JPANet April 2026 Newsletter

Early bird registration closes Mon. April 6th for Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2026!

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!

UCC Racial Justice Ministries forges a new path 

In an era of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the country, the United Church of Christ has doubled down on its commitment to continuing its quest to become an anti-racist church. Explore the new Racial Justice Ministries homepage 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 for more information! For additional resources, check out the PAAM Facebook page, 2026 PAAM FAQ, and the 2026 PAAM Lodging Information guide.

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.

A Prophetic Witness in Washington: A Call to Protect HIV Care and Prevention

In a powerful and sobering demonstration in Washington, DC, advocates from across the country, including faith leaders, gathered earlier in the month of March to stage a symbolic funeral alongside a celebration of life, offering a stark warning about the current trajectory of HIV prevention and care in the United States. Watch some of the highlights from this event here. 

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. 

Take Action: Tell Congress to oppose funding for war with Iran

As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and we cannot support investment in a war of aggression that is both illegal and reckless. Join us in calling on Congress to stand against providing even one more dollar for war by opposing further military funding. Take action here.

Call on Congress to ensure sufficient aid reaches Gaza

Gaza is once again on the brink of catastrophic hunger. Border crossings must be reopened, and humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow freely, fully, and without delay. Contact your members of Congress today!

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. 

Explore the newly updated Love Knows No Borders resource website! 

New resources are now available on the updated Love Knows No Borders website! Explore tools designed to support United Church of Christ congregations in responding to this moment with care, preparation, and faith including:

▷ Worship materials
▷ Guides for churches preparing for potential ICE encounters
▷ New “Know Your Rights & Know You’re Loved” resources
▷ Public witness signs
▷ Advocacy opportunities
▷ And more!

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!

Historic UN Debate of Resolution on Slavery and the Slave Trade

A resolution proposed by Ghana at the United Nations on Wednesday to recognize transatlantic ​slavery as the “gravest crime against humanity” and calling for reparations has been adopted despite resistance from Europe and the U.S. Learn more. 

April 12th: The Global Rise of Religious Nationalism: Implications & the Church’s Response

The United Church of Christ welcomes Rev. Phillip Peacock, the General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, and a leader in global ecumenism, justice advocacy, and reformed theology. Drawing on his international experience, Rev. Peacock will examine how Religious Nationalism appears in different cultural contexts around the globe.  Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson will offer perspective on the impact of Religious and Christian Nationalism in the United States. Join us virtually or in-person for this important dialogue as we seek to better understand the global realities of Religious Nationalism and discern how the church is called to respond. 

April 23rd: Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health Sunday

The UCC annually recognizes the third Sunday in May as Mental Health Sunday, and this year it lands on May 17, 2026. But what even is Mental Health Sunday, why should you host one, and how do you go about planning a worship service dedicated to mental health? You are invited to join Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund (UCC National Staff) and members of the UCC Mental Health Network’s Board of Directors as they discuss implementing Mental Health Sunday in your own ministry context. Register today! 

April 20-22nd: 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!

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!

May 5th-7th: 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!

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.