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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
    • Nine Steps: a Path for Becoming a Racial Justice Ministry Setting
    • Anti-Racism
    • Widening the Welcome
    • Environmental Issues
  • Faith Formation
    • Youth Ministry in the SWC

General Synod 35: Into the Deep

June 07, 2025

We are invited to the barbeque capital of the country this July for General Synod 35. The General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, public witness, and fellowship with friends old and new. Delegates will address the business of the church and discern the church’s engagement with issues of the day. Gathering under the theme Into the Deep (Luke 5:4), all will explore being rooted in faith and what new depths God is leading the church into.

Come to Kansas City for this biennial gathering, and register to access all things Synod:

  • Inspiring worship services

  • Lively fellowship and dining events

  • Dozens of engaging workshops

  • The exhibit hall, including an exciting new space for the National Ministries

  • An electrifying keynote speaker

  • Faith-filled business proceedings

  • And much more!

Fascinated? Register today!

Representing the Southwest Conference are our delegates:

  • Stan Roberts, Peace UCC, El Paso, TX

  • Tulima Maga, First Samoan CCC Toafa O Le Talalelei EFKAS, Wittmann, AZ

  • Clara Sims, First Congregational, Albuquerque, NM

  • Patricia StandTal Clarke, Shadow Rock, Phoenix, AZ

As well as most of our staff:

  • Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins

  • Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith

  • Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott

  • Executive assistant, Shandrika McDowell

MID Christopher Schouten is also planning to attend. How about you? Let us know!

Proposed Resolutions and Bylaws Amendments

Among the 9 proposed resolutions, delegates will review and act on three different sets of proposed amendments to the UCC Constitution and Bylaws. Those amendments include changes regarding Director and Member terms for the UCC Board, and changes regarding the election of Associate General Ministers.

Learn more about the resolutions, the proposed amendments, and how you can participate.

Agenda at a Glance:

Learn about the key meetings and events during General Synod. Review the schedule and plan your Synod experience! You can also download and print the latest version of the agenda.

NOTE: The agenda is tentative and subject to change.

Workshops

There are more than 30 workshop options during General Synod. These workshops have been carefully curated with you and your congregations in mind. Topics will explore a variety of justice perspectives, finances, interfaith connections, and more.

Attendees can choose between 17 different one-hour presentations and panels for each of the two sessions, which will occur Sunday, July 13 — the first batch set at 10:30 a.m., and the second batch at 12:00 p.m. Specific times and room assignments for each workshop will be announced in the coming weeks.

Learn more about workshops.

Kansas City outings

The Local Arrangements Committee is organizing several special outings for General Synod 35, including a Kansas City Bus Tour, a Sunset on the Prairie, and the KC Legends of Baseball and Barbecue.

Registration for these is open until Friday, June 13. Learn more about these events and how you can join HERE.

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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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