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AFN Monday Meditation
Mondays at noon MST 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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Weaponizing Faith: The Role of Religious Nationalism and Disinformation in Destroying Democracy
Wednesday, March 26, 4:30 pm MST (7:30 pm EDT) via Zoom
In this one-hour webinar, award-winning author Katherine Stewart will examine the dangerous rise of religious nationalism in America, exploring how politicized faith and financial interests are being weaponized to undermine democratic values. Drawing
from her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, Stewart will reveal the powerful forces behind this movement and its threat to democracy and real religious freedom.
The webinar will address how the weaponization of faith and the proliferation of disinformation are undermining the foundations of our democracy, and explore how American Jews can help mount an effective resistance. Moderated by Lynn Davis of the Rabbi Joseph
H. Gumbiner Community Action Project, a program of Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center and Paul Golin of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, this session will offer insights into the moral collapse within religious extremism, the role of money in driving
these movements, and practical actions Jews can take to protect democratic values and religious freedom for all.
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Arizona Rally for Public Lands
Thursday, March 27, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Arizona Capitol - House Lawn
1700 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007
Arizonans are united in their love for Public Lands and Waters, but special interests, seeking short-term profits, are working behind the scenes to make it easier to sell our public resources to the highest bidder.
Arizonans are uniting to fight back. Defending our American freedoms to hunt, fish, hike, and camp is more urgent than ever. We need to speak up to protect it.
Arizonans from across the state are gathering at the 2025 Arizona Rally for Public Lands to call on every elected official – from Phoenix to Washington, D.C. – to protect our access, wildlife, public workforce, and keep our public lands and waters in public
hands. If you need transportation to the event, buses will be available from Tucson to Phoenix.
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Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change - Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples
Saturday, March 29, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
423 N Beaver St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
This is a two-hour experiential exercise in response to calls from Indigenous leaders at the United Nations and the World Council of Churches, developed by the Friends (Quaker) Peace Teams. The goal of Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples Program is
to build relationships among Native and non-Native communities based on truth, respect, justice and our shared humanity. Join us as we learn to challenge and support each other as we work toward right relationships that address more than 500 years of genocide,
colonization, and forced assimilation of Native peoples
This event is free and open to the public (ages 14+). We do not want finances to prevent anyone from attending, but we do appreciate donations to support the project. Please give what you can, suggested donation $20-$30. Donations can be made by check or cash
at the event. While this program is open to anyone, it is specifically for non-Native people, especially those of European-American ancestry, who would like to learn more in community about the history of the United States from an indigenous perspective.
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Health Fair
Friday, April 4, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wesley United Methodist Church
750 E Southern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85040
The Health Fair will offer free health screenings, physical therapy & stretching, massage therapy, blood pressure checks, and wellness consultations. Join us for a day of wellness, resources, and community!
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Tree Planting Event
Monday, April 14, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Larkspur Christian Church
10614 N 43rd Ave Glendale, AZ 85304
Sponsored by: APS
Community Tree Program
Join us for a tree planting event! No experience needed—just bring your energy and a heart to serve! Together, we can make a lasting impact for those who rely on our heat respite center.
What to bring:
✅ Water – Stay hydrated while we work.
✅ Closed-toe shoes – Protect your feet while digging and planting.
✅ Work gloves – Keep your hands safe and comfortable.
✅ Sunscreen – We’ll be outdoors, so be sure to protect your skin.
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REMEMBERING REP. RAÚL GRIJALVA
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The Arizona Faith Network joins in mourning the loss of Congressman Raúl Grijalva, a steadfast advocate for justice, public lands, and the communities of Arizona. His unwavering commitment to protecting sacred landscapes, advancing environmental justice, and
amplifying the voices of those too often unheard has left an enduring impact on our state and nation. His passing is a tremendous loss for his family, friends, and all of Arizona. As people of faith, we grieve with all who loved and respected him, and we honor
his legacy by continuing to work for the protection of our land, water, and communities. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those whose lives he touched.
The family of Rep. Grijalva has announced memorial services in Tucson next week,
listed
in this azcentral.com article. The family is asking, in lieu of flowers, that people to donate money to a
scholarship
fund named for Grijalva.
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Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces Petition
As part of its pledge to conduct mass deportations, the Trump administration rescinded a longstanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy that substantially restricts ICE agents from conducting immigration arrests in or near “sensitive locations”
like hospitals, schools, and houses of worship. It is a policy that has been in place in various forms since the 90s and in its current form since 2011.
CLICK
HERE TO READ/SIGN A PETITION organized by Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice calling on the Trump administration to revoke its rescission of the memo and for Congress to pass legislation offering greater protection against
immigration raids being carried out in or near to houses of worship and other sensitive locations.
More resources about the policy changes and the response of Arizona faith communities are available in the
Arizona
Faith Forum.
Preventing Elder Abuse in our Communities
As faith leaders and community members, we are often the first place people turn in times of crisis. Older adults experiencing abuse may reach out to their faith communities for support, and it’s crucial that we are equipped with the knowledge and resources
to help.
We are pleased to share a collection of resources developed through the Arizona Abuse in Later Life Grant Project in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), law enforcement, victim services, and faith-based organizations. These
materials provide guidance on recognizing elder abuse, supporting survivors, and connecting them to essential services.
More resources and details are found in posts in the
Arizona
Faith Forum.
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Art Night for AZ Public Lands Rally
Monday, March 24, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
733 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA
Join us with Chispa AZ and AANHPI for an art night to create posters and signs for the Arizona Public Lands rally. Art supplies, snacks, drinks will be provided. If you have cardboard pieces you'd like to recycle into signs feel free to bring your own.
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Arizona Food Bank Network Annual Conference
Tuesday, March 25, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Patrick’s Catholic Community
10815 N. 84th Street, Phoenix AZ 85260
We're less than a week away from our Annual Anti-Hunger Conference. Each year, we come together to share insights, access anti-hunger resources, and, most importantly, learn from one another to better serve Arizonans. This year's theme is Navigating Times of
Change and registration closes on March 20th. We hope that this year, every attendee leaves feeling inspired, equipped with the tools to create lasting, sustainable change, and empowered to continue advocating in the fight against hunger. More information
and registration are at the link below.
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The Women of the 6888
Thursday, March 27, 7:00 pm
Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center
455 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85203
During World War II, 855 African-American women joined thousands of other Americans in answering the call to serve. Called the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, they were the first and only all-African American Women’s Army Corps (WAC) unit deployed
overseas during the war. Their task was to clear a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail stored in warehouses across Europe. Their efforts built the morale of the troops on the front lines and ended up providing opportunities to black women for future
education and jobs. The story has been made into a movie, “The Six Triple Eight,” by Netflix with the original song “The Journey.”
Family historians have researched the women who served, including some who have local family connections. Come join us at the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center to hear some of their remarkable stories. This event is free to the public.
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Arizona - Scotland Interfaith Climate Action
June 14 - 22, 2025
Religious Faith, Climate Action, and Human Migration
A Dialogue between People of Faith in Arizona and Scotland
Interfaith Scotland invites people of faith in Arizona who care about God's creation in an era of climate change & human migration to participate in a delegation visit to Scotland. Join us for this unique opportunity to build lasting partnerships as
we discover solutions to our common climate and migration crises.
Interfaith Scotland will will coordinate this unique journey in Scotland for our Arizona visitors, and initiate a proposed reciprocal delegation from Scotland to visit Arizona for one week at the beginning of 2026. Click on the link below for full details.
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The coming week brings the following observances:
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Naw-Rúz (Baháʼí) - March 19/20
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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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