Thank you to Rev. Bill Utke of Desert Garden UCC for passing along this information:
Mrs. Inis Clark, beloved spouse of Rev. James Clark (UCC, retired), was born into eternal life on July 22, 2026. She was born on November 29, 1938.
For eight years, Inis served as the OCWM Officer for the United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio, where she faithfully supported the mission and ministry of the wider church.
Inis and James recently celebrated the remarkable milestone of 68 years of marriage, a testament to their enduring love and faithful partnership.
Those who knew Inis remember her as a dedicated worker, gracious and welcoming to everyone she met, and someone whose warm hugs reflected her generous spirit. Above all, she cherished her family, delighting in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.
We give thanks to God for Inis's life of faith, service, and love, and we hold James and all who grieve her passing in our prayers as they entrust her to God's eternal care.
Read MoreThe SWC staff is excited to have moved into our new space at:
3030 N Central Ave #405, Phoenix AZ 85012
Dr. Derrick was the first to finish setting up his new digs. The other offices are in progress!
Read MoreArguably the most popular resource that is sold by the United Church of Christ, the Desk Calendar and Plan Book is more than just a calendar. It’s a gateway into the life of the church, full of resources, important dates, liturgical calendars, and fun facts about the many different ministries and programs of the UCC.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the UCC in 2027, a special cover of the Desk Calendar and Plan Book was released, featuring photos from the past 70 years highlighting the rich, storied, and diverse history of the denomination.
Learn more here.
Order here.
Read MoreTuesday, October 20, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Arizona Time)
First Church UCC, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hybrid Event: Attend In Person or via Zoom
Register or become a sponsor today: arizonafaithnetwork.org/gather
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference staff is excited about our August 1 office relocation!
Our PO Box will remain the same, but our new office will be at:
3030 N Central Ave #405, Phoenix AZ 85012
Our new Executive Assistant, Gwynne, took some photos last week. Click through to view them all.
Read MoreInsurance Board Presents:
Partners in Stewardship: A Roundtable Discussion on Property Care, Risk Management, and Insurability
Thursday, August 20, 2026
11:00 am AZ / 12:00 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Register to attend this webinar by visiting this link. The Zoom has a limited number of live participants, and the recording will be posted on the Insurance Board’s webinar page.
Read MoreOne of the deep joys of ministry in the United Church of Christ is watching the Spirit call people into service from every corner of the church. Authorized ministry in our tradition is not reserved for those who follow a single path. It rises up wherever gifts, faithfulness, and the affirmation of a community meet. This season, the Southwest Conference celebrates three individuals whose callings have been recognized and affirmed: Eileen Wiard and Jerry Kennell of Taos United Community Church (Taos UCC), who have been granted Lay Ministerial Standing, and Davin Franklin-Hicks of Church of the Painted Hills UCC, who continues faithfully as a Member in Discernment.
Read MoreFor the third consecutive year, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ is excited to offer the Congregational Revitalization and Resiliency Grant, designed to equip and empower congregations as they pursue holistic renewal, faithful innovation, and deeper connection with God, one another, and their communities.
This grant invites congregations to design projects that align with at least one component of the C.A.R.E.S. Program, a spiritually grounded framework for ministry rooted in Covenant, Advocacy, Rest, Engagement, and Spirit. Whether your congregation is seeking to deepen discipleship, respond to community needs, or experiment with new ministry models, this grant provides a sacred opportunity for revitalization with purpose.
There will be a webinar on August 3 to answer questions and assist the churches in the preparation of their grant. Details about the webinar are forthcoming.
Please note: The due date for applications is September 1, 2026. You may request $500-$3000 (this grant is not intended to fund capital campaigns, or repairs to facilities).
Click through for the application and resources on filling it out.
Read MoreBecause of Ministry…Financial Security and Self-Care Sustain the Call runs through August 31, and is specially designed for clergy, lay leaders, caregivers, and ministry employers who are navigating change and ministry demands with resilience.
Gain practical strategies and peer insights into how to sustain your call while balancing money, bi-vocational ministry, family, health and wellbeing, and securing retirement income with purpose and confidence.
See session descriptions here and register today!
Read MoreIn collaboration with African American Women in Ministry and inspired by the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3, The Antoinette Brown Society gathers to embrace the M.O.R.E. God has for us. Identifying Ministry Opportunities, prioritizing the Relationships, Rest, and Resources necessary for the journey, and cultivating a standard of Excellence that honors our calling in every season.
The Antoinette Brown Society gathers at the State View Hotel in Raleigh, NC, beginning September 29 through October 2. The African American Women in Ministry group gathers at Franklinton Center at Bricks and Courtyard by Marriott in Rocky Mount, NC beginning September 30 through October 3. We are excited to share that there will be a joint day on October 1 where both groups will gather together at Franklinton Center at Bricks.
Read MoreThursday, July 30, 12:30 pm AZ / 1:30 pm NM & El Paso
We all know there is one room in a church filled with memories – from documents to old hymnals to whatever item found its way there and we know the temptation to throw it all way! But our Church records are more than just words on dusty paper; they are windows into the past that illuminate the history of a community and convey the mission of the church. Church records span the entire history of your church, and no matter the age, are important to be preserved. But knowing what to preserve can be daunting work, especially if those with institutional knowledge have moved on.
Join the Congregational Library & Archives' archivists Billy McCarthy and Zachary Bodnar for a program focused on the first tangible steps a church can take to begin organizing their existing records and ensuring the long-term preservation of the records they produce today.
Register now!
Read MoreRev. Dr. Terrill N. Murff, Interim Conference Minister for the Illinois Conference, put this information together beautifully:
Applications for the United Church of Christ’s 2026 Justice and Local Church Ministries grants are now open. These grants are designed to support the mission and ministry of local congregations. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.
Read MoreFamilies with youth entering 8th or 9th grade are invited to explore Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive and age-appropriate sexuality education program co-published by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Classes begin August 30, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, with a parent/caregiver orientation on August 23. Learn more about the program, schedule, and registration here.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference has offered Communities of Practice for Clergy (COPs) for two years. Previous COPs have focused on general ministry, specialized ministry and antiracism. As we approach the fall of 2026, we are trying to determine the interest of clergy in continuing this offering. What we need to know:
You can respond to these questions by clicking here.
Your assistance will be greatly appreciated as we learn to provide resources to you that meet the needs of our clergy.
Read MorePray-Ground Forum
September 17, 2026, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
First Light Fellowship, 4111 W Innovative Dr, #108, Anthem, AZ 85086
Hosted by Woven — Weaving Children into the Life of Worship
What if children didn't have to leave the sanctuary to belong in it? Join presenter Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe at First Light Fellowship in Anthem, AZ for a full-day forum on pray-grounds — intentional, in-sanctuary spaces that make room for children to worship alongside the whole congregation.
Hear stories from real churches. Reimagine radical hospitality. Go home with something you can actually use.
$75/person; use code EARLYBIRD by 8/1 for $20 off
Registration closes 8/15.
Register here.
Read MoreWednesday, August 5 | 12:30 – 2:00 pm AZ / 1:30 – 4:00 NM & El Paso
Ministers who serve local churches know the call agreement well, the document that spells out salary, benefits, and time away. Less familiar, but just as valuable, is the 3-Way Covenant. This separate document outlines the expectations that the Minister, the Local Church, and the Association or Conference hold for one another, helping to strengthen the relationships among all three.
Join Rev. Jeff Nelson for a basic overview of the 3-Way Covenant and a look at how it can benefit these important ministry relationships. Whether the term is new to you or you have heard it mentioned and wondered what it involves, this introduction offers a helpful starting point.
All are welcome. We hope you will join us.
https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/YQMkX5SVSuy_n1-ITHa9iQ
Read MoreJoin us for the 2026 Juneteenth Commemoration: In Troubling Times, Consult the Ancestors!
Juneteenth is a sacred day of remembrance and hope—a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward justice. Today, we honor the legacy of those who fought for liberation and the ancestors who guide us still.
In these challenging times, the Racial Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ invite you to gather in prophetic remembrance. Let us draw wisdom from the prophets of scripture and the modern-day leaders who inspire us to resist injustice and nurture a just world for all.
Thursday, June 18th | 12:30 pm Arizona, 1:30 pm New Mexico & El Paso
Featuring Rev. Dr. Velda Love, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay, and Rev. Trayce Potter
Register to join us!
Read MoreJune 10 Webinar: Join the Rev. G. Jeffrey MacDonald, award-winning journalist and UCC pastor in the Southern New England Conference, for an engaging discussion on why financial preparation and retirement readiness matter for clergy navigating diverse income streams.
Register now and join the Pension Boards on Wednesday, June 10 at 12 pm AZ / 1 pm NM & El Paso.
See session descriptions here and register today!
Read MoreLaunching August 2026: PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program
The PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program equips faith-rooted environmental practitioners with theological grounding, place-based learning, and skills in advocacy and storytelling. Structured across three certificate levels and optional specialization tracks, the program connects local context with broader environmental justice efforts. Launching August 2026. Learn more at pathwaystheological.org.
Introducing the Old Testament (Dickinson/MBS) - Begins June 17 - REGISTER TODAY!
Using the student text Introducing the Old Testament from the Exploring the Bible Dickinson Series, Rev. Anne Robertson, author, as the foundation, this course introduces participants to the Old Testament as part of the Christian scriptural tradition. Participants who complete this course will be prepared to continue their Biblical journey with the New Testament course based on the other volumes in the series.
CLICK HERE FOR FALL 2026 COURSE OFFERINGS
Read MoreDr. Toni welcomes opportunities to visit and preach in congregations across the Southwest Conference. A simple invitation ensures her visit is both warmly received and thoughtfully coordinated with your church’s leadership.
To explore scheduling and availability, please contact her at thawkins@uccswc.org or call 480-997-5015.
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