Positions in the SWC that are open as of March 23rd
Secretary for the Executive Board and Annual Meetings
COM A – 4 positions, preferably 3 of these be lay persons, but not necessary
Finance and Endowment Committee – 1 position to fill a vacancy for 1 year
Nominating Committee – 1 position
Needless to say, for all committees, preferably persons of color and those under 40 yrs. old
For more information, contact Rich Doerrer-Peacock at rdoerrerpeacock@cox.ne soon. Or fill out the form indicating your interest. The form can be found HERE.
We’re getting our ducks in order.
Thanks much for your careful and prayerful consideration,
Rich
Read MoreFriday's opening worship at our Annual Meeting will include the installation of our Associate Conference Ministers, Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott!
ALL ARE WELCOME—if you're in Albuquerque you are welcome to attend the worship service whether you're attending the Annual Meeting or not.
Read MoreBy Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott
Last week, I was honored to officiate two memorial services here in Arizona. Shortly after, I traveled to Louisiana to attend my aunt's funeral—not as a pastor, but as a nephew, son, brother, and cousin. It reminded me that while we as clergy wear many hats—pastor, counselor, officiant, and comforter—the roles we hold within our own families can be the most difficult to navigate. In times of grief, we are called to lead and sit quietly with our sorrow, love, and loss.
Funerals and memorials are full of sadness, but they also bring moments of joy. We tell stories, laugh through tears, and remember what mattered most. In the South, we often say someone has "gone on to glory"—a phrase filled with sorrow and hope.
Read MorePrestemon Affirmed to Serve as AGM, Co-Executive, Global Ministries
Rev. Shari Prestemon heads to General Synod 35 to be elected as the next AGM for UCC’s Love of Neighbor Ministries.
The Board voted unanimously on March 7 to nominate Prestemon, who has been leading the Love of Neighbor Ministries, a ministry she’s guided for the last 13 months as its interim executive. The final step is confirmation of her candidacy by the 35th General Synod, July 11-15 in Kansas City, where she’ll need a 60% majority of the more than 700 voting delegates.
AGM for LoC Ministries Search to Begin Again After Synod
The search committee for the role of Associate General Minister for Love of Church did not identify a candidate to recommend to the United Church of Christ Board during their March 6-8 meeting.
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to say, ‘No, we have not yet found the right nominee for this time and this place,’” said Julia Gaughan, UCCB chair. “I commend the Search Committee for their diligent and thorough work, and I trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide this Board, this Church, and the future Search Committee in the process of discernment for the next Associate General Minister for Love of Church.”
Read MoreWednesday, March 26, 4:30 pm MST (7:30 pm EDT) via Zoom
In this one-hour webinar, award-winning author Katherine Stewart will examine the dangerous rise of religious nationalism in America, exploring how politicized faith and financial interests are being weaponized to undermine democratic values. Drawing from her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, Stewart will reveal the powerful forces behind this movement and its threat to democracy and real religious freedom.
The webinar will address how the weaponization of faith and the proliferation of disinformation are undermining the foundations of our democracy, and explore how American Jews can help mount an effective resistance. Moderated by Lynn Davis of the Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner Community Action Project, a program of Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center and Paul Golin of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, this session will offer insights into the moral collapse within religious extremism, the role of money in driving these movements, and practical actions Jews can take to protect democratic values and religious freedom for all.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Read MoreOur theme, "Sacred, Seen, and Called: Living Our Truth, Embracing Our Light," is inspired by Philippians 2:15—a call to shine as beacons of justice, love, and affirmation.
At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face growing challenges, this gathering is more than a conference—it’s a movement. Together, we will:
Affirm Our Faith – Worship in a space where all are fully embraced.
Build Resilience – Engage in workshops and strategy sessions to counter discrimination and injustice.
Celebrate and Inspire – Honor milestones in the ONA movement and shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
What to Expect:
Dynamic speakers and workshops featuring faith leaders, activists, and theologians.
Powerful worship celebrating God’s love for all people.
A State of the Movement address from ONA leadership.
Community connection and shared learning with ONA advocates nationwide.
Read MoreIn this turbulent time, one thing we as church musicians can do is use music that gives congregants the chance to channel their feelings into community singing. We know the power of music to move and soothe us. What powerful songs have people used in the past? What songs are you leaning into today?
Hymn writers Adam Tice, Ana Hernández, and Hannah Brown will join Ruth Striegel for a Saturday Sharing about the work they do to bring light to our hurting world. Come and be a part of the conversation!
Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10 am NM & El Paso / 9 am AZ on Zoom.
This event is free and open to all. Register to receive the Zoom link. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Read MoreFrom United Church Funds:
We are excited to share the 2024 United Church Funds Annual Report, Investing with Faith and Purpose. This report reflects and celebrates the significant milestones we’ve accomplished together:
✨ 10 years of Beyond Fossil Fuels Funds leading the way in sustainable investing
✨ 30 years of the Brown Endowment’s impact on education and communities
✨ 115 years of unwavering commitment to responsible investing
These achievements are possible because of your trust and partnership in our shared vision of creating a more just and sustainable world. Your commitment fuels the work we do, and we are deeply grateful.
We invite you to explore the report to see how your investments are making a difference and share it with others who may be inspired to join this journey. For the best viewing experience, we recommend viewing it in Google Chrome or Safari.
See What We’ve Achieved Together
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference joyfully celebrates Rev. Carlos Sosa, Pastor of Church of the Painted Hills, on his graduation with a Master of Divinity March 6, 2025!
Read MoreToday, we face a moment of reckoning as we confront the crises of societal inequality and climate change. Three prophetic ministers and popular authors will help us unpack the threats and opportunities before us as people of faith: the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the Rev. Cameron Trimble, and the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal. Register for the webinar.
Read MoreIn response to the information coming from the White House, the United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C., has created UCC Advocacy Resources for the First 100 Days.
The online resource specifically addresses UCC actions during each week in the first 100 days of the Trump administration. The page is a place where faith communities can read, watch, learn, and participate in responses to executive and legislative actions.
“Whether you’re mobilizing for immigration reform, preserving lifesaving foreign aid or climate action, we hope these resources offer faithful grounding and actionable steps to continue the United Church of Christ’s mission to build a just world for all,” said Hannah Santos, communications specialist for the D.C. Office.
Read MoreAmid a news cycle filled with stories that can cause overwhelm and disorientation, the season of Lent will begin next week on March 5.
Sharon Fennema, Join the Movement curator and storyteller, described how many of the movement-makers she has connected with in recent months have described “feeling inundated and pulled in a million directions by all the injustices being perpetrated at every level of government and society right now.”
It’s within this context that ministries of the United Church of Christ offer Lent resources filled with spiritual sustenance to meet the moment.
Read MoreVisiting with clergy—whether they are actively serving, retired, or in transition—deepens our shared sense of calling. These moments remind us that ministry is not a solitary endeavor but a communal journey. Many of our colleagues, particularly those who are aging or no longer in active ministry, long for meaningful conversations and the assurance that they are not forgotten.
As we continue in our work, I encourage us to be intentional about reaching out.
Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s full article.
Read MoreAs the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, we celebrate the gift of community and shared ministry. With joy, we welcome Rev. Sharon Temple from the Heart of Texas Association–South Central Conference into our Southwest Conference family!
Let us extend a heartfelt welcome to our new clergy colleague. May we embrace her with open hearts, lifting her in prayer and offering our encouragement and support as she embarks on this new chapter of ministry.
Read MoreThe Nominating Committee is on the lookout for talented individuals from churches within the Southwest Conference to join our various standing committees. Today, we're spotlighting COM B (COVENANT) and the Nominating Committee (MATCHING).
Rich Doerrer-Peacock has all the As to your Qs—click through to read his answers to your burning questions!
Read MoreIn this turbulent time, one thing we as church musicians can do is use music that gives congregants the chance to channel their feelings into community singing. We know the power of music to move and soothe us. What powerful songs have people used in the past? What songs are you leaning into today?
Hymn writers Adam Tice, Ana Hernández, and Hannah Brown will join Board Member Ruth Striegel for a Saturday Sharing about the work they do to bring light to our hurting world. Come and be a part of the conversation!
Read MoreRay Phillips is a member of First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque. Here he shares his story about becoming active in the SWC, meeting many wonderful people, and he invites you to do the same by serving on a SWC Committee.
Please click through to read Ray's entire story!
As many readers of “In the Loop” know, Martha and I have been active not only in our church in Albuquerque but in the Southwest Conference of the UCC. Why would we get involved in the regional conference so soon after joining our church in Albuquerque? Partly because the Conference Minister of the Maine Conference of the UCC, Rev. Deborah Blood, alerted the SW Conference that we were on the way here and likely to be interested in serving at the Conference level. We got pulled in.
We on the SW Conference Nominating Committee, where I am completing my final term, strongly encourage anyone with an interest in working with wonderful people from elsewhere in our region to make a positive difference in how our churches, the Conference, and the national organization put into practice what we hold dear in our Christian faith. In this and recent issues of In the Loop we have been describing the various committees where there are opportunities to serve, and you will find a link that you can use to express your interest. I encourage you to do so. When I was invited to join the Nominating Committee, I was hesitant because I didn’t at that time know too many people beyond my home church. It has been an enjoyable learning experience and, as I leave it, I am making way for someone else to join. Will it be you?
Read Moreby Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, Associate Conference Minister for Authorization, Accountability, and Discernment
One of the greatest joys in my ministry and my new position with the SWC is witnessing someone discover their calling. Maybe it’s the young adult who unexpectedly leads a powerful prayer, the longtime church member who comes alive when organizing a church project, or the retiree who finds new purpose in teaching Bible study or group. (SWC Retired Clergy CoP-I’m looking at you guys!)These are the moments when we, as pastors, get to step into the role of mentor—encouraging, equipping, and walking alongside those whom God is calling into deeper service.
So often, leadership development in the church is reduced to filling empty positions: “Who can take over the finance team? Who will organize coffee hour? Who can step in to teach Sunday school?” But true mentorship isn’t about plugging people into roles—it’s about nurturing discipleship, helping individuals recognize their God-given gifts, and encouraging them to step forward in faith.
Read MoreThe NM Conference of Churches is currently seeking a Conference Director who will work closely with the Board of Directors to expand the Conference’s role in our state. As a community of Christians, the ministry of the New Mexico Conference of Churches is to bring healing and hope to the people of New Mexico while striving to heed Jesus’ call for unity, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.
Applications are being accepted through February 28.
View the job description here.
Read MoreFAITH FORMATION CERTIFICATE
The Advanced Faith Formation Certificate Program provides participants with the knowledge and skills to lead local congregation-based Faith Formation programs for all ages in the post-COVID world. Read more about it on their website.
Read More
