The United Church of Christ Board (UCCB) has completed its preparations for the search for our next General Minister and President and the search committee is now actively beginning its work.
Read MoreUCC Board Update on Search Process for Next GMP
Conference News
Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDIC)
The SWC and Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDiC) have entered a 2 year partnership to provide antiracism dialogue experiences that build awareness, knowledge, communication across structures of domination, motivation and commitment. A conference-wide Intercultural Development Inventory IDI assessment will begin our work together. Email ASDIC at info@asdicircle.org to learn how your congregation can partner with them.
Read MoreIt's a celebration—Arizona Women's Hall of Fame to induct Rev. Dosia Carlson!
Join us as we celebrate and pay tribute to beloved Beatitudes Saint, the late Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson, recently nominated and selected to be inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame. Wednesday, April 27 | 3:00 pm MST
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Nollau Leadership Institute 2022-23: registration is now open
Registration for the Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2022-2023 is now open. The program is a stellar opportunity for leadership development and continuing education, building skills applicable for church and beyond-the-church employment and nonprofit settings. The program is open to everyone – clergy, lay leaders, MIDs, pre-MIDs, anyone seeking professional and/or continuing education opportunities, and the list continues.
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ONA NEWS: Andy Lang Retires at the End of this Year
Dear Open and Affirming family:
I’m writing with the news that I will retire from my ministry as Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition effective at the end of this year.
Serving the Coalition for more than a decade has been the greatest experience in my life. When the United Church of Christ called me to public ministry nearly 30 years ago, I had no idea my path would take me to leadership in the Coalition. Along the way, I have been inspired, supported, educated and transformed by many in the church, especially by members of the Coalition’s Leadership Team, past and present.
Read MoreRev. Teresa Blythe appears on "Pew & Beyond"
Rev. Teresa Blythe, ordained UCC minister in the SWC, spiritual director, author, and blogger, recently was a guest on the Canadian podcast "Pew & Beyond" talking about her book, 50 Ways to Pray.
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Report to the church from the United Church of Christ Board, March 2022
The Rev. Cameron Barr, chair of the United Church of Christ Board, has issued the following report on the board’s recent meeting. He is senior pastor of United Church of Chapel Hill, a bilingual and multicultural UCC congregation in Chapel Hill, N.C.
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Revitalizing Worship: a word from the UCC Musicians Association
The UCCMA is a vibrant national grassroots organization of musicians and pastors who continually seek new ways to worship, connect and uplift people through music and the arts. Since the organization came into being in 1993, it has been committed to increasing its footprint in the lives of our UCC congregations throughout the denomination.
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Strengthen the Church – Offering Date: June 5, 2022
As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Most congregations will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022. The Southwest Conference will retain ½ the total collected in the conference to fund SWC projects.
Read MoreMemorial Service for Jean Brady
Jean Brady, a former Annuitant Visitor and spouse of the founding pastor of Church of the Painted Hills, Rev. Dr. D. Joseph Brady, died on August 14, 2021. Church of the Painted Hills will hold a memorial service for Ms. Brady on Saturday April 9th at 10:00 AM at the church, 3295 West Speedway Blvd. Tucson.
After Rev. Brady’s retirement in1987, the Bradys served the church as Annuitant Visitors in Southern Arizona, a service Ms. Brady continued after Rev. Brady passed away in 2007. The church invites anyone touched by the lives of the Bradys to join them for this time of remembrance.
Read MoreProtecting Places of Worship: A Religious Observance Briefing on Safety and Security
Webinar: Protecting Places of Worship: A Religious Observance Briefing on Safety and Security
March 22, 2022 | 5:00 - 6:15 p.m ET [2pm AZ / 3pm NM/EP]
Read MoreMinistry opportunities in the Southwest Conference
There are seven positions in the SWC listed on the UCC Ministry Opportunities web page. Check them out!
Read MoreNollau Leadership Institute
Grounded in the health and human service organizations of the United Church of Christ, the Nollau Leadership Institute program offers a unique space in which to experience leadership formation. For more than 20 years, Nollau and its predecessor institutes has brought together a community of leaders committed to justice, collaboration, and possibility.
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One Great Hour of Sharing 2022
This year's One Great Hour of Sharing special offering is just around the corner. They’ve provided loads of resources for worship, online promotion, and print items, too.
Read MoreLenten Devotional Guide
If you’re still searching for a devotional for Lent, check out this one from the New Mexico Conference of Churches, The Gathering of Stones.
Read MoreSerene Jones to speak at ASU
Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary and ordained Disciples of Christ and UCC minister, will be speaking at ASU on Thursday, March 31st at 4:00.
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Interpreting New CDC Guidance for Churches
From Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Lyons:
Last Friday the CDC issued new COVID19 guidance and a set of accompanying tools. The popular interpretation has been that masks no longer need to be worn. Not exactly, especially for churches.
The memo included here will help you congregation interpret the CDC’s latest guidance and point you to the tools they released. I am at your service to clarify the SWC recommendations suggested in this latest memo.
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Sr. Lika's workshop
Learn about the daily work and life of La Casa Misericordia from Sr. Lika. Learn from members of the Cruzando Fronteras steering committee how you and your church can support ministry to our with our migrating neighbors. The SWC partners with the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona and the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in this ministry.
Read MoreIntroduction to AntiRacism Dialogue Circles – ASDIC & Conference Leaders
Many people and organizations want to come together across racial and ethnic lines, but they don’t know how to get started. ASDIC grew from a desire to be such a catalyst. ASDIC helps individuals and organizations do the difficult work to understand and deconstruct the deeply embedded and painful stories of race in our society. Our mission is to bring people together to build community, while also developing the knowledge and skills to effectively address racism, through shared study and dialogue. ASDIC is dedicated to the vision of a racially just society, supporting individuals and organizations as they Learn, Reflect, Transform.
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Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
Conference staff and standing committee members were the first participants invited to complete the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). SWC clergy with standing, moderators, treasurers, and other church leaders are being invited to participate in a second round. The IDI assessment will help the SWC recognize our underlying developmental orientation (collective starting point) as we seek to build our conference's intercultural competency. Trainers from ASDIC will walk us through what the IDI tells us about ourselves.
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