by Dr. Kristina “Tina” Campbell
The world pauses to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the people’s Pope, who reminded us that compassion is our strongest power, that simplicity is a way of life, that education is intended for understanding, and that immigrants are our family.
He walked freely among the people, and I have the feeling that he was probably a lot of fun. As a Jesuit, he earned the highest possible education, and he used his knowledge and intellect to promote relationships and peace…never to gain power over others.
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Read MoreAs the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” This familiar phrase reminds us of that growth often follows seasons of change, reflection, and preparation. Ministry unfolds in much the same way. Clergy moves through seasons of active service and times of rest or redirection. The United Church of Christ embraces this natural rhythm by offering active and exempt ministerial standing, recognizing that ministry takes many faithful forms throughout a lifetime.
Read MoreRev. Karen Georgia Thompson offers a message of hope, joy, and triumph ahead of Resurrection Sunday.
Read MoreIn today’s social and political climate—when LGBTQ+ people are being targeted across the country—your church’s public commitment to welcome and justice is more important than ever. This webinar will walk you through the foundational steps to becoming an Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation, or help you reinvigorate your existing ONA commitment.
The session will be co-led by Rev. Derek A. Terry, Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition, and Barb Biedenstein, ONA consultant in the St. Louis area and long-time leader in Gateway ONA.
🎉 Special Offer:
The first 10 people to register using the code ONA20 will receive 20% off their registration!
Registration Fees:
Individual: $30
Small churches (75 members or fewer): $50
Large churches (76 members or more): $70
(Scholarships available—just reach out!)
A recording will be available for 45 days after the live event.
📝 Click here to register!
Let’s continue building a church that affirms, advocates for, and celebrates everyone.
Read MoreMeeting with others each month can provide each of us with ideas for worship, teaching, group studies, prayer groups, and weekend retreats. These new ideas and resources are not intended only for youth and children but are open to the needs of every generation.
Read MoreHonoring the 80th Anniversary of the 6 Million Jewish Lives Lost in the Holocaust
Sunday, April 27, 5:00 pm
Phoenix Symphony Hall
75 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association in collaboration with the Phoenix
Symphony for a powerful community-wide Commemoration featuring:
Local Holocaust Survivors
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Keynote Address
Survivor Remarks
Annual Shofar Zachor Award
Symphony Quartet Performance
Music and Prayers
Information and registration here
If you would like to attend the Phoenix Symphony concert preceding the Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration, you can purchase tickets HERE.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Sunday, April 27, 2:00 PM | Symphony Hall
Those attending the Commemoration can receive 20% OFF concert tickets. The PROMO Code for discounted concert tickets will be sent by email after you register for the Commemoration. *Discount does not apply to previously purchased tickets.
Read MoreBeginning May 7, PATHWAYS offers The Bible as Guide: Going Green, a 6-week course in the Environmental Justice program. Using The Green Bible: New Revised Standard Version, your faith community’s hymnal, online discussions, a daily journal, and more, this course will explore how creation is at the heart of the Bible. What are the ways humans, as part of the web of life, impact all of creation negatively or positively? How does the Bible guide us as stewards of creation? How does the Bible’s story of creation intersect with concerns about climate change?
Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this and other courses.
Read MoreNow that Jesus has entered the city, we are walking with him into the most sacred days of our shared faith. Palm branches have been laid down, cloaks spread out, and hosannas shouted—but now, the road turns. Holy Week calls us not just to remember but to recommit.
As clergy, we are entrusted with leading communities through this week's mystery and meaning: from the intimacy of the upper room to the agony of the garden, to the final breath on the cross, and finally to the quiet, trembling hope of dawn at the tomb. This is no small calling, and we do not carry it alone.
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Read MoreFriday's opening worship at our Annual Meeting will include the installation of our Associate Conference Ministers, Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott!
ALL ARE WELCOME—if you're in Albuquerque you are welcome to attend the worship service whether you're attending the Annual Meeting or not.
Read MoreInsurance Board Presents: How to Plan for Emergencies in Your Church
Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 11:00 am AZ / 12:00 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Register to attend this webinar by visiting the link below. The Zoom has a limited number of live participants, and the recording will be posted on the Insurance Board's Online Learning page.
Equip your ministry for effective response and recovery during any emergency. Enhance your knowledge and boost confidence in planning efforts to safeguard your community.
Register here
Read MoreBy completing the four theological courses below and a project (which you design with the approval and oversight of a facilitator/supervisor), you will earn this certificate and be eligible for continuing education credits.
The project could be a curriculum design for your faith community, a sermon, a discussion group or another way in which you can share what you learned with your faith community.
Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this certificate or other offerings.
Read MoreEvery two years, General Synod brings together faithful members of the United Church of Christ for inspirational worship, fellowship with friends (old and new), and public witness including through engagement with the business of the church. In July 2025, we are excited to welcome thousands from across the country for General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri – and Nurture the Soul is helping to get you there by introducing a 4-part series that goes deep into General Synod and why we hope to see you all there.
Part 1 – General Synod 101 will help us better understand what Synod is and why it is so important that you show up! We’ll have a time for Q&A so you can ask the questions that’ll help you better prepare for our time together this summer.
Register here.
Read MorePositions in the SWC that are open as of March 23rd
Secretary for the Executive Board and Annual Meetings
COM A – 4 positions, preferably 3 of these be lay persons, but not necessary
Finance and Endowment Committee – 1 position to fill a vacancy for 1 year
Nominating Committee – 1 position
Needless to say, for all committees, preferably persons of color and those under 40 yrs. old
For more information, contact Rich Doerrer-Peacock at rdoerrerpeacock@cox.ne soon. Or fill out the form indicating your interest. The form can be found HERE.
We’re getting our ducks in order.
Thanks much for your careful and prayerful consideration,
Rich
Read MoreBy Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott
Last week, I was honored to officiate two memorial services here in Arizona. Shortly after, I traveled to Louisiana to attend my aunt's funeral—not as a pastor, but as a nephew, son, brother, and cousin. It reminded me that while we as clergy wear many hats—pastor, counselor, officiant, and comforter—the roles we hold within our own families can be the most difficult to navigate. In times of grief, we are called to lead and sit quietly with our sorrow, love, and loss.
Funerals and memorials are full of sadness, but they also bring moments of joy. We tell stories, laugh through tears, and remember what mattered most. In the South, we often say someone has "gone on to glory"—a phrase filled with sorrow and hope.
Read MorePrestemon Affirmed to Serve as AGM, Co-Executive, Global Ministries
Rev. Shari Prestemon heads to General Synod 35 to be elected as the next AGM for UCC’s Love of Neighbor Ministries.
The Board voted unanimously on March 7 to nominate Prestemon, who has been leading the Love of Neighbor Ministries, a ministry she’s guided for the last 13 months as its interim executive. The final step is confirmation of her candidacy by the 35th General Synod, July 11-15 in Kansas City, where she’ll need a 60% majority of the more than 700 voting delegates.
AGM for LoC Ministries Search to Begin Again After Synod
The search committee for the role of Associate General Minister for Love of Church did not identify a candidate to recommend to the United Church of Christ Board during their March 6-8 meeting.
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to say, ‘No, we have not yet found the right nominee for this time and this place,’” said Julia Gaughan, UCCB chair. “I commend the Search Committee for their diligent and thorough work, and I trust that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide this Board, this Church, and the future Search Committee in the process of discernment for the next Associate General Minister for Love of Church.”
Read MoreWednesday, March 26, 4:30 pm MST (7:30 pm EDT) via Zoom
In this one-hour webinar, award-winning author Katherine Stewart will examine the dangerous rise of religious nationalism in America, exploring how politicized faith and financial interests are being weaponized to undermine democratic values. Drawing from her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, Stewart will reveal the powerful forces behind this movement and its threat to democracy and real religious freedom.
The webinar will address how the weaponization of faith and the proliferation of disinformation are undermining the foundations of our democracy, and explore how American Jews can help mount an effective resistance. Moderated by Lynn Davis of the Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner Community Action Project, a program of Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center and Paul Golin of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, this session will offer insights into the moral collapse within religious extremism, the role of money in driving these movements, and practical actions Jews can take to protect democratic values and religious freedom for all.
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Read MoreOur theme, "Sacred, Seen, and Called: Living Our Truth, Embracing Our Light," is inspired by Philippians 2:15—a call to shine as beacons of justice, love, and affirmation.
At a time when LGBTQ+ communities face growing challenges, this gathering is more than a conference—it’s a movement. Together, we will:
Affirm Our Faith – Worship in a space where all are fully embraced.
Build Resilience – Engage in workshops and strategy sessions to counter discrimination and injustice.
Celebrate and Inspire – Honor milestones in the ONA movement and shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
What to Expect:
Dynamic speakers and workshops featuring faith leaders, activists, and theologians.
Powerful worship celebrating God’s love for all people.
A State of the Movement address from ONA leadership.
Community connection and shared learning with ONA advocates nationwide.
Read MoreIn this turbulent time, one thing we as church musicians can do is use music that gives congregants the chance to channel their feelings into community singing. We know the power of music to move and soothe us. What powerful songs have people used in the past? What songs are you leaning into today?
Hymn writers Adam Tice, Ana Hernández, and Hannah Brown will join Ruth Striegel for a Saturday Sharing about the work they do to bring light to our hurting world. Come and be a part of the conversation!
Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10 am NM & El Paso / 9 am AZ on Zoom.
This event is free and open to all. Register to receive the Zoom link. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Read MoreFrom United Church Funds:
We are excited to share the 2024 United Church Funds Annual Report, Investing with Faith and Purpose. This report reflects and celebrates the significant milestones we’ve accomplished together:
✨ 10 years of Beyond Fossil Fuels Funds leading the way in sustainable investing
✨ 30 years of the Brown Endowment’s impact on education and communities
✨ 115 years of unwavering commitment to responsible investing
These achievements are possible because of your trust and partnership in our shared vision of creating a more just and sustainable world. Your commitment fuels the work we do, and we are deeply grateful.
We invite you to explore the report to see how your investments are making a difference and share it with others who may be inspired to join this journey. For the best viewing experience, we recommend viewing it in Google Chrome or Safari.
See What We’ve Achieved Together
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference joyfully celebrates Rev. Carlos Sosa, Pastor of Church of the Painted Hills, on his graduation with a Master of Divinity March 6, 2025!
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