JPANet September 2021 Newsletter

In this month’s Getting to the Root, UCC International Policy Advocate, Rev. Michael Neuroth reflects on Afghanistan, explains the importance of repealing the Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and offers a different path for the future of counter-terror operations.  

Ending Endless War

“Never forget.” Those words have remained etched in our collective memory in the years since 9/11. We remember where we were on that day, and we can quickly recall the feelings of fear, vulnerability, anger, and uncertainty that accompanied watching planes crash into the World Trade towers and Pentagon. No single event has shaped foreign policy more over the past twenty years than the 9/11 attacks. Read more. 

Justice In Action

International Day of Peace

The United Nations recognizes September 21 as the International Day of Peace. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Find more information and resources from Global Ministries at the link. Learn More

Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice Campaign – #YourStoriesMatter

We are deeply committed to work toward dismantling injustices, such as racism in the 21st century. During General Synod 33, Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice campaign was introduced and will launch October 2021. 

When you Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice campaign your stories become encouragement for church leaders and lay persons, as well as the next generation to carry on the work of justice—advocacy and activism. Your stories matter because they come from your heart, cultural expressions, lived experiences, and social locations. Stories formed by faith are integral for the continued growth of the Christian church nationally and globally. Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice Today!

September 19th is Just Peace Sunday

Just Peace Sunday will highlight ways to “Grow Justice” and “Know Peace” in our local communities. Despite the many challenges we face, Psalm 1:3 reminds us that there is hope when we are interconnected and root ourselves in the things that make for peace. Learn More

Justice Events

Training for UCC Churches: Serving Afghan Refugees

Join a training on September 11, which builds on the new toolkit Welcoming and Advocating for Afghan SIVs and Other Afghan Refugees, will include insights from Afghan SIVs, churches with successful refugee ministries, and migration professionals. Presenters will offer tailored resources for UCC congregations to take action and respond to questions from churches wanting to build refugee ministries. Register here.

Webinar: The U.S. Federal Government’s Fifty-Year Role in Causing the Climate Crisis

The next Creation Justice Webinar will feature one of the leading voices in environmentalism over recent decades: James Gustave Speth. Among his many accomplishments, Speth served the Carter administration, founded the Natural Resources Defense Council, and spent ten years as Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. This month he has released a new book entitled, They Knew—The US Federal Government’s Fifty-Year Role in Causing the Climate Crisis. 

Mark Jubilee Weekend – October 15-17, 2021

Join Jubilee USA in marking Jubilee Weekend this year and highlight issues of global economic justice as the IMF and World Bank meet in Washington DC. Lift up prayers and advocacy messages on issues of vaccines access, development aid, debt relief, tax reform and climate. Sign up to receive a toolkit of information and worship materials to lift these themes up during your service. 

World Communion Sunday – October 3

World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians remember that they are part of the whole body of believers. World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith. Global Ministries offers worship resources from our global partners for you to use.

Panel on Mutual Aid Networks 

In connection with Just Peace Sunday, there will be a panel discussion on Mutual Aid Networks Tuesday September 14th at 7pm ET with author, activist, and law professor Dean Spade. Mutual Aid Networks can help congregations move from charity to solidarity models and build resilience and peace in our communities. Join us!

Living Faithfully in the Time of Creation

Living Faithfully in the Time of Creation is a recent publication by the Iona Community that includes lectionary reflections, essays and prayers by contributors from across the world addressing the climate crisis. Learn more about the book here.

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 the staff of Justice and Witness Ministries.

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