JPANet September 2020 Newsletter

September Newsletter

Getting to the Root of It

This month we observe Just Peace Sunday on September 20. This year’s theme is “Seeking Racial Equity and a Just Economy.” In a reflection on that theme, the UCC’s Economic Justice Minister, Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, shares this month’s Getting to the Root with us.

The Movement for Transformative Justice

A renewed and transformed mind. The Romans 12 text is a constant reminder that we are “in the world but not of the world”. More importantly, the way we see, and view, people, families, and systems is to be through the lens of the revolutionary, life-giving Christ. God has powerful plans for workers, families, and communities currently trapped in economic bondage of low wages and inability to build wealth and access credit. The predatory capitalist system of America is showing its “face” clearly during this coronavirus pandemic. It is high time that renewed, transformed minds look to the opportunity of re-building for a just economy for all... (Read more).

Justice Events

Our Faith Our Vote

Entering September, we are now in the home stretch of the 2020 election season. Whether you have been engaged for months or are just beginning to think about ways to be involved, it is not too late! Most state voter registration deadlines are in October, so now is the time to be engaged. Here are a couple of action steps you can take:

• Visit the UCC Our Faith Our Vote website for resources and action ideas on voter registration, issue education and voter empowerment.
• Check your registration and make a voting plan.
• Support and encourage a first-time voter. Make sure they know how to register and have a voting plan.
• Pledge to be in regular contact with 3 voters between now and the election making sure they have checked their registration and have a voting plan.
• Facilitate virtual conversations in your congregation on critical election issues.
• Volunteer to be a poll worker.
• Check your state’s secretary of state website for details about elections guidelines in your state and create a “voter bill of rights” for your state.
• Circulate the Election Protection hotline number: 866-OUR-VOTE.

It’s not too late to make a difference!

Just Peace Sunday – September 20, 2020

Organizing to Prevent Nuclear War

Join the Back from the Brink coalition on Thursday September 10th 8pm ET for a conversation about organizing during these unprecedented times. Dr. Vincent Intondi, historian and author of African Americans Against the Bomb, will discuss strategies to move the campaign forward. Register here.

World Communion Sunday – October 4

World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith. Find worship resources here.

Palestine Today and the Kairos “Cry for Hope”

Join Global Ministries on Wednesday, September 16 at 1 PM Eastern for a special webinar conversation with two Palestinian Christian leaders, Rifat Kassis and the Rev. Munther Isaac, as they discuss the current reality, the situation of Palestinian Christians, and the recently-issued “Cry for Hope,” a letter to the world calling for attention and action to challenge injustice and to seek change. Register now.

Justice in Action

A Message from UCC Racial Justice Ministries

The United Church of Christ Racial Justice Ministries affirms the right of people of African descent who live within the United States of America and globally to live without fear of being physically attacked, violated and murdered, emotionally abused and traumatized, and spiritually oppressed and terrorized.

State-sanctioned violence by law enforcement officials must end. Murderous acts of violence against black bodies should not be affirmed by leaders within the federal government. Federal, state, and local officials supporting the acts of white supremacists are criminally offensive and represent violations of human and civil rights. We are the body, hands, and feet of Christ. Acts of violence perpetrated by white supremacists must be stopped. Join the movement to end State-sanctioned violence. Support #BlackLivesMatter. Develop sustainable policies within your congregation to peacefully protest, change policing strategies, and register people to vote in the November 2020 election. Get educated and end racism. We who believe in freedom must act now! Here are some places to start:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

https://blacklivesmatter.com/whatmatters/

https://www.ucc.org/ourfaithourvote

https://blog.timesunion.com/trumbore/stop-state-sanctioned-and-vigilante-violence/1454/

https://www.ucc.org/sacred_conversations_to_end_racism

For more information contact Rev. Dr. Velda Love Lovev@ucc.org (216) 736-3719

Immigration Updates

Call your Congresspersons now and ask them to hold the administration to restore and protect the refugee program. The Trump Administration will soon be making a determination on the refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2021. Over the last 3 years the program has been slashed by 80%. Please see and share video resources by Church World Service in 11 different languages by medical professionals to help educate refugees and immigrants on safety guidelines during COVID-19. See Interfaith Immigration Coalition Statement on the recent Trump administration’s cruel ban on work permits for Asylum seekers.

Harvest of Justice 2020

“The impacts of climate change are being felt all over the U.S. through higher temperatures, increase in wildfires, prolonged droughts, frequent flooding and more frequent and stronger hurricanes. Farm workers – men, women, children, documented, undocumented, migrant, resident – are on the front lines of the brunt of climate change.” Join with the National Farmworker Ministry for Harvest of Justice 2020 and stand with farm workers to challenge the oppressive systems that threaten the health of individuals and our Earth. This campaign begins September 7 and continues until World Food Day on October 16. Join the Harvest of Justice campaign and check out videos, action plans, activities, and more on their website 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:

Threshold Moments: A Ritual for Voting | Spiritual Malpractice | We Will Continue to Save Ourselves Until Others Show Up | Housing Matters