JPANet August 2020 Newsletter

August Newsletter

Getting to the Root of It

We don’t usually send out an August newsletter, but when we heard about this piece Brenda Joyner was working on, we felt it had to be shared. As we remember the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, we must also unpack exactly who gained the right to vote, and how the movement has been whitewashed in our history.

Currents from the Past: The 100th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote and the Pursuit of a More Accountable Sisterhood

This summer and fall we will see celebrations across the nation commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment enshrined in the Constitution that gave women the right to vote. There are significant activities, virtual and otherwise, planned in nearly every state and territory in the union. Every year in August some commemorative rituals repeat themselves paying homage to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Lucretia Mott, most notably, as the central architects of a successful suffrage movement. However, there is a growing concern and critique among black feminists that this mythic monolithic narrative be unpacked and made more complete in its recitation of historical movement events. The representation of this historic milestone as a primarily white middle class accomplishment has the effect of eviscerating the substantial contributions, sacrifices and leadership of black and other women of color suffragists, and of whitewashing the movement. This incomplete version of the struggle to win the vote for women has carried over from the past to the present and has deepened a distrust among women, and put the hope for an authentic sisterhood in jeopardy.(Read more).

Justice Events

Harm Reduction is Liberation: Mobilizing Faith to End Overdose and Anti-Blackness

Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula – August 9

Join Global Ministries as we recognize the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean war and pray for peace on the peninsula. Throughout 2020, the World Council of Churches (WCC), together with the National Council of Churches in Korea, has been observing a Global Prayer Campaign, “We Pray, Peace Now, End the War.” Find more information and worship resources here.

Just Peace Sunday 2020– “Seeking Racial Equity and a Just Economy”

Mark your calendar now – Just Peace Sunday, September 20, 2020. As a Just Peace Church, we are called to repent of the sin of racism that shapes our economic life and income inequality. Let us envision together what a just economy looks like, and pray and act to ensure a future of shared prosperity and peace- a vision of God’s Shalom for all. Keep an eye on this page for materials to be posted later this summer. 

75th Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki

August 6th and 9th, will mark the 75th anniversaries of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan by the United States. Events commemorating this anniversary being planned around the world, with an all-day virtual event on the 6th. Visit the UCC Just Peace website for more information on events as well as worship materials for use on Sunday August 9th. Consider downloading the new UCC study guide “Do Unto Others: The Golden Rule and Our Call to Nuclear Abolition” for use in adult education classes this Fall!

Our Whole Lives Webinar on Gender! 

Monthly OWL Taking Flight roundtables are getting a twist this fall with guest presenters! Join us the first Wednesday of each month for new content and answers to your questions. At noon ET/9 am PT Sept. 2, join OWL Trainers Cindy Lee Alves and Anil Oommen for a discussion of gender and related language. This learning opportunity is for anyone facilitating OWL, coordinating programs, and/or seeking to build knowledge! Register here.

Justice in Action

Our Faith Our Vote 2020

Are you registered to vote? Are your friends and family? Do you have a plan to vote? Do you know about the issues at stake? Do you know how you can be involved in your congregation and community? Find resources to help answer all these questions at ourfaithourvote.org. The UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is here to help you with nonpartisan resources to be engaged this election season! 

Here are some of the resources on our website (www.ourfaithourvote.org):

1. Issue Education Webinars and One-Pagers to help you get informed,
2. The Civic Action Center! From here you can check your registration status, register online (if permitted in your state), find important election dates, see open polling locations near you, and more;
3. TAKE ACTION: call on Congress to include important funding for elections in relief legislation,
4. Helpful video on 501© 3 do’s and don’ts for election engagement.

#JourneysToFreedom: Check Out “The Word Is Resistance”

This lectionary podcast for white Christians, coordinated by UCC minister Rev. Anne Dunlap, is from Showing Up for Racial Justice. In this very-not-ordinary Ordinary Time, the contributors are following the journey of the people of Israel from Abraham through the Exodus to arrival in the Promised land. This journey of wrestling, oppression, liberation, mistakes, and harm has lessons to teach us about freedom: What does it mean to be free? What does it take to be free? Listen to the latest episode here!

Justice Resources

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.

Featured topics:

Housing Matters | Prepare to Show Up | Bringing Life Back to Dry Bones | Commentary: Fellow White People, Let’s Unpack This