Due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 25, the Faith Formation Gathering will meet on June 1 (10 AM Arizona and 11 AM New Mexico and El Paso). The June gathering will resume on the fourth Monday of June, the 22nd.
We’ve invited some new people to the monthly meetings. If you know anyone interested in joining the group, please share this information with them!
Click through for the agenda and Zoom link.
Read MoreThe Rev. Jennifer Sowell, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with more than two decades of pastoral leadership experience, was elected to serve an unexpired term as the next Associate General Minister (AGM), Love of Church on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at a special meeting of General Synod 35, which officially ends a several year process that began at the end of 2023. Sowell’s election is a historic one, marking the first time in the denomination’s nearly 70-year history that leadership of the church is all women.
Read MoreOpen and Affirming Sunday is coming up on Sunday, June 28, and this year’s theme is “We Shall Not Be Moved: Rooted in Love, Justice, and Affirmation.”
Whether your church is newly Open and Affirming or has been living into this commitment for decades, we hope these resources help your congregation worship with courage, joy, and holy boldness.
Access the full Open and Affirming Sunday worship resources here.
Read MoreThe Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.
Read MoreThe FY2027 State of Arizona Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP) is established to provide funding to eligible nonprofit organizations that are at greatest risk of a terrorist attack or at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of the nonprofit’s ideology, beliefs or mission for target hardening and other security enhancements and activities.
Nonprofit organizations with one site may apply for up to $100,000 for that site. Applicants with multiple sites may choose to apply for additional sites up to a maximum of three (3) sites. Total amount for all sites for each Applicant may not exceed $100,000. If a nonprofit organization applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, it must include a vulnerability assessment unique to each site.
Click through for more information and how to apply.
Read More
Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 - 1:15 pm AZ / 1:00 - 2:15 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Join the Safe Communities Coalition as it hosts FBI Special Agent Dan Johnson to discuss how to manage internal security threats. This webinar will enhance threat awareness and reduce risks for internal threats within organizations. This workshop will help community and faith leaders recognize, assess, and respond to potential security concerns that stem from internal parties. RSVP FOR ZOOM INFORMATION
Read More
This past Saturday, May 9th was a special meeting of the Thirty-fifth General Synod, called by the United Church of Christ Board, in order to elect the next Associate General Minister, Love of Church.
This special meeting began with a time of worship, including a reflection from an ecumenical guest. After worship, the moderator team called the business meeting to order and proceed to vote on nominee Rev. Jennifer Sowell. Catch the recorded livestream this event here on the YouTube page.
Read MoreThe 2026 Annual Meeting of Members of The Pension Boards-United Church of Christ, Inc. will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, commencing at 2:00 p.m., ET, (11 am AZ / 12 pm NM & El Paso) for the election and re-election of Trustees and transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting online?
On the day of the meeting, please log in to your Pension Boards account for instructions for joining the Zoom meeting.
How do I vote online?
The Annual Meeting Notice and Proxy Ballot below will mail to all those eligible to vote.
Click here to vote online (Note: You will need your seven-digit Pension Boards member ID.)
Voting will close at 5:00 p.m., EDT, (2 pm AZ / 3 pm NM & El Paso) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Monday, May 18 • Dinner: 5:15 | Worship: 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 • Symposium: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mesa View United Methodist Church, 4701 Montaño Rd. NW, Albuquerque NM
Worship and Symposium will be livestreamed
The New Mexico Conference of Churches and The Journey Project at NMCC would be delighted to have you join them for the symposium on Indigenous Justice & Christian Spirituality.
This event is free, including meals. But registration is required. Schedule and registration form here.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference (SWC) is seeking a highly capable and mission-aligned Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister, a trusted partner who will help advance the ministry and leadership of the Conference through exceptional administrative and relational support.
This is more than an administrative role. It is an opportunity to serve the wider church by supporting the daily work, priorities, and communications of the Conference Minister. The ideal candidate brings both professional excellence and a deep respect for the values, relationships, and rhythms of faith-based leadership.
Read the job description and see how to apply here.
Read More
UCC musicians and clergy: Please check out the UCCMA website for more information about this exciting event in Columbus, OH, July 8 – 11.
The deadline for early registration is coming soon on May 15th.
Conference 2026: United in Spirit, Diverse in Sound will offer workshops, worship services, concerts, optional activities, and networking to church musicians and worship leaders. The First Community Church of Columbus, Ohio, which is affiliated with both the United Church of Christ (UCC) and Disciples of Christ (DOC), will host the conference. Attendees will have access to a wide range of activities designed to refine musical skills and provide valuable resources and ideas for expressing God's Spirit creatively, especially during challenging times.
For more information or to apply for scholarships, contact Eric Dundore, UCCMA President, at ericdundore@uccma.org.
For complete information and registration, please visit Conference 2026.
For information about the United Church of Christ Musicians Association, visit uccma.org.
Read More
Mental Health Sunday is recognized within the UCC on the 3rd Sunday of May, or any other Sunday a church chooses.
Identifying a Mental Health Sunday is a way for your congregation to begin or continue providing education and support to your members on mental health and wellness.
Worship Resources are available from the UCC Mental Health Network.
Other Resources are also available.
Read More
In a rapidly shifting world, how can your investments continue to reflect your financial goals and faith values?
Join United Church Funds for our virtual Quarterly Town Hall on Thursday, May 14, at 5:00 p.m. ET, designed to give you clear insights on how your assets are being stewarded. Register here.
What you’ll gain from this session:
🏛️ Key updates across UCF and what’s ahead
🌱 How our responsible investing efforts are evolving
📈 A look at recent market activity and performance
🎥 A featured Just Investing Podcast clip with Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s
🙋 Live Q&A
This is your opportunity to better understand how your investments are working, and how they can continue to serve both your mission and your long-term goals.
As spring continues to unfurl outside, consider these options to plant more seeds for peace in the coming months.
Restorative Conversations: May 12
Peaceful, Productive Pastor Parish Partnerships (P5): May 14
Conflict Transformation Skills: June 10
Free Clergy Roundtable: June 25
Family of Origin—Small Group Coaching: June 25
Read More
The worship services at Annual Meeting will be live streamed so anyone in the Southwest Conference and beyond can worship with us!
You can watch the live stream on The Good Shepherd UCC’s Facebook page.
Friday, April 24 at 9 am Arizona / 10 am New Mexico & El Paso
Saturday, April 25 at 9 am Arizona / 10 am New Mexico & El Paso
Link: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodshepherdsahuarita/
Read Moreby Gordon Street III, Commissioned Minister
What began at the start of COVID as a simple way to stay connected has grown into a daily outreach reaching over 130 people across the country. Each morning, I share an inspirational image and a short “Thought for you and me”—a small reminder of hope, presence, and connection. In those early days, I often closed with the words, “Stay safe, stay strong, live life,” and sometimes, “Together we can.” Those words were as much for me as they were for anyone receiving them.
What I didn’t fully realize at the time was how deeply this practice would shape my own spiritual life.
Click through to read Gordon’s article.
Read More
October 7–10, 2026 | Louisville, KY
The Convergence Music Project invites you to Converging 2026, a national gathering of musicians, worship leaders, pastors, and creatives centered on the theme “Sing Through It!”
In a time when faith communities are navigating profound change and challenge, this conference lifts up the power of congregational song to ground us, connect us, and carry us forward. Through keynotes, workshops, and shared singing, participants will explore the songs we need now—and the songs waiting to be written.
Featured leaders and artists include Rev. Otis Moss III, Dr. Cynthia Wilson, Mark Miller, Ken Medema, and many others whose work reflects justice-centered, inclusive, and innovative worship.
Early bird registration is now open, with a 25% discount available to CMP member churches. Join here. Membership also includes year-long access to CMP’s worship music and resources with full copyright permission.
Come sing, learn, and be renewed—and join others who believe that even in challenging times, we sing through it, together.
Read More
📅 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
⏰ 11:00 am Arizona / 12:00 pm New Mexico/El Paso
💲 Free for all Insurance Board insured ministries
Register to attend this webinar by clicking here. The ZOOM has a limited number of live participants, and the recording will be posted on their Webinar page.
This session will provide practical cybersecurity awareness tips and highlight a variety of no‑cost, federally funded tools, training, and assessments available through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These resources are designed specifically to help ministries strengthen their defenses and protect their people, data, and mission.
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ Council of Conference Ministers offers this Seven Last Words of Christ Good Friday service on April 3.
The Southwest Conference will publish the video at 1 pm New Mexico & El Paso time / 12 pm Arizona time on our YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The service is led by:
Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, Southwest Conference
Rev. Nayiri Karjian, Florida Conference
Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff, Illinois Conference
Rev. Dr. Davena Jones, Northern California Conference
Rev. Freeman Palmer, Central Atlantic Conference
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams, New York Conference
Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Southern New England Conference
“We are pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report, “Rooted in Faith. Forward in Mission.” This report highlights UCF’s responsible investing, rooted in the United Church of Christ’s traditions and its role in advancing meaningful change — from addressing systemic risks through advocacy to collaborating with partners to build a more just and sustainable world.
We invite you to READ THE REPORT and share it with others who may feel called to partner with us in faithful stewardship. We recommend using Google Chrome for the best viewing experience.”
Read More
