Beloved SWC members,
Anxiety has been increasing over the Omicron variant of the COVID19 virus. The SWC office has been monitoring the information about this newest coronavirus mutation. I am writing to encourage your congregations to continue the sustainable response measures circulated through the SWC in October (shared here). No new guidance for in-person gatherings is being recommended at this time for our churches in light of the Omicron variant.
I am inviting our churches to launch vigorous campaigns encouraging everyone who is unvaccinated to be vaccinated, and for vaccinated people to obtain their booster shot if they have not already done so. The reasons for this invitation stems from the new information being released from scientists about the effects of the Omicron variant and the impact of vaccines on it.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference has signed on as a co-sponsor for this online event:
Join people of faith as we unite to protect our cherished right to vote in Arizona. Join faith based partners for a presentation and conversation on the current state of voting rights in Arizona.
Read MoreThe Jubilee program exists to inform, equip, and inspire people to act for justice. The 6-month virtual program is for adults who want to increase their understanding of social justice, deepen their faith, and gain the skills and confidence to take meaningful action while building relationships of support with a community of their peers. The program begins in January 2022 and they are currently accepting applications.
Read MoreJoin the UCC in prayer every day during Advent.
Read MoreThe Sierra Vista Community Church (UCC) is looking for an energetic part-time Pastor and spiritual leader.
Here is the UCC Opportunities Link.
Read MoreReligious workers AND clergy are now eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)!! Come learn from Attorney Ashley Harrington, a senior official of the Federal Student Aid Office of the US Department of Education, how to apply for PSLF. She will answer any questions you may have as well. Glad for this partnership with the National Council of Churches. Register today and share this invitation with your networks, clergy, religious workers, commissioned pastors, parents, grandparents, etc. All that have student loan debt are welcome! #BiblicalDebtJubilee
Read MoreAndrew’s EC will take place on Zoom. Register in advance:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ocemhrzgqH9e2XBaZWsr6B5WGqvmq0yOz
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Read MoreView seven open positions in the national and global settings.
Read MoreJoin Team Global HOPE at UCC National Ministries on Wednesday, Dec 1, 2pm ET for a virtual Blue Christmas worship service to provide space for those who don’t feel so “merry and bright” during the holiday season. Learn more and register here.
Read MoreHelp the UCC charter a credit union by taking this short survey. Find it here.
Read MoreWednesday, November 17, 7 p.m. via Zoom (Third Wednesday each Month)
Please join AFN for our collective healing in a virtual space. These healing spaces are for Social Justice & Movement Practitioners Caretakers, Teachers, Community Members, and Faith Leaders.
Read More“Since we’ve been offering pilgrimages in place the data base has doubled and the steering team recognized they are meeting a spiritual hunger previously unaddressed: individuals, who for reasons of capacity, finances or life setting, cannot participate in a longer, more strenuous pilgrimage.”
Read MoreRev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, President of Pacific School of Religion, wrote to express their sympathy on Rev. Pam Shepherd's death. Read the letter here.
Read MoreDeadline to register is November 9 (sorry for the late notice; we just learned of this symposium).
November 12 – 14, 2021
The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul
“The snow is falling on the deserted field of my life and my hopes, which roam afar, are afraid of becoming frozen or lost.” Garcia Lorca
This symposium is an invitation to all people on the path of late life to reorient themselves from Hero to Elder, or from role to soul. The call of late-life can awaken in us a yearning for something more, a longing to transcend a role, an identity, or a purpose and connect with something larger. It can invite us to cross a threshold and trade the image of youth for the depth of age, trade distraction for self-knowledge, reaction for reflection, information for wisdom, and a tight grip for an open hand. The themes and practices in this event are based on the new book The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig, Ph.D.
Read MoreUpdated COVID19 guidance from the SWC. Click here for the PDF.
Read MoreRev. Pamela Shepherd passed away late last night, October 25. We hold her Taos UCC congregation, community, and especially Pam’s family and friends in our prayers.
A memorial service for Pam will be held on Saturday, November 13th, at 10 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Taos (215 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571). There will be a Zoom option for those who can't join in person: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/964597068
Read MoreFor the first time in its 71-year history, the NCC Governing Board elected all women as officers.
The NCC Governing Board also approved the Updated Edition of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSVue) of the Bible.
Last week, NCC also held itsr annual Christian Unity Gathering.
Read MoreThe first three webinars are designed for churches exploring the possibility of an ONA commitment, or beginning and ONA process. (Not-yet ONA churches are two-thirds of all UCC congregations.) They share best practices for leading a church to an ONA covenant in ways that build consensus and reduce the risk of conflict. "ONA NEXT" is the successor to our "ONA 201" webinar: it's designed primarily for existing ONA churches looking for ways to revive their ONA commitment, with best practices we've learned from thriving ONA churches.
Read MoreMuch gratitude to the churches and individuals who contributed to the RIP Medical Debt Relief campaign. You've made a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors right here in the SWC.
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