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Hunger & Housing 101
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.
The April 24 session will focus on Resiliency Centers / Heat Relief and on May 1st, the Farm Bill. Additional sessions will be announced in AFN's newsletter, via email, and on social media.
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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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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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SAVE THE DATES: Process Theology Lunch and Learn Series
Wednesdays, from June 18 through July 19 at 12 pm via Zoom
Are you eager to explore the depths of progressive theology and engage in meaningful discussions about faith and social justice? Look no further! Rev. Al Gephart, in collaboration with Arizona Faith Network, invites you to a series of enriching Lunch and Learn
sessions that promise to ignite your spirit and challenge your perspectives.
Watch for more details and registration information in upcoming newsletters and on AFN social media channels!
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Open Positions With AFN
Numerous positions are currently open (as of April 2024) for Heat Respite Site Lead and
Heat Respite Site Assistant. The purpose of these roles is to assist the local Heat Relief Respite Centers in receiving community members and reporting, coordinating, and implementing Arizona Faith Network's summer Heat Relief Respite Center program
needs for the community members. Click on the link below for the job descriptions, which include duties, qualifications, and application procedures. These positions are open until filled.
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FBI recognizes local leader for protecting Arizona's Jewish, marginalized communities
Paul Rockower, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (and AFN Board member), is making a quick trip to the nation's capital this month, but not to see the cherry blossoms. Rather, he is traveling at the invitation of
FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is set to honor Rockower for the significant work he has done to protect the local Jewish and other minority communities in Greater Phoenix.
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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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USDHS/FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program
The 2024 USDHS/FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for physical and cyber security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack.
NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.
The Arizona Department of Homeland Security will conduct a virtual 2024 NSGP Grant Information Webinar on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. If you plan to apply for the 2024 NSGP, you are encouraged to attend the webinar.
Join
webinar with Google Meet. NSGP Investment Justification Application Deadline:
Friday, May 24, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
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The 2nd Annual Weave and Cleave Conference
Thursday, May 4, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Desert Willow Conference Center
4340 East Cotton Center Boulevard Phoenix, AZ 85040
The Faithful City (TFC) renewed its trauma informed care movement with a new phrase, "Weave & Cleave," pursuing unity, diversity, unconditional love, renewed identity, and trauma transformed co-journeyers' communities. Collaborating with the Maricopa County
Department of Public Health, TFC launches "Creating the Communities of Belonging" project to support faith communities in building safe spaces and relationships where people experience being connected than corrected, sharing struggles in compassion, raising
hope and resilience for the future journey together. This conference is free of charge, presenting local, and national speakers and training sessions for belonging project. Refreshment and lunch will be provided.
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National Interfaith Prayer Service: Prayers for Our World, Nation, & Us
Thursday, May 2, 11:00 am via Zoom or Facebook Live
Join Religions
for Peace USA and partners on the 5th Annual National Day of Prayer.
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Tempe Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 2 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Tempe Public Library
3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282
Please join the Tempe Interfaith Fellowship and neighbors of diverse faiths and beliefs for our annual Tempe Day of Prayer. We will be out in the courtyard. A proclamation from the Mayor about the Day of Prayer will be read, followed by words from local faith
leaders and lifting up of the prayers of the people.
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2024 Arizona Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day
Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Arizona State Capitol Lawn
1700 W Washington St. Phoenix AZ 85007
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and/or canopies and join together on the Capitol lawn for this important annual event. There will be dancers, musicians, an awareness walk, and more.
On Sunday, May 5, there's also a run/walk event with a virtual option. Click on the link below for a Facebook post with more details.
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Women's Interfaith Springtime Tea
Sunday, May 5, 1:00 pm
Scottsdale Marriott At McDowell Mountains
16770 N Perimeter Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Join us for an afternoon of friendship, support, learning and sisterhood. This year, our focus is on gathering together to strengthen our spiritual ties and foster community bonds. For women 12 years old to 150 years old. COST: $55. Presented by the Islamic
Speakers Bureau of Arizona.
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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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