Friday Forums

ICUJP Friday Forums, Fridays 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Weekly Friday Forums are the lifeline of ICUJP! We have guest speakers, share reflections, and plan campaigns and actions. All are invited to join us from 7:30 to 9:30 am (yes that is AM)!

Traditionally, ICUJP Forums met in person at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. However, in response to the pandemic, the program has moved online. Please register for our upcoming meeting, and signup for ICUJP's newsletter to receive correspondence on future Friday Forums including, speakers, topics and much more!

To view past Friday Forums visit ICUJP's YouTube Channel HERE

  • Friday, September 04, 2026 at 07:30 AM

    09.04.26friday_forum

    Please join us online

    ICUJP Friday Forum
    September 4th 7:30-9:30 am Pacific

    Flip The Vote: Build Democracy, Win Elections

    RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

    Event Description: 

    Join Flip the Vote to learn how you can easily engage your networks to take back Congress and win critical elections up and down the ballot this November, block authoritarianism, and build sustainable democracy in communities around the country.

    Flip the Vote's evidence-based strategy helps you support year-round organizing that maximizes the impact of your investment of time and resources

    Join the conversation with our speakers:



    Elissa Gershon
    is Flip the Vote's Advisory Board Vice Chair and Investment Strategy Workgroup Chair. She has been a volunteer with Flip the Vote since 2019. She works as a disability civil rights lawyer and lives in Berkeley, CA.

    Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:

    Flip the Vote supports year-round, relational organizing in key locations through relational fundraising. We need people like ICUJP members to engage their networks, host in-person or Zoom events and help spread the word and increase support for our grassroots partners. We make it really easy to host an event and we will partner with you every step of the way! 

    Flip The Vote Donation Page

    7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize
    7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and introductions 
    7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum)
    7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A
    9:15 - 9:20  Announcements
    9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer

    Start your morning with us! 

    Facilitator: Rick Banales
    Reflector: Carolfrances Likins

    ** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **

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    Here's how to join the online meeting:

    To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.

    If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. 

    If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.

    ICUJP Friday Forum 09/04/26
    Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

    RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

    *Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
    To mute/unmute yourself: *6
    To raise hand: *9

    (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)

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    Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.

     

    Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.


    Save The Date: The 2026 Rev. George C. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards

    Sunday, September 27th
    All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
    2:00 - 4:00 pm

    Looking Back, Looking Forward: 
    25 Years of ICUJP

    As Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace celebrates 25 years of action and advocacy for a kinder and more just world, we want to remember those that were on this journey from the start - the people that came together just after the horrors of September 11th, 2001, and saw that the faith and activist communities needed to speak with one voice, and say that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.

    JOIN US AS WE HONOR:

    - Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    - Stephen Rohde, constitutional lawyer, lecturer, writer and political activist.

    - Chris Ponnet, Director St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care/LAC+USC Medical Center (posthumously)

    - Bishop John Taylor, former Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles

    - Rick Steves, travel writer, activist, and host of Rick Steves' Europe on PBS

    - Pasadena For Palestine

    As Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace celebrates 25 years of action and advocacy for a kinder and more just world, we want to remember those that were on this journey from the start - the people that came together just after the horrors of September 11th, 2001, and saw that the faith and activist communities needed to speak with one voice, and say that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.

    We hope that you will join us on Sunday, September 27th, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, as we look back to our founding, look forward to the task ahead, and honor courageous peacemakers who keep our struggle for justice and peace alive.

    The event is free, but we would appreciate voluntary donations of $25, $50 or $100 per person. See below regarding Sponsorship packages.

    Instructions to donate:
    1. Visit our donation pages below and input your donation amount next to "Regas Event". Follow the instructions to complete your donation.
    OR
    2. For checks, please mail to the address below. Please write "Regas Awards 2025” in the “memo” or “for” line of the check.

    ICUJP
    c/o Rod Sprott, Church-Biz
    1125 N Fairfax Ave #46836
    Los Angeles, CA 90046


    Click Here to Submit a Tribute Ad

    RSVP/Donate Here

    Donate on Eventbrite with Applepay and Googlepay here



    Preorder Breaking ICE from Vroman's Bookstore here

    Sonali Kolhatkar discusses and signs Breaking ICE at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena Thursday, Sept. 3rd at 7:00 p.m. with Pablo Alvarado, Adela de la Torre, and guests. Sponsored by KPFK.

    Become a Card-Carrying Member of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace!

    This year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace is commemorating 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fear mongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation. ICUJP declared that  “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”

    We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these."  We are determined to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem. 

    Like many nonprofits, the economy, the aftereffects of the Covid pandemic, and the constant attacks on progressive organizations by the Trump administration have affected our fundraising.  We depend on the support of people who believe in justice and peace, who attend our weekly Zoom forums, who go to our events, or who receive the information on our website and social media.

    We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, bringing our social media tools up to date, and paying our small but mighty part-time staff.We have several ways for you to support our work:

    You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.

    You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!

    If you make a donation using either of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:

    ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.

    Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.


    RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SIEGE

    ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.








    Dolly Parton: Light of a Clear Blue Morning ft. Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah & Reba

    Light of a Clear Blue Morning by Dolly Parton featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire. Also featuring David Foster on piano and Christ Church Choir on background vocals. 

    All net proceeds from this recording and music video will benefit pediatric cancer research at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN.

    Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.

    Please consider donating to the Imagination Library to support childhood literacy and to lift uo the legacy of a great singer, songwriter, and activist.

    LYRICS:
    It's been a long dark night
    And I've been a waitin' for the morning
    It's been a long hard fight
    But I see a brand new day a dawning
    I've been looking for the sunshine
    You know I ain't seen it in so long
    But everything's gonna work out just fine
    And everything's gonna be all right
    That's been all wrong

    I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    I can see the light of a brand new day
    I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    Everything's gonna be all right
    It's gonna be okay

    It's been a long long time
    Since I've known the taste of freedom
    And those clinging vines
    That had me bound, well I don't need 'em, no
    I've been like a captured eagle, you know an eagle's born to fly
    Now that I have won my freedom, like an eagle I am eager for the sky

    I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    I can see the light of brand new day
    I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    Everything's gonna be all right
    It's gonna be okay

    Cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    I can see the light of brand new day
    I can see the light of a clear blue morning
    Everything's gonna be all right
    It's gonna be okay
    Everything's gonna be all right
    It's gonna be okay




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