Registration is now open for a major United Church of Christ summit “to imagine a church alive and vital in the world.” It will be held Sept. 19-21, online and in-person in St. Louis.
Read MoreRegistration now open for ‘provocative’ all-UCC summit
Conference News
Hybrid teaching and learning in local church to be focus of UCC event
The world of hybrid learning will be the focus of a two-day event for people who teach in local churches of the United Church of Christ.
“A New Turn: Hybrid Faith Formation” will take place online Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9. Its sponsor is the Association of United Church Educators. People can register here.
“The pandemic has shaken up everything we once knew about church ministry, and we are now facing a new turn,” said the event’s lead organizer, the Rev. Kim Nagy. She is minister of faith formation at Kent (Ohio) UCC and vice chair of AUCE’s Board of Directors. “This virtual conference will help leaders live into this new era of ministry.”
Read MoreUpcoming Webinars and Events from the UCC
Check out the June webinars: Thursdays for the Soul, Bold Climate Action, and Juneteenth.
Read MorePride Sale for ONA Webinars
During Pride month, three of our most popular webinars are on sale. For just $35, an unlimited number of members of your church can participate from their own computers or devices.
ONA 101 and ONA and the Bible are for congregations taking their first steps towards, or just curious about, an Open and Affirming Covenant.
Bending Gender is for both ONA and not-yet ONA churches: with transgender and nonbinary Americans under attack in many states, it's time for congregations to understand how to welcome trans and nonbinary seekers into their congregations.
Read MoreSWC Offers Members Professional Coaching
Since 2020, the Southwest Conference (SWC) has provided parish clergy access to professional coaching. Now the SWC is making coaching available to local church leaders, chaplains, committees, teams, and congregation members in the Conference! We have a coach on staff to make that possible.
Last month, Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, our Conference Minister, completed 64 classroom hours of training for certification as an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Level 1 coach.
Read MoreMoving Again
The SWC has been renting office space at the United Methodist Center since last summer. However, trustees for the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church (DSCUMC) will recommend the sale of the United Methodist Center at this month’s DSCUMC Annual Conference.
The DSCUMC notified SWC staff of the likely building sale in late March. Since then, staff has discussed our space and place needs considering information and feelings shared with Conference leaders in 2021. Many options were explored, including sharing space with several of our ministry partners. A plan that will provide stability while meeting our needs and stewarding our resources responsibly was recommended by the Conference Minister with staff support and reviewed by the Executive Board.
Read MoreOpen position at Hope House of Sedona
The position of House Manager is a live-in position managing day to day operations of a group residence. Hope House of Sedona (hereafter referred to as Hope House) is a transitional housing program providing temporary housing and support services for homeless children and their families living in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District.
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Six weeks in, churches continue to respond to New Mexico’s largest-ever wildfires
As New Mexico’s worst wildfires on record continue to rage, area churches — some in close proximity to the fires — are pitching in on relief efforts.
The United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries team is offering grants to families already affected by the fires and inviting gifts to support them.
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Covenant Service with the newest SWC congregation!
3pm AZ / 4pm NM-EP on Sunday, June 12 at Toafa O Le Talalelei Samoan Congregation!
26831 N. 191st, Wittman, AZ
We’re excited to invite all in the Southwest Conference to attend the joyful covenant service to officially welcome our newest congregation, Toafa O Le Talalelei Samoan Congregation, as our newest church, along with Pastor Tula Maga!
Read MoreCongratulations on your ordination, Andrew Ponder Williams!
Last Sunday, May 22, we celebrated the culmination of Andrew’s 12-year journey to ordination!
Read MoreResources for coping with news of traumatic events
Traumatic events often lead people to feel they have lost control of their sense of safety. Here are resources on how to help children cope with the frightening news and their reactions. A resource for adults is also included.
Read MoreConference Pilgrimage Cancelled...but God is doing a new (exciting) thing
We had some expected sadness when decided to cancel the event, but almost immediately it was followed was a explosion of new ideas and creativity around this theme. We immediately sensed God was doing a new thing, and leading us to a format that, rather than focusing ourselves on one trip at one time, that we were being led to empower multiple ways that many people and churches could experience and explore the meaning of Pilgrimage.
Read MoreO.W.L. (Our Whole Lives) for Older Adults fall program
Is there really that much for adults to learn (and un-learn) regarding sexuality? You betcha. Save these dates and watch for registration opening next month!
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Association of United Church Educators: resources and upcoming conference
Our deepest condolences to Rev. Ann Utke on the loss of her father
Ann Utke's father, John Ringelstetter died peacefully at Sharon Richardson Hospice on Tuesday, May 10th following a lengthy decline. He was a tremendous supporter of his daughter and son-in-law and their ministerial vocations.
Read MoreUCC@ASU Monthly Dinner Group
UCC at ASU has launched a new monthly dinner group for all young adults. They are keeping the groups small and eating outdoors to be mindful of pandemic concerns. Do you know an ASU student that might want this connection? Email andrew@andrewponderwilliams.com to find out how to get more involved and to be added to the group text.
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Strengthen the Church Offering: June 5, 2022 [resources]
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.
Read MoreUCC Board outlines search process for next GMP, creates webpage for updates
Do you want to know more about the process of calling the United Church of Christ’s next general minister and president? There’s now a web page for that.
The page here, on UCC.org, will be updated with information periodically from the United Church of Christ Board’s GMP Search Committee. In this letter to the wider church, Board Chair Cameron Barr expands on the search and call process for the UCC’s next general minister and president.
Read MoreCelebrating Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month
webinar: Thursday, May 12, 12:30pm AZ / 1:30pm NM/EP
May is Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month and the United Church of Christ is privileged to be affiliated with PAAM (Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries).
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Mental Health Sunday: Resources from UCC MHN
It is Mental Health Awareness Month and the UCC MHN wants to make sure you have resources to best equip you for a Mental Health Sunday!
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