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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 tonight as we conclude our 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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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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Abuse in Later Life 101: Understanding and Responding to Abuse of Older Adults
Thursday, October 23, 2:00 - 4:00 pm MST via Zoom
The 2024 Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life will be providing training to faith-based leaders in collaboration with the
Arizona
Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) and
Safe
Havens.
A U.S. Department of Justice study reports that 11% of Americans 60 and older experienced at least one incident (physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional) of elder abuse in the past year.1 Often, these incidents go unreported, and older adults struggle to find
support. Many elder abuse victims and survivors turn to their faith communities for help. However, faith community leaders may be unaware of the resources available to help them respond effectively and safely. Typically, older members (50+) reach out to faith-based
communities to request help in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, or elder abuse. Learning how to respond is important so that victims of late-life abuse have the resources and support they deserve.
The Abuse in Later Life 101: Understanding and Responding to Abuse in Older Adults training in a 2-part series. Part 1 will be virtual via Zoom on October 23. The information you learn in this training can be passed on to your colleagues and students to help
raise awareness and prevent instances of elder abuse.
In this training, those attending will learn about resources to:
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Recognize the signs of elder abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
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Offer support, information, and referrals to victims and survivors.
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Know where to turn for assistance.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 101
Thursday, October 23, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center
455 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85203
(also available via Zoom)
Join Arizona Faith Network for a special in-person learning session about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shared by local members, this session will offer an introduction to the history, teachings, and spiritual practices of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Whether you re engaging in interfaith dialogue or simply curious about the faith, all are welcome to attend and learn.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 101 is an overview, explaining the basic concepts with personal interaction with others. At the end of this overview, you will have a better understanding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and
the relationship with other religions. This event will also be offered via Zoom - please indicate how you plan to attend when filling out the registration form.
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Invitation to Sign On: International Day of Peace Statement
Since early 2024, a diverse group of leaders from cultural, faith, and civic communities has been working together to counter political and identity-based violence by cultivating healthy norms of communication and civic engagement. Together, we share a commitment
to ensuring that every Arizonan feels they belong.
On the International
Day of Peace, September 21, 2025, we are calling on Arizona faith leaders to sign a public statement denouncing political violence and calling for peace. Signatures will be published alongside the statement in state and local papers and
on a dedicated website created for this effort.
The statement reads:
Today, on the International Day of Peace, we as faith leaders come together to express our united belief in peaceful civic engagement. At a time when divisive rhetoric and actions are increasingly accepted as a form of expression, we condemn violence in
all its forms. Relying on our diverse faith traditions, we speak with a united voice to declare that differences of opinion in civil society must be addressed with mutual respect and dignified dialogue. Our faiths require us to be peacemakers in our communities
through our words and deeds. We call on elected officials, community leaders, and all Arizonans to embrace the ideals of listening and good faith negotiations.
Those who sign on prior to the end of day on September 15 will have their name included in the materials used with media for the International Day of Peace and on a website with the statement and signatories.
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Interfaith Call to Action: Protect the Sacred Lands of Arizona
As people of faith, we stand together in urging our leaders to protect sacred lands and cultural monuments in Arizona that hold profound spiritual, historical, and ecological significance. Right now, Baaj Nwaavjo I tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the
Grand Canyon National Monument and Ironwood Forest National Monument face threats of reduced protection.
We invite faith leaders and communities across traditions to join us in calling on our Arizona congressional delegation to safeguard these sacred places and honor the leadership of Indigenous communities who have stewarded them for generations.
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FY 2025/2026 STATE OF ARIZONA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP)
The FY2025/2026 State of Arizona Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP) is established to provide funding to eligible nonprofit organizations that are at greatest risk of a terrorist attack or at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of the nonprofit s
ideology, beliefs or mission for target hardening and other security enhancements and activities.
The Arizona Department of Homeland Security will conduct two FY 2025/2026 STATE OF ARIZONA NSGP Grant Information Webinars this week (Wednesday and Thursday). If your organization is eligible and plans to apply for the FY 2025/2026 State of Arizona NSGP, you
are encouraged to attend one of the webinars.
Full information and application form are at
https://azdohs.gov/az-nsgp
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Protecting Places of Worship Weeks of Action Virtual Events
In support of September s National
Preparedness Month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dedicates national weeks of action, encouraging faith-based and community organizations to safeguard people and places through partnerships with local emergency managers and first
responders. The DHS Center for Faith in partnership with DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the DHS Office of Partnership and Engagement, and other federal partners are providing resources and engagement opportunities that assist places
of worship in securing physical spaces and their community.
The 2025 weeks of action will include virtual workshops for faith and community organizations, and private sector institutions.
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SunDay: Shining a Light on Successful Climate Strategies
Sunday, September 21, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Dayspring United Methodist Church
1365 E Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284
On September 21st, join Arizona Interfaith Power & Light to celebrate "SunDay" - a global day of action to spotlight a positive trajectory for solar and renewable technologies! We invite you to draw inspiration from the success stories of the Arizona Youth
Climate Coalition (AZYCC), and to learn from the expertise of Professor Clark Miller from the ASU College of Global Futures. Together, we'll discuss the benefits of local climate advocacy and some strategies for getting started in your own community. Please
be sure to RSVP for this event, or check
out our website for other opportunities to get involved!
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Uranium Contamination: Restoring health, trust, and accountability.
Sunday, September 21, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Cline Library Assembly Hall (room 102)
Northern Arizona University
You can watch a live stream public conversation about the legacy and future of uranium contamination in the Southwest U.S. The
Uranium
Science and Community Health Forum event will bring together Tribal scientists and leaders, health researchers, and policy advocates to discuss uranium in air, food, and water, and community-driven efforts to restore health, trust, and accountability.
This event is part of the Flagstaff
Festival of Science. The panel of 9 experts is moderated by Dr. Tommy Rock and includes Dr. Karletta Chief, Chris Shuey, Carletta Tilousi, Dr. Carrie Nuva Joseph, Petuuche Gilbert, Wynona Baheshone, Carlene Yellowhair, Johnny Lehi Jr., and
Dr. Jani Ingram.
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Pathways to Peace: Interfaith Reflections on the International Day of Peace
Thursday, September 25, 6:00 am MST via Zoom
This special URI (United Religions Initiative) Community Call honors the International Day of Peace, inviting participants from diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds to reflect on collective efforts toward building peaceful and inclusive communities. The
session will explore how interfaith collaboration addresses global challenges such as violence, division, and inequality, emphasizing shared values of compassion, justice, and harmony. Through stories of resilience and creative dialogue, participants will
celebrate the power of unity and explore practical ways to foster peace in their communities and beyond.
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'A Better Kind of Politics' Virtual Workshop Series
Every Other Thursday, October 9 - November 20, 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET via Zoom
The Center
on Faith and Justice invites you to reflect on and practice skills for what Pope Francis called "a better kind of politics." In this political moment, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to start. This workshop series will offer
inspiration and tools, inviting participants to learn the inseparable bond "between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace" (Pope Francis).
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Oct. 9: Active Hope and the Work that Reconnects with Dr. Sarah Nahar
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Oct. 23: Faith-Rooted Organizing and You with Rev. Alexia Salvatierra
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Nov. 6: Nonviolent Resistance: Developing a Strategy with Dr. Eli McCarthy
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Nov. 20: Beyond the Echo Chamber: Finding Connection in Polarized Times with Marilyn Rodriguez and Kristen Wall
Using the link below, you can register with an existing Zoom account or with just your email address. Note that due to the change from Daylight Time to Standard Time, that the sessions in October will start at 10:00 am Arizona Time and then at 11:00 am Arizona
Time for the sessions in November.
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Bearing Witness Now
A grassroots group of clergy in Southern Arizona pastors, deacons, active and retired started gathering in May to find ways to offer a clear, public Christian witness in response to a deepening national crisis. As our first collective action, a small group
drafted a public statement addressing urgent events unfolding in our nation and world. We are continuing to gather cosigners from Southern Arizona to join in continued witness and action rooted in the way of Jesus.
Presently, we are working to raise funds for a half or full page ad to publish the statement and list of signers in the Tucson Star. We are also meeting to plan other forms of public action and witness.
We invite other clergy from Southern Arizona to sign the letter here:
https://form.jotform.com/251979026591164
You can read more about the effort here:
www.bearwitnessnow.org
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The coming week (today through next Tuesday) brings the following observances:
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Navaratri (Hinduism) Sep. 22 - Oct. 2
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Rosh Hashanah (Judaism) Sep. 22 - 24
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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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