Conference News
A conversation with Ken Heintzelman (Shadow Rock, Phoenix) about sponsoring a family from Afghanistan. Hear about how connections from the congregation brought the Elham family to our attention, the drama of their journey from Afghanistan and Beijing, and our work with Lutheran Social Services.
Ken will also share a bit about encouraging family autonomy and good boundaries with church volunteer leadership.
Read Morewith Karen Richter
Information session for Our Whole Lives Adult and Older Adult curricula with the SWC’s OWL trainer Karen Richter. We’ll take a peek at OWL values and program assumptions with an emphasis on the curriculum for older adults (55+).
Workshop will include information for congregations on a conference-wide series coming this fall.
Is there really that much for adults to learn (and un-learn) regarding sexuality? You betcha.
Read Morewith Rev. Dr. Donna Cavedon and Rev. Rich Doerrer-Peacock
Our focus in this workshop is unearthing an old concept called “Elderhood” and reintroducing that idea into our world today. While aging is a physiological process that happens to everyone with the passage of time, “eldering” is not. Elderhood is a result of intentional practices and spiritual deepening as one chooses to let go of various roles and achievements, and move more deeply into soul healing and life integration.
This is a topic of importance for those who are retired, those on the cusp of retirement, and those who are curious enough to explore more about what it means to be an Elder in our world.
Read MoreFacilitated by Rev. Tom Martinez
In keeping with our theme of Pilgrimage, this workshop is designed to get folks reflecting on trips you've already taken. This would, of course, include intentional pilgrimages to sacred sites, as well as trips that only through hindsight have proven to be important steps on your spiritual journey.
Read MoreIn this workshop we’ll share our plans and multifaceted purposes for our adventure (July 15-20, 2022 at Bishop’s Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, just south of Santa Fe), details for participants and registration info, and how churches can support this experience at home through meditation, prayer, sacred conversations, and even personal pilgrimages or “pilgrimages in place.”
Read MoreWes will be present with us in this workshop to share more about his view and experiences of pilgrimage as an orientation to life. He’s the author of our recommended book for this annual meeting, Without Oars: Casting Off In a Life of Pilgrimage, and is also a resident of Santa Fe NM, one of our Southwest Conference neighborhoods!
Read MoreMarch - May, 2022
Hosted on Zoom by the Casa Veterans Ministry at the Franciscan Renewal Center, Building Spiritual Strength is an eight-week program for military veterans and service members to provide a place to find ways to be at peace, especially in these turbulent times, and an is integrated group process designed to support veterans and service members as they explore their spirituality in a safe, non-judgmental, ecumenical manner.
Financial assistance for funerals is available to families in which someone has died from COVID19. While there is no deadline to apply for this assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has announced upcoming changes to the program.
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This year's National ONA Gathering will celebrate this milestone in our beloved church. We'll celebrate the past 50 years and the extraordinary growth in our movement from small beginnings, honor our elders, and learn from each other the ways our movement needs to expand its vision at the beginning of our second half-century.
Join us on Zoom August 5, 6, 7 for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Read MoreChurch World Service and Crisis Care Ministries are inviting faith leaders to Caring in Crisis: Leader Briefs, a special six-part webinar series beginning on Tuesday, March 1. These free, hour-long webinars are designed to encourage spirits while sharing skills and knowledge for ministry in difficult times.
Read MoreOn February 11, Michael Curry stepped down from his position as Southwest Conference Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness.
Read MorePhil Shea has stepped down from his role as the SWC Disaster Services Coordinator. We want to acknowledge that Phil did an outstanding job connecting our congregations to ALICE training and security assessments during a stressful shift in the safety and security landscape of local churches. Best wishes, Phil!
Read MoreSeptember 19-21, 2022 | Cleveland, OH
Join us as we envision what a vibrant, healthy church looks like as it emerges from the pandemic.
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With the unpredictability of COVID variants and some other practical considerations, the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Southwest Conference will be conducted online. However, this year our schedule is getting a refresh! We’ll be meeting over the course of five weekday evenings and a Saturday.
Register here.. The cost is $175 per church for up to five delegates, and $40 per person for clergy and other guests.
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Rev. Dean Hokel and Rev. Drew Terry will be offering a "De-Centering Whiteness" 6-hour class for clergy, Thursdays, Feb. 24, March 24 and April 28, from 1 to 3 pm via Zoom.
This is a basic course that will employ a series of readings, videos, and small group discussions around issues of race in our culture and within one's own sense of identity and experience.
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UCC Board begins search and call process for next General Minister and President.
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This conversation will consider viewpoints from community members that represent secular and faith-based practitioners and explore questions related to: What is empathy? Is the ability to choose empathy a position of privilege? From the conversation should emerge strategies to respond to these lived experiences.
Read MoreA virtual, confidential empowerment & support group for individuals experiencing grief, losses, and endings. Facilitated by Dr. Cari Jackson and Carson Hawks.
7 sessions meeting every other week: Feb 9 & 23, Mar 9 & 23, Apr 6 & 20, May 4. 90 minutes each session. 6pm MST
Read MoreThe UCC’s CENTER FOR ANALYTICS, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, AND DATA (CARDD) is pleased to announce the UCC 2021 Statistical Profile is now available! This is the most extensive Profile yet, spanning 72 pages and including 19 special reports.
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The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar for pastors and lay leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. The seminar draws on current research, seeks guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discusses the best practices in church-based fundraising.
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