JPANet March 2025 Newsletter

Take Action: Call on Congress to Protect Immigrant Communities

Regardless of what policy the Trump administration rescinds or puts forth, faith communities will continue to look to our sacred texts and centuries of tradition to live out our faith by welcoming immigrants and protecting the most vulnerable among us. Tell Congress to oppose this Administration’s attacks on immigrants today!

Womxn Are Here: Inspiring Generations Onward

Watch this special offering from Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries featuring intergenerational womxn’s voices from across the United Church of Christ. Tune in for a discussion of the work of womxn in the UCC, stories of hope, and what this moment calls for in seeking justice and care for all.

Take Action: Tell the White House and Congress to Reject President Trump’s proposal to “own” Gaza

The human rights and rights under international humanitarian law of the Palestinian people of Gaza to life, to homes, to dignity, to self-determination, and to return must all be ensured. Send a message to Congress today!

UCC Churches Take Action for Our Climate on Valentines Day

The United Church of Christ Environmental Justice ministries recently invited congregations to organize teams and visit the district offices of members of Congress as part of a Valentine’s Day nationwide day of action on Feb. 14th. Learn more about the stories of the congregrations that participated here.

Faithful Response to Project 2025

Watch the recording of the recent webinar, led by Rev. Mike Neuroth and Abigail Cipparone of the UCC Washington DC Office, outlining how the Trump Administration is implementing the Project 2025 Agenda and how we can build a comprehensive, faith-based response.

The Launching of UCC Climate Hope Affiliates

The UCC is currently launching its first chapters of the UCC Climate Hope Affiliates program in Allentown (PA), Concord (NH), Framingham (MA), and Fremont (CA). With a deep sense of calling, affiliates will address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice. With monthly actions, they will develop ongoing relationships with their members of congress, local media, and leaders in their broader community.  Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live

New Resource: A Faithful Response to the First 100 Days

Whether you’re mobilizing for immigration reform, preserving lifesaving foreign aid, or climate action, we hope this one-stop shop offers faithful grounding and actionable steps to continue the United Church of Christ’s mission to build a just world for all during the First 100 Days of this administration. Learn more at ucc.org/First100Days.

A Briefing on the Situation in Gaza following President Trump’s Recent Statements

“President Trump’s proposal to occupy Gaza and to develop, presumably for commercial gain and not for the benefit of the Palestinian population that would be forcibly removed, must be stopped. Palestinian rights, and an end to Israeli occupation and apartheid, must be ensured.” Read the full statement here. 

Take Action: Protect Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

Ending DEI programs will restrict access to critical resources and job opportunities for people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and many others across the country. Send a message to Congress to protect these programs today!

Congregations Must Ask What it Means to Love Our Neighbor in this Moment

Rev. Kathy Dwyer, senior pastor at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, reflects on her experience of attending public witness events, facilitating community conversations, and how to hold “the prophetic and the pastoral in delicate tension” during this divisive time. Read her full reflection here. 

Movement Wisdom for Wild Days Lent Calendar Available

Just one look at the news or social media reveals just how wild the days are that we are living in.  So many pressing concerns and injustices demand our attention and response.  At the same time, our heads swirl with distractions meant to sow chaos and disorientation. How can we resist the distractions of the chaos machine and discern our calling in these wild days?

This Lent, Join the Movement toward Racial Justice invites you to find grounding and guidance by reaching back, as Jesus did, to the wisdom and experience of our freedom-making ancestors.  Our 2024 Lent Calendar offers daily nuggets of movement wisdom and weekly reflection questions and practices to help you stay grounded in your faith, nourished by the Spirit, and discerning how you are being called to respond during these wild days.  Join us on this Jesus-journey!

Announcing 2025 All Church Read: Building Up a New World

Imagine the kind of world we could create if every local church became a hub of justice-making in its community. Picture a United Church of Christ that is a leader-full movement of movements making a transformative impact in every sector of society.  Now, what if we told you that these weren’t just a pie-in-the sky dreams, but in fact, there is actually a book that could help you start on your journey toward making these visions a reality.  That’s exactly what a diverse cadre of authors have to offer in Building Up a New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact. 

Join the Movement and Racial Justice Ministries has created a 6-week curriculum that has everything you’ll need to engage this book as either an individual or with others in your church and community. Available for download March 10, 2025.

March 12: America in Search of a Soul

For the next Creation Justice Webinar, three popular authors and prophetic Christian leaders will help us discern how to address the crises of inequality and climate change faced by our nation in the current political context: the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the Rev. Cameron Trimble, and the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal. Sign-up to join us on March 12th at 1 pm ET.A recording will be sent to those who cannot join live.

April 26: Katharine Hayhoe to Keynote UCC Earth Summit

The keynote for this year’s UCC Earth Summit will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists and the author of “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.” Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith. Learn more about this online summit on April 26th!

March 10-21: 2025 NGO Commission on the Status of Women

The UCC United Nations’ team invites you to virtually participate in the 2025 NGO Commissionn on the Status of Women (NGO/CSW) Forum March 10th – 21st.

The Forum, organized by and for civil society and non-governmental organizations, serves to connect YOU with the Commission on the Status of Women.  The virtual events parallel the official CSW program, and include webinars, meet and greets, conversation circles, and even regional gatherings where you can share concerns, raise questions, and engage in advocacy with participants from all regions of the world!

There is no charge to participate in the Forum and it is open to anyone, anywhere. You can attend one session during the two weeks or multiple sessions every day. The only requirement is an internet connection and registeringas an attendee on Whova! Learn more here.

March 13: Rooted in Faith and Justice: Palestinian Women in the Struggle

Mira Rizeq continues to be a leader in Palestinian civil society and is uniquely able to share about the place of women in this struggle. Join this special webinar as Mira, President of the World YWCA and immediate past General Secretary of the YWCA of Palestine, speaks with Rev. Shari Prestemon, Acting Associate General Minister of the United Church of Christ and Co-Executive of Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. Register here.

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.

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.

Justice & Peace Action Network Archives

Want to dive deeper into the expertise of the UCC on a variety of policy issues? Check out the previous Getting to the Root articles and our newsletter archive.

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.

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.