From the Prison Ministry/Criminal Justice Reform Action Team

By Nancy Nonini, Social Justice Action Team-Criminal Justice Did you know? According to the Death Penalty Information Center: Arizona reportedly has “refurbished” its gas chamber and has spent more than $2,000 to acquire ingredients to execute prisoners with cyanide gas, the same gas used by the Nazis to murder more than one million men, women,… Continue reading From the Prison Ministry/Criminal Justice Reform Action Team

Injustice In Our Justice System: The Stories of Mass Incarceration

by Nancy Nonini, Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice Following Pastor Jim’s sermon on “The Facts vs. The Stories” about Jesus’ Resurrection, we’d like to follow up on our presentation on the facts of Mass Incarceration with some stories. One story is about someone who was wrongly convicted, but served over 14 years in prison. One… Continue reading Injustice In Our Justice System: The Stories of Mass Incarceration

Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice hosts Breakfast in Your PJs

Tuesday, June 15, 8:30–9:30 am Arizonans serve 40-percent longer sentences for drug crimes and twice the national average for nonviolent property crimes. These long sentences are not making Arizona any safer. Please join us for some of these Arizona stories and ideas on what we can do to decrease the Injustice In Our Justice System:… Continue reading Social Justice Action Team—Criminal Justice hosts Breakfast in Your PJs

Update from the MOD(erator) Squad

You may recall that in our first Mod Squad Palm Leaf article, we promised to use this space to keep you posted on our church leadership priorities for the year. They are: Planning and implementing in-person worship services. Fully implementing the WISE Congregation for Mental Wellness Program. Supporting and expanding the work of the Social… Continue reading Update from the MOD(erator) Squad

Meet the 2020 Church of the Palms Social Justice Champions: Max and Kay Klinkenborg

By John Durbin Each year, the Social Justice Action Team selects an individual or individuals to receive the Social Justice Champion Award. The person(s) chosen best exemplifies our guiding scripture: “And what does the LORD require of us but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God” Micah 6:8. The… Continue reading Meet the 2020 Church of the Palms Social Justice Champions: Max and Kay Klinkenborg

Seeing the face of God

My favorite quote is, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” ―Victor Hugo, Les Misérables. I mentioned this fact at our annual meeting last week. My prayer this year in 2021 is for us to see the face of God in neighbor, children, and creation. This coming year we’ll be doing… Continue reading Seeing the face of God

Kairos Call to Action: The Fierce Urgency of Now

The Kairos Call to Action recently issued by the United Church of Christ’s Council for Climate Justice builds on what Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the fierce urgency of now,” and an understanding of Kairos time as time that is ripe, pregnant, and urgent time. The call to action urges congregations to begin a decade… Continue reading Kairos Call to Action: The Fierce Urgency of Now

Quarantine, Schmorentine, Church of the Palms is Not Closed…We Are Deployed

Do you do any of these things: pray, take action, love, tend to others’ needs, support the work of our church? If you do, you are part of our church’s Social Justice Action Team, seeking justice through Prayer, Action, Love, Ministry & Support (PALMS). Using Micah 6:8, “And what does the LORD require of us… Continue reading Quarantine, Schmorentine, Church of the Palms is Not Closed…We Are Deployed

Meet the Church of the Palms Social Justice Champions: Pam & Paul Clark

Each year, the Social Justice Action Team selects an individual(s) to receive the Social Justice Champion Award. The person(s) chosen best exemplifies our guiding scripture “And what does the LORD require of us but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God” Micah 6:8. Selection criteria includes: History of being… Continue reading Meet the Church of the Palms Social Justice Champions: Pam & Paul Clark