JPANet March 2024 Newsletter

March on! Each month we unpack the complex justice issues that we’re working on. This month, the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington, D.C. offers perspective on the President’s State of the Union Address, and what we hope to see policymakers address in 2024.

Justice in Action

The State of the Union On March 7th, President Biden will give his 2024 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. What issues are most “necessary and expedient” for you currently? Your list may differ from the President’s, but hopefully he will touch on some of the issues you believe are key to building a Just World For All. Below are some predictions and hopes from the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C. of what they will be listening for. Read more.

Justice In Action

Register for Ecumenical Advocacy Days

In person Ecumenical Advocacy Days has returned!  This May, EAD will host a “summit” May 17-19 in Washington, D.C. The guiding theme is: “Faith in Action: Advancing Human Rights and Peace for All.” The EAD 2024 Spring Summit will include advocacy training for new and growing participant categories (seminary students, young adults) and will offer a chance for those who work with domestic and international priorities to connect and share. Ultimately, we want the universal voice of God, one of compassion, justice, and peace, to be lifted during these challenging times. Register now!

2024 Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomen Leadership Event

Registration is now open for the 2024 Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomen Leadership Event. “Weaving our Tapestry” takes place April 16-18, 2024 in Charleston, SC, with the 2023 ABS Awardees as the keynote presenters. This event is open to all authorized UCC Clergywomen. Please share this with all the clergywomen in your circles. Scholarships are available – Register here or email barbert@ucc.org.

430+ Faith Groups and Leaders Express Solidarity with Annunciation House

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition recently released a faith organization and faith leader sign-on statement in solidarity with Annunciation House, a Catholic humanitarian organization in El Paso that has provided hospitality and other life-saving services to migrants for decades which the Texas AG Ken Paxton is trying to shut down. The need for funding to support welcome infrastructure for immigrants and refugees continues to grow. Please let your congresspersons know, as they work to negotiate the full passage of all 12 budget bills, that people of faith support investing in local communities’ capacity for welcome.

Join the Movement “Woke” Lent Series

This Lent, Join the Movement is launching a daily reflection and practice series in conversation with Curtiss DeYoung’s new book The Risk of Being Woke: Sermonic Reflections for Activists. The book offers glimpses into the movement that arose in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis and offers spiritual nourishment through biblical reflection to those facing the risks of joining this rising up journey. Our Lenten series will help you make connections between your own racial justice work, the Movement for Black Lives, and the current context of struggle and activism for Palestine. In addition to a book discussion guide, this series will offer a daily calendar of prompts for deeper consideration, spiritual practice to nourish your soul, and concrete actions for new life. Lent materials available here.

The UCC’s Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest

The UCC’s Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest
To give our children and youth a voice this election season, while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation, the UCC will be conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest in 2024. From now until April 16th, art submissions will be accepted. Participating churches should register now to receive important information and updates.

Banning Books Restricts the Image of God

The United Church of Christ is guided by its faith and values.  We believe in and affirm the full humanity of all people. When we explore bookstores and libraries, we learn about the world we live in. God’s world is filled with diverse and beautiful people, plants, animals, art, and music. Banning books restricts the image of God.  Removing books from libraries and bookshelves in schools is an attempt to silence voices and remove the history and experiences of people of African, Asian, Latin, Indigenous and Native American descents. Check out theThe Right to Read film. And speak out for the freedom to read by urging your congressional representatives to support the Banned Books Resolution.

The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award

The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award
This award is given at the annual UCC Earth Summit to congregations, ministerial teams, or other groups in the UCC who have exemplified the tradition of prophetic action by publicly challenging the corporate and governmental institutions responsible for environmental injustices. The application deadline for this award is April 9, 2024.

Join the UCC to Power the Polls

To help encourage election engagement, and to ensure voting happens smoothly in 2024 elections, the United Church of Christ Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is thrilled to continue our partnership with Power the Polls! Poll workers enable the nonpartisan process of our democracy, keep polling locations open and technology working, and help make every voter’s experience a positive and empowering one. Will you consider signing up to be a poll worker today? For more helpful resources on election engagement, please visit the Our Faith Our Vote website.

Justice Events

#LoveEmbodied #OWLforLent

#LoveEmbodied #OWLforLent
Look for weekly reflections related to #OurWholeLives on United Church of Christ social media this Lenten season! But wait, there’s more! Check out our webpage, where you can sign up for our newsletter. In-person and online training opportunities are available on our calendar. Note: the May Jr./Sr. High online training registration link will open March 18-April 1. And don’t forget to join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month for OWL: Taking Flight webinars. Register here for April.

UCC Webinar—How Long Till Justice?: Flint, Jackson, and Red Hill

UCC Webinar—How Long Till Justice? Flint, Jackson, and Red Hill
In April, the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan will be marked. Yet, justice, in many forms and by many measures, has remained elusive. In Jackson, Mississippi and near the U.S. Navy’s toxic Red Hill facility in Hawai’i, justice has also been difficult to achieve in the wake of water crises. Learn how leaders from these communities envision justice in this webinar on March 13th at 1 pm ET. Register now!

Bill McKibben to Keynote UCC Earth Summit

Bill McKibben to Keynote UCC Earth Summit
The UCC’s second annual Earth Summit on April 20th will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben. He will deliver the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture with the title, “Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?” The two-and-a-half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel of grassroots leaders and a video showcasing the environmental ministries of our host congregation, The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. Register to join us!

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 national staff.