from SWC Bridge ACM-COCAM, Rev. Leslie Etheredge:
Being a minister in any setting is often a lonely job and a Community of Practice encourages lifetime friendships, support and nurture as well as spiritual growth among the other 4 or 5 participants in each group.
A Community of Practice (COP) is a great way for clergy to connect and offer support to one another. I have been a member of a COP for 5 years now and the experience has been invaluable. I have learned and grown with other ACMs that have become very dear friends.
I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for self-care and enrichment. Groups meet once a month virtually and commit to one year.
When asked to be in a COP, one pastor said, “I’m hesitant to add yet one more thing to this crazy schedule we are living. It is exactly for that reason I say ‘I’m in!’ Not doing a great job of self-care these days.”
Retired Clergy: If you would be interested in getting trained to facilitate one of these groups, please feel free to contact me. The training is free of charge and conducted by UCC National staff.
Click the headline for more details.
Read MoreFaithINFO is partnering with Justice Leadership Program to offer 12 scholarships of up to 50% for their upcoming October Jubilee Cohort.
The Jubilee program is for adults interested in integrating faith and justice work into their lives in meaningful and transformative ways while gaining knowledge and confidence to do the work of justice within their congregation and community.
The small group cohort meets weekly for skill and knowledge building workshops accompanied by discussion and spiritual reflection.
Click here to learn more or watch our 2-part Nurture the Soul Webinar Series with the founders of the program.
Read MoreRegister for Conference 2024.
July 10 – 13, 2024 in Greenwich, CT.
This is a chance to network with your colleagues in person, pick up some repertoire, sharpen skills and gain a perspective on various issues. Plus, enjoy some great entertainment! The presenters are outstanding. Put this event on your calendar if you haven’t yet and sign up.
Complete conference info.
Go straight to registration.
Read MoreFrom Arizona Faith Network:
At AFN, we understand the critical role that security plays in safeguarding our communities. That's why we invite you to fill out the form linked here to indicate your interest in staying updated on State and Federal Nonprofit Security Grants that could benefit your organization.
Read MoreGod 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.
Read MoreWelcome and congratulations to our newly-elected Southwest Conference leadership!
Read MoreSupport 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:
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!
Read MoreAre 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.
Read MoreThe 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!
Read MoreMay 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 MoreFrom 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
Read MoreGod 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreThe 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 MoreWe'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 MoreAt 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 MoreFor 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
Read MoreAttention all Annual Meeting church delegates and SWC clergy:
Please don’t miss the information session and delegate orientation on Saturday, April 13 at 9 am Arizona / 10 am New Mexico & El Paso. Mark your calendar NOW.
The first hour will be a training session about Annual Meeting in general (for first-timers and a refresher for others) and about using the Whova platform which will be our ‘hub’ for the Annual Meeting, for both in-person and remote attendees.
The second hour will be an information session about the budget/resolutions to bring up any questions/comments that the Executive Board needs to discuss at their April 18 meeting.
We all want this completely hybrid model of Annual Meeting to be successful and that requires that we all learn how do our part!
If you aren’t registered yet, go here now and join the party.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreSave 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 More
