Conference News
Tuesdays, from July 25th through August 22nd, 6:60 - 8:00 pm via Zoom
Join the AFN community for an 18-month series on religious nationalism. This series follows the successful in-person events on Christian Nationalism held in June, 2023. The new section starts with a five-part film series based on Joel Goza's latest book: "America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics."
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ONA 101 Webinar will be held twice in August by former Coalition ED, Rev. Andy!
Read MoreSunday, July 30, 4 pm New Mexico & El Paso time, 3 pm Arizona time
We hope you can join us on Zoom for Rhonda Newby-Torres' Ecclesiastical Council!
You might have "met" her on Episode 3 of our podcast already!
Her home church is First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque, NM and she currently serves as the lay Pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministries, an ecumenical campus ministry at the University of New Mexico.
Please register in advance here.
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Rev. Derrick Elliott has reached out to seek assistance in getting out a survey to members of the LGBTQIA+ community within the Southwest Conference. Read his letter and click this link if you'd like to help him out!
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The General Synod of the United Church of Christ made history Monday, July 3, when it elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President.
Read MoreGloria’s write-up was in Encanto Community Church’s monthly newsletter and is quite helpful!
All resolutions passed except for #8.
Read MoreCheck out our photo collection from General Synod so far!
Read MoreRev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson is the nominee for General Minister & President (GMP). This video conversation between her and GMP Search Committee chair Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin provides some introduction to Karen Georgia, her background, and her vision for the future of the UCC.
Read MoreClara Sims, a Member in Discernment in the Southwest Conference, graduated from Yale Divinity School and also was a part of the Andover Newton Seminary diploma program.
She received:
John A. Wade Prize -- for great originality in expository preaching (YDS)
Jonathan Edwards Prize -- in recognition of excellence at the intersection of ministry and theological scholarship (ANS)
Congratulations, Clara! We look forward to watching your ministry unfold, and the best is yet to come!
Read MoreThree years? Task force: Changing General Synod frequency could allow new possibilities of connection.
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There’s a brand-new way to engage with the General Synod of the United Church of Christ later this month without traveling to Indianapolis.
General Synod @Home is a collection of worship and faith formation resources available for local churches to use on July 2, the Sunday that General Synod holds community worship in Indianapolis. They include liturgical elements, the communion liturgy, faith formation resources and a video sermon and text.
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Panelists will discuss how practicing antiracism can move us from emancipation to freedom in June 15 webinar.
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More resources for Pride Sunday, June 25 from our friends at The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
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Making Space for LGBTQ+ Siblings: UCC celebrates Pride 2023 with special events, programs and resources for churches.
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Thursdays in June 2023 at 4 pm AZ / 5 pm NM & El Paso
Designed especially for chaplains, religious professionals, and community care providers (but all who seek to provide gender-affirming care are welcome!)
Thanks, Rev. Louis Mitchell of Rincon Congregational, for sharing this with us.
Read MoreAre you updating your church personnel policy, or wondering if you're in compliance as an employer? Please consider checking out these links and sharing them with the appropriate people in your church or ministry. It’s possible that some of our congregations and ministries are unintentionally out of compliance. It seems the penalties can be very high if an employer is audited.
Read MoreMarc Gerardis, insurance agent for the Southwest Conference, recently shared these tips with us.
Repair scams tend to increase after storms and disasters, but they can happen year-round.
Pay attention to these five misleading comments:
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Worship Gathering Space Safety and Security: How to start, Where to go, What to do
Join Lisa Gonzalez, Director of Loss Control at Insurance Board, for a vital and informative event.
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News from Global H.O.P.E. - a Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ's Wider Church Ministries
This issue:
New 2023 Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Toolkit
UCC Hiring Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Refugee and Migration Services extends abundant gratitude to churches that create community ESL programs.
The power of coming together: Collaboration was the theme at National VOAD Conference
Looking for a 2023 Volunteer Work Trip?
Disaster Ministries Invites all Conferences and Congregations to join the Willing to Respond Network Today!
This 5-day event is designed to equip church leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. It also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory. Although focused primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are directly transferable to other settings, including the business and academic worlds.
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