Conference News
If you missed this two-part webinar hosted by the Indiana-Kentucky Conference, you can watch the replays.
“Both/And” aka hybrid worship/church was the theme of our Annual Meeting, and these videos are helpful and informative complements to what we learned.
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We’ll kick off our Southwest Conference Healthy Ministry Modules for 2021 on July 7 with our Alternate Module #1: Healthy Boundaries for Ministers Who Are Retired And Retiring.
This module is specifically designed for those clergy with active standing who are RETIRED or soon RETIRING. When you take this module, you do NOT need to take the regular Module #1. But you DO still need to take Modules #2, #3 and #4, if you have not already, before the end of 2022.
Read MoreRev. Ian Holland, from The First Church in Swampscott, Congregational (in the Southern New England Conference of the UCC), has provided recordings to his two breakout sessions.
Read MoreIndividuals and churches contributed $19,144, far surpassing our $15K goal.
Adding a $15,000 matching gift from the Southwest Conference in gratitude for exceeding our goal, our final total comes to $34,144.
That will relieve over $3.4 million in medical debt for our neighbors right here in the SWC!
Well done, Church!
Read MoreWe’re excited to provide you the guidelines and application process for the SWC Hybrid Church Grant. As you are applying for the grant know that we are praying for your plans and hopes. Many blessings on your ministry!
Read MoreThe opening and closing worship services at the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting were beautiful, engaging, and inspiring. Deep appreciation and thanks to our host churches, Desert Palm UCC (Tempe) and Church of the Good Shepherd (Albuquerque) for their participation and video editing.
If you missed them, you can view them in this post, and read Bill’s sermon, as well.
Read MoreOne part-time position is currently open (as of 4/13/2021): Faith Community Coordinator. Click on the link below for the job description, which includes duties, qualifications, and application procedures. The position is open until filled.
Arizona Faith Network is equal opportunity employer.
Read MoreWe want all of our delegates, guests, and clergy to have a positive experience with our Virtual Annual Meeting. One thing that will help immensely is for all participants to have the latest version of Zoom installed on their device.
Read MoreOn April 12, FEMA will officially begin accepting applications for funeral assistance for deaths that occurred as a result of COVID-19. The assistance will be offered similarly with normal funeral assistance claims following a natural disaster.
Read MoreThank you, Desert Garden, and ALL churches and individuals who made the RIP Medical Debt Relief a success! The final amount will be announced at our Virtual Annual Meeting next weekend.
Read MoreOur Friday panel will focus on how churches can be successful with a hybrid model of in-person and online worship. Meet the panelists:
Read MoreCongratulations to Shea Darian! She unanimously passed her ordination interview with the Southwest Conference (SWC) Committee on Church and Ministry.
Her Ecclesiastical Council will be online Sunday, May 2, at 3:00 p.m.
Register here to receive a Zoom link to join the EC.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference UCC is pleased to announce the appointment of Marilyn Riggs as the SWC representative to the AFN board. The letter detailing her appointment is available here.
Blessings on the ongoing work of AFN!
Read MoreThis month we are following up on our conversation regarding the nature of ordained ministry in the season of retirement. Included with this introduction are two documents, one from the Manual on Ministry and the other a sample liturgy for honoring the transition from Active to Exempt Standing. Jim Ewing and Dave Stabenfeldt are the hosts for our gathering.
Read MoreWe’re excited to share our new logo with you! Designed by Associate Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock, it represents the beautiful aspects and imagery of our community, spirituality, and geography.
Barb has written a beautiful piece describing the symbolism of each element. Read it here.
Read MoreThough Easter may not look the same under COVID, embrace the journey and the joy of the empty tomb.
Read/watch the message from the national UCC officers.
Read MoreOur new conference office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 am –5 pm.
Our new accountant, Dean Van Gorp, will be in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he will reply to emails and phone messages on those days. You can reach him at financeoffice@uccsw.org or leave a message on his extension at 602-468-3830.
Read MoreWhy reinvent the wheel or work in a silo? Team up with your contemporaries at other churches, along with Wende Gonzales, the relational communications coordinator on the SWC staff! Church volunteers and staff are all welcome to join these groups. Let’s work together to be better!
Read MoreDelegates to the United Church of Christ’s General Synod this summer will have a wide variety of subjects to consider. Among them:
A just peace for Palestine and Israel.
Bail bond reform.
Safety for women, trans and nonbinary people in settings of ministry.
Nature’s rights, and whether they’re on par with human rights.
An end to Robert’s Rules of Order as the way Synod meetings must be governed.
Those are just a few of the topics of 11 resolutions and several UCC Bylaws changes that delegates will vote on July 11-18. All are now posted at the event’s website.
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If, like so many churches, you are trying to figure out who you'll need to push the buttons, what tech to buy and build, and how to do both in-person and live-on-screen worship at the same time, this is the series for you.
Watch them both during the live premieres, or return to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference YouTube channel at your convenience and get the information and help you need to plan and host a hybrid worship service. It's free!
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