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Southwest Conference United Church of Christ

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Conference Staff
    • Conference Bylaws & Resolutions
    • Members in Discernment
  • News & Events
    • Conference News & Events
    • Church News & Events
    • 2025 Annual Meeting
    • Boundary Training
    • Annual Reporting for Churches
    • Joy on the Journey podcast
    • Sharing Your News
    • SWC Calendar
  • Churches
    • Our Churches
    • Find a UCC Church
    • Resources
  • Faith In Action
  • A Just World For All
    • Decentering Whiteness: Our Journey Together
    • Anti-Racism News/Resources
    • Widening the Welcome
    • Environmental Issues
  • Faith Formation
    • Youth Ministry in the SWC

Jottings 8/18/2025

August 16, 2025 in Church News

Do you know someone who can use a washer and dryer? A set is available. Contact Anna T.S. here: Anna Taylor Sweringen from St Paul’s in Rio Rancho and she'll hook you up with the donor. (Albuquerque area)


Pastor Rock had the joy of speaking with over 50 families from the Early Education Cooperative Preschool which houses on the Shepherd of the Hills campus. He shared about the many outreach programs that connect with the wider community, and about the life of the church—Sunday worship, baptisms, weddings, and the ways they walk alongside people in life’s important moments. Many of the families are new to the campus, and it was a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to the welcoming spirit of Shepherd of the Hills.


Prescott’s First Congregational Church’s Youth Group, joined by several members, enjoyed a summer fun day at Mingus Springs camp on August 9th. This event was graciously hosted by Henry Dahlberg and included swimming, boating, fishing, zip lining, and a wonderful picnic lunch! It was a beautiful day of fellowship in nature. It was so enjoyable, that it might be a church-wide annual event in the future!



Dumpster Fire Ethics: Rethinking How We Follow Jesus

September 4, 2025 | 12:30 pm Arizona time / 1:30 pm NM & El Paso time

In times of social, political, and economic crisis we need new ways to think about morality and ethics to make sure that our ethical approaches serve the moment and compel us into just and healing action.  Sociologist, liturgist, and sacred music composer Amanda Udis-Kessler offers us a new way of thinking about ethics that is consonant with the commitments of progressive Christianity and that helps us follow Jesus in times of violence, cruelty, and corruption. This ethical approach has implications for our spiritual development, personal growth, church practices, and justice work. Join this National UCC webinar.

REGISTER


At a congregational meeting last week, The Church of the Palms extended a call to Mark Makowski to be their part-time associate pastor.  Welcome!

Last Sunday, the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers joined the Church of the Red Rocks choir. Sixty-four musicians made amazing music together! 

The Missions Team at Black Mountain UCC is going to spend some of its funds on hot weather relief items for their JUSTA friends. They will purchase sunscreen, sunglasses, rechargeable personal fans, body wipes, mosquito repellant bracelets, and electrolytes packets.  There’s still a lot of summer left. 

Arizona Peacemaker Series: Habits of a Peacemaker

Sunday, September 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Chapel
47 E Ashland Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Join Arizona Faith Network  to learn from Steven Collis the practical skills that can help you build bridges, heal relationships, and engage in productive conversation about even the hardest topics.

Steven T. Collis researches and teaches on religion law, productive discourse, and other First Amendment topics. He is the founding faculty director of the Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and its Law & Religion Clinic. Before joining Texas Law, he was a Research Fellow in the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School. His scholarly work has been cited by Supreme Court justices and published in various law reviews and in his book Deep Conviction. Professor Collis is also the author of The Immortals, Praying with the Enemy, and Habits of a Peacemaker, which provides habits for developing the skill to engage in productive discourse about hard topics. The American Library Association has praised him as "a much needed voice of reason and compromise.”

First Church Phoenix is reopening its Unhoused Pantry doors Monday through Friday from 9:30-12:30.  The Unhoused Pantry is a compassionate initiative dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Through volunteer help and donations, the Pantry offers nutritious lunches, hygiene products and other necessities to support daily well-being.  Folks make the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after the Sunday worship service (volunteers made 250 this past Sunday!). First Church UCC Phoenix, in partnership with  Powered By Love, keeps the pantry supplied.  Roger S. and David B. oversee sandwich making on Sundays, and Roger picks up bread donations from Oroweat each week. Carlos says the Pantry continues to reach people in need, offering not just a meal, but warmth and encouragement as well. Volunteers tell us they make connections with many who knock on the door, greeting them by name and sometimes knowing their stories.

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Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
PO Box 44968
Phoenix AZ 85064-4968

Location: 214 E Willetta St., Phoenix AZ 85004

Office Hours:
Monday–Thursday | 9AM - 5PM
Friday | closed

email: Conference Staff
phone: 602-468-3830

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