JPANet July 2021 Newsletter

Getting to the Root of It

As UCC members gather virtually from across the country this month for General Synod 33, we will be considering a multitude of important resolutions. We have asked Rev. Elyse Berry, Associate for Advocacy and Leadership Development for The Council for Health & Human Service Ministries, to speak about a resolution we feel particularly important to pay attention to; a resolution to declare and respond to racism as a public health crisis.

Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis

In a famous sermon at Riverside Church in 1967, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called on us to not only respond like the Good Samaritan did, with compassion for the suffering we encounter, but to ask why the road to Jericho was so dangerous to begin with for this poor traveler. Why is it, that a person is left for dead on the side of the road and their only hope is left up to the kindness of one person, rather than on a society that sustains safety for all? Read more. 

Justice Events

What’s the Child Tax Credit?

Register for this national webinar on July 7 to learn about the Child Tax Credit’s historic expansion, find out how families receive their monthly payments and hear from experts on the need to make the expansion permanent. Simultaneous translation will be available in Spanish.

UCC Webinar — False Solutions: Climate Policies That Fail

Under public discussion and legislative consideration are an array of climate policies that vary widely in their goals and potential. Some of these policies have been described as false solutions by climate activists and policy analysts. These policies are deemed to fail when it comes to what is required by the moral demands of science, equity, and justice. Join this webinar on July 22 to learn what faith communities should know in deciding which policies do and do not reflect core values.

Justice in Action

Tenacious Solidarity for Racial Justice

Jesus was an Old Testament scholar skilled in the teachings of the Torah, Decalogue, and Old Testament prophets. Christians committed to racial justice and truth-telling are invited to read and think critically. Walter Bruggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament invites us on a journey in his book Tenacious Solidarity: Biblical Provocations on Race, Religion, Climate, and  the Economy. His insights on relinquishing White Supremacism, aka Christian extremism invites us to be on the frontlines of faith, showing up in school board meetings, voting against denying access to Critical Race Theory education, and rallying against white hysteria, nationalism, and supremacy.

Immigration Update

As we continue to support the push for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people, please join this Faith Week of Action June 28- July 2. The UCC, recently supported refugees with rent assistance and Rev. Josh Baird was part of the recent vigil with ecumenical partners to honor World Refugee Day, see recording. Please join the effort to stop the unjust block on asylum under Title 42 by taking social media action especially for the concern of LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum, see this Restoring Welcome Pride Toolkit. 

Protect Voting Rights: The For The People Act

Recently a vote in the Senate failed to advance the For the People Act for consideration and debate. This isn’t the end of the road for this landmark voting protection and democracy bill and over the summer there will be more opportunities for the Senate to do the right thing and pass S.1. Check out these resources from Faithful Democracy to learn more about voter suppression or to take action supporting the For the People Act.

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 find all the 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 staff of Justice and Witness Ministries.

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Critical Learning | What Are These Cheers of Freedom to Me? | Red-Tagging the Gospel | Love is Greater Than Fear