JPANet December 2024 Newsletter

Each month we unpack the complex justice issues that we’re working on. This month Abigail Cipparone, Domestic Policy Advocate, breaks downs the influence of money in our elections and the importance of fighting for a democracy where every person has an equal voice.

 “Throughout the New Testament, Jesus calls into question the influence of the wealthy over the government. To walk in Jesus’ footsteps is to speak boldly about corruption and the influence of money in politics. While it may take a long time to reclaim our democracy from the grip of monied power, we must chart a path towards a more just tomorrow. ” – Abigail Cipparone

Read More Here

Justice in Action

Join the Movement’s Abolition Advent Calendar Explores Harm Reduction as a Practice of Advent Preparation

Join the Movement’s Abolition Advent Calendar Explores Harm Reduction as a Practice of Advent Preparation

The days are surely coming, says the Holy One, when I will fulfill the promise I made to…execute justice and righteousness in the land.  – Jeremiah 33:14-15

This coming Advent, Join the Movement will be offering our third annual Abolition Advent Calendar, featuring reflections offered in daily emails and social media posts throughout the season.  This year, our theme is “The Days Are Surely Coming: Reducing Harm, Preparing the Way.”  As we await and prepare for the birth of transformational Love in flesh and bone, we invite you to make this Advent journey with us, grounding ourselves in the hope that the freedom-bringing work of harm reduction can prepare the way for a new day of love and justice that is surely coming. 

Sign up to receive daily emails in Advent here or access the reflections online here.

Learn More Here

Subscribe & Listen! The Fill the JAR Podcast is Up and Running 

Subscribe & Listen! The Fill the JAR Podcast is Up and Running 

Beginning in 2024, economic justice efforts in the United Church of Christ were centralized under the banner of “Fill the JAR” – Jubilee, Abundance, Reparations – God’s economic justice.

Dedicated campaigns for churches are coming (stay tuned new year 2025!) and a Fill the JAR podcast was begun: conversations with colleagues and collaborators in this shared work of fighting for liberation, equity, and thriving while staying whole and thriving ourselves. There would be more episodes, but I (Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Minister for Economic Justice) welcomed a new baby and parental leave for a while!

For now, you can subscribe and listen to conversations with Dr. Sharon Fennema (Join the Movement), Hill Brown (Faith in Harm Reduction), and Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt (Environmental Justice)…and expect many more in 2025!

Learn More Here

Plan Ahead for the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest 

Plan Ahead for the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest 

The theme for the 2025 Climate Hope Art Contest will be “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth will be invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. We’ll be accepting art submissions from February 2nd to March 14th. More information to come at the start of 2025.

Justice Events

December 10th: Advent Not Arms Campaign

December 10th: Advent Not Arms Campaign

Advent is a time when, as Christians, we look forward to the birth of the Prince of Peace. This year we are again witnessing destruction and death caused by conflict in the Middle East. Since the attack on Israel on October 7th and Israel began its retaliation, the violence has spiraled out of control, affecting millions of people in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and Lebanon. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we call on those in power to work towards a peaceful end to the conflict, for all sides to lay down their weapons, for the remaining hostages to be returned safely home, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held without due process of law. 

Learn More Here

December 11th: Reclaiming Democracy through Transformational Advocacy

December 11th: Reclaiming Democracy through Transformational Advocacy

Sam Daley-Harris has led and coached a number of organizations in implementing what he calls transformational advocacy. With Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and Catholic Relief Services, he has helped create an advocacy model in which advocates gain new capabilities and confidence through the process of bringing about change. Register to learn from Daley-Harris in our webinar on December 11th at 1 pm ET.

Register Here!

January 8th: Join our Climate Action Commissioning Service

January 8th: Join our Climate Action Commissioning Service

As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year. Our theme will be “Planting Seeds of Hope,” and our preacher will be the Rev. Michael Malcom, the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council. Register to join us!

Register Here

February 14th: Valentine’s Day Action

February 14th: Valentine’s Day Action

Participate in the UCC’s nationwide day of action on Valentine’s Day as we urge members of congress to have a heart for climate, our children, and our children’s future. Organize a team to visit the district offices of your congress members on February 14th. Involve the children and youth of your church in the visit! Learn more and register your church.

Learn More

People’s Prayers for Peace

People’s Prayers for Peace

The UCC has issued an open invitation for people to offer a prayer to end violence in any manifestation, and to bring about peace. Share your prayers using the  People’s Prayers for Peace form 

Share Your Prayers Here

Justice Resources

DC Action Center

Each week, the D.C. Office creates an action alert based on what is happening at that time in Congress and offers you the opportunity to contact your legislators with just one click! You can take action with our previous action alerts here.

The Pollinator

The Pollinator is a digital platform of the UCC for the sharing of ideas and inspiration. Its focus is the building of a faith-filled and faith-rooted movement for the care of creation.

Witness for Justice

Looking for up-to-date social justice commentary? Check out Witness for Justice, a weekly editorial opinion column written by the National Staff.