Save the date: March 7, 2020, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Visioning for the Southwest Conference; all active clergy and MCVC reps are invited to attend.

The W.I.S.E. Conference safety coordinator, Carol Shipman, has requested volunteers to help with safety to ensure a successful event on November 2 at Church of the Beatitudes.

She needs seven volunteers for Saturday. Shifts are 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to work the entire day, as well.

At their annual meeting in Forest Grove, Ore., Central Pacific Conference delegates voted Sept. 28 to call the Rev. Tyler Connoley as their new leader.

Rev. Noel Andersen will receive the President’s Award at the NCC’s annual Christian Unity Gathering, which is being held at the Holiday Inn Hampton-Newport News in Hampton, Virginia on Monday, October 14. 

We are holding in prayer the friends and family of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Buckwald who died on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

Thursday, October 10 at 5 p.m., United Church of Sun City

Conference MInister Rev. Bill Lyons will share his reflections and photos on his Spanish immersion experience in Guatemala at United Church’s Fall Harvest Potluck. A couple of Guatemalan dishes will be served!

The event is open to the Southwest Conference. Save the date!

Stretching Beyond: Diversity in the Search and Call Process is a series of four story-telling videos that depict several scenarios for search committee reflection. These videos from the UCC’s Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA) broaden the search committee’s consideration of pastoral candidates by raising awareness of bias.

The videos are the result of General Synod's 2017 resolution for "Affirming and Supporting the Authorized Ministries of Under-represented Clergy in Local Congregations: A Call for Greater Representation and Economic Justice."

We are holding the family of Rev. Jim Rabb in our prayers. Jim died last night (9/17/19) after a short hospice stay. His sons, Jim and Ian, and his daughter, Kimsley, were with Jim the last week of his life and at the time of his passing. 

Bill spent the month of August in a Spanish immersion program in Guatemala. He checked in periodically with photos and reflections. Scroll down to view them.

We love receiving contributions from our churches! We also love to easily attribute those contributions to your designated givings. The easiest way is if you use the form on the website.

It's a fillable PDF that has been recently updated, so you don't need to keep a printed stock on hand! Fill in the form, print it out, and attach it to your contribution!

Call Liana if you have questions.

October 17-18, McCormick Theological Seminary, 5460 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL

All alumni and friends are welcome to attend this annual event. Register HERE. Download the brochure HERE.

Rev. Teresa Blythe is creating a national list of all the spiritual directors (clergy and lay) affiliated with the UCC. This list is designed for use in networking and resource sharing

September 13-14, 2019 at Church of the Good Shepherd, Albuquerque

Register now!

Last Thursday, the conference office received the following news from John Houllette, moderator for Desert Garden UCC:

“Pastor Sam peacefully went to be with the Lord just before midnight last night. Time of death will be officially recorded as today, July 18. I don't know much else at this time.”

Memorial Service: Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m. at Desert Garden UCC. Clergy are invited to robe/white stoles and process. A reception will follow the service.

May Sam rest in the peace of God’s eternal light. May the saints and angels welcome him into the presence of God as a faithful servant of Christ. And may the hope that Jesus’ resurrection gives us comfort Alla, the Desert Garden church family, and everyone who knew and loved Sam.

From Rev. Trayce Potter, Minister for Youth & Young Adult Engagement:

We are looking for youth & young adults (ages 12–25) to submit original pieces of work to be used in the creation of worship materials for National Youth Event 2020.

The theme of the event is: Unite for the Earth! Unite for Justice! Unite in Faith!

Poems, prayers, song lyrics, devotions, reflections, drawings, paintings, and other pieces of art are welcome.