Faith In Action
The tragic events we have witnessed in 2020 have magnified awareness of the disparities in our church and society based on race. The Council of Conference Ministers affirms the commitment of the national setting to racial equality and inclusion and recognizes the need to engage in our own process of critical self-reflection
Read MoreTaos Medical Debt Relief Project is now raising money to purchase and forgive uncollectible medical debt owed to Holy Cross hospital by Taosenos. Last year nine spiritual communities raised enough money to purchase and forgive over $240,000 of Taos medical debt. This year we are hoping to at least double that.
If you would like to donate to Taos Medical Debt Relief Project this year please send contributions to: Taos UCC, PO Box 1084, Taos, NM 87571, Memo: Medical Debt. Donations need to arrive by the end of October. Debt cancellation letters are sent out early in December. Thank you!
Read MoreFeeling bruised, battered, or fatigued by this election season? Looking for a source of uplift down the home stretch to November 3rd? Then, this digital event is for you.
Read MoreThanks to Patty Nordahl of Desert Garden UCC for making us aware of this upcoming workshop. Hasan Davis shares his inspirational journey from his childhood filled with love but also many challenges navigating education, justice, and social service systems. Hasan will also share the simple strategies his personal champions employed to help him complete the “JD shuffle” and go from Hasan Davis Juvenile Delinquent to Hasan Davis Juris Doctor.
Read MoreRead the October issue of The Pollinator: An environmental justice forum for the sharing of ideas and inspiration.
Read MoreOctober is the month for early voting (in most states) and mail-in voting! As you know, there is much at stake in this election. UCC Washington D.C. Office Director, Sandy Sorensen, talks with us this month about the barriers and challenges to voting, but also the importance of doing so.
Read MoreJoin racial justice and interfaith leaders for a video and discussion series on the civil rights movement and how it moves us today. Each week we will watch an episode of the award-winning Eyes on the Prize documentary series together and hold a community conversation led by African American faith and community leaders. Leaders from the Civil Rights era to today's Black Lives Matter Movement will join us for conversation and panels. The conversation host for the session is Khalil Rushdan of ACLU of Arizona, along with conversation partner David Sheppard. All are welcome!
Read MoreThe recently introduced Philippine Human Rights Act (H.R. 8313) blocks US funds for police or military assistance to the Philippines, including equipment and training, until such time as human rights conditions are met. Some of those conditions include investigating and prosecuting members of the military and police forces who are found to have violated human rights, withdrawing the military from domestic policing, and establishing protections for the rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, indigenous people, small farmers, LGBTI activists, and critics of the government.
Read MoreSeptember is Suicide Prevention Month. Pat Button of First Congregational UCC Albuquerque has statistics and helpful resources.
Read MoreRead updates on west coast wildfires and the gulf hurricanes. These disaster events are ongoing and in early stages. Affected conferences and congregations are still assessing the needs. UCC Disaster Ministries focuses on recovery following the disaster events. The best immediate response is to contribute financially and allow the UCC and local Disaster Coordinators to determine the best, most immediate use of financial resources.
Read MoreThe Anti-Racism in Public Health Act would create a “Center on Anti-Racism in Health” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to deepen the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that policies are anti-racist and take systemic racism into account. The bill would also establish a “Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program” at the CDC. Introduced by Representatives Pressley and Lee and Senator Warren this bill is a crucial step toward addressing systemic racism and violence toward Black and Brown communities. Please join with us in urging Congress to move forward with swift consideration of this legislation.
Read MoreRead the request from the American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer serving Arizona and New Mexico. See how you can help victims of the hurricanes and wildfires.
Read MoreThe RIP Medical Debt campaign ended in July. As a result of YOUR generous donations, $1.1 million of Medical Debt is being retired in Phoenix. The 128 beneficiaries will be notified by mail within the next week.
Read MoreArizona Faith Network is excited to kick-off its #FaithfulAZVoter effort with a Virtual Voter Registration Party this next Wednesday evening.
Read MoreThis week, Shoulder to Shoulder marks a decade as an organized interfaith coalition dedicated to addressing anti-Muslim discrimination and violence in the United States. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ are founding members of this coalition.
As Shoulder to Shoulder's leadership reflected together on the past decade and the current state of affairs, it decided to call for a recommitment to the work. In that spirit, a number of Shoulder to Shoulder's original founding member institutions - including Disciples and UCC leaders - in addition others who have joined Shoulder to Shoulder over the past decade, have signed a statement of renewed commitment. You are invited to join.
Read MoreBy Karen Schafer, St. Paul’s UCC
During this pandemic, we believe it is important to continue to help as many members of the community as we can. With each passing day, more people find themselves without the needed resources for daily living. Accordingly, the Mission Outreach Ministry Team has sent contributions to Haven House, Storehouse West and the Francis House Catholic Worker.
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Join the Arizona Faith Network for our Annual Meeting! Engage with people of faith on important issues facing our Arizona community today! Topics include: mass incarceration, environmental justice, migrant justice and relief, interfaith education and dialogue, race and economic equity and the division in our country.
Read MoreMany millions around the country are facing extreme hardship, due to the COVID crisis, and compounded by Congressional dithering. Please act now and urge your Senators to pass a robust COVID relief package.
Read MoreLeaving an empire is often not a quick process. As the Israelites learned, it can take years, and it is something that is done one step at a time with a vision that sees beyond all obstacles.
The next election will not lead us directly into the Promised Land, but it could get us closer to it if we keep putting one foot in front of the other. Below are opportunities for doing just that.
With gratitude for your ministry,
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 12 PM – 1:30 PM
Join people of faith as we hear from legal experts and former inmates about the death penalty in the United States. As people of diverse faiths we will explore how we are called to action together as federal executions recently resumed. Here in Arizona there is strong political pressure to resume executions immediately. All are welcome to join together to learn from one another and our speakers. This is a free online event.
