Bending the Arc

Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. Coming out of the election, they’re bringing together “We the People” to find a hopeful alternative to toxic politics. The American Hope campaign is equipping Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand the same of politicians from both parties.

The CSA Leadership Team and JPIC Office endorse the work of Braver Angels and encourages you to consider attending one or both of these post-election offerings:

1.    Ask Me Anything: A Red/Blue post-election S.O.S. (A Braver Way podcast recording)

Two weeks after the 2024 election, left-right tensions are through the roof. In this special “Ask Me Anything” episode, a cross-partisan panel of Trump and Harris voters take on a fiery handful of YOUR toughest questions about how in the world we bridge political divides from here… just in time for the holidays. Join host Moni, April, and our special guests — Angel Eduardo, Shira Hoffer, and Travis Tripodi — as they close out this season of A Braver Way with a conversation you don’t want to miss.

2.    Managing intense emotions and important relationships after the election (Saturday, December 7, 1:00–2:30 pm CST)

Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty will guide us in navigating intense post-election emotions and preserving key relationships. Whether feeling the elation of victory or the despair of defeat, he will offer insights on coping with strong emotions, upholding values, and building bridges in deeply divided times.

As the holidays approach, let’s come together for this vital conversation and take a meaningful step toward healing and unity.

COP29 – The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11-21, 2024.

Please go to UNANIMA International’s COP29 resources page to see its position and policies papers, information about our side event, and more!

UNANIMA International will be represented at COP 29 by Deputy Director, Liana Almony. On November 21, Liana will be speaking on the panel of a Side Event at the Conference called: “Faith and Justice in Ecological Transition.” A recording will be available after the event.

The Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) at the UN has made this guide to COP29 available in several languages - English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
UNANIMA International (UI) has consultative status at the UN. They advocate for holistic global policymaking on behalf of women and girls, migrants, and the environment. The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes is one of 23 member congregations that make up UI.

The Catholic Church is clear: the death penalty is inadmissible because it violates the sanctity of life. Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, giving them an inherent dignity. This dignity is never lost, even if someone commits a serious crime.

Additionally, the U.S. death penalty system is ineffective, costly, and deeply flawed. It damages not only the lives it takes, but also victims' families, the innocent, people of color, vulnerable populations, and society. See more at Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN).

Today, there are 40 men on the federal death row - and their lives are at stake.

With a temporary federal execution moratorium currently in place, no death sentences can be carried out. But that status could change by any future administration. The only way to protect the lives of those currently on the federal death row - with certainty - is to commute their death sentence.

President Biden has the constitutional power to commute the entire federal death row and save the lives of  40 men.

Please join CMN in urging President Biden to leave a legacy of justice and mercy by taking this concrete action to oppose the use of the death penalty before he leaves office. SIGN THIS PETITION.

Take another action on same issue from ACLU.
 

On November 15, despite widespread opposition to the controversial Line 5 project, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources granted Canadian oil giant Enbridge Energy permits for the construction of a new 40-mile pipeline segment that would facilitate the ongoing transportation and combustion of fossil fuels in the Great Lakes region. Those of us demanding climate justice, who stood in solidarity with the Bad River Band, are saddened and perplexed.

What next? Midwest Environmental Advocates is currently providing legal representation to several organizations working to stop new construction on Line 5: League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, 350 Wisconsin and Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter. Read more here.

Over the past century, Christian Zionism has been used to justify first the immigration of Jews to Palestine and then, with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, justification for the unquestioning support of Israeli policies of occupation and apartheid. 

• What is Christian Zionism?
• How does it appear in our churches?
• What are some different lenses we can use to examine the scriptures that underpin it?

Watch last month's webinar where Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner, retired Presbyterian pastor and theologian, and Rev. William T. Young IV, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, unpacked and challenged Christian Zionism.

The World Beyond War website states: “The crime of genocide is happening. The intentional destruction of a people, in whole or in part, is genocide. The law is meant to be used to prevent it, not just review it after the fact.”

In a recent meeting with UN consulates, asking them to use international law to bring an end to the genocide in Gaza, they replied they needed a larger grassroots movement before they could do anything. So in response, a letter was drafted that can be used by ANYONE, asking them to use international law to end the genocide.

You can go to this link and within a few minutes, send a letter, editing it as you see fit, and it will go to 205 consulates.
 

It is one easy thing you can do to bring an end to the horrific genocide in Gaza that is causing so much suffering to so many.