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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 links below. All times are Arizona/MST.
AFN Social Justice Commission, Thursday, August 7, 8:30 - 9:30 am MST via Zoom -
RSVP
for Zoom information
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Speakers: Rev. Katie Sexton will give updates on AFN's Heat Relief program and Paul Rockower will introduce the Safe Communities Coalition
AFN Cherishing Creation Collaborative, Tuesday, August 12, 10:00 - 11:30 am MST via Zoom -
RSVP
for Zoom information
Note: The AFN Faithful Voter AZ (Voting Rights) Committee will not be meeting in August.
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AFN Co-Leads Safe Communities Coalition to Protect Vulnerable Communities Across Arizona
Arizona Faith Network is proud to co-lead the launch of the
Safe
Communities Coalition, founded in partnership with
ONE
Community and numerous statewide faith, community, and nonprofit partners. This bold new initiative is dedicated to protecting diverse faith spaces and historically targeted communities through training, outreach, strategic monitoring, and
rapid response.
With extremist threats and hate crimes rising—up 25% across Arizona in the past five years—the Coalition is a proactive response to ensure that all people, regardless of background or belief, can live, worship, and gather in safety. The Coalition supports crisis
response and resilience-building for communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and religious minorities.
Thanks to support from the Vitalyst
Health Foundation, the Coalition has named Paul Rockower as its inaugural Director, bringing expertise in public diplomacy, interfaith collaboration, and crisis management.
Join us in building safer communities for all.
Learn more in the press
release from ONE Community and donate to sustain this critical work at:
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AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon MST via Zoom
Start your week with some guided meditation led by Vasu Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guest leaders. Vasu Bandhu serves the Buddhist community as Bhikkhu (monk) in the Dhammapada Sangha.
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AFN @ 2025 Interfaith Awareness Week
Thursday, August 14, 4:00 - 5:30 pm MST via Zoom
Join Vasu Bandhu and Holly Burton of AFN for a presentation about AFN as part of the annual
Interfaith
Awareness Week hosted by the
World
Interfaith Network. Use the link below to RSVP for the AFN presentation, and
click
here for the full schedule of 40 Zoom presentations in 7 days! (Zoom links will be added after July 31)
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Faith and Science from an Islamic Perspective, Part 2
Saturday, August 16, 12:00 pm MST via Zoom
Join us for a second online event exploring the relationship between faith and science through the lens of Islamic thought. Kashif Naser will guide us through the rich tradition of inquiry, reason, and spiritual reflection within Islam, highlighting how scientific
discovery and religious belief are not at odds, but deeply interconnected.
Whether you're a person of faith, a science enthusiast, or simply curious, this is a space for open conversation, learning, and connection. This program is part of our Faith 101 series.
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Interfaith Book Group: The Tears of Things
Wednesdays, August 20 through September 17, 6:30 - 8:00 pm MST via Zoom
Join Arizona Faith Network for a 5-week interfaith journey through Richard Rohr’s powerful new book,
The
Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage. Each session explores the timeless wisdom of the Hebrew prophets alongside today’s voices for justice, healing, and hope. Featuring healing practices, small group dialogue, and
conversations with spiritual leaders across traditions.
Come deepen your spirit, engage with community, and discover a prophetic path forward in this age of outrage.
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Extreme Heat Warning
An Extreme Heat Warning has been issued by the NWS for the Phoenix area and our heat respite centers are working extra hard to welcome guests in need to relief and save lives! We've had a number of generous individuals and faith communities step up and donate
water and other supplies, but we could use more.
How You Can Help:
🌟 Donate – You can give funds to support supplies by
clicking
here
🌟 Ship supplies – Buy and ship directly to us from our
Tucson
Area Amazon Wish List, our
Phoenix
Area Amazon Wish List or contact Katie.Sexton@azfaithnetwork.org for shipping details.
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Distribute Heat Relief Kits and Support Tucson’s Most Vulnerable
Help protect your neighbors during the hottest time of the year. The City of Tucson, in partnership with the Azara Branch and Pima County’s Heat Mitigation Program, invites you to take part in upcoming outreach efforts focused on delivering heat relief to those
most impacted by extreme heat.
Heat Canvassing – Round 1
Friday, August 8, 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Ward 5
Heat Canvassing – Round 2
Friday, August 29, 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Ward 1
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"Pause for Peace/Finding Joy in Times of Struggle" Concert & Retreat
Friday/Saturday, August 15/16
St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church
4440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718
Saint Philip’s and Joyful Noise are excited to welcome William Campbell—award-winning composer, pianist, and longtime church musician—for a weekend of beauty, reflection, and renewal. At 7:00 pm on Friday, enjoy a contemplative concert of original music for
solo piano and electronics. Blending classical elegance with ambient textures and heartfelt emotion, Williams’s music invites listeners into a spacious, prayerful quiet—what The Echo described as “light shining through.” This is a free concert, with donations
supporting Saint Philip’s Food Pantry.
On Saturday afternoon, William will lead a retreat titled Joy in Times of Struggle, drawing from his decades of ministry, his life as a composer, and his deep commitment to finding hope through creative expression. Through music, reflection, and shared readings
from within and beyond the Christian tradition, this gathering invites all to explore how joy can emerge even in the midst of hardship.
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2025 Labor in the Pulpit, on the Bimah and in the Minbar
Labor and faith organizations have a long history of shared relationships, tied together by our common bonds: social justice, equality, the dignity of all people, racial and economic justice, and fair treatment in the workplace. The AFL-CIO's Labor in the Pulpit,
on the Bimah and in the Minbar program utilizes the Labor Day holiday as a unique opportunity for religious communities and organized labor to come together in partnership. Each year, in cities across the country, interfaith and ecumenical organizations, local
religious leaders, state federations, central labor councils and area labor federations work together to recruit union leaders and congregations to participate as special guest speakers in congregations.
In addition to Labor Day weekend, August 29 - September 1, 2025, the program is also available the weekend before (Aug. 22-24) and the weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 5 - 7) if this is more convenient for scheduling.
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URI Multiregion Internship Program
Applications are invited for the URI Multiregion Internship Program – 2025 Cohort, running from September 2025. This fully remote internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a global grassroots network that works at the intersection
of peace, justice, and interfaith cooperation.
The program offers:
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A 3-month, fully remote experience in an international environment
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Commitment of 30–40 hours per week
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Weekly check-ins and mentorship from URI staff
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Tasks in research, communications, event support, and documentation
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Participation in URI webinars, workshops, and community events
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and more
Who can apply:
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Aged 18–25 (high school or university level)
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Passionate about interfaith cooperation, peacebuilding, and community work
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Strong communication and organizational skills
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Comfortable working in multicultural and international settings
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Preference given to URI Individual Members and members of URI Cooperation Circles
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Applicants from institutions that offer paid internships are welcome
More information and application instructions are found at the link below. The application deadline is August 13.
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Can We Bring a Service Project to Your Senior Center?
Arizona Jews for Justice is excited to announce an upcoming initiative that will provide volunteer opportunities and programs at senior centers. This initiative aims to foster a sense of community and connection by engaging seniors in hands-on, purpose driven
activities. Through collaborative projects, seniors will have the chance to give back, build relationships, and participate in acts of service.
We’re inviting individuals to connect us with senior centers where they live or have relationships, as we launch a new initiative to bring meaningful community service opportunities directly to seniors in a new and impactful way. Please email us at
arizonajews4justice@gmail.com to connect us!
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The coming week (today through next Tuesday) brings the following observances:
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Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism) - August 9
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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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