Celebrating Earth Day and Opportunities for Organizing!
Ready to learn, take action and build community? Check out this e-news, which shares opportunities on immigration justice, earth care, housing, and more.
FAN recommends the upcoming Seattle Social Justice Film Festival, which features sixty-one films on a range of social justice topics. It will take place in person April 16-19 at the Pacific Tower in Seattle, and virtually beginning April 20. One of the highlighted films is The Price of Plenty: Voices from the Valley, on Saturday the 18th. This film uplifts voices from the Lower Yakima Valley and will followed by a panel discussion.
Other films throughout the weekend feature such topics as global conflict, police violence, homelessness (including a documentary on Glide Church’s work with those living on the streets in the Bay area), indigenous stories, Gaza, Pride, migration (including the impact of the Trump administration on Native communities), and “Artivism.” The Festival also offers workshops for aspiring and seasoned filmmakers. This is a great opportunity to learn more about issues you’re interested in and make connections with others who share your interests. Please consider viewing with others from your faith community!
You can find the schedule, details and tickets at: https://www.socialjusticefilmfestival.org/schedule
https://sjff2026.eventive.org/films
See the Detention Lottery at Bothell UMC
Detention Lottery, April 19, 2026, 4-6pm at Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Ave. N.E. Bothell, WA 98011. This immersive theatre experience takes the audience into the detention center courtroom with re-enacted actual court cases followed by talkback with practicing immigration attorneys. Appropriate for middle school ages and above, childcare provided. Admission is free. Financial donations are encouraged for Riverton Park UMC Migrant Support Programs. Contact clare.taylor@comcast.net with any questions.
Celebrate Earth Day April 25
To celebrate the upcoming Earth Day, April 25, we offer here a sampling of faith-rooted actions and resources. Also included are teachings from different faith traditions for you to meditate on and share in your faith community.
- Earth’s Greatest Enemy Film Screenings in Seattle and Spokane
Seattle (see poster above)- Yakima: Yakima Valley College Campus, April 17, 5:30 pm
- Spokane: Garland Theater, April 22, 5:30-8:30 pm
- Mt. Vernon: Lincoln Theater, April 27, 7:00 pm
Sustainable Tri-Cities: Earth Day 2026 at the REACH on April 18, 12-4 pm, https://alsctc.org/events/earth-day/
Bulletin insert from ELCA Eco-Faith Action Network
Ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries curriculum
National Faith + Climate Forum online, April 25, 9:00-2:30 PT
United Church of Christ Webinar, April 25, 10:00 am PT,
The Episcopal Church Resources
Meditations
Humans, trees, pilgrimage places, banks of sacred streams, clouds, fields. Islands, spheres, universes, continents, solar systems. The sources of creation, egg-born, womb-born, earth-born, sweat-born, oceans, mountains, and sentient beings. The Lord knows their condition…having created beings, the Lord takes care of them all. The Creator who created the world takes thought of it as well. (Guru Granth Sahib)
Even as a mother protects with her life
Her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart
Should one cherish all living beings,
Radiating kindness over the entire world,
Spreading upward to the skies,
And downward to the depths,
Outward and unbounded.
(Metta Sutta, “Loving-Kindness”)
Social injustice and environmental injustice are fueled by the same flame: the undervaluing, commodification, and exploitation of all forms of life and natural resources, from the smallest blade of grass to those living in poverty and oppressed people worldwide.
(Leah Thomas, The Intersectional Environmentalist)
All living beings roaming the earth and winged birds soaring in the sky are communities like yourselves. We have left nothing out of the Record. Then to their Lord they will be gathered all together. (Quran 6:38)
The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and tenants. (Bible: Leviticus 25:23)
Tell the government to keep families together!
Currently, citizens and immigrants with status can apply for federal housing assistance, without sharing the citizenship status of everyone in their home. Mixed status families – where some members of a family may be citizens or legal residents, but others are not – can stay together. The federal government only pays for the people who have legal status.
This proposal would prohibit families with mixed immigration status from receiving housing assistance or living in either public or Section 8 housing. If adopted, many families would have to choose between going homeless or breaking up. This proposal could evict 80,000 people from their homes, including 37,000 children, nearly all of whom are themselves U.S. citizens.
Commenting tips:
- Begin by stating your opposition: “I strongly oppose HUD’s proposed rule “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status (FR-6524).”
- Name your demand: “The Trump administration should immediately withdraw its current proposal.”
- Share a personal story about why this is important to you.
- Tell HUD what you want them to do instead, like “work with Congress to make major new investments in the federal housing programs and take actions that ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Remember, comments are posted publicly, so don’t include any identifying information you wouldn’t want posted. Comments can be posted anonymously.
The first Trump administration tried this and didn’t enact it due to massive public backlash. Let’s keep the spotlight on this issue again and provide as many comments as we can. The comment period is open until April 21.
Learn more and find more commenting tips here
Join These Organizing Opportunities Near You
Interfaith Justice Coalition (IJC) Action Convening – April 21 (6:00-8:30 PM) at New Song Community Church in Wenatchee. Join us to learn about the IJC, our action group model, and how you can get involved. Action workshops will feature Rural People’s Voice and Wenatchee for Immigrant Justice!
Register for Weaving Our Strengths, April 25 in Seattle
Registration is now open for Weaving Our Strengths, historically organized by the Church Council of Greater Seattle, a day of workshops and reflection to ground us in making change for liberation & justice. This year’s event will focus on noncompliance/noncooperation and is supported by multifaith partners. Invite your community and learn how to take action together! Register to receive location information. All attendees must register ahead of time.
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