JPANet September 2025 Newsletter

Applications Open for Global HOPE: Migration, Immigration, Refugee and Asylee (MIRA) Unified Grant  

The Global HOPE Office offers three grants through its Refugee and Migration Services ministry that are intended to encourage local UCC congregations, associations, conferences and covenanted ministries to engage in ministry to migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylees in their midst. Applications are open! Contact Megan Bergert (bergertm@ucc.org) with any questions.

Take Action: Stand in Solidarity with the People of Washington D.C. 

Washington D.C. is home to over 700,000 engaged, tax-paying citizens who deserve representation and a voice in their government. Join us in urging your members of Congress to uphold democracy and and grant DC residents representation in Congress through statehood. Take action here!

ASALH’s Responsd to the White House’s Directive to Review Smithsonian Institution Museums

“These steps are veiled attempts to rewrite and distort the narrative by removing any mention of the racist actions, words, and deeds that have shaped American history. This regime is actively seeking to erase the lived experiences of Black people.” Read the full statement from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) here.

Urge your Congressional Representatives to End the Genocide in Gaza 

Medical professionals and facilities, journalists, schools, hospitals, mosques, and churches, let alone civilians, have been targeted, leaving no safe place for the Palestinians in Gaza who have been forcibly displaced, many multiple times. The United States has continued to supply military and diplomatic cover for Israel’s campaign, including over $30 billion in arms sales and military assistance to Israel, despite recent efforts to prevent US arms sales. Urge your members of Congress to take action here. 

The UCC remembers Hurricane Katrina

It was 20 years ago when monster storm Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and thousands of other cities and towns across the region along the Gulf Coast. Many who experienced the disaster firsthand say they will never forget the date of August 29, 2005, and now think of life as “before and after Katrina.” Read the full UCC News article here. 

The Launching of UCC Climate Hope Affiliates

Over the past six months, the first eight Climate Hope Affiliates launched! Each of these faith-rooted, ecumenical chapters is dedicated to developing ongoing relationships with their congress members, the local media, and the broader community in seeking to advance climate justice. The key first step is to identify a host who will convene five to ten people for the purpose of inviting others to a launch workshop. Let us know if you are interested in playing this crucially important role!

This September, Attend a “Witness For Creation” Event Near You!

This month, a series of faith gatherings will take place in key states and in Washington, D.C., highlighting urgent environmental concerns through ritual, testimony and prayer. Each event will feature a diverse panel of speakers—faith leaders, theologians, community members, and public officials—speaking to the sacred duty to protect Creation.​ Click here to learn more about the event details and RSVP!

September 10th: Emerging Strategies to Fight AI Data Centers

The rise of AI data centers has contributed to increased power demand and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. To address what is at stake and point us toward emerging strategies, we will hear from a panel of speakers building grassroots efforts. Even if you cannot make our scheduled time of Wednesday, September 10th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording afterward. Register now!

September 14th: DC Church Dedicates Commemorative Installation to Honor Enslaved Laborers on G Street

On Sunday, September 14th, at 10:30am, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC, will dedicate the permanent six-paneled stained glass artwork installation “Forever in the Path”in memory of those who once lived and labored in bondage on the land that was a tobacco plantation before Congress deeded the site to the church in 1865. DC artist Jessica Valoris based her work on “Slavery on G Street” by Dr. Antonio Austin, a research report conducted under the supervision of Dr. Renee K. Harrison of Howard University, author of Black Hands, White House (2022). Dr. Harrison will serve as the preacher at the 10:30am Dedication Sunday worship service, with a panel conversation led by First Church Moderator Dwan Reece to follow at noon. To attend the worship service or panel conversation, visit https://www.firstuccdc.org/ and use the link under “Joining Worship.” Please note that the panel conversation and worship will be accessible using the same link.

September 21st: Celebrate Sun Day and Rise Up for a Sun-Powered Planet

As Third Act and other organizations prepare for actions to promote solar power on the weekend of September 20-21, TAF has gathered these resources to help you, whether you’re taking action on your own or with a congregation or other group. Explore these resources and locate an event near you today!

September 10th: Hope In a Time of Peril: Interfaith Webinar

Across the nation and within our cities, immigrant families and allies are overcoming aggressive immigration raids, fear and uncertainty, and the real impacts of family separation with care and compassion. Please join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for a webinar to learn about the latest federal updates, to understand how immigrant families are navigating the first six months into the Trump Administration and how people of faith are mobilizing boldly, to stand for welcome in a sea of change. RSVP today!

September 14th: Join us to Observe Just Peace Sunday!

Join us on September 14th in observing Just Peace Sunday! This year’s theme, “The Earth Shall Mourn” (Jeremiah 4:23–28), calls us to lament environmental destruction and commit to peace with creation. You can explore UCC resources, liturgy, prayers, and activities to help your congregation live into God’s vision of justice and renewal here.

September 16th: Join Webinar to Learn About Hosting a Children’s Sabbaths Celebration

We stand at a critical moment in history. The well-being of children and youth is shaped daily by decisions, policies, and public attitudes, and their voices must not be silenced. On October 17–19, 2025, people of faith across the nation will join in the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths. This multifaith weekend is not a “children’s service.” It is a sacred opportunity for pastoral and lay leaders to lift the voices of children, center worship and learning on their needs, and guide congregations into action. For more information, join our NOCS training on September 16th.

October 8th: Mental Health, Spiritual Care, and Community Healing: An Introduction to an Internal Family Systems Approach 2-Part Training Series

Through the collaboration with Mental Wellness leaders our three-part online training is designed to introduce the Internal Family Systems paradigm to clergy and lay leaders, with a special focus on BIPOC Communities. This training will empower clergy and lay leaders to integrate the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach with embodied liberative pastoral care practices that honor cultural wisdom, promote mental wellness, and nurture community transformation. Registration is limited so register now for the October 8th and October 15th webinars

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.