Coming up soon:
Love is Louder: Listening Deeply to LGBTQIA+ Experiences
Climate Hope Cards Prayer Service
Centering Environmental Justice at the EPA
Upcoming webinars and events
Conference News
Women's Retreat invitation from the DOC!
Friday, September 8 - Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Chapel Rock Retreat Center in Prescott, Arizona
The Arizona Disciples Women’s Ministry is inviting all who identify as women in the Southwest Conference to their annual fall retreat!
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MID Rhonda Newby-Torres unanimously approved for ordination
MID Rhonda Newby-Torres was unanimously approved for ordination at her Ecclesiastical Council on July 30. Her ordination will take place at her home church, First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If you are unable to attend in person it will also be held virtually. It is scheduled for Sunday, September 17th at 4 pm New Mexico & El Paso time, 3 pm Arizona time. More information will be available soon.
Read MoreNurture the Soul Webinar: A Conversation with the New GMP
ICYMI: A special interview with the UCC's first woman and first woman of African descent to serve as the GMP. Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson.
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Active Shooter Webinar
Wednesday, August 16, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.MST
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 9 invites you to join a two-hour security webinar. This webinar provides information and best practices that supports and enhances the emergency action planning capabilities of your organization. The webinar focuses on providing awareness training that supports the development of emergency action planning capabilities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Thank you to Arizona Faith Network for this information.
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Convergence Music Project's Converging 2023 Conference
The Convergence Music Project in October is a gathering for musicians, pastors, worship leaders and anyone interested in justice-building, inclusive and progressive music and worship.
Brian McLaren | Diana Butler Bass | Otis Moss III | Ken Medema | The Many | Noel Paul Stookey | Monty Jackson | Mark A. Miller | Andra Moran | Richard Bruxvoort Cooligan | Bryan Johnson | Christopher Grundy | Stan Mitchell | Bryan Sirchio | Tom Nichols | Dan Chadburn | and more...
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Recap: General Synod 34 elects new leadership, changes frequency, witnesses justice
The United Church of Christ’s 34th General Synod had it all.
A new leader and a historic vote. A change from biennial to triennial. And giving witness to some of the most urgent issues — trans dignity, reproductive rights, racial justice, creation care and much more — through resolutions, special speakers, prayer and action.
Indianapolis and the Indiana-Kentucky Conference played hosts from June 30-July 4. It was the UCC’s first in-person national gathering since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides the business side of this “family reunion,” delegates and visitors came together to worship, break bread, embrace and shed tears of joy.
Read the full coverage — all news stories together in one place — of General Synod 34 here.
(by Maic D'Agostino)
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Religious Nationalism - Part II: America's Unholy Ghosts
Tuesdays, from July 25th through August 22nd, 6:60 - 8:00 pm via Zoom
Join the AFN community for an 18-month series on religious nationalism. This series follows the successful in-person events on Christian Nationalism held in June, 2023. The new section starts with a five-part film series based on Joel Goza's latest book: "America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics."
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ONA 101 Webinar
ONA 101 Webinar will be held twice in August by former Coalition ED, Rev. Andy!
Read MoreEcclesiastical Council for Rhonda Newby-Torres
Sunday, July 30, 4 pm New Mexico & El Paso time, 3 pm Arizona time
We hope you can join us on Zoom for Rhonda Newby-Torres' Ecclesiastical Council!
You might have "met" her on Episode 3 of our podcast already!
Her home church is First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque, NM and she currently serves as the lay Pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministries, an ecumenical campus ministry at the University of New Mexico.
Please register in advance here.
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Spiritual Care for the LGBTQIA+ Community Survey
Rev. Derrick Elliott has reached out to seek assistance in getting out a survey to members of the LGBTQIA+ community within the Southwest Conference. Read his letter and click this link if you'd like to help him out!
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Karen Georgia Thompson becomes first woman to lead UCC in historic vote
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ made history Monday, July 3, when it elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President.
Read More"Very short summaries" of Synod resolutions compiled by Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith
Gloria’s write-up was in Encanto Community Church’s monthly newsletter and is quite helpful!
All resolutions passed except for #8.
Read MoreGreetings from General Synod!
Check out our photo collection from General Synod so far!
Read MoreMeet General Minister & President Nominee Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson is the nominee for General Minister & President (GMP). This video conversation between her and GMP Search Committee chair Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin provides some introduction to Karen Georgia, her background, and her vision for the future of the UCC.
Read MoreSWC MID Clara Sims receives two awards upon graduating from Yale Divinity School
Clara Sims, a Member in Discernment in the Southwest Conference, graduated from Yale Divinity School and also was a part of the Andover Newton Seminary diploma program.
She received:
John A. Wade Prize -- for great originality in expository preaching (YDS)
Jonathan Edwards Prize -- in recognition of excellence at the intersection of ministry and theological scholarship (ANS)
Congratulations, Clara! We look forward to watching your ministry unfold, and the best is yet to come!
Read MoreTask force: Synod frequency change could allow new possibilities for connection
Three years? Task force: Changing General Synod frequency could allow new possibilities of connection.
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‘We are one body’: Worship, faith formation resources bring Synod to local churches
There’s a brand-new way to engage with the General Synod of the United Church of Christ later this month without traveling to Indianapolis.
General Synod @Home is a collection of worship and faith formation resources available for local churches to use on July 2, the Sunday that General Synod holds community worship in Indianapolis. They include liturgical elements, the communion liturgy, faith formation resources and a video sermon and text.
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Celebrating Juneteenth: Practicing antiracism from emancipation to freedom
Panelists will discuss how practicing antiracism can move us from emancipation to freedom in June 15 webinar.
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Pride Month and ONA Sunday Worship Resources!
More resources for Pride Sunday, June 25 from our friends at The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
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