Conference News
Rev. Noel Andersen will receive the President’s Award at the NCC’s annual Christian Unity Gathering, which is being held at the Holiday Inn Hampton-Newport News in Hampton, Virginia on Monday, October 14.
Read MoreWe are holding in prayer the friends and family of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Buckwald who died on Sunday, September 22, 2019.
Read MoreThursday, October 10 at 5 p.m., United Church of Sun City
Conference MInister Rev. Bill Lyons will share his reflections and photos on his Spanish immersion experience in Guatemala at United Church’s Fall Harvest Potluck. A couple of Guatemalan dishes will be served!
The event is open to the Southwest Conference. Save the date!
Read MoreStretching Beyond: Diversity in the Search and Call Process is a series of four story-telling videos that depict several scenarios for search committee reflection. These videos from the UCC’s Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA) broaden the search committee’s consideration of pastoral candidates by raising awareness of bias.
The videos are the result of General Synod's 2017 resolution for "Affirming and Supporting the Authorized Ministries of Under-represented Clergy in Local Congregations: A Call for Greater Representation and Economic Justice."
Read MoreWe are holding the family of Rev. Jim Rabb in our prayers. Jim died last night (9/17/19) after a short hospice stay. His sons, Jim and Ian, and his daughter, Kimsley, were with Jim the last week of his life and at the time of his passing.
Read MoreBill spent the month of August in a Spanish immersion program in Guatemala. He checked in periodically with photos and reflections. Scroll down to view them.
Read MoreWe love receiving contributions from our churches! We also love to easily attribute those contributions to your designated givings. The easiest way is if you use the form on the website.
It's a fillable PDF that has been recently updated, so you don't need to keep a printed stock on hand! Fill in the form, print it out, and attach it to your contribution!
Call Liana if you have questions.
Read MoreRev. Teresa Blythe is creating a national list of all the spiritual directors (clergy and lay) affiliated with the UCC. This list is designed for use in networking and resource sharing
Read MoreLast Thursday, the conference office received the following news from John Houllette, moderator for Desert Garden UCC:
“Pastor Sam peacefully went to be with the Lord just before midnight last night. Time of death will be officially recorded as today, July 18. I don't know much else at this time.”
Memorial Service: Sunday, July 28, 3 p.m. at Desert Garden UCC. Clergy are invited to robe/white stoles and process. A reception will follow the service.
May Sam rest in the peace of God’s eternal light. May the saints and angels welcome him into the presence of God as a faithful servant of Christ. And may the hope that Jesus’ resurrection gives us comfort Alla, the Desert Garden church family, and everyone who knew and loved Sam.
From Rev. Trayce Potter, Minister for Youth & Young Adult Engagement:
We are looking for youth & young adults (ages 12–25) to submit original pieces of work to be used in the creation of worship materials for National Youth Event 2020.
The theme of the event is: Unite for the Earth! Unite for Justice! Unite in Faith!
Poems, prayers, song lyrics, devotions, reflections, drawings, paintings, and other pieces of art are welcome.
Read MoreAt the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Southwest Conference we adopted a prudential resolution to be sent to the 32nd General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Last week a committee of General Synod 32 considered our resolution and a similar resolution sponsored by the Southern California Nevada Conference. The two resolutions were combined after the committee added their wisdom. Delegates adopted the combined resolution titled Discerning, 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.
Read MoreCheck out a small sample of the hundreds of photos taken at camp!
Read MoreCamp is coming up in just 3 weeks! Here's some handy camp information from our director, Jay Deskins:
Campers love getting mail at camp! It's a reminder from their family, church, and friends that they're remembered while at camp! It's great to send letters!
Read MoreSave the date!
January 18, 2020 at First Presbyterian Church in Casa Grande
The Southwest Conference, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona, Grand Canyon Synod (ELCA) and the De Cristo and Grand Canyon Presbyteries (PCUSA) are cosponsoring “Church Insurance 101” hosted by the UCCIB (UCC Insurance Board).
Read MoreKeeping with tradition, the Local Arrangements Committee of the Milwaukee Conference is organizing several General Synod Social Justice Opportunities. All this year's projects are inspired by the Church's Three Great Love initiative.
The host committee is also encouraging Synod attendees to visually share ways, via the Shine! Lighthouse, that they are living into the UCC's Three Great Loves in their own communities.
Read MoreICYMI: Eli Johnson is leaving the Southwest Conference staff. We’ve benefited from Eli’s many gifts and talents. He shepherded the conference through the transition to integrated digital communication and membership management. We owe him our thanks for expanding the office’s capacity to serve our churches by improving our efficiency.
Now we’re faced with the process of filling his position. Read on for the position description and application process.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference bids Eli Johnson farewell with our good wishes as he leaves the conference staff to become Human Resources Trainer with the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Eli has served the SWC for more than three years, first in Relational Communications and then as the Assistant to the Conference Minister.
Read MoreOur combined DUCC (DOC/UCC Church Camp) staff met last Saturday and we are super excited for CAMP!!!
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