Conference News
May 22, 2022 4 pm AZ / 5 pm NM-EP
Desert Palm UCC, Tempe, AZ & Livestreamed
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes Psalm 118:23
Hold the date to celebrate with the Southwest Conference the ordination of Andrew Ponder Williams, who has been a member in discernment with Desert Palm UCC, Tempe. He has been called and is beginning his ministry as solo pastor of United Church of Christ of St. Johnsbury, Vermont in June.
Congratulations, Andrew!
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference United Church of Christ joyfully announces the appointments of Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Tom Davis as Conference Co-coordinators for Disaster Ministry.
Read MoreRegister today for workshops, dialogue circles, and programming in 2022.
We hope you will join us!
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 MoreThe 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 MoreJoin 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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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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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, 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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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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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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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 MoreJean 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 MoreWebinar: 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 MoreThere are seven positions in the SWC listed on the UCC Ministry Opportunities web page. Check them out!
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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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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 MoreIf 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, 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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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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