JPANet March 2026 Newsletter

Applications are open for Ecumencial Advocacy Days

Join us in Washington D.C., April 20–22, 2026, as we draw on our shared faith traditions to inspire one another, and call on Congress to commit to Protecting People, Peace, and Planet! Through worship, workshops, solidarity and Congressional visits, we will bring together a diverse group of Christians to remind Congress of our shared responsibility to care for all that belongs to God. Register today!

Urge Congress to Say NO to War With Iran

The United Church of Christ calls on the United States and the Israeli governments to bring to an end the dropping of bombs which is killing children and innocent persons. Tell your members of Congress to say NO to war with Iran and block any unauthorized military activity. 

Call on Congress to block further arms provisions and press Israel to avoid further violence against Palestinians

Conditions in Gaza and the West Bank continue to worsen. Contact your Senators and Congressional representative to support legislation limiting US weapons transfers to Israel, sanctioning Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and urging Israel to allow Palestinians in Gaza access to urgent medical care. Send a message here.

2026 PAAM Convocation registration is now open!

Registration is now open for the Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries of the United Church of Christ 2026 Convocation! The convening will be held at Irvine United Congregational Church, CA from June 24-27, 2026. This gathering will be a time for spiritual nurture, inspiring worship, workshops, breaking bread together, fellowship and deepening our cross-cultural and inter-generational ministries. Please 1) visit PAAM official website, or (2) fill out the registration form,or (3) contact your regional representatives, or (4) contact Mitchi Reyes mitchireyes@gmail.com for more information! 

For additional resources, check out the PAAM Facebook page, 2026 PAAM FAQ, and the 2026 PAAM Lodging Information guide.

2026 Climate Hope Art Contest for Children and Youth

Children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring to life our theme: A Future with Hope. We’ll accept art submissions until March 20th. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. Register your congregation now to participate.

What’s happening in your congregation? 

Are you witnessing “justice in action” through your congregation? Share your story by sending a short blurb (40-60 words) to ucctakeaction@ucc.org for a chance to be featured in this newsletter and inspire others across the church! When you email your submission, please put “JPANet Justice Story” in the subject line. 

Youth Voices: Bold Faith application deadline extended to March 15th

Could the youth in your congregation be the next generation of voices shaking up Capitol Hill Applications are open for Youth Voices: Bold Faith, a week-long immersion in faith-based advocacy, justice, and community in Washington D.C. Together, we’ll explore how our faith calls us to speak truth to power, learn advocacy skills from the experts, and connect with UCC youth from around the country. Apply here by Sunday 3/15!

Our Faith Our Vote 2026: Is Your Primary Election Approaching? 

Election season has begun! Don’t get caught off guard. Take a minute today to visit VOTE411.org to find your state’s primary date and confirm your voter registration. Stay tuned for more election resources at ucc.org/our-faith-our-vote

Apply for the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award

This award is given at the annual Earth Summit to congregations, ministerial teams, or other groups in UCC or Climate Hope Affiliates who have exemplified the tradition of prophetic action in the past year.The application deadline for this award is April 8, 2026. The summit will be held on Saturday, April 25th. 

Open Call for Worship Resources: “Love Knows No Borders” 

To support the theme of “Love Knows No Borders” in UCC congregations, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay, Minister for Worship & Theology, is inviting submissions of original content, including: devotionals, faith formation material, liturgy, Living Psalms, meditations, poetry, prayers, sermons, spiritual practices, theological reflection, and visual arts. Learn more and upload a submission here. 

Register for the Joint Advocacy Summit!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Joint Christian Advocacy Summit, taking place May 5–7 in Washington, D.C. Global Ministries is proud to co-sponsor this important gathering under the theme, Do Right; Seek Justice (Isaiah 1:17): Christians Uniting Against Oppression in Palestine/Israel.” Join Christian advocates from across the country to strengthen your faith-rooted advocacy, learn from leading voices, and raise a united call for justice and peace. Secure your spot today!

 Local Spotlight: Values and Vision

Values and Visions, a social justice group co-led by Jackie Schultz and Nancy Krase at Greendale Community Church in Wisconsin, has grown from a post-Roe gathering of frustrated women into a 20-member force for social change. Guided by the motto doing justice, seeking peace, and building community, the group hosts regular meetings, civic events, letter-writing campaigns, protests, and fundraising efforts serving communities as far as Chicago and Minneapolis. You can keep up with Values and Vision on their website or follow them on Facebook. What’s happening at your congregation? 

March 18th: Leaves of Healing (Only for Some)—Trees, Churches, and Redlined Neighborhoods

In time for Earth Month, a new resource for churches invites us to consider how, in many cities, tree canopy follows the same fault lines as historic redlining. Neighborhoods that were denied investment generations ago are often the same neighborhoods with fewer trees today—neighborhoods experiencing higher temperatures, poorer air quality, and greater vulnerability to flooding. Learn more in this webinar on Wednesday, March 18th at 1 pm ET. Register today!

April 20th: Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Join us in Washington D.C., April 20–22, 2026, as we draw on our shared faith traditions to inspire one another, and call on Congress to commit to Protecting People, Peace, and Planet! Through worship, workshops, solidarity and Congressional visits, we will bring together a diverse group of Christians to remind Congress of our shared responsibility to care for all that belongs to God. Register today!

March 23: Join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Spring of Commitment Tour from your home!

The United Church of Christ has been in solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers for decades, supporting their transformational, successful efforts to bring justice and fair pay to our country’s agricultural workers. All are invited to the closing event of the CIW’s “Spring of Commitment Tour” as people of faith and conscience renew their connection and support for Fair Food nationwide. Join at bit.ly/TheChannelUMCfrom 7-8pm EST on Monday, March 23. Learn more here. 

April 25th: Earth Summit

To ground and inspire us as people of faith in difficult times, the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, a renowned advocate and organizer for justice in the Atlanta, Georgia area. This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature a panel discussion of leading voices on issues of energy justice. The summit will take place on Saturday, April 25th at 1 pm ET. Gather church members to watch together or connect on your own.Register now!

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.