Rev. Shea Darian invites you to these events in April:
ArtShare Circles
The Healing Properties of Slow Stitching
Drum Circles
Doing Grief - April events
in Church News
Church News
New Hope UCC launched on Palm Sunday!
in Church News
Yes, it was an all woman clergy team at worship this Palm Sunday at New Hope UCC Phoenix! Congratulations Rev. Myra Taylor, senior pastor of new church in formation, New Hope UCC Phoenix. By now, we should all realize God is still speaking and the best is yet to come!
Read MorePosition open at First Church UCC Phoenix
Digital Media, Communications, and Programming Specialist
Key staff position with a diverse, progressive Christian community in downtown Phoenix, whose faith compels us to love others unconditionally—valuing, respecting, and serving all cultures, languages, and traditions in a justice-centered spirituality where all are welcomed and accepted no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey.
This role will oversee all media platforms through which the mission and marketing of the church and congregation is communicated. Position works closely with the Pastor in carrying out various aspects of church programming, from Sunday services to church communications. Ideal candidate will understand church culture and possess a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multi-staff setting. Candidate will have experience in all current social media platforms and a background in content development, marketing, writing and copy editing.
Read MoreJottings 4/3/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
Learning Spanish to welcome new members at First Congregational Church of Prescott
in Church News
The First Congregational Church of Prescott has been blessed with many new members this past year, including some who speak primarily Spanish. To underscore our commitment to welcoming people of every race, language, age, gender and gender identity, ethnicity, economic status, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation, our congregation was inspired to offer weekly Spanish classes.
Read MoreChurch Jottings 3/27/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
New Interfaith Chapel for Healing Becomes Home for Doing Grief™ Community Healing Project
in Church News
On Sunday, March 19, The Church of the Palms in Sun City, AZ, with Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock, commissioned its new ministry team – Doing Grief Community Healing Project and dedicated its Interfaith Chapel for Healing as the new home of the healing project.
Doing Grief Community Healing Project is a community of grievers and healers, empowering grievers to heal in mind, body, and spirit. Those of all faiths and no faith who are experiencing losses due to death, broken relationships, illness, injury, aging, trauma, or any grief-striking loss are welcome.
Read MoreChurch of the Palms to host Good Friday “Stations of the Cross” Labyrinth Walk
in Church News
Good Friday, April 7, 12 - 3 pm
14808 N Boswell Blvd., Sun City, AZ
(at the corner of 103rd and Boswell Blvd., across from Sundial Rec Center
All are welcome to walk one of the labyrinths at Church of the Palms UCC for a self-directed 30-minute walk, with a printed guide provided for pauses at the ‘stations of the cross’ to read a brief Biblical text and prayer.
Volunteers will be available to assist walkers. Chairs and water will be available. The guides will be available in the literature box for late afternoon and evening walks as well.
Read MoreJottings 3/20/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
Sun Lakes Mission Team - Lenten Giving Project
in Church News
The Mission Team at Sun Lakes United Church of Christ took on a Lenten Giving Project for the members of the church. This project will benefit two organizations that the church has been supporting for many years. For the first three weeks in Lent, they collected items for UMOM New Day Centers and for the last three weeks of Lent they will collect items for Justa Center.
Read MoreJottings 3/13/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
Gordon Street's message at First UCC Albuquerque on March 12
in Church News
Gordon Street, SWC Commissioned Minister, will deliver the message, “Living Water—What Does It Really Mean?” at this Sunday’s service.
His talk will be followed after worship with a forum on “Spirituality From a Recovery Perspective” which will consist of a 15-minute talk followed by questions and comments from the group.
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SWC new church start: New Hope UCC!
in Church News
Congratulations, Rev. Myra Taylor! We're so excited for this new church start! Prayers and blessings for New Hope UCC!
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This is a photo from a previous Techie Camp at Chicanos Por La Causa, sponsored by Desert Garden UCC.
Desert Garden UCC receives grant for Techie Camp for 50 refugee youth
in Church News
Desert Garden UCC, Sun City West, in an effort to improve the lives of refugee youth in the Phoenix area, has received a grant award from the UCC’s Global Hope Initiative, through the Ministry for Refugees and Migration Services. The $2000 award, along with gifts from Desert Garden, will allow 50 refugee youth to attend a Techie Camp where they will receive training on the workings of and use of a computer, and be able to keep a newly refurbished laptop after the program.
This is a partnership including AZ Strut, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Desert Garden UCC.
Read MoreJottings 3/6/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
Watch Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause's presentation At Desert Garden UCC
in Church News
Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause, president and professor at Eden Theological Seminary, gave a presentation at Desert Garden UCC in Sun City West recently. Here’s the recording.
Read MoreJottings 2/27/2023
in Church News
What’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!)
Recycle your electronics at Desert Garden UCC
in Church News
March 20-23, 2023, 9am-noon at Desert Garden UCC, 18818 N. 128th Ave., Sun City West
Have old electronics taking up space? They are outdated? Don’t work? Need repair or you’ve just moved on? Desert Garden UCC will offer one week of recycling of all electronics. This is a partnership with AZStrut out of Mesa, AZ.
Read MoreChurch Jottings 2/20/23
in Church News
What’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!)
Healing Circles to begin at The Church of the Palms UCC
in Church News
Beginning in March, small groups of Healing Circles will begin at The Church of the Palms UCC, 14808 N. Boswell Boulevard, Sun City, AZ 85351. Rev. Shea Darian has created a small group experience that promotes trust, deep listening, sacred connection, and being accepted and loved as you are. In a safe, sacred setting, 4 to 6 participants engage in a confidential, contemplative speaking and listening process to share life questions, personal stories, and deeply listen to the wisdom of each person’s story and presence.
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