Conference News
Save the Date: Giving Tuesday is November 29th!
The UCC’s national setting Giving Tuesday donations will go to The Climate Hope Summer Fellowship Program. The Southwest Conference encourages donations to Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones through the SWC portal. Is your church or organization participating in Giving Tuesday? Let us know!
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ONA NEXT is a powerful webinar that shares best practices we’ve learned from thriving Open and Affirming churches, including tips on marketing, communication, ministry and advocacy. Learn how other ONA congregations are attracting new members, building relationships with their LGBTQ+ neighbors, and making a difference in their communities.
Read MoreClergy retreat was eventful this year… a blessing of release for Bill Lyons on Monday, an amazing trip to Nogales to visit Casa de la Misericordia on Tuesday, and meeting our Transitional Conference Minister via Zoom on Wednesday!
Here are a few photos - for the full gallery (including videos) from Wende’s phone dump, go here.
Read MoreDo you know about the United Church of Christ’s group exemption? Do you need to prove that your Local Church is tax-exempt? Do you know the difference between “nonprofit,” “tax-exempt,” and “501(c)(3)?” These terms, while often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings under the law, and come with different legal obligations. This post explains how these terms apply to your Local Church, how to prove your church’s tax-exempt status, and the importance of maintaining your church’s federal Employer Identification Number, or EIN.
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Display this 18”x24” plastic lawn sign in your church’s front yard, on the side of your building, or wherever you see fit to share the story of Jesus’ birth and proclaim to your neighbors that when we welcome refugees, when we welcome asylum-seekers, we are welcoming Christ.
Read MoreThe Rev. Talitha Arnold, minister of the United Church of Santa Fe, N.M., is the featured preacher December 4 and 11, the second and third Sundays of Advent, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.
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Taizé Morning Prayer now on YouTube - and - correction to resources for Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Read MoreOn behalf of the Transition Team and Executive Board, we joyously celebrate the news of the Transitional Conference Minister.
Having sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit and believing that God has called us to share in a mutual and common ministry in Christ, the people of the Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ, of the Executive Board (EB) voted to enter into covenant with Rev. Dr. Altonnette (Toni) Hawkins to become our Transitional Conference Minister (TCM) beginning January 1, 2023.
New Mexico Pilgrimage for Unity is becoming Pilgrimage for Unity. Our transition - similar with the rest of the world - is evolving into something new!
In 2020 we shifted from an annual group pilgrimage of three days and 50 miles in New Mexico to three pilgrimages-in-place, designed and executed independently by individuals or small groups. Two years later, we offer a rhythm of self directed pilgrimages without geographic identification:
a week-long pilgrimage leading up to Pentecost;
a three-day pilgrimage of gratitude in November;
a week-long pilgrimage for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrated throughout January 18-25.
These individually designed pilgrimages begin and conclude with communal engagement via Zoom; fresh resources are available for encouragement during each pilgrimage period.
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The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ has opened applications for a new Executive Director. The application deadline is Nov. 25. The start date is Dec. 19.
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Your gift to the Annual Fund makes a difference. Together we can accomplish far more than we can as individuals. We are the United Church of Christ and, together in the spirit of unity, we are partnering with others to build the just world for all that we believe God imagines.
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Rev. Dr. Marvin Morgan, Interim Senior Pastor at Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona, is one of the facilitators for this training.
This 8-half day course combines the Interim Ministry 1 (the work of the leader) and the Interim Ministry 2 (the work of the congregation) courses. It focuses on the work of the leader, the interim minister as s/he leads a congregation through the time of transition, as well as on the work of the congregation during this journey. It is designed for those individuals who have already discerned God’s call to interim ministry.
Read MoreThe Executive Board called a transitional team consisting of the Southwest Conference officers: Susan Valiquette, Moderator; Hubert Hirwa, vice-Moderator; Deb Church, Secretary; Scott Greenwood-Treasurer; and Marvin Morgan and Dean Hokel.
As we discern the way forward during this time of transition the approved plan is:
The Associate Conference Minister, Barb Doerrer-Peacock will serve as the Acting Conference Minister for the month of December with the option to continue longer if needed.
To call a Transitional Conference Minister for 12-18 months beginning January 2023.
To call a Settled Conference Minister by mid-2024.
One of the SWC’s Members in Discernment, Rhonda Newby-Torres, lay Pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministry of NM serving at Luther House, has shared this invitation with the SWC. Luther House is a progressive Christian ministry at UNM and CNM in Albuquerque. Queer Theology is a 6-week series centering the perspective of those living out Queer Theology and their allies. Come and learn from local clergy and religious leaders from a variety of faith traditions.
Read MoreIf you would like to send a message of farewell to Bill as a church or individual, you can direct those to Genevieve and she will collate them and get them to Bill.
If you would like to give a financial gift, we recommend that you designate a monetary amount in Bill's honor to La Casa.
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Hurricane Aid: UCC launches emergency appeal for 2022 hurricanes – Ian, Fiona and those still to come.
Read MoreThe Presbytery of Grand Canyon is offering a two-day workshop on Pastoral Leaders and Emotional Maturity at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Phoenix, on January 30-31, 2023. The workshop looks at leadership through the lens of family systems and will encourage participants to get clear about their leadership style, their triggers, and ways they might move toward greater self-definition with connection as they lead their congregations.
Read MoreThe time has come for me to step down as Conference Minister. My time with you concludes on November 30, 2022. A letter cannot adequately express the gratitude filling my heart for the talented, visionary, and courageous staff members and leaders with whom I have been doing this work. We have done difficult and wonderful things together.
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As a result of recent climate legislation, the federal government will soon pay churches for going solar. Learn more in this free webinar: bit.ly/BrightPossibilities
Read Moreby Rev. Dr. William M. Lyons, Conference Minister, Southwest Conference UCC
“Today we are giving thanks for each one of the faithful and committed church leaders and pastors who for more than 60 years have given themselves fully to the fiduciary tasks of FCCF. Well done, good and faithful servants!”
This sermon was preached at the final worship gathering for First Congregational Church of Flagstaff, September 25, 2022.
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