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Raise your voice and join Grammy Award-winning singer, choral conductor, and vocal activist Melanie DeMore for a joyful day of music-making at Shadow Rock UCC on Saturday, October 10. Learn 3- and 4-part songs by ear as Melanie leads spirituals, folk songs, originals, and more in a welcoming, no-experience-needed community sing.
Registration is $25, and all are welcome.
Arrive by 9:30 am; singing 10 am–3 pm. Drinks provided; bring your own lunch.
A special storytelling-and-song worship service will follow on Sunday, October 11.
What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
Members of Desert Garden UCC joined nearly 200 volunteers at Ottawa University’s Faith Arena for the recent Meals of Hope event, sponsored by the Surprise and Sun City West Rotary Club. In just two hours, volunteers packed 31,104 meals for area food banks, with meals distributed through Valley View Community Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank. Desert Garden UCC supported the effort with a $1,000 donation from its Mission Outreach Restricted Fund, helping Rotary and community partners address food insecurity across the region.
The Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ is celebrating 15 congregations whose creative visions for ministry have been approved for 2026 Congregational Revitalization & Resiliency Grants.
For the third consecutive year, the grant program is helping congregations pursue renewal, faithful innovation, and deeper connection with God, one another, and their communities. This year, applicants were invited to connect their projects with the Southwest Conference C.A.R.E.S. framework—Covenant, Advocacy, Rest, Engagement, and Spirit.
The 15 projects demonstrate just how many forms revitalization can take. Some congregations are investing in children and youth. Others are addressing racial justice, isolation, accessibility, community outreach, spiritual renewal, or new ways of worshiping and building relationships. What they share is a willingness to listen, experiment, and respond faithfully to the communities they serve.
Click through to read about each church’s projects!
What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
On August 30, 2026, Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque kicked off a three-year process to develop better cultural humility and racial justice awareness among members. At the end of the three years, our members will have learned about historical and systemic racism, how to talk about race and racial issues, and how to resist racism when encountered. In this way, COGS members can “accept the cost and joy of discipleship” in service to all our neighbors.
What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.
The congregation of Church of the Beatitudes invites friends and colleagues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Rich Smith on Sunday, September 13. Ordained in 1976, Rich served five UCC congregations over a 39-year ministry, preaching more than 1,500 sermons and officiating hundreds of weddings, baptisms, and memorial services. In retirement, he remains active in the Southwest Conference, guest preaching throughout Arizona and serving with Rincon UCC in Tucson. Join in giving thanks for a lifetime of faithful ministry and service.
When: Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix
What’s happening at YOUR church? Tell us about it! Just write up an article and submit it to Wende by Thursday at noon to have it included in the following Monday’s Loop.
Wende reads your church newsletters and other materials and compiles the highlights to keep us up-to-date on the amazing work happening at the Southwest Conference churches and beyond.
Tag SWC and Wende on Facebook and Instagram to get our attention so we can share your posts! We’re @swcucc and Wende is @yeswende.