St Mary’s Food Bank wastes none of the produce it collects. It goes first to food banks in AZ, extra goes to food banks in other states, if it is not edible for humans, it goes to livestock, and if not ok for livestock it goes to Compost. For years, Desert Garden UCC has spent 10 weeks or more gleaning for St. Mary’s with homes around Sun City West, Arizona. We are thankful to help reduce the amount of food insecurity and our neighbors in SCW are very thankful for the knowledge it isn’t being wasted.
Read MoreDesert Garden UCC's 2025 Electronic Recycling Event just concluded and it was a successful four days of collecting broken and used electronic devices and cables of all types. We collected 10,064 pounds of electronics that will not end up in a landfill. This was the fourth year for the recycling and over the course of those four years we have collected 53,685 pounds of electronics.
We are grateful to AZ StRUT who has partnered with us in this program and receives all donated items. We want to express our appreciation to Rich and Sheryl Hoyt, Doug and Patty Nordahl, Tim Anderson and Tab Bomhard for being there on days of recycling to help unload donated items. A big thanks to John Houlette for making posters and flyers for the event. All of you made this the success that it was.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreAttention SWC churches, moderators, and treasurers:
The deadline to submit your information for the UCC Yearbook has been extended to April 11th for those who have not yet completed their reporting. There are also important updates/changes to the process for reporting.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wendeby Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreThrough the efforts of the church community, RE- volv, who assisted with project development, and Capital Energy who installed the solar panels, Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West has gone solar. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held after the Worship Service on February 23, to celebrate the installation of a 47 kW solar array. They are now fully solar and offsetting 100% of their energy use with a total of 114 solar panels. This solar system will save the church over $700K on energy bills over time that they will invest toward their mission to “Love, Care, Share and Serve”.
During his comments to the attendees, Pastor Bill said, “Our decision to go solar represents our commitment to preserving and protecting God’s beautiful creation through being good stewards of our environment and our community”.
In a story from Solar Power World, Sen. Lauren Kuby remarked “With its year-round abundance of sun, Arizona could be the solar capital of the country. This investment at Desert Garden United Church of Christ represents proactive movement toward a clean energy future. And they are not alone. Places of worship across the State are modeling how solar is good for our communities and our wallets.”
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreWith the desire to be good stewards of God’s beautiful creation, and the benefit of saving on their energy bills as they harness the abundance of Arizona sunshine, Desert Garden United Church of Christ recently installed a 47 kW solar array. With 114 panels, this solar system will save the church over $700K on energy bills over time that they will invest into their involvement with local social and environmental justice initiatives, such as those that support safe housing for those experiencing homelessness, zero-emissions transportation and hunger relief.
On Sunday, February 23, join Desert Garden UCC, in partnership with RE-volv and Capital Energy, for a solar energy celebration. There will be food, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an opportunity to learn how to go solar at your home or nonprofit. The celebration will begin at after the 9:30 worship service. If not attending the service, please come around 10:15 to find a place to park.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreTragically, the devoted servant of God, Pastor Tulafono Maga of the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church Toafa o le Talalelei EFKAS of Wittmann, passed away near Christmas time, leaving both his family and church community grieving and uncertain about their future. On top of their emotional loss, his family faces a significant financial burden, as Pastor Tula was known for his generous support of his family.
If you would like to contribute to help the family with their essential needs, please consider a gift to the “Pastor Tula’s Family” fund at Desert Garden UCC. You can send a check with “Pastor Tula’s Family” in the memo line, and 100% of your donation will be directed to the family’s needs.
Checks can be made out to (and sent to) Desert Garden UCC, 18818 N. 128th Ave, Sun City West, AZ.
Read MoreScottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ has released its Local Church Profile for a part-time Bridge Interim Position.
If you are interested in the local church profile for this position, please contact the Rev. Dr. Gloria J. Smith, Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call / Church Transitions at gsmith@uccswc.org.
If you are interested in Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ as a Ministerial Opportunity, you must request your Ministerial Profile be released to the church by the Southwest Conference Office.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag us on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreChurch Bookkeeper/HR Administration (5-10 hours per week).
Part-time staff position in an open & affirming progressive Christian church.
Click through for the position description.
To apply, please contact Pat Ezerski at pezerski@beatitudeschurch.org
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag us on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Read MoreAn invitation from Beatitudes Campus:
The 68th Annual VNSA Book Sale will be held on Saturday February 15 from 8AM to 6PM and on Sunday February 16, from 8AM to 4PM. On Sunday, almost all books will be HALF-PRICE.
(VNSA = Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association)
Since February is Black History Month, we have assembled close to 50 boxes of books - fiction and nonfiction - by and about African-American people. All the books are in very good to excellent condition; some are by famous authors (James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Colson Whitehead) and others are by less familiar authors. These books are priced at $2-$4 each, with some rarities priced up to $10. Books of which we have multiple copies are displayed together for ease of shopping. Many are “collectibles.” The entire collection is found in the category called RELATIONSHIPS.
The sale is held in the Agriculture Building at the Arizona State Fairgrounds,1826 West McDowell in Phoenix. There is NO CHARGE FOR ADMISSION. However, the Fairgrounds charges $12 per car for parking.
Read MoreAlice and Karl Stambaugh of Scottsdale UCC shared some reflections from their participation in the Border Fair at The Good Shepherd in Sahuarita.
Read MoreWhat’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Holly Herman reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond. (Thanks, Holly!)
Tag us on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
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