JPANet May 2026 Newsletter

At Ecumenical Advocacy Days, People of Faith Called on Congress to “Protect People, Peace, Planet”

Last month, Christians from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to raise their voices and witness for a commitment to “protecting people, peace, and the planet.” The event’s three days were filled with worship, education, and advocacy, culminating in a lobby day on Capitol Hill, where participants met with their elected officials to advocate for specific bills to limit federal agents’ immigration action around “sensitive locations” and to strengthen federal disaster response. Learn more here.

Collective Care for Clergy on the Frontlines of Justice

Collective Care for Clergy on the Frontlines of Justice (Clergy4Justice) is a gathering space for clergy serving congregations, engaged in community organizing, protecting human and civil rights, advocating for antiracism and antibias trainings, and participating in uprisings across the country against ICE invasions and authoritarianism policies and practices. Collective Care for Clergy gatherings provide opportunities to nurture our souls, develop self-care and healing practices, and strengthen bonds of trust through mutual respect and deep listening.

Register now! For more information contact Rev. Dr. Velda Love, Minister for Racial Justice at lovev@ucc.org

UCC Observes Break the Silence Sunday

Observed in the United Church of Christ on the last Sunday in April, Break the Silence Sunday is a time to acknowledge the trauma of rape and sexual assault and to begin conversations that lead to healing and hope for survivors. Learn how Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin observed this important day and how your congregations can get prepare for next year. Read 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: Urge Congress to Prevent Increased Funding for ICE

In the wake of the DHS shutdown, Congress is using the reconciliation process to pass a partisan appropriations bill to fund ICE and CBP to the tune of $70 billion. Our faith demands that we speak out against these injustices. With the billions of dollars being used to harm our neighbors, our government could choose to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and house the unhoused as Jesus calls us to do. Send a message today to your elected officials!

Climate Hope Affiliates Is Defending EPA Funding

As a joint program of the United Church of Christ and Creation Justice Ministries, Climate Hope Affiliates is dedicated to addressing the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice through developing ongoing relationships of influence with congressional offices, local media, and the broader community. Our latest monthly action sheet focuses on defending EPA funding from the Trump administration’s proposed cut of 52%. Learn more about our work and consider starting a chapter in your community.

North Carolina Disaster Recovery Site Celebrates its First Volunteers and Invites More to Come

A volunteer group from the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ traveled to the mountains of North Carolina in March, ready to assist people whose homes had held 6-8 feet of water during the unprecedented Hurricane Helene in 2024. They were recently honored for their work and are encouraging others to join in disaster recovery work. Read more here.

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

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. 

May 7: Proclaiming “Love Knows No Borders”: Moving from Desolation to Action

Join us for an engaging and timely webinar exploring our “Love Knows No Borders” resource, a powerful witness and resource offered to equip congregations to respond to the continued attacks on immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQIA siblings. Grounded in the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, Love Knows No Borders (LKNB) resources offer theological reflection, policy analysis, and practical strategies for advocating for our migrant siblings. Register today!

May 14: Emotional and Spiritual Care Resources Post Disasters

When disasters strike, we realize that our clergy, chaplains and other spiritual caregivers are the ones that are providing spiritual care to their communities, and the UCC’s Emotional and Spiritual Care Team wants to support these individuals in a variety of ways. In this webinar, we will discuss some of the recent ways that we have responded, as well as review some of the new resources available on our webpage for those who have been impacted by disasters. Register here! 

June 3: UCC Climate Action Assembly

The next UCC Climate Action Assembly will feature two presentations. First, members of Wellesley Village Church will share about how they replaced their oil-fired HVAC system with a geothermal system as they strive for net-zero emissions. Second, we will hear about a program of international solidarity centered around the climate leaders in the Mayan communities of Belize. Register to join us on Wednesday, June 3rd at 1 pm ET/10 am PT.

May 13: The Ongoing Nakba and Prospects for Peace and Justice for Palestinians

For the past eight decades, since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Palestinians have experienced what they call the “ongoing Nakba” (or catastrophe) – displacement and dispossession, and denial of rights. But what solutions are possible to address the injustices that prevail? In this webinar, join Jonathan Kuttab who will discuss with us the current reality in a context of regional war, genocide and occupation in Palestine, and prospects for peace with justice. Register today!

May 16: Webinar on the Climate Related Bipartisan Legislation in 2026

If you are interested in witnessing Climate Hope Affiliates in action while also learning about current bipartisan legislation in Congress that relates to climate change, housing, and weatherization, join the next Climate Hope Affiliates national webinar on Saturday, May 16th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. We will hear from Xavier Boatright who serves as the Sierra Club’s Executive Director for Clean Energy and Electrification. Register to join us!

June 4: Defending Dignity: Addressing Policy Attacks on the LGBTQIA+ Community

Each day in the news, we hear of new efforts by state and federal policymakers to dehumanize our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Amid this ever-evolving landscape, it can be challenging to keep up with all the twists and turns of LGBTQIA+ policy and attacks. Join this briefing from the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, Georgia Equality, and the ONA Coalition to learn about policies at the state and federal level that threaten the LGBTQIA+ community.  Come hear and share stories of resilience in the face of such attacks and ways you can raise your voice in the public to proclaim – “Love is Louder!” 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.