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Hunger & Housing 101 - TONIGHT!
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, starting April 24, via Zoom
From April through September, join the Arizona Faith Network's Hunger and Housing Committee on selected Wednesday evenings to explore topics related to hunger and housing specific to Arizona. During these sessions, we'll deep dive into education and advocacy
efforts with local experts in order to build capacity within our own faith communities.
May 1st Presentation: Every 5 years, Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill to address the nation's food, agriculture, nutrition, forestry, energy, and conservation needs. The Farm Bill is vital to our Arizona communities because it can continue
its strong support for our farmers, ranchers, and forest stewards through a variety of safety net, farm loan, conservation, and disaster assistance programs. While the Farm Bill was not passed last summer, it means that it is slated to be heard by Congress
this summer. The good news is that WE still have time to help inform what is in it and how it can best protect the food, agriculture, and more here in this great state of Arizona!
Join Matt Gross from Bread for the World to learn more about what all of this means and how we can help add our voices to the advocacy to get this vital Bill heard and voted on this Summer! While this is partially an information webinar, we ask
that you come ready with supplies to help create letters from your community over the next two weeks. We have a goal of May 15th to send letters to members of Congress that represents the faith communities from ALL ACROSS ARIZONA!
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AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon via Zoom
Start your week with some guided meditation led by Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guest leaders.
Vasu Bandhu serves the Buddhist community as Bhikkhu (monk) in the Dhammapada Sangha (Zen Buddhism), assisting in the practice and teaching of the principles, ceremonies and rituals.
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Moving Toward Right Relations
A Webinar Series on Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
Mondays at 6:00 pm, April 22 - May 20 via Zoom
Beginning on Monday, April 22, Arizona Faith Network and the
Coalition
to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery are hosting a 5-week training series that will guide us into stepping into solidarity and building relationships with Indigenous people. Created by Coalition co-founder Sarah Augustine and co-facilitated
by Sarah and Repair Network Organizer Doe Hoyer, examples of skills to be learned are: identifying and questioning dominant culture assumptions, identifying needs and how to meet them, and reflective practice.
This series is co-sponsored by the AFN Theological Dialogue Commission,
AFN Cherishing Creation Coalition, the
Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona, and the
Southwest
Conference of the United Church of Christ.
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American Christian Nationalism and its Impact on Democracy
Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm via Zoom
Join the AFN community for a webinar series engaging with a number of National and Local Faith Leaders, Historians, Museums, and Movement workers to explore the impacts of American Christian Nationalism and its impacts on this great democracy. Between February
and October 2024, this webinar series is broken down into 75 to 90-minute webinars that include some of the following: history, exegesis of scripture, historical analysis of its impacts on our democracy, the psychology of nationalism, an exploration of rituals,
liturgy, music, and more - followed by a Q&A and group discussion.
May 15 Session Details:
Title: Distorted Discipleship: Christian Nationalism's Mission of Dominating the Nations
Most commentary on Christian nationalism assumes it is just right-wing white supremacy cloaked in a religious veneer, but not enough attention has been given to the way Christian nationalists read the Bible. One of the key passages they use to support their
position is the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus tells his followers to "make disciples of all nations." This talk will show how this misreading came about and how the passage ought to be understood by people today.
David
W. Congdon is Senior Editor at the University Press of Kansas and instructor in theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including most recently, Who Is a True Christian? Contesting Religious
Identity in American Culture (Cambridge, 2024)
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Resiliency Career/Job Fair
Friday, May 17, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Wesley United Methodist Church
750 E Southern Ave, Phoenix AZ 85040
AFN and Wesley United Methodist Church, Phoenix, are joining together to present the Resiliency Career/Job Fair – Focusing on the Whole You! Services and information to be provided include:
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Résumé Assistance
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Employment Resources
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Career Resources
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Technology Assistance
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Various Training Program Opportunities and More
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Suffering and Faith
Thursday, May 30, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
First Church UCC Phoenix (or via Zoom)
1407 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
It's the age-old question of theodicy, certainly raised during the Holocaust, but by many downs through the centuries. And we ask again Where is God? - as we ponder all attempts at genocide, at what is happening in Israel / Gaza today and the Ukraine, following
a devastating earthquake or tidal way, or the results of climate change particularly among poorer communities, at seeing the streams of people at our border, and as individual persons when facing unexpected challenges and loss or a Covid pandemic.
Our goal is not to solve this issue, but to hear from representatives from diverse faith traditions about how they deal with the reality of suffering in light of their faith in God or Supreme Ultimate. And what, if anything, is to be our response, our responsibility
in the midst of such suffering?
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All are welcome at the following AFN commission and/or committee meetings. They are held online via Zoom, and you can RSVP using the link(s) below.
AFN Social Justice Commission
AFN Faithful Voter AZ (Voting Rights) Committee
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Bread for the World – Southwest Regional Meeting
Thursday, May 2, 1:00 pm MST online
Bread for the World holds regional meetings to educate, encourage, and equip individuals and groups as we advocate for a world without hunger. The meetings include updates on important legislation, discussion with fellow advocates, and next steps to put our
faith into action for our neighbors facing hunger--near and far.
In our meeting on May 2, in addition to the special listening session, we will also share a Southwest update on the Offering of Letters, more information about the Nourish Our Future campaign and issues, and an invitation to our upcoming Advocacy Summit in
June.
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Walk & Talk at Tucson's Birthplace
Tuesday, May 7, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
946 W Mission Ln, Tucson
Join members of Tucson
Birthplace Open Space Coalition at this informal gathering where we'll enjoy the sunset and conversation together. We'll also discuss the future and healing of the land at the base of Chukshon / Sentinel Peak / "A Mountain." We'll stroll,
roll, sit, hang out in community! Kids welcome. We're meeting at Mission Garden parking lot, 946 W. Mission Lane off of S. Grande Ave. The heat is coming, so please be sure to bring a hat and water.
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URI Intergenerational Gathering: The Economy in our Ecologies
Tuesday, May 7, 7:00 - 8:30 am online
This year, the Youth Connection Café and Gathering for Earth communities are joining forces in hosting four intergenerational workshops that address the intersections of youth and earth restoration with the Purpose and Principles of the URI.
In this session we'll explore examples of what it looks like in practice to meet the needs of all people and all living beings within the means of the living planet. We'll hear from Grace Chilongo and her team from YEEM (Youth Empowerment and Environmental
Management), who are implementing a sustainable cookstove project in Machinga District in Malawi.
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Healing of Memories Workshop for Veterans & First Responders
May 17-19
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
7415 E Elbow Bend, Carefree, AZ 85377
This workshop from the Institute for Healing of Memories is a response to the emotional, psychological and spiritual wounds inflicted by war, human rights abuses and other life-changing traumatic circumstances. This life-changing workshop is proven to help
participants learn ways to overcome anger, loss, grief and guilt. Not only is it a step on the journey to personal healing, but also it contributes to the healing of interpersonal relationships.
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Community Clergy Training
Tuesday, May 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tucson VA Medical Center
3601 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85723
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is presenting this free event, recognizing that many Veterans (and family members) seek assistance from community resources such as faith centers, so we're seeking to provide training and education that may assist your
community in helping them.
There will be two classes provided. A VA Mental Health Provider will be presenting on Suicide Prevention. Dr. Irene Harris is scheduled to speak on Moral Injury. Dr. Harris is a Clinical Research Psychologist at the VA Maine Health Care System. Dr. Harris has
also been instrumental in developing and researching an evidence-based program called Building Spiritual Strength which is aimed at facilitating healing and growth after trauma.
The Tucson VA Medical Center will be hosting the free event on campus as well as broadcast it virtually. We are asking people to pre-register by May 10, 2024. To register or for more information please contact Chaplain Services at 520-629-1843, or email
troy.parson@va.gov.
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The Trouble With Water: An Arizona Symposium
Saturday, June 1, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
514 S Mountain Rd, Mesa, AZ 85208
It is believed by many that the most difficult problem confronting the State of Arizona in the 21st Century is water. It is a very complicated issue where laws, legislation, economic objectives, and the rights of numerous stakeholders are often in conflict.
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is sponsoring a symposium to provide current information from six of those diverse stakeholders.
We will receive the most current information on water shortages, water distribution issues, and the often-conflicting State, Federal, and Local laws by which we try to achieve equitable distribution. This will not be a debate, rather it will be an opportunity
for six different points of view to be expressed, and for attendees to interact with their questions and concerns.
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The coming week brings the following religious observances. Click/tap on the link(s) below for more details:
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Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AFN today! Your partnership makes our Arizona community thrive.
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