JPANet July 2026 Newsletter

Take Action: Protect Refugees and the Right to Seek Asylum 

The Supreme Court ruled on June 25th, 2026, in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado to turn away asylum seekers at the border and prevent them from crossing into the U.S. By preventing them from crossing the border, asylum seekers are not allowed to apply for asylum. In light of this decision to abandon those fleeing persecution and danger, we are urging the President to restart the refugee resettlement program and support the bipartisan U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE). Take action today.

Take Action: Call on Congress to Press Israel to Release Unjustly Held Palestinians

Call upon your elected officials to press Israel to release Natalie Abu Dayyeh and all those unjustifiably detained, and to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international human rights law. Take action today.

Seeking Justice, Listening Deeply: Disciples at the 2026 Joint Christian Advocacy Summit

Last month, Christians across the country gathered in Washington D.C. for the Joint Christian Advocacy Summit, a convening of advocates focused on justice, dignity, human rights, and lasting security for all in the Middle East. Rev. Paul S. Tché, President of Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry (CUIM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers his reflections on the importance of this convening. Read the full reflection here.

Living Faith Boldly: Youth Descend on Nation’s Capital for Week-Long Immersion Program

Youth from across the United Church of Christ gathered in Washington, D.C. the week of June 14 for the program Youth Voices: Bold Faith, aimed to equip them with the skills and confidence to faithfully advocate on issues they care about most. Check out the photo essay illustrating the week-long program.

June is Torture Awareness Month

Every June, human rights advocates and faith-driven organizers collectively mark Torture Awareness Month, which commemorates the 1987 anniversary of The United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entering into force. For this year’s Torture Awareness Month, NRCAT created a special edition of our Action Toolkit, featuring all-new data, tools, templates, event ideas, and calls to action. Check out the Action Toolkit here. 

New 2026 Our Faith Our Vote Resources Available Today!

Election season is here! The United Church of Christ’s Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is our ongoing commitment to equip you with the tools for nonpartisan faithful engagement in our democratic process. Check out our newly launched resources here!

Climate Hope Affiliates Is Fighting “Poison Pills” in Senate Appropriations

The latest monthly action sheet for Climate Hope Affiliates focuses calling two friends or family members in four key states to ask them to call the offices of their senators and urge robust EPA funding for Fiscal Year 2027 without any policy riders that would weaken protections for the environment and public health. Learn more about our work and consider starting a chapter in your community.

UCC Joins Denominations, Religious Leaders in Joint Letter Raising Concern Over Revisions to the Religious Affiliation Codes List

The United Church of Christ, along with more than a dozen other denominations and their representatives, joined together in writing a letter to express concern about the recent revisions to the Religious Affiliations Code List, administered under the authority of the Secretary of Defense. Read more here. 

Take Action: Abolish the Death Penalty

The United Church of Christ has long opposed capital punishment and calls for its abolition at both the federal and state levels. Join us in contacting your members of Congress and urge them to support the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act. Take action here.

July 2nd: Death Penalty Abolition Rally

Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court’s decision in Gregg v. Georgia brought back the death penalty in the United States. The UCC and our coalition partners invite you to join us for a rally on July 2, 2026, at 6pm ET. Together, we will mark this milestone and send a clear message: End the Death Penalty Now. Join us online via our partner Death Penalty Action’s Facebook page.

July 13th: All Roads Lead to Delaney

Join Faith in New Jersey in faithful witness and prophetic action as we show up for families at Delaney Hall. You will be a piece of the tapestry in the broader fight to end family detention and create a fair and welcome country. This event will be held in Union County on Monday, July 13th from 12-6pm. Learn more and RSVP here.

July 16th: Faith, Leadership, and Organizing for This Moment

How do faith leaders, organizers, nonprofits, congregations, and community advocates sustain themselves while responding to the urgent challenges of this moment? Join Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker from the Center for Faith Lived Organizing for a timely dialogue exploring how today’s social, political, spiritual, and community realities are shaping new approaches to leadership, organizing, public theology, and transformative community engagement. Register here!

July 18th: Climate Hope Affiliates Monthly Webinar

If you are interested in witnessing Climate Hope Affiliates in action while also learning about the current legislative struggles in Congress over climate and clean air policies, join the next Climate Hope Affiliates national webinar on Saturday, July 18th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. Our guest speaker will be Grace Weatherall who serves Senator Sheldon Whitehouse as Climate and Clean Air Counsel for the Environment and Public Works Committee. Register now!

July 6th: Nurture the Soul Special Offering, Commemorating 250-years of Pluralism: Reimagining our Sacred Call

Nurture the Soul is partnering with Global H.O.P.E. to host a special webinar on Monday, July 6th featuring ecumenical and interfaith representatives to celebrate 250-years of pluralism.  We’ll explore how our diverse spiritual traditions can unite to dismantle modern Religious Nationalism and commemorate 250 years of multi-faith resilience – the true fabric of American Pluralism. Register here!

July 13th: Poll Chaplain Training

Interested in becoming a poll chaplain? Poll Chaplains are ordained faith leaders who provide a calm, moral presence at polling sites and trained to de-escalate potential conflict. On July 13th, Faiths United to Save Democracy will be holding a poll chaplain training to understand changes in election laws and techniques for managing increased threats. Register today!

July 17-19: Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action 

Six years after the passing of Congressman Lewis, the fight for voting rights continues with “Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action (GTLO).” This year’s GTLO is a three-day national mobilization to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis by doing what he loved most – organizing, acting, and registering voters. Learn more about what events may be happening in your area or how you can host an event.

August 12th: Can Advocacy with Congress Still Accomplish Anything? 

On August 12th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, we will hear from Sam Daley-Harris who has been equipping advocates to swim upstream against the currents of political despair for over 45 years. He has coached and encouraged advocates as they have achieved tangible results. In fact, he is the founder of a highly successful anti-poverty organization called RESULTS. He is also the author of “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy.” Register today!

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.