Remembering Rev. Dr. Lionel Miles

The Southwest Conference holds in prayer Mrs. Doris Miles and her family. Rev. Dr. Lionel Miles died in his sleep early Monday. Dr. Miles was born in South Africa Nov. 21, 1931. He graduated from Roosevelt University, Northern Baptist Seminary, and Pacific School of Religion  where he earned his D.Min. in 1977. Dr. Miles was ordained by the American Baptist Convention on July 7, 1957. Most of his ministry was served in the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ. In the Southwest Conference Dr. Miles served as interim minister of Church of the Beatitudes (1994-1995). 

A celebration of Dr. Miles's life will be held on Monday, April 2, 11 a.m. at his church of membership, Shepherd of the Hills UCC, 5524 E Lafayette Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85018. 

Deadlines for summer youth offerings MUCH earlier this year

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Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

I have some crucial updates for you regarding youth and camp opportunities this summer.

In an effort to be the best stewards we can be of the Conference resources, we have set our DEADLINE MUCH EARLIER for our summer offerings this year.  It is APRIL 4.

 April 4 is the deadline for CAMP REGISTRATIONS and for registering high school youth for the WESTERN REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT.

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ACM Search Committee Chosen

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ACM Search Committee Chosen

The Executive Board appointed a search committee to discern whom God is calling to be our new associate conference minister. The ACM search committee members are Randy Mayer* (pastor, Good Shepherd UCC), Rebecca Glenn* (SWC past moderator, lay member, Scottsdale UCC), Janet Leung* (lay member, First UCC/Flagstaff), Rock Freemont^ (pastor, Shepherd of the Hills UCC), Wendy Spurgeon^ (lay member, Silver City UCC), and Conference Minister Bill Lyons. Three of the committee members served on the SWC Profile Committee (*); two are board members (^).

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UCC Planning and Evaluation Survey

The UCC’s Center for Analytics, Research and Data  (CARD) is conducting a survey to identify potential needs around planning and evaluation within all settings of the United Church of Christ. The goal is to compile the responses and create the most helpful resources for effective planning and evaluation, with special attention to resources for local churches.

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Changes in the Executive Board and SWC office staff

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The Executive Board welcomed Nancy Ackley to the moderator’s chair on January 24 following Liana Rowe’s resignation. Liana resigned as moderator in order to apply for the posted administrative assistant position in the SWC office, which was vacated by Nikki Norris, for personal reasons, after just five weeks of employment. Liana’s resignation was required before being considered for the job to avoid a conflict of interest. Nancy had been elected incoming moderator during the January 13 Executive Board meeting following the resignation of John Pestle at the previous board meeting. 

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SWC profile is completed - your feedback is valuable

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SWC profile is completed - your feedback is valuable

The search for a settled associate conference minister has taken steps forward. A profile for the Southwest Conference, including a position description, has been completed. Please join me in thanking Randy Mayer, Lauri Hasler, Janet Leung, Rebecca Glenn, John Smith, Donna Lockridge, and Wendy Spurgeon for their time and energy putting our profile together. The team reviewed very carefully the listening session data gathered in 2017 among other sources as they did their work. They were thoughtful, intentional, and reflected the wide variety of opinions throughout the conference.  

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