Conference News
Acting on the recommendation of the Associate Conference Minister Search Committee, the Executive Board has called Rev. Dr. Barbara Doerrer-Peacock as Associate Conference Minister for the Southwest Conference.
Read MoreThe Endowment Fund Management Committee and the SWC Executive Board are pleased to announce that the Southwest Conference (SWC) has entered an agreement with Bernstein Private Wealth Management (“Bernstein”), a unit of AllianceBernstein L.P (“AB”), to become our Endowment Fund investment manager," says Conference Minister Bill Lyons. "In this capacity, Bernstein will provide the SWC a range of philanthropic planning and investment services." Founded more than 50 years ago, Bernstein is a leading investment advisor to high-net-worth families and institutions, trusts, estates, foundations, endowments and pension plans.
Read MoreThe SWC Executive Board is recommending approval of a balanced budget for FY 2018-2019 which begins July 1.
Money follows mission. The proposed budget reflects a strong emphasis on strengthening local churches through revitalization efforts, money to support our new church start in Taos and for an additional new church start, and what Conference Minister Bill Lyons calls "futuring the church."
Read MoreDelegates to the SWC Annual Meeting will be asked to consider ratification of changes to the UCC Constitution. The Executive Board voted not to ratify the changes and is recommending that delegates also vote not to ratify the changes. Writing for the Executive Board, secretary Karen Richter explains the Executive Board's rationale.
Read MoreExamining, Articulating, and Resourcing the Nature, Purpose, Composition, Covenantal Autonomy and Definition of ‘the basic unit of life and organization of the United Church of Christ’ for the Twenty-first Century
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ
A Prudential Resolution
Submitted by the Southwest Conference Board of Directors
Read MoreCover your bases by spreading your church team throughout these offerings!
Read MoreStay tuned for details!
Read MoreAnswers to some frequently-asked questions about the upcoming Annual Meeting. Don't see your question/answer here? Email it to Wende at wgonzales@uccswc.org and we will answer it and add it to this post.
Read MoreAnnual meeting delegates will be asked to approve amendments to the Southwest Conference bylaws at the 2018 annual meeting to be held in Tucson, April 20th and 21st.
Read MoreALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) provides preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event.
Read MoreDear Colleagues in Ministry,
I have some crucial updates for you regarding youth and camp opportunities this summer.
In an effort to be the best stewards we can be of the Conference resources, we have set our DEADLINE MUCH EARLIER for our summer offerings this year. It is APRIL 4.
April 4 is the deadline for CAMP REGISTRATIONS and for registering high school youth for the WESTERN REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT.
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ recently welcomed Amanda Sheldon as the new Program Associate for UCC Disaster and Refugee Ministries. She will be working with Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Team Leader, UCC Humanitarian & Development Ministries (One Great Hour of Sharing) and Zach Wolgemuth, Executive of UCC Disaster Ministries.
Read MoreLevel One Course: Ethics and a Life of Meaning (March 7 to April 24, 2018)
Level Three Course: Theology in the Public Square (March 7 to April 24, 2018)
The Executive Board appointed a search committee to discern whom God is calling to be our new associate conference minister. The ACM search committee members are Randy Mayer* (pastor, Good Shepherd UCC), Rebecca Glenn* (SWC past moderator, lay member, Scottsdale UCC), Janet Leung* (lay member, First UCC/Flagstaff), Rock Freemont^ (pastor, Shepherd of the Hills UCC), Wendy Spurgeon^ (lay member, Silver City UCC), and Conference Minister Bill Lyons. Three of the committee members served on the SWC Profile Committee (*); two are board members (^).
Read More10 am - 3 pm, Saturday, March 3 at the SWC office
Our next MCVC meeting is a training event and meeting, open to anyone interested in looking at the theme of Spiritual Formation for your churches.
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The purposes of the Annual Meeting is to:
Visit the Annual Meeting page for details.
Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt wrote recently to let us know of a new effort to enlist further members in the UCC Council for Climate Justice. The Southwest Conference is proud that Tom Martinez will serve as our conference liaison to the UCC Council for Climate Justice for 2018.
Read MoreHello, happy campers (and counselors and staff)!
We will gather June 17 - 22 at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott for our week together of building community and faith, and to grow Roots and Wings!
We need LOTS of mature youth and adults to help nurture our children and youth to grow ROOTS “to know their belonging” and WINGS to “explore their becoming.” Good camp leaders are those who are compassionate, energetic, empathetic, willing to share themselves authentically: your gifts, your faith, sometimes your doubts too. You need to be able to follow a schedule and structure, live in close community with many others, take your responsibilities seriously, ask for help, give help, be gentle with your own and other’s emotions and vulnerabilities, be enthusiastic and flexible – even in times of high emotion and stress.
You need to be at least 5 years older than the age group you are requesting to counsel. Counselors in Training can be in 10th-12th grades. Program Staff applicants are generally incoming high school juniors and seniors.
We also need more “seed” funds to help kids go to camp. Donate now to Sow the Seed and help kids go to camp through scholarships! (A cost of a week at camp is $410).
If you have questions, contact Camp Director Nathan Watts, or Acing Associate Conference Minister Barb Doerrer-Peacock.
April 4 is the FIRM DEADLINE to register for camp.
Before you begin the registration process, download these two forms, fill them out, and scan them so that you can upload them at the appropriate place on the form.
Now you're ready!
Camp Registration Form (everyone)
Camp Program Staff and CIT Application
Our camp director, Nathan Watts, will be in touch with more camp details as we get closer!
Jayne Hubbard put this symposium together. She suggests that people who work with the elderly and care about their issues would benefit from attending.
Read MoreThe Executive Board welcomed Nancy Ackley to the moderator’s chair on January 24 following Liana Rowe’s resignation. Liana resigned as moderator in order to apply for the posted administrative assistant position in the SWC office, which was vacated by Nikki Norris, for personal reasons, after just five weeks of employment. Liana’s resignation was required before being considered for the job to avoid a conflict of interest. Nancy had been elected incoming moderator during the January 13 Executive Board meeting following the resignation of John Pestle at the previous board meeting.
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