With Congress on August recess until mid-September, it is a good time to request meetings with your members to discuss issues that are important to you. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, in-person visits may not be possible in many parts of the country, but virtual visits via videoconference or phone are a good option for talking with lawmakers or their staff. You will find tips for setting up and conducting meetings (including virtual meetings) below, along with talking points on a number of key issues.

• Congressional meeting guide
• How to be an advocate
• Current action alerts
• Migration: August recess guide | Interfaith Immigration Coalition toolkit
• Foreign assistance: Vaccine access | Resources from Faith in Foreign Assistance
• Christian Community Development Association August recess resources
• Find in-person or virtual townhall meetings: Town Hall Project

The webinar held on July 15 covered the impact of COVID-19 on MCC programs in Southern and Central Africa and Nigeria, and advocacy efforts to influence the U.S. government's global pandemic response. Watch the recording here.

Taking cues from seeking peace like Jesus did, Mennonite Church USA convention online seminar presenters encouraged virtual participants to confront seemingly insurmountable systems of structural violence one personal interaction at a time. Read more.

Recent protests in Cuba highlight the growing needs on the island -- and how U.S. sanctions contribute to the scarcity. Read more.

The Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill on Aug. 10. In addition to various infrastructure and transportation projects, the bill includes funding for climate resilience, electric grid updates, rail and public transit and electric vehicles. A Democratic-only bill with additional climate-related pieces is expected in the fall.

Inspire your congregation to reflect upon the gospel of peace that Jesus reveals by marking Peace Sunday (September 21, 2021) with this special worship resource.

This weeklong course will touch on all areas of immigration law and practice, focusing on topics most relevant to those serving and representing low-income immigrants. It will help provide the necessary training for individuals who wish to apply for accreditation from the U.S. Department of Justice. Find out more here or email immigration@mcc.org. 

More than 200 people participated in the 6th annual Korea Peace Advocacy Week July 12-16, meeting with more than 100 congressional offices to advocate for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Bicyclists in the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS) Climate Ride completed their journey across the U.S. on July 28 in Washington, D.C. The riders spent the day visiting congressional offices to advocate for climate justice and reflecting on the Climate Ride at a community townhall event at Hyattsville Mennonite Church. 

Saulo Padilla joined with Addressing the Impact and Trauma of Migration (AITM) to facilitate a migration trauma seminar for service providers August 5-7 in Tucson, Ariz. Participants came from shelters, health agencies, visitation programs and humanitarian groups to learn about migration-related trauma and ways to address it.

On July 8, Charles Kwuelum spoke at Ridgeway Mennonite church Harrisonburg, Va., on the need for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by vulnerable populations globally.

On July 30, Tammy Alexander gave a virtual immigration workshop for participants at the Western District Conference (Mennonite Church USA) annual assembly.

A warm welcome to Hannah Markey who began as legislative associate in our Washington, D.C., office on August 2. Hannah has a B.A. in Global Studies from St. Lawrence University and an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown with a concentration on women and gender. She interned at the Brookings Institution and the BOMA Project and did a semester in Jordan and another in Kenya. Hannah will work on policy issues related to immigration and the Middle East. Photo courtesy of Hannah Markey.

Clara Weybright finished her one-year term in the Washington Office as a Climate Futures Fellow through the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions. Clara also picked up additional MCC climate work during our staff transitions. Her work on various projects, including a congregational survey, Ecumenical Advocacy Days and the Climate Riders lobby day, was invaluable. She will be missed! Clara's next adventure is law school.

Jaden Jones finished her summer internship in the Washington Office focusing on international climate work. Jaden will return to Eastern Mennonite University where she is studying political science and environmental science. Thanks, Jaden!
 

O God of life,
Hear our prayers and petitions for peace,
in these times of chaos and fear...

Through your eternal grace
inspire our voices to call for the dismantling of
nuclear factories and bombs of death,
inspire our hearts with the desire and intention for 
global nuclear disarmament,
and transform our spirits into peacemakers of Christ,
for "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Amen

The "Prayer for Disarmament" from Pax Christi USA commemorates the 76th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9.