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. The following steps will begin this month:
The mailing address of the SWC will remain
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
PO Box 44968
Phoenix AZ 85064-4968
A letter of intent was signed, and a 2-year full-service lease is being reviewed for a second-floor 763 sq/ft suite that provides 2 offices, a file storage room, and a meeting/reception space. The office location address will be announced after the lease is signed; it is near 20th St. and McDowell in Phoenix. Genevieve and Barb will maintain offices at that location.
A building use agreement is pending with Desert Garden UCC for a 152 sq/ft office for Bill. The plan to rent space to the SWC was approved by the church last month.
The Conference’s inactive, archive, and business files housed in a storage unit will be moved to the 20th St. location. Camp items in storage will be given to new homes (inquire and make a claim with Barb). Furniture in storage will be used in the new office locations.
Staff will meet regularly at the two new office locations and/or public spaces for work-related and relationship-building purposes.
Staff and standing committees will use church or public locations for in-person meetings. Thank you in advance for saying yes when we ask your church if you can host us.
19 cabinets of inactive, archive, and business files will be digitized over the coming year resulting in the Conference office becoming a fully digital office. When digitization is complete an additional office/meeting space will be available at the 20th St. location.
The SWC budget will see a minimal increase in space costs because of this plan. Digitizing expenses will be taken from designated capital improvements funds.
No one expected to be moving again so soon. Relocations will begin in late June/early July; Barb will be on sabbatical by the time the moves are complete. During the last three years, staff and the leadership team learned much about our needs and how we work together. These learnings are guiding our decisions about space and place, staff time together, and efficiencies to meet the challenges of the future.
Conference Minister Bill Lyons expressed deep gratitude to the DSCUMC and staff at the United Methodist Center for their generosity and extravagant hospitality during the past year. We continue to look for ways to share ministry together and remain strong ecumenical partners.