Welcome and congratulations to our newly-elected Southwest Conference leadership!
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Conference News
Find Community & Support with UCC Clergy Support Space Sessions!
Support Space Sessions for Pastors and LGBTQ+ Licensed and ordained UCC Clergy
Are you looking to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and gain support in a safe and affirming space? The Open and Affirming Coalition is hosting virtual support groups specifically tailored for UCC clergy!
There are two separate groups:
Pastors of ONA churches (all sexual orientations and gender identities welcome)
Licensed and ordained UCC clergy who identify as LGBTQ+
These sessions offer a supportive environment for you to connect with others, share your journey (if you'd like!), or simply listen and learn from your peers. You're free to participate at your own comfort level, and the drop-in format allows you to join for the entire session or just a portion.
Participation is free, but donations are always appreciated!
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PATHWAYS Theological Education Open to Everyone
Are you looking for an open-minded, community-oriented online theological course where your doubts and questions are welcome? Register for one course or complete a certificate program. PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. also has a complete educational program for those seeking to become authorized ministers. Check the website, www.pathwaystheological.org, to learn more about the program.
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New Mexico Clergy Retreat open to SWC NM pastors
The New Mexico Conference of Churches is excited to offer a complimentary retreat for all clergy actively serving in the role of pastor in New Mexico. They would be delighted to have the pastors in the Southwest Conference of the UCC with them!
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Mental Health Sunday: Resources from the UCC MHN 2024
May 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! Although May 19 is Mental Health Sunday this year, we want to remind you that any Sunday is a great Sunday to focus on mental health!
Read MoreUCC Musicians Association News Update: Early Bird Deadline
From Ruth Striegel, Director of Music at First Congregational UCC Albuquerque:
UCC musicians and music lovers are invited to learn about and get involved in the UCC Musicians Association, a dedicated volunteer group whose mission is “to inspire, educate, and nurture those who minister through music and the arts.” Our excellent journal, Zoom Saturday Sharings, DEI statement, Epiphanies column, and much more are available on our website, https://uccma.wildapricot.org/. Our summer conference, A Place at the Table, will be held in Old Greenwich, Connecticut July 10-13. Early Bird pricing is available through April 15.
I’ve been an UCCMA member since 2017, and found it to be a wonderful resource and community for me in my work as music director at First Congregational Albuquerque. Please let your church musicians know about this group!
Ruth Striegel
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Strengthen the Church 2024
God calls us into community. God desires for us a big, inclusive, expansive, welcoming community. One where "no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome." Our General Minister & President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson calls this a “big tent” community. God wants our congregations and our whole Christian movement to be a "big tent" where all can be genuinely welcomed.
The Strengthen the Church Offering supports congregations and initiatives that help us live into the United Church of Christ's "big tent" vision. Funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and renewal initiatives in existing congregations. Your conference and the national ministries work together to use these funds for projects that matter now and for the future of our movement.
Through this offering, we further our commitment to being a multi-racial/multi-cultural church that is accessible to all.
Please join with people across the UCC in promoting the Strengthen the Church Offering on May 19, 2024. You can find materials to promote this year’s Strengthen the Church Offering in your congregation at UCC Resources.
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Healing Ourselves, Healing the World: Join the Movement toward Staying Human
As we make our way into this election year that unfolds amid multiple and overlapping global crises, how do we stay faithfully engaged politically, grounded in our justice commitments, and present to global struggles for peace, justice and freedom without burning out, checking out, or opting out?
Join the Movement and Racial Justice Ministries are hosting a 2024 All Church Read. Participants will journey with Chanequa Walker-Barnes and Cole Arthur Riley and their books Sacred Self Care and Black Liturgies to discover ways of tending ourselves while we are tending the world. We hope you will join with others on this sacred journey of staying human for such a time as this.
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People’s Prayers for Peace: Share YOUR prayer
The UCC has issued an open invitation for people to offer a prayer to end violence in any manifestation, and to bring about peace. Share your prayers using the People’s Prayers for Peace form.
Read MoreAre you bilingual / multilingual? We need your help!
We're crowdsourcing some help with a multilingual call to worship at our upcoming Annual Meeting! If you will be attending in person, are bilingual or multilingual, and would be willing to participate, please be in contact ASAP with our Bridge Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Leslie Etheredge at acm-cocam@uccswc.org.
Gracias. Merci. Дякую. Danke. धन्यवाद। Salamat. ありがとう。 Cảm ơn. Misaotra. Hvala. Благодарам. Mèsi. Asante.
Read More2024 Annual Meeting updates & reminders
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, we heard you loud and clear about wanting a more hybrid experience. So by popular demand, our 2024 Annual Meeting will be nearly 100% available BOTH online and in-person! To accomplish this, we’re trying out an event platform, Whova. It’s handling our registrations, agenda, live streams, voting, and more!
Read MoreUpcoming PATHWAYS Theological Courses
For PATHWAYS THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION, Inc. Late Spring and Summer courses, go to the schedule to find out more and to sign up:
Small Church Administration begins April 10, 2024
Contemporary Homiletics begins April 10, 2024
Living the Heart of Progressive Christian Theology begins April 10, 2024
Ethics and a Life of Meaning begins May 1, 2024
Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners begins May 8, 2024
Preaching for Special Occasions begins May 8, 2024
UCC History and Polity begins May 8, 2024
Congregational Ministry and the Future Church begins May 15, 2024
What about the Bible begins June 1, 2024
Variety of Belief within Christianity Today begins June 19, 2024
Introduction to Spiritual Health (Pastoral Care) begins June 19, 2024
Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square begins June 26, 2024
Pluralism and Religion in North America begins July 10, 2024
Moving Toward Right Relations: A Webinar Series on Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
The Decentering Whiteness Taskforce of the Southwest Conference UCC is excited to co-sponsor this training series along with the AFN Theological Dialogue Commission, AFN Cherishing Creation Coalition, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona.
Beginning on Monday, April 22, Arizona Faith Network and the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery will host a 5-week training series that will guide us into stepping into solidarity and building relationships with Indigenous people. Created by Coalition co-founder Sarah Augustine and co-facilitated by Sarah and Repair Network Organizer Doe Hoyer, examples of skills to be learned are: identifying and questioning dominant culture assumptions, identifying needs and how to meet them, and reflective practice.
This course counts toward the anti-racism training requirement for clergy. (MUST ATTEND ALL FIVE SESSIONS!).
The deadline to register is April 15. Register here. Please choose the $50 registration as the Southwest Conference is co-sponsoring the event.
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Ecclesiastical Council for Carlos Sosa: May 19
Save the date!
This is the Official Notice of an Ecclesiastical Council for the Examination of Carlos Sosa for Ordination in the United Church of Christ, pending an approved call.
The Ecclesiastical Council will be held on Sunday, May 19 on Zoom at 4:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso/ 3:00 pm Arizona.
Here’s the Zoom registration link.
Carlos Sosa is a Member in Discernment and a member of Desert Heritage Church in Mesa, Arizona.
The Southwest Conference will receive the recommendation of the Committee on Church and Ministry, hear the candidate’s presentation, and further examine the candidate. The Southwest Conference will vote on whether to authorize ordination, pending an approved call.
The candidate’s ordination paper should be read ahead of time. Please find a copy here.
Read MoreSingers and Ringers are invited
JULY 10 - 13, 2024
Old Greenwich, Connecticut
The national biennial gathering of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association (UCCMA), will take place July 10-13, 2024 at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Connecticut. Designed for church musicians, choral and handbell choir members and worship leaders, the three-day event includes workshops, plenary sessions, worship services, evening entertainment and networking opportunities. The stellar roster of presenters includes:
Tom Shelton, associate professor in choral activities at Westminster Choir College
Nathanial Gumbs, concert organist and director of chapel music at Yale
Ellen Dickinson, director of bell programs at Yale
Braxton Shelley, associate professor of music, sacred music and divinity at Yale
Janet Yieh, concert organist and specialist in women composers
The conference’s theme, “A place at the table,” inspired the planning for the entire conference experience. Our goal is to send participants home reenergized with lots of new resources and ideas to use in their local congregations.
This conference is open to all. Early Bird registration discount is available through April 15th. Scholarship help is available for first-time UCCMA conference attendees who wouldn’t be able to attend without some financial assistance.
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Doing More With Less
Please pass this along to your church musicians!
The UCC Musicians Association exists to support church musicians all over the UCC and beyond! This Saturday, March 16, they’re hosting their monthly Saturday Sharing Zoom event. The topic this month is “Doing More With Less,” and it addresses the changes in our music programs we’ve seen since the Covid pandemic. They want to know what other music programs have done to adapt, and share our experiences.
This is a free event which will be recorded. Check it out, along with recordings of previous Zooms, at the UCCMA website. While you’re there, take a look at their excellent journal, Worship, Music and Ministry.
Ruth Striegel, UCCMA board member and Music Director, First Congregational-Albuquerque
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For Children and Youth: UCC Climate Hope Art Contest
To give our children and youth a voice this election season, while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation, the UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. From now until April 16th, art submissions will be accepted.
Participating churches should register now to receive important information and updates.
Read More2024 Annual Meeting registration is OPEN!
Join us April 25 - 27, 2024 at Shepherd of the Hills UCC in-person or online!
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, we heard you about wanting a more hybrid experience. So by popular demand, our 2024 Annual Meeting will be nearly 100% available BOTH online and in-person!
To accomplish this, we’re trying out an event platform, Whova. It’s handling our registrations, agenda, live streams, voting, and more!
We encourage you to register early (by March 17) to take advantage of the early bird pricing. You’ll be invited to download the Whova app on your mobile device to fully experience the Annual Meeting whether you’re onsite or remote.
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Court greenlights destruction of Oak Flat
It is disheartening to hear of the defeat and the impact it will have on the Apache Stronghold and their sacred land. Our hearts and prayers go out to them during this difficult time.
As we gather for our Annual Meeting under the theme "Expanding the Table: Creating a Tapestry of Voices and Experiences," we are highlighting the importance of expanding the table to include all, particularly our Indigenous siblings. Their struggle for religious freedom echoes the challenges faced by many throughout history.
Let us use our Annual Meeting gathering as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the issues at hand and to discern how we can offer meaningful support. Together, let us create a space where all voices are heard, and experiences are valued.
From Apache Stronghold:
This morning [March 1], the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals released the anticipated ruling on Apache Stronghold v. U.S. with a narrow 6-5 decision in favor of moving forward with the permanent destruction of Oak Flat. Although this news is devastating, it's also the beginning of the next step in the fight to protect Chi'chil Bildagoteel. The Apache Stronghold has committed to appealing to the Supreme Court. The fight is far from over.
This petition shows the strength and support for sacred sites. It's also an opportunity for spiritual groups of all backgrounds to step up and join this legal battle in a very tangible way. If you or somebody you know has a faith affiliation, please take the time to get your group to sign onto the petition.
A press release from Apache Stronghold's legal representatives is attached below.
We will keep you updated on what you can do to protect Oak Flat in the days ahead. This fight is not over and we must persevere.
Read MoreOne Great Hour of Sharing offering date: March 10, 2024
One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Love of Neighbor ministries.
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