Building community, sharing hope, and standing for justice since 2004

Palm Sunday Path - Next Steps

Posted in
Date: 
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 5:15pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
First Congregational UCC, Fellowship Hall, 724 E South River St, Appleton


You are invited to continue the path we started on March 29. As we move, our next steps invite us to better understand how county government shapes daily life and how proposals like HR 1 (“Big Beautiful Bill”) affect local services and the future of our communities. This is an opportunity not only to be informed, but to become engaged locally in shaping a more compassionate and healthy community for all.

The Palm Sunday Path continues- and everyone has a place on the journey. Join us: 5:15PM-8PM with a gathering meal and following a program. Meal Registration Closes on May 23.

Register at esther-foxvalley.org/nextsteps

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Supporting Youth Mental Health

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Date: 
Sunday, May 31, 2026 - 10:45am - 12:00pm
Location: 
First Congregational UCC, Fellowship Hall, 724 E South River St, Appleton

Supporting Youth Mental Health: What Families Can Do

Presented by Taylor Connell, Screening Services Director, Samaritan Counseling Center

Sponsored by First Congregational/ESTHER Mental Health Task Force

As Screening Services Director, Taylor leads Samaritan’s mental health screening initiatives, including the Wellness Screen program for youth and the development of new adult screening services.

No Charge.

All are welcome.

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Legal Observer Training

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Date: 
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: 
Zoom - Register for the Link

Legal Observer Training, Led by Milwaukee Turners

Please join us our at our upcoming Legal Observer Training. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on skills to support and protect our communities. We are offering two dates: Tuesday, May 5th from 1-3 PM and Monday, May 11th from 6-8 PM. 

In this training, you’ll learn how to effectively observe and document interactions between community members and law enforcement, understand your role and rights as a legal observer, and practice safe, accurate reporting. These skills are critical in promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights.

Whether you’re new or have prior experience, this training will prepare you to step into this important role with confidence.

We hope you can join us and be part of building stronger community oversight.

Register Now

Tuesday, May 5, 1-3pm

Monday, May 11, 6-8pm

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ESTHER and WISDOM Statement Supporting Governor Evers' April 8 Signing of Assembly Bill 604

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On April 8, 2026, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed into law Wisconsin Assembly Bill 604, which provides for pre-release treatment services for inmates in Wisconsin Correctional instituions. The act provides for case management services, medication-assisted treatment of substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications. The legislation affirms the humanity of peple returning home from prison, reducing preventable overdose deaths, supporting mental health stabilization and strengthening families and communities. Read the full statement here.

ESTHER Calls for Due Process and Transparency in the Detention of Salah Sarsour

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ESTHER joins faith communities across Wisconsin in expressing deep concern over the detention of Salah Sarsour, President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and calls for due process, transparency, and humane treatment. Mr. Sarsour has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for more than three decades and a respected faith leader in Wisconsin’s Muslim community. Read the full statement here.

Housing Advocacy

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Learn a bit about some of the members of our housing advocate team!

  Jennifer’s Story JenAnn’s Story
 

March 26, 2026 ESTHER hosted a Forum for Oshkosh City Council Candidates

Watch it: 

Play Video

Passcode: Y0LS3i1#
 
 
 
 
 
 
Housing Archives:

March 20, 2025 ESTHER hosed a Forum for Winnebago County Executive Candidates

Watch it: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/aZ1cGkULEaNQ5jTbq_6hlwkmbNQOI573UFIBbjeUOoJo-9Z3_rhmAfHMwe7y_xvw.vFef2HDOKIt19L-O

Passcode: m*&Kx!8a

May be an image of 4 people and text

 

On March 11th, 2024 ESTHER's Housing Advocates hosted a Forum on Housing for Oshkosh City Council Candidates

Watch it here! (sorry the audio was not great)

Passcode: @x9Sym.r

 


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Breaking the ICE Forum

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Date: 
Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2600 E. Philip Ln, Appleton

“Breaking the ICE” - a Forum has been created by a local organization called “Ice out Baby” in conjunction with Voces de la Frontera  (an immigration-rights organization from Milwaukee). Voces de la Frontera will speak about ICE in Wisconsin, and speakers from a Fox Valley Spiritual Leaders group will discuss creating community action for undocumented immigrants.

A special memorial will also be held for Alex Pretti, Renee Good and others who have died in the hands of ICE.

Help spread the word; download and share the attached flier.

Film Showing: "Sisters Rising"

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: 
Appleton Public Library, 200 N Oneida St, Appletone

Join the Appleton Public Library and Reach Counseling for a special screening of Sisters Rising (2020), a story of six Native American women fighting to restore personal and tribal sovereignty in the face of ongoing sexual violence against Indigenous women in the United States.

Following the film, audience members will hear from a panel of representatives from Reach Counseling and the Oneida Nation.

Film Synopsis: Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than all other American women. 1 in 3 Native women report having been raped during her lifetime, and 86% of the offenses are committed by non-Native men. These perpetrators exploit gaps in tribal jurisdictional authority and target Native women as ‘safe victims.’

May Day — A Day Without Immigrants

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Date: 
Friday, May 1, 2026 - 10:00am - 7:00pm
Location: 
Wisconsin State Capitol

May Day is often observed as A Day Without Immigrants, when communities across the country lift up immigrants’ contributions and demand dignity and justice. This is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and advocate for policies that protect families, expand access to essential services, and uphold human rights.

ESTHER is organizing a bus for community members and advocates to attend the May Day march at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Bus seats are limited. A suggested contribution of $10 helps cover costs if you are able.


Day will include marching to the State Capitol. The final route and event details are still being determined.

The bus transportation is hosted by ESTHER. The May Day event is led by Voces de la Frontera. See more information HERE.

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Letter to the Editor, Palm Sunday Path Participants

Submitted by Sara Companik on Fri, 03/27/2026 - 8:16pm
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A Letter to the Fox Cities Community from
Some of the Palm Sunday Path Participants

(This letter was sent to the Appleton Post Crescent in hopes it could be published as a letter to the editor. It was, however, rejected by the Post-Crescent due to their policy of not publishing group letters. So we are sharing it here in order that the Fox Cities [and wider] community may become aware of it.)

March 25, 2026

When clergy and people of faith from across the Fox Cities gather at Houdini Plaza on March 29 (1 pm), we will continue what began at our respective congregations’ Palm Sunday celebrations. A day when Christians remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, not a conquering king, but humbly riding a donkey and filled with compassion. Together, we will lament the harms done to our immigrant neighbors, shine Christ’s light of truth and justice, and proclaim faith in Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

This Palm Sunday is different because our neighbors have been threatened, abused, dehumanized, disappeared, and even killed by agents of our own government. Together, on the Palm Sunday Path, throughout Wisconsin and across fifteen other states, we stand in solidarity with people of faith across traditions and those who aren’t part of a faith community to support the vulnerable among us, because Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”