JPANet June 2025 Newsletter

Take Action: Protect Trans, Nonbinary and Intersex People’s Civil Rights

As people of faith, we must be loud and clear in our message that trans individuals are beloved by God, are created in the image of God, and are deserving of dignity and equal protection under the law. Send a message to Congress today!

Take Action: Call on Congress to End the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

On May 15, Palestinians mark 77 years of the Nakba, or catastrophe.  Today, decades later, Palestinians experience an “ongoing Nakba” with continuing restrictions, violations of rights, and no clear pathway to self-determination. Call on Congress to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza now!

UCC works to advocate for Medicaid and SNAP on Capitol Hill

We deserve a federal budget that reflects our values of love, compassion, and dignity for all. The UCC Office of Public Policy and Advocacy is raising the prophetic voice of our church to oppose proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, arguing that such reductions would harm low-income and immigrant communities while funding tax breaks for the wealthy and increased immigration enforcement. Learn more here. 

People of the UCC invited to ‘show up boldly, visibly, together’ at WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Join the UCC at World Pride in Washington D.C.! We’ll be showing up in solidarity with our queer and trans siblings through marches, services, parades, and more — and we want you to join us! Check out this article to learn more about the UCC’s involvement.

The Launching of UCC Climate Hope Affiliates

Last weekend, the launch of the fifth Climate Hope Affiliatewas celebrated in Concord, New Hampshire. By the end of this summer, five more will have launched. Affiliates address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice by developing ongoing relationships with Members of Congress, local media, and others in the broader community. Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live.

The Launching of UCC Climate Hope Affiliates

The UCC is currently launching UCC Climate Hope Affiliatesprogram in Allentown (PA), Concord (NH), Framingham (MA), and the bay area of California. With a deep sense of calling, affiliates will address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice. With monthly actions, they will develop ongoing relationships with their members of congress, local media, and leaders in their broader community. Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live.

Current Impacts of Changing U.S. Policies on Global Partners 

After taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump began signing a slew of Executive Orders that outlined shifts in both domestic and foreign policy. Of high concern to Global Ministries is how these orders will affect our global partners. Check out this resource to learn more about the stories from our partners on the ground! 

Raise Your Voice on the Federal Budget! Protect Children, the Sick, and the Poor

Congress is on the brink of passing a bill which would force millions of people to choose between a doctor’s visit and a full meal—all while increasing the national debt by $4 trillion, giving tax cuts to billionaires, and funding increased detention and deportation of our immigrant neighbors. As Christians, we will not allow the budget to be “balanced” on the backs of low-income communities. Take action today! 

80 Days of Action, Education, and Advocacy with Back From the Brink

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima on August 6th and Nagasaki on August 9th we also know that our campaign to abolish nuclear weapons cannot rest — we owe it to the hibakusha, to those who perished, to ourselves. So, let’s also make it a summer of action, education, and advocacy. Learn more here. 

Climate Hope Affiliate Monthly Action

This month Climate Hope Affiliates and their allies are urging friends, families, and churches in six states to contact the offices of seven Senators who could have a decisive voice in saving clean energy tax credits.  Urge your contacts in the states of Alaska, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia to contact their Senators using this portal. Support their taking action by providing a copy of this action sheet.

‘We need Our Whole Lives’: OWL celebrates 25 years of sacred spaces for sexuality education with stories of its impact

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Our Whole Lives, the comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education program developed by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Several events and occasions will celebrate the decades of education and support that OWL has offered, including one at July’s General Synod and a proposed Synod resolution which affirms the faithful advocacy and ongoing need for OWL’s work. Learn more here. 

June 6-8th: World Pride In Washington DC!

Join the United Church of Christ in Washington D.C. for World Pride 2025! We’ll be showing up in solidarity with our queer and trans siblings through marches, services, parades, and more — and we want you to join us! Learn more about the UCC’s involvement and register to participate today here.

June 10-12 National Council of Churches Impact Week

Join us in New York City for NCC Impact Week, June 10–12. We will be exploring important international work with the theme, “Re-Building Bridges: The Role of Religious Communities During a Time of Crisis in Multilateralism.” You can register now and find more information online here.

Juneteenth: Celebrating Intergenerational Movement-Making toward Solidarity

Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement invite you to encounter and engage stories of abolition movements from slavery to civil rights, to today. Discover what these ongoing movements of emancipation can teach us about the power of intergenerational leadership – from elders to youth and young adults – as together we move toward solidarity, freedom, equity, and liberation. Explore reflections, resources, worship materials, and videos from movement leaders starting in June.

June 10th: Take Your Faith to the Streets This Pentecost

On Tuesday, June 10, people of faith will gather at the U.S. Capitol for A Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget. We are witnessing against a proposed federal budget that slashes life-saving support for the most vulnerable. Together, we’ll sing, pray, and speak truth to power. This is a moment for moral courage. Sign up now to join us in Washington D.C. on June 10th.

June 11th: National Faith Mobilization Kick-Off

On September 21st, faith communities across the country will be joining a grassroots climate action to celebrate Sun Day as they celebrate the gift and power of clean energy. Join this webinar on Wednesday, June 11th at 1 pm ET to learn about what’s being planned, to get plugged into resources for worship, and much more. Speakers for this kick-off event will include Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, Rev. Michael Malcom, Sue Mueller, and more. Register now!

Join the Movement and Build Up a New World at General Synod

The Join the Movement toward Racial Justice initiative is in its last year and we are getting ready to celebrate and skill up at GS35 in Kansas City! We invite you to dive “Into the Deep” by strengthening our networks of organizing and leaning into the work of collective liberation. Get ready with our 2025 All Church Read: Building Up a New WorldAnd don’t forget to sign up forour workshop: Deepening ‘Networks of Mutuality’: Connecting, Discovering and Building

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.