Conference News
Long-time Southwest Conference administrative employee Char Lillquist passed away on December 5th in Illinois of pulmonary fibrosis. Her daughter Alisa was able to be with her at the end. Char worked for the SW Conference in the 90's, then the Illinois Conference, the national offices of the UCC, and for two local churches during her career.
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Instead of continuing with two groups...Christ created a fresh start for everybody...bring us together...and that was the end of hostility...peace to outsiders and peace to insiders... treated as and made equals, sharing the same Spirit and having equal access to God. –Ephesians 2:14-18 (The Message)
Co-hosts: Desert Palm UCC (Tempe) and Church of the Good Shepherd (Albuquerque)
Registration opens on March 1. Cost is $100 per church which covers all five delegates, and $20 per person (clergy and guests).
All information and updates will appear on the Annual Meeting page of our website.
Read MoreFrom now until March 15, 2021, we invite your nominations of trailblazers (UCC clergywomen who honor Antoinette Brown’s vision of women in leadership in church and society) as well as catalysts (collectives, projects, congregations, or organizations that serve as provocative spaces that advance women in ministry) below. Honorees will be celebrated at our online General Synod 33 in July 2021. The nomination form is available HERE; completed nominations can be sent to Rev Tara Barber at barbert@ucc.org by March 15, 2021.
Read MoreThe Rev. Talitha Arnold, minister of the United Church of Santa Fe, N.M., is the featured preacher March 21, the fifth Sunday in Lent, and April 11, the second Sunday of Easter, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.
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For existing ONA churches and congregations beginning their journey towards an Open and Affirming covenant, our Open and Affirming Experience: A Virtual Conference on February 27 will have something for you.
Read Moreby Andrew Ponder Williams, Campus Minister
We are delighted to share an update with our Southwest Conference friends. We are humbled and encouraged by the incredible outcomes we are experiencing despite the present challenges we all know so well. This partnership of the Southwest Conference and Desert Palm United Church of Christ is resulting in new and exciting ways for us to learn how to be the church in inspiring ways.
Students are very comfortable with and encouraged by our accessible virtual format and authentically inclusive theology and witness. Here are some highlights we want to share
Read MoreThe United Church of Christ Mental Health Network seeks Communication Consultant for 20+ hours per month.
Read MoreAn update from Michael Curry, Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness.
Read MoreIt is with sadness we need to announce that due to the uncertainties of COVID and the extended challenges of knowing when everyone will be able to get vaccinated, we will not be holding our Disciples-UCC Church Camp (DUCC) again this summer.
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Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.
Read MoreWe are holding the family of the Rev. Dr. Art Ellersieck in our prayers. Their pastor, Len Sylvester, sent this news...
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by Lisa Dunbar, RN, BSN; parish nurse at United Church of Sun City
As a Parish Nurse, the pandemic of COVID-19 has certainly brought many challenges in focusing on the health of our congregation. Currently, the challenge is to help our members to understand, to make an educated decision, and to receive the vaccination.
I have found that the first hurdle is in educating our congregation. I have been able to put short articles in the church newsletter, and to send an all-church email that gave information about the vaccine. It focused on dispelling some of the misinformation being disseminated on the web.
Read MoreFriends, it is with both with sorrow and resurrection joy that we share the news that Rev. Robert Koth passed away the morning of January 18. As many of you know, Robert was a servant-leader in our conference during his "retirement" (he was more active than many of us are!) in his tireless advocacy of the differently-abled, those on the margins of society, and radical inclusivity and hospitality for all.
Read MoreTo keep everyone safe, the 33rd General Synod will be held virtually. This means EVERYONE can attend! If you’ve always wanted to see our covenantal denomination in action- this is your chance! Save the Date: July 11-18, 2021. Bookmark the website: http://generalsynod.org/#UCCSynod
Read Morefrom Arizona Faith Network’s newsletter:
On February 2nd, 2021 Dr. Cara Christ, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maria Cristina Fuentes, Director of the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, confirmed on a call with faith leaders that clergy are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination under Phase 1B.
Read MoreThe Association of United Church Educators (AUCE) is having a virtual event to celebrate 50 years of pastors and CE folks learning and growing together with the UCC!
AUCE members and friends are invited to help us celebrate 50 years and beyond with special guests, Rev. Molly Baskette, Melvin Bray, Mark Miller, and Walter & Kassie Runsabove.
All are welcome!
Click here for details and to register.
Read MoreIt's time for an update! We want to reinvent our Southwest Conference logo with one that's colorful and symbolizes our values and geography.
Feeling creative? We're accepting submissions! Attach your artwork in an email to Wende. Please use jpg or png format, in 1080x1080 dimension.
We're excited to see your ideas!
Read MoreThe Executive Board approved a new Personnel Policy Manual at its January meeting. We are sharing it with our congregations and members in the spirit of full transparency.
The document might also serve our local churches as a template for reviewing and updating their Personnel Policies.
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Retired Clergy Zoom Gathering: February 18, 2021 at 1:00 PM MST
Facilitators:
Rev. Jim Meadows (retired, long-time SWC settled and interim pastor)
Rev. Dr. Randi Walker (retired pastor and Pacific School of Religion church history professor)
Given what we actually do as retired ministers, how do we decide what kind of continuing education we need beyond boundary training?
How do we as retired clergypersons keep up to date on our continuing education requirements?
Read MoreConfrontational Faith and Beloved Community: Rekindling Hope and Restoring Trust
Presenter Rev. Dr. Guy Nave
Two Presentations on Saturday, Feb 20th, 9:00am and 11:00am--Mountain Standard Time---30 minutes break
Fulfills two hours of SWC Continuing Education requirements.
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