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Our voices are strongest when we lift them together!
Join the Network
Take Action Now
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Protection from Unsafe Chemicals in our Communities
The Safe Chemicals Act (S. 696) works to address the issue of toxic substances in our environments by giving the EPA more authority to regulate chemicals. Urge your elected officials to support this bill.
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Protect the Environment from Destructive Extractive Industries
International mining practices harm the earth and vulnerable communities. Call on Congress to support regulation and transparency in extractive industries.
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Manchin-Toomey Amendment for Background Checks
Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate voted on an amendment to pending gun violence prevention legislation that would have strengthened background checks of gun purchases to include commercial and online sales.
Find out how your senators voted by entering your zip code below. You will be redirected to a page where, based on their vote, you can contact them to thank them for voting for the background check amendment or to express disappointment in a vote against the amendment.
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Clean water for the planet and ALL of God's children!
More than 780 million people around the world live without sustainable options for improved water. It is time to make a serious commitment providing water access in ways that sustain God's people and planet.
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The Time is Now to Address Gun Violence
This is a critical week in the U.S. Senate for legislation that would begin to address the terrible toll of gun violence in this nation. For the first time since 1994, we have the opportunity to pass meaningful legislation to help end gun violence.
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About the Justice and Peace Action Network
The Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet) is the arm through Justice and Witness Ministries of the UCC carries out its mission statement. It is our denomination’s grassroots advocacy network composed of individual members and local UCC congregations across the country.
The JPANet both educates and engages its members in shaping public policy in keeping with God's vision of a just and loving society. Our work is grounded in General Synod resolutions, consonant with historic UCC witness, and formed by a biblical understanding of prophetic ministry.
JPANet members collectively advocate on a variety of issues for social change that promotes the Common Good. These issue areas are resourced by national staff of the Justice and Witness Ministries and Wider Church Ministries who work with local UCC advocates to shape coordinated strategy on our common witness. The Global Concerns issue area is shared with staff of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),the UCC’s partner in global ministry.
FAQs
What resources and opportunities does the Network provide?
- Weekly Legislative Action Alerts:
Brief email synopsis of pending legislation or current justice issues, and a call for action each week. Perfect for taking personal action on the justice issues you care about and suitable for posting in newsletters and bulletins.
- Monthly Newsletter:
Includes invitations to regional and national gatherings, resources and opportunities for witness.
- Biblical and liturgical material for interpreting issues and action
What Happens When You Take Action?
When you take an online action, you will be directed to a webpage that will explain the current legislative issue and provide a sample letter for you to send to the targeted decision-makers. When you fill out your information, your letter, which you can personalize according to your own particular views on an issue, will be sent to the indicated decision-makers (i.e. Senators, Congresspeople, the President, or whoever is the appropriate recipient of your message). These messages appear in their email inboxes or fax machines as though you had sent it from their website email form or your own fax machine.
Does taking action electronically make a difference?
Yes! Decision-makers take notice when their mailboxes fill with emails and faxes. Congressional staff members keep regular tallies of the number of messages they receive on an issue, and it can make a difference on whether or not members of Congress support or oppose legislative measures. UCC JPANet advocates have sent messages on an wide range of issues from environmental justice in the Hurricane Katrina clean-up, hate crimes, Millennium Development Goals for ending global poverty, violence against women, federal budget policy priorities, stem cell research, fair treatment of workers by Taco Bell and Mount Olive Pickles, the minimum wage and the protection of civil liberties.
How do I join?
Sign up using the form at the top of the page. We encourage individuals to join and share the resources and the action alerts with other members of their local churches. While the system is set up to register individuals, local churches can also sign up by designating a Local Church Contact person who will liaise between the JPANet and the Church. As the system is web-based however, the more individuals who are signed up, the more who are able to take action on important legislative issues.
Support the JPANet
Your support helps us to provide this resource. Please support the JPANet with an online gift!
