Welcome to
First Churches of Northampton
We welcome all in joyful Christian community.
We listen for God's still-speaking voice.
We work together to make God's love and justice real.
Proud members of the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Peace and Justice Action Team
First Churches Peace and Justice Action Team (PJAT) is the voluntary group and formal entity that serves the congregation by hosting, sponsoring, implementing, educating and celebrating faith-inspired social justice and peace activism. Meeting regularly, we create the opportunity for congregants, community partners, lay leaders and community members to participate in and support various peace, justice, social activist activities.
Our values are informed by our commitment and embodiment of faith: The PJAT:
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Amplifies social activism, peace and justice
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Articulates and shares social justice opportunities with our congregation and community
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Catalyzes and facilitates ongoing social activism
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Collaborates with diverse faith communities and community partners
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Crafts and facilitates courageous spaces to do our social justice work
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Embodies our faith and believes in a loving, justice-seeking God
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Hosts, sponsors and supports social activism that can be sustained and has impact
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Is both agile and grounded in our work
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Makes the distinction between intention and impact and recognize that we are all on a learning journey in how we practice and embody social justice
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Practices deep listening, openness and radical hospitality
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Responds with swiftness and flexibility to pressing and ongoing contemporary challenges
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Supports and engages in the continued resiliency and sustainability of social activism within the congregation and our communities
To get in touch with PJAT, please email peaceandjustice@firstchurches.org
Peace and Justice Calendar
May 9, 2026
Mothers' and Others' March for Peace
33 Hawley St, Northampton MA, Marching to 129 Main St, Northampton MA
Mother’s Day is not just about honoring mothers, but also about honoring the work of courageous, activist women—mothers and non-mothers alike— and of all women (and allies) who have organized and tried to sustain “a movement” since the early 1800’s, who have struggled for peace and justice; against inequality, violence, racism and war; for the right to vote. Mother’s Day 2026 seeks to reconnect and reignite our commitment to work across boundaries to put an end to war and to violence of all kinds.
General Resources for Action
The following advocacy resources have been compiled by PJAT, to be publically available to anyone in our community. They have been sorted by issue area, and are regularly updated.
Protecting Democracy, Resisting Authoritarianism:
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United Church of Christ, call on congress to show greater moral courage in the face of abuses of executive power: https://www.votervoice.net/JAWM/Campaigns/125682/Respond
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Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink. Strategies, tactics and tips for how everyday Americans can fight back together, wherever we live:
https://indivisible.org/resource/guide -
Build the Resistance, a network of grassroots community organizers and regular folks exchanging info and sharing information: https://www.buildtheresistance.org/
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Monthly Resistance Training webinar series:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLENRFV7ghmzkz55V-5EkWErg3-EoWRa_XABO7Lmx2vs1LPA/viewform -
Just Security, a tracking resource for legal challenges to actions taken by the Trump administration: https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
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UCC Public Witness Signs -- free downloads: https://www.ucc.org/download-public-witness-signs/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_term=united-church-of-christ&utm_content=5bb54966-ed40-4b44-8c5d-535c95e350b1&utm_campaign=social-media
Immigrant and Refugee Rights:
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Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) Resource Page:
https://miracoalition.org/news/category/resources/ -
ACLU of Massachusetts Immigrant Rights Information and Resources:
https://www.aclum.org/en/issues/immigrants-rights -
American Immigration Council, MA Data Sheet:
https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/massachusetts/ -
Metropolitan Area Planning Council Immigration and Migration Resource Library:
https://www.mapc.org/resource-library/immigration-resources/ -
Immigration Equality, focus on the rights of LGBTQ+ and HIV positive immigrants:
https://immigrationequality.org/about-us/what-we-do/ -
Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative, a 15-organization coalition focused on providing financial support and resources to immigrant and refugee families across the state.
https://www.riancenter.org/what/massachusetts-immigrant-collaborative/
Environmental Justice:
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United Church of Christ, "Support Environmental Justice for All!" campaign:
https://www.votervoice.net/JAWM/Campaigns/125467/Respond
Humanitarian Aid Abroad
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United Church of Christ campaign to support the continued functionality of USAID and its programs: https://www.votervoice.net/JAWM/Campaigns/124020/Respond
Transgender Rights and Safety:
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Trans Relocation Support Western MA, an organization which provides assistance for transgender individuals and families who need to relocate from areas of the country that are passing anti-trans legislation : https://trswmass.com/
Federal Budget:
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United Church of Christ campaign to call on congress to pass a Moral Budget:
https://www.votervoice.net/JAWM/Campaigns/124726/Respond
Keeping Hope Alive:
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News coverage of nationwide protests on 4/19/2025:
https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/anti-trump-protests-resistance-due-process-rcna202148 -
Wins - Concrete examples of how various strategies and tactics are winning against the Trump Administration: https://www.buildtheresistance.org/wins