today. Last month we shared with you the news that Apache Stronghold’s case was not taken up by the Supreme Court. With the Trump Administration preparing to start the land transfer on June 16, the timeline for saving Oak Flat was very short. Now, the timeline has extended a bit. We want to share that development and the next steps for Apache Stronghold. And we will invite you to take action.
The US Supreme Court has refused to hear the petition of the Apache Stronghold to overrule a lower court ruling that transfers the Holy Ground at Oak Flat to the Resolution Copper Company for total destruction of this sacred ground in the mining process.
We are saddened and upset to learn of this decision by the US Supreme Court not to hear and rule on this petition. We remain in solidarity with the the Apache Stronghold, the Apache Nation, and the many Native peoples and their allies in this fight to Save Oak Flat.
Arizona Poor People's Campaign
Click HERE for the press release provided by the Apache Stronghold and its legal representative, Becket Law.
Click HERE for the news article from the Arizona Republic.
As immigration enforcement intensifies across Arizona, our faith communities are being called to respond—not with fear but with courage, compassion, and collective action.
You are invited to a Virtual Statewide Interfaith Training on Rapid Response for Accompaniment hosted by Corazón Arizona and the Arizona Faith Network. This gathering will offer tools and guidance for faith leaders, advocates, and community members who want to show up in solidarity with immigrant families facing ICE activity in Phoenix, Tucson, and beyond.
🗓 Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM (Arizona time)
💻 Location: Zoom
🔗 Register here:https://form-usa.keela.co/652025-training
TUCSON: Sunday, June 29, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Saguaro Christian Church (new location)
8302 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710
TEMPE: Sunday, July 20, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Community Christian Church
1701 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
Join Arizona Faith Network for a powerful, hands-on service opportunity as we come together across communities to pack Heat Relief Bags for those most vulnerable to Arizona’s extreme summer temperatures. These interfaith events are open to all who want to help protect lives and show compassion in action.
Each event will include community-building, light refreshments, and the chance to pack bags that will be distributed through AFN’s network of Heat Relief Sites and outreach partners.
RSVP
On September 21st, faith communities across the country will be joining a grassroots climate action to celebrate Sun Day! This will be a day to celebrate the gift and power of clean energy while standing up to the profiteers, polluters, and potentates who threaten our health and future. This event will kick off our national mobilization with the theme of "Bringing Climate Hope to Sun Day."
Learn about what's being planned. Get plugged into resources for worship and action. Registered congregations will be provided with advocacy cards directed at Congress that feature the artwork of this year's Climate Hope Art Contest winner.
Speakers for this kick-off event will include Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Rev. Michael Malcom, Sue Mueller, and more.
Even if you cannot make it at the scheduled time of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, June 11th, still sign up, and we will send you a link afterward.
☀️ As triple-digit temperatures return, Arizona Faith Network is gearing up to open our Heat Relief Sites across the Valley. These sites provide life-saving hydration, cooling, and care for our neighbors experiencing homelessness or heat vulnerability.
We need your help. From volunteering onsite to donating water, snacks, or sun protection gear, there are many ways to get involved.
💧 Learn more and sign up to volunteer today.
Together, we can make sure no one is left in the heat!