Faith Works is Faith UCC’s Social Justice and AcTion Team

We regularly encourage church members and friends to speak out on various matters concerning the wellbeing of all God’s creation and people. Check here regularly for updates, and news, and suggested actions.

Action ALERT: Protect Trans peoples civil rights - january 29, 2025

Dear Faith Members and Friends, 

It has come to our attention that a bill championed by Governor Kim Reynolds will be introduced seeking to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. This would be the first time in our nation's history that a previously protected class would have their civil rights revoked by their own state government. Added to the Iowa Civil Rights Act in 2007, gender identity protections have protected trans Iowans from discrimination in credit, education, employment, housing, and public accommodations for nearly 20 years. 

As the first church to become Open and Affirming in Iowa in 1992, Faith UCC has raised its voice whenever the rights of our neighbors have come under attack. Because of our commitment to be an Open and Affirming congregation that values the sacred worth and dignity of all, we are asking you to contact a few of our elected officials to let them know that this proposal is not supported by everyday Iowans or everyday Christians. A sample message is below. Feel free to tailor it to your own voice. 

Messages can be sent to Rep. Steven Holt, chair of the House Judiciary Committee at steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov, Pat Grassley, Speaker of the House at pat.grassley@legis.iowa.gov, and Governor Kim Reynolds at https://governor.iowa.gov/contact-office-governor/share-your-opinion.

With Peace and Blessings, 

Faith UCC Faith Works Committee

Sample Message 

Dear _________, I am writing today to urge you to not propose or support any proposal that would remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. If proposed and enacted, this would be the first time in our nation's history that a previously protected class had their civil rights revoked by their own state government. As an Iowan I value the rich diversity of this state and its historical long-time commitment to civil rights. As a person of faith, I also value the sacred worth and dignity of all people. In 2007 gender identity was added to the state Civil Rights Act because individuals were experiencing unfair and damaging discrimination simply for being themselves. Sadly, such discrimination is still a reality. Removing gender identity from the state’s Civil Rights Act will only make such discrimination worse. Due to those realities, I am urging you to not open the doors to further and more damaging forms of discrimination by removing this protected class from our Civil Rights Act. 

 

Sincerely, 

Action ALERT: immigrant and LGBTQ+ Rights: - February 9, 2024

Dear Members and Friends of Faith UCC:

We are writing to alert you to certain bills now in the Iowa legislature that would negatively affect our immigrant neighbors:

  • HF2112. Makes Solidarity a Crime. This bill contains provisions that could make it a felony to help an undocumented neighbor with food, housing, or other human rights support. 

  • HF2128. Drives Iowa Kids out of Our Public Colleges. This bill would make Iowa high school graduates who lack documents pay out of state tuition, even when this state is their home.

  • SF108/HSB105. Creates unworkable rules that can harm Employers and Essential Workers. This bill requires all businesses to use the flawed e-verify system, tells people to profile and report immigrant workers in public witch hunts, and contains unworkable rules without addressing any problems.  

Additionally, we are writing to alert you to another discriminatory bill that will do harm to our LGBTQ+ members and neighbors: 

  • HSB614. This bill is a religious exemptions (RFRA) legislation that would allow anyone to use their religious beliefs as justification to discriminate. The law could be used by anyone to claim they don’t have to follow any other law, leading to legal chaos. 

The Faith Works Committee is calling for letters to urge our Iowa legislators to vote "no" on these measures. Please consider sending an e-mail letter to your legislative representatives asking them to vote "no" on these bills. The names of your particular legislators and their e-mail addresses can be found at the following website: http://tinyurl.com/3wt9nevs. 

Thanks to our friends at the Center for Worker Justice who we have been an ally of since 2012 and the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa for alerting us to these bills. As a side note, CWJ held an emergency meeting for their members and allies here at Faith UCC last Thursday evening to discuss these bills. Pastor Ryan gave a short talk. Long-time CWJ immigrant members remembered some of the organization's founding meetings back in 2012 that were held at Faith UCC. They say, “Thank You!” to everyone at Faith UCC for being such active and supportive allies. 

Thank you!

Faith Works Committee