Conference News

How to Mail Campers

How to Mail Campers

Camp is coming up in just 3 weeks! Here's some handy camp information from our director, Jay Deskins:

Campers love getting mail at camp! It's a reminder from their family, church, and friends that they're remembered while at camp! It's great to send letters!

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Shine! Lighthouse - Connect with General Synod from afar!

Shine! Lighthouse - Connect with General Synod from afar!

Keeping with tradition, the Local Arrangements Committee of the Milwaukee Conference is organizing several General Synod Social Justice Opportunities. All this year's projects are inspired by the Church's Three Great Love initiative.

The host committee is also encouraging Synod attendees to visually share ways, via the Shine! Lighthouse, that they are living into the UCC's Three Great Loves in their own communities.

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Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister position

ICYMI: Eli Johnson is leaving the Southwest Conference staff. We’ve benefited from Eli’s many gifts and talents. He shepherded the conference through the transition to integrated digital communication and membership management. We owe him our thanks for expanding the office’s capacity to serve our churches by improving our efficiency.

Now we’re faced with the process of filling his position. Read on for the position description and application process.

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Eli Johnson leaving the conference staff

Eli Johnson leaving the conference staff

The Southwest Conference bids Eli Johnson farewell with our good wishes as he leaves the conference staff to become Human Resources Trainer with the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Eli has served the SWC for more than three years, first in Relational Communications and then as the Assistant to the Conference Minister. 

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Hiring opportunities at Emmanuel Pines Camp

Hiring opportunities at Emmanuel Pines Camp

Some of us love camp so much we just wish we could live there. If that’s you, or someone you know, read on for a message from our church camp site in Prescott, Emmanuel Pines Camp.

Unique opportunity for just the RIGHT person! Emmanuel Pines is a growing faith-based camp and we are on the hunt for our next amazing servant-leader team members 15 years and older! (Must be 18 or older for onsite housing.) Bring your personality, your ideas, and your skills and join us.

The all staff training/camp kick-off day is May 23, and we would love to secure most of our summer staff by that date! 

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Michael Curry, Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness

Michael Curry, Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness

Dear Members and Friends of the Southwest Conference:

I bring you greetings in the name of our Still Speaking God. My name is Michael Curry and I am thrilled to serve the Southwest Conference as Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness.

My time as a member in discernment in the Southwest Conference began on February 13, 2014 and came to a close on February 13, 2019. During my time in discernment, I had a difficult time deciphering how God envisioned using me and the gifts that I bring to our shared table where I always hoped to be a voice to those who have been silenced and marginalized by the stigma of mental health challenges. I spent a lot of time thinking and dreaming about the ideal ministry setting for me never once imagining that I would receive and accept a call to serve on the Southwest Conference staff as Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness.

Read more about Michael’s new position, and find out how he can be helpful to you and your church!

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Annual Meeting photos

Annual Meeting photos

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Southwest Conference UCC is in the books! Thanks to all who contributed to its success. In addition to the photos she took, Wende crawled through your Facebook accounts and found some fantastic pictures. Image credits to: Doug Bland, David Huisjen, Jay Deskins, Cindy Parker, Gordon Street, JJ Johnson, and Bill Lyons.

If you have photos that you’re willing to share, please send them to Wende. Email wgonzales@uccswc.org, or through the SWC Facebook page via Messenger.

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UCC All-Church Read

UCC All-Church Read

Evicted, based on years of embedded fieldwork and data, points to eviction as a root cause of poverty. UCC congregations throughout the country are encouraged to organize book discussion groups around Evicted in ways and at times that best suit them and participate in the All Church Read.

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Annual Meeting food truck menus

Annual Meeting food truck menus

After such a wonderful experience last year, we’ll continue the partnership of local businesses and food trucks to offer lunches for the 2019 Annual Meeting. You’re invited to choose and purchase items based on your dietary and budget preferences.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available and on the menu.

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