JPANet October 2026 Newsletter

Be Prepared to #VoteWithLove on November 3rd!

Election season is here, don’t get caught off guard! Head to the UCC Our Faith Our Vote Election Center to:

✅ Check your registration status
✅ Find your polling location
✅ Access state-specific voting resources
✅ And so much more!

Access our Election Center here. .

The Washington D.C. Office is Hiring! Applications Due October 15th

Do faith and social justice drive your work? The UCC Washington, D.C. Office is hiring a Program Assistant! In this full-time role, you’ll be an essential part of the DC team, offering administrative, logistical, and programmatic support to the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy. Learn more about the position and apply here. 

Call On the US Administration to Hold Israel Accountable for Violations of International Law

Contact President Trump at the White House to urge the Administration to join other countries in imposing trade sanctions on Israel for its continued violations of international law, including its occupation of Palestinian land and settlement construction and expansion. Take action here.

Recorded Resource: Responding to the Deadly ICE Detention System: Ways to Resist

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to terrorize communities, separate families, and even kill citizens and non-citizens alike as part of this administration’s mass deportation campaign, there is also increased public scrutiny of this country’s detention center system for migrants. Earlier this month, the UCC hosted a webinar to learn from pastors and lay leaders as they shared how they’ve taken action and learn what we can do as people of faith to stop detention and continue to resist this deadly system. Watch the recording here. 

Save the Date: Middle East Advocacy Summit, April 19-21st, 2027

Global Ministries is proud to sponsor the 2027 Middle East Advocacy Summit, bringing Christians from across the United States together in Washington, D.C., to advocate for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel. Rooted in the call of Psalm 146:7–9 to uphold the cause of the oppressed, the three-day summit will equip participants to engage in meaningful advocacy for peace, justice, human rights, and equal dignity for all people in the Holy Land. Learn more and register here.

What’s Happening At Your Congregation? 

Are you witnessing “justice in action” in your congregation? Share your story by sending a short description to ucctakeaction@ucc.org for a chance to be featured in this newsletter and inspire others across the church! Please include “Justice Story” in the email subject line. 

From Communion to Community: 30 Days of Global Faith in Action

From Communion to Community: 30 Days of Global Faith in Action invites us to carry the spirit of World Communion Sunday into the days that follow. From October 4 through Election Day on November 3, this resource offers 30 simple ways to engage in global mission, prayer, learning, advocacy, giving, and action. Each day offers an opportunity to deepen our connection with our global neighbors and consider how our faith calls us to help build a more just, peaceful, and hopeful world. Learn more here.

Forty Days of Prayer: As Our Nation Prepares to Go to the Polls

As election season stirs up worry and weariness, let prayer steady you. Follow the “Forty Days Of Prayer: As Our Nation Prepares to Go to the Polls” on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and X. We are grateful to Rev. Amber Henry Neuroth and Rev. Karen Winkel, who authored these prayers.

Global H.O.P.E. Launches New Monitoring Center to Track Disasters, and Share Updates on World Events

The Global H.O.P.E. Monitoring Center highlights humanitarian developments, disasters, migration events, public health concerns, and other situations affecting communities around the world. Working alongside Global Ministries and international partners, the Global H.O.P.E. Team monitors emerging events and shares updates, resources, and opportunities for engagement when appropriate. Check out the resource page here.

People of Faith Stand Up Against Unjust Labor Practices #BoycottStarbucks

When underpaid and exploited workers take on one of the biggest corporations in the world, the UCC believes they shouldn’t do it alone. God is angry about unchecked corporate greed and wealthy executives ignoring their workers – AND breaking labor laws more than any other company in modern U.S. history. Please join in solidarity with workers to #BoycottStarbucks until baristas win a fair union contract. Take the pledge and let’s show Starbucks that people of faith and conscience stand with baristas until they win.  

Dive Deeper on Mutual Aid

Mutual Aid. Perhaps you know the term. Perhaps it’s new to you! Perhaps you’re involved in local mutual aid efforts in your community. Perhaps you understand your church as imbued with the spirit and practices of mutual aid. Perhaps you’d like it to be! Join Minister for Economic Justice Rev. Seth Wispelwey and Dr. Sharon Fennema for an in-depth “train the trainer” workshop this fall on all things mutual aid. More information is available here.

New Partnership Eden Seminary’s CFLO and Walker Leadership Institute

FaithINFO is excited to partner again with Eden Seminary’s CFLO and Walker Leadership Institute. This new educational partnership brings progressive seminary-grade education to your organization or congregation. It combines learning resources across a variety of non-credit programs and formats. We’re offering for a limited time a 2026/2027 scholarship program to help make it accessible to you and your local church. You can take 25% off any program listed from the Walker Leadership Institute, the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing, the Ministry Cohorts, the End-0f-Life Doula Certificate, or NEXT Steps. Select the program you’re interested in and use code nts25off at check out. Learn more at FaithINFO and/or Eden Seminary’s CFLO.

October 4-6th: Faithful Response Immigration Gathering

You’re invited to join with people of faith from across Texas for training and resource building to faithfully respond to attacks on immigrants in our communities. The UCC and ecumenical partners are coming together to plan and sponsor this gathering at Slumber Falls Camp in New Braunfels, Texas, October 4-6 to facilitate space and provide tools for pastors, lay leaders, and the church community. Register and learn more about the event here (in English or en Español). 

October 14th: Taking Action on Data Centers Webinar

How can people of faith best respond to data center pollution? In this webinar, we will hear from Alexis Humphreys, a grassroots leader in the struggle to confront Elon Musk’s xAI data center in Memphis, Tennessee. We will then take action with a brief training on writing letters to the editor in support of current legislation in Congress that addresses data centers. Sign-up here to join us on Wednesday, October 14th at 1 pm ET/10 am PT.

October 18-24th: Congo Week 

Congo Week is a time to shine a light on the ongoing impact of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to rally support for its people and a celebration of the DRC’s vibrant culture, abundant natural resources, and resilient communities. We honor our partners in Congo who courageously work for peace and justice every day. Throughout the week, we will share advocacy tools, educational resources, and ways you can get involved. Learn more here. 

October 22th: Civic Discipleship in Critical Times: Election Day Preparation

As threats to free and fair elections grow, from the risk of election subversion to the erosion of democratic norms, people of faith are being called to show up, not sit out. Join us as we explore what’s at stake this election season and faith-grounded strategies to respond to potential election subversion. We will share election protection resources, including the “Executive Overreach Faith Companion Action Guide 2026”, produced by Sojourners and Protect Democracy, and other resources to help your church community root its civic engagement in prayer, scripture, and shared purpose. Rev. Moya Harris, Senior Director of Programs at Sojourners, will be our featured speaker as we consider the moral urgency of this moment and the church’s role in defending democracy. Register here.

October 11th: Access Sunday 

This year’s Access Sunday is October 11, 2026. Our Disability Theology committee has created the 2026 Access Sunday resources, which can be found on the Access Sunday page of our website. Access Sunday 2026 resources include Access Sunday liturgy based on Matthew 22:1-14, sermon discussions of Matthew 22:1-14 and Psalm 23, and an original song coming soon! Be sure to also visit our liturgical year archives for resources from past Access Sundays.

October 15th: Virtual Poll Chaplain Training

Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) will be hosting a poll chaplain/ peacekeeper training!During the 2026 Midterm elections, Americans will exercise one of the most important rights of citizenship, the sacred right to vote. While it is illegal, ICE will likely be at targeted polling sites, increasing fear and even keeping many from voting. God’s word commands us to care for the vulnerable (Matthew 25), so we are asking faith and civic leaders to join as Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) Poll Chaplains. Sign up today.

October 21st: Reshaping Narratives to Strengthen the Christian Church

Reshaping narratives tell more accurate stories within the bible broadens our theological perspectives and strengthens our spiritual practices. Beloved siblings around the world are witnessing governments and institutions implementing policies that dehumanize and displace God’s human family. As people of faith we must protect, recognize, respect, and include all people of diverse cultures, identities, and faith perspectives. The Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, racial justice academic, author, activist, and biblical scholar will join the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay, UCC Minister for Worship and Theology and spiritual practitioner for an empowering and necessary conversation to remain encouraged and equipped advocates, activists, and organizers to strengthen the church. We are the Kindom of God and Justice is for All! For more information contact Rev. Dr. Velda Love Lovev@ucc.org.

November 1st: Vote Faithfully Sunday

We invite you to join with our ecumenical partners in observing the Sunday before election day as “Vote Faithfully Sunday.” This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our commitment to the common good, provide our members with the information they need to cast their ballot and prepare to vote as a community. This webpage provides helpful, nonpartisan resources for engaging with your congregation and community on Vote Faithfully Sunday. Learn more here.

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.