Updated COVID19 guidance from the SWC. Click here for the PDF.
Read MoreSustainable Response to COVID-19—a pastoral letter
Conference News
Rev. Pamela Shepherd has passed away
Rev. Pamela Shepherd passed away late last night, October 25. We hold her Taos UCC congregation, community, and especially Pam’s family and friends in our prayers.
A memorial service for Pam will be held on Saturday, November 13th, at 10 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Taos (215 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571). There will be a Zoom option for those who can't join in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/964597068
Read MoreNCC Holds Historic Elections, Approves NRSVue, and Posts CUG Videos
For the first time in its 71-year history, the NCC Governing Board elected all women as officers.
The NCC Governing Board also approved the Updated Edition of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSVue) of the Bible.
Last week, NCC also held itsr annual Christian Unity Gathering.
Read MoreNew ONA series for churches
The first three webinars are designed for churches exploring the possibility of an ONA commitment, or beginning and ONA process. (Not-yet ONA churches are two-thirds of all UCC congregations.) They share best practices for leading a church to an ONA covenant in ways that build consensus and reduce the risk of conflict. "ONA NEXT" is the successor to our "ONA 201" webinar: it's designed primarily for existing ONA churches looking for ways to revive their ONA commitment, with best practices we've learned from thriving ONA churches.
Read MoreRIP Medical Debt: Fulfillment Report!
Much gratitude to the churches and individuals who contributed to the RIP Medical Debt Relief campaign. You've made a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors right here in the SWC.
Read MoreSue Ringler
Sue Ringler, one of the first directors of Paz de Cristo in Mesa and founder/leader of the Tempe IHELP program, has died.
Sue was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma in late 2020; after a brief remission in early 2021, it returned and Sue succumbed to the cancer in the early afternoon on Wednesday October 13, 2021, surrounded by her husband Gary, her sister Amy, her children Leslie, Alex, and Katie, her son-in-law Eric, and her friend Robin.
Read MoreLearning opportunities from the Damascus Project
“The Damascus Project is an online learning community open to clergy and lay leaders from across the United Church of Christ. We are a collaborative effort of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences. We have two learning opportunities for clergy and lay people starting in October. And two learning tracks for lay people and MiDs starting in January.”
Read MoreTake a tour of the new UCC national office space
General Minister and President John Dorhauer leads a virtual tour of the new UCC office space.
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Honoring the late Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte, former SW Conference Minister
A welcoming entryway, or narthex, at Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh is now dedicated to the late Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte — in a space that was once her office.
Read MoreUCC at ASU Circuit Campus Ministry
Learn about UCC at ASU's new online ministry The Circuit in partnership with other ministers around the country.
"The Circuit is a new kind of ministry for all students and young people, wherever you are. Get plugged in with live interactive groups and worship designed for you. Follow on-demand content like videos & podcasts, and find community in our Facebook group."
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2021 Christian Unity Gathering
NCC’s annual Christian Unity Gathering (CUG) will be held virtually on October 11 – 12, 2021 with the theme, “In New Wineskins: From Pandemics to Possibilities to Promises.” This year’s CUG will explore how church life has changed and what our hope is for the church as the global community struggles to emerge from its pandemics and economic crises while at the same time continuing to grapple with the racial reckoning that is happening in our nation and the world.
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Dr. Cari Jackson is offering grief and trauma programs
From Dr. Cari Jackson:
Grief and trauma are gripping our lives. Many who sit in the pews, or at home on Zoom, on Sundays are holding trauma and pain and there is not space for processing and healing let alone thriving. Many are living with depression, distrust, living on high alert and limited peace. But we do not have to stay there. And we don’t have to deal with it in silence nor alone.
It is my honor to share with you special invitations to two programs I am offering for healing and empowerment: Expanding Life in Loss and Taking Back My Life!™
Read MoreMichael Curry's September Update
Michael is available to walk with your congregation through initial conversations and discernment about beginning the process of becoming a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaging) Congregation for Mental Health. He’s also available to walk your congregation through the church building and program accessibility audit.
Read MoreWebinar: Copyright Concerns for Churches
Together with the Insurance Board, UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel will present a webinar on copyright compliance for churches on September 29. Click here to register.
Read MoreDon’t Beg – Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon
Pastors will have the opportunity to attend Rev. Andrew's Bible Study, Don’t Beg – Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon on Tuesday, October 12th at 2:00 pm Arizona/ 3:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso. This Bible Study for pastors will think through options for sermons on Stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. It will be guided by Henri Nouwen’s observation, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’”
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Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar Starting Soon
Can fundraising be ministry? Can stewardship be spiritual?
The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar this fall offers an opportunity for pastors and lay leaders to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. We will draw on current research, seek guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discuss the best practices in church-based fundraising. Pastors and leaders participating in this program will be equipped to lead an effective stewardship campaign and, more broadly, help their congregation reclaim generosity as a spiritual practice.
Read MoreCongratulations to Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros
Congratulations to the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros. A resounding "yes!" was affirmed by delegates at a special meeting held recently to elect her as the next Conference Minister for the Kansas Oklahoma Conference/UCC. She will officially join them on January 1st, 2022.
Congratulations, Rev. Ceniceros!
Important address update for donations to UCC's national setting
The new address when sending contributions is:
United Church of Christ. PO BOX 71957, Cleveland, Ohio 44194
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Reminder: Upcoming Healthy Ministry Modules
Requirement for ALL clergy with Active Standing (both those who are EMPLOYED AND RETIRED). All four modules must be taken once between 2018 and the end of 2022. All four modules will be held one more time during the fall of 2022.
Read MoreEquipping the Saints
This Professional Certification in Community Engagement and Ministry is sponsored by the Memphis Theological Seminary - Center for Faith and Imagination. All course materials and classroom instruction are online.
Registration for the first class; Foundations and Theology of Placed-Based Community Building begins on September 7th. Registration ends September 3rd.
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