Introducing Rev. Jay Deskins! 

Recently called as Regional Youth and Children's Minister for the Christian Church in Arizona (Disciples of Christ), Jay has been approved by the SWC Executive Board as UCC/DOC joint youth ministry director.

Called to Care is a resource which helps a church or other organization: 

• develop a caregiving program

• train caregivers

• continue to develop and support the program and the caregivers

Caregiving may take many forms, and congregations or organizations may wish to organize some caregiving into programs to make them more helpful and effective.

We are offering three hub training locations.

Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. at the SWC office

The next MCVC meeting will focus on leadership best practices. The following people from conference churches are asked to attend:

• moderators

• treasurers

• council members

• finance team members

• MCVC reps

Healthy Ministry Module 3, "Finances, Resources, and Work" is scheduled for September 10 in Albuquerque at Church of the Good Shepherd. 

Celebrate the installation of Rev. Dr. Barb D. Doerrer-Peacock with us!

We have received word that Mark Behle, serving in Lesotho, Southwest Conference, will be visiting in the Southwest Conference UCC and the Arizona Region DOC November 1 – November 30, 2018.  To schedule a visit with Mark in your church, please contact Al Beasley abeasley6@cox.net or (480) 516-6456. Al is coordinating Mark’s schedule while he is in the conference.

Jim Smith, member of Oro Valley UCC and previously on COCAM, passed away on July 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, FL. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen United Church of Christ, 1875 Farnsley Road, Louisville, KY. Interment in Hebron Cemetery.

The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer will complete a four-year term as General Minister and President on August 1, 2019. In the fall of 2018, The United Church of Christ Board of Directors (“UCCB”), the body responsible for nominating the General Minister and President to the General Synod, will receive a report regarding the Renomination of Rev. Dorhauer from its Renomination Committee. The UCCB must then decide whether to recommend Rev. Dorhauer to the 32nd General Synod for “call by election” to a second term.

The SWC Executive Board has shared the decision of our conference delegates not to ratify the UCC Constitution amendments voted at General Synod 31. The decision, along with the thoughts our delegates asked to accompany their decision, were sent in a letter to the United Church of Christ Board this weekend.

With increasing pastoral care needs in churches many congregations are looking for ways to train and include lay caregivers in their ministries.

Nathan Watts' Ecclesiastical Council was held on Sunday, June 3, and he was approved for ordination.

Each learning session includes a facilitator guide, video, resources, and activities to help folks explore the unique history, governance structure, and theological commitments of the UCC.

Nathan Watts has been approved for ordination, pending his Ecclesiastical Council to which you are invited to attend at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 at The Good Shepherd UCC .

On Wednesday, May 23 at 11 a.m. AZ time / noon NM time / 2 pm Eastern, Heather Kimmel, UCC General Counsel, will be leading a webinar on Sex Offenders in Your Congregations:  Recommendations and Best Practices sponsored and hosted by the Insurance Board.

The webinar is directed to Local Church pastors and lay leaders.  It is open to anyone, including people/churches who are not participants in the Insurance Board program.  

Rincon Congregational UCC in Tucson opened its doors to over 200 delegates, visitors, and vendors this past weekend for Annual Meeting! We thank them for their radical welcome and warm hospitality!

We have three food trucks coming for Friday's lunch! Preview the menus here.