Tuesday, February 27 at 12 p.m.
Location: Beatitudes Campus, 1610 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021
Read MoreRetired Clergy Luncheon - register now!
Conference News
Camp is Calling!
THIS YEAR: full camp registration will be $410. That is up from $375 in many previous years. We know for most campers and families, particularly those that may have multiple campers, this cost will be a challenge. We want to be sure our Sow the Seed fund is ready to help to offer a one-third scholarship. We also hope churches will also offer a one-third scholarship to their campers who need it.
OUR CHALLENGE IS TO RAISE $12,000 FOR THE SOW THE SEED FUND by MARCH 1. We have a number of churches in our conference that are retirement age, and don’t send campers to camp, but have offered amazing support in the past. We challenge you, particularly, to help the young people in our conference to grow both ROOTS and WINGS of faith and empowerment through a camp experience, by helping us meet this financial goal for camp scholarships.
Prospective Student Weekend at Pacific School of Religion, March 2–3
Submitted by Todd Atkins-Whitley, Admissions Associate for PSR, on behalf of Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, Co-Director of Admissions:
Come & See! Prospective Student Event is a great opportunity for folks to get to know Pacific School of Religion, a seminary affiliated with the UCC.
Read MoreThe year ahead
In 2018 conference leaders are building on our strengths and creating ways to live into the opportunities before us. The Executive Board will begin a strategic planning conversation, and we look forward to calling a settled associate conference minister. We are regionalizing some programs and training, physically and through technology, to offer more accessible opportunities to connect with the ministry and resources provided by the conference office. Partnerships and collaboration will be center-stage in our justice work.
Read MoreMember in Discernment Gathering
April 12-13, 2018, Cleveland
The Ministerial, Excellence, Support and Authorization Ministry Team (MESA) is pleased to offer an April 12-13, 2018 gathering for all MIDs at the Cleveland offices of the national setting of the United Church of Christ. Share the word! An event flier is below. Deadline for online registration and receiving all required forms is March 16, 2018.
Read MoreSWC Widening the Welcome Team Ministry meeting
Saturday, February 3, 2018, 1:00-2:30, First Congregational UCC, 1407 N. Second Street, Phoenix, Room #5
Part two of the two-part workshop, "Conflict Resolution Through Understanding Communication Styles."
Read MoreGrant money is available for youth groups attending WRYE 2018
Theme: "Come to the Water // E Hele Mai I Ka Wai"
When: June 25-29, 2018
Where: The University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu
Cost: $475 early registration / $495 after early registration deadline
Clergy Training with Heather Kimmel: January 12
Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the UCC will be with us on Friday, January 12 for the following workshops. Please RSVP asap to reserve your spot in the trainings.
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SWC Widening the Welcome Team Ministry meeting
Saturday, January 6, 2018, 1:00-2:30, First Congregational UCC, 1407 N. Second Street, Phoenix, Room #5
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Jim Alexander's ordination this Sunday
Sunday, January 7, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at the Church of the Palms
All clergy are asked to arrive at 2:30 p.m. with robes to assemble for the processional. A reception will follow the service.
Christmas Fund
...while we’re quite well taken care of by the financial wizards at the Pension Boards, I had my eyes opened when I agreed to become the Annuitant Visitor for the UCC in Southern Arizona. That means I’m the conduit between the Pension Boards and some 30 retired clergy or their surviving spouses. My task is to check up on them once a year, preferably in person, thank them for their service, let them know they are not forgotten by their church, see first-hand how they’re doing, and discern if they have any financial needs that the Pension Boards can help with.
Read MoreStaff changes, contributions deadline
Bill has some important information about staff changes at the Conference, and contribution deadlines.
Read MoreChristmas Fund
You have the opportunity to be a part of this ministry that cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ through your participation in this year's Christmas Fund Offering.
Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors like the one above, but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees.
Your gifts are needed more than ever to help the growing number of retirees whose low-income annuities make it difficult to meet increasing living costs. This is your opportunity to participate in God's promise of renewal by enabling this ministry of compassion and care.
New Directories Are Online
The 2017-2018 Southwest Conference Directories are live on our website, through the Resources tab. Please contact your local church administrator for the password.
Read MoreCall to prayer after school shooting
This time, in Aztec, New Mexico. Two Aztec High School students were shot to death this morning by a gunman who later died at the scene.
Rev. Rebecca Morgan, a UCC pastor currently serving at First Presbyterian in nearby Farmington, NM, is leading a Service of Lament and Support tonight at 6 pm. The church is at 865 N Dustin. She asks that “people bring their broken hearts.”
Read MoreRev. Linda Mervine to retire
Rev. Linda Mervine is retiring after 36 years as minister, ten of which have been in service as Pastor at First Christian Church in Las Cruces, and to the Las Cruces community.
All are invited to the celebration of Linda's 36-year ministry and her new beginning at an open house on Sunday Dec 10, 2017, 3 pm -5 pm.
Her last day at First Christian Church will be December 31, 2017. She will conduct the service with the Elders as an AGAPE sit-down potluck meal, themed 'Endings and New Beginnings', held in the Sanctuary.
By popular demand: "Recovering Our Moral Center" by Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons
Listen and/or read Bill Lyons' sermon, "Recovering Our Moral Center", preached at Casas Adobes Congregational on October 8, 2017.
Read MoreSeeking Southwest Conference Camp Director - application deadline extended to December 1
After reading through the job description, if you feel called to apply for the position of Southwest Conference Camp Director, please contact Acting Associate Conference Minister Barb Doerrer-Peacock
Read MoreNew Arizona Faith Network position
The Arizona Faith Network board is now actively recruiting for the position of Ryle Grant Initiatives Program Manager.
Read MoreAnnouncement about SWC youth program - from Jeremy Bailey
Greetings Conference Members,
In years past the conference has had a lively and vibrant youth program with many different opportunities and programs for youth and young adults to engage with each other and the conference, providing service and developing their faith through community together. These programs were critical to my own faith formation and sense of a larger community of faith beyond just our local walls.
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