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. 

Official Notice of Annual Meeting

The purposes of the Annual Meeting is to:

• Provide an opportunity for fellowship among the churches of the Conference;
• Elect Officers, Executive Board members, and other positions as provided for in these bylaws;
• Receive the reports of the Officers, staff, committees, member churches and organizations related to the Conference; 
• Approve the budget of the Conference;
• Adopt the mission objectives of the Conference when presented by the Mission and Church Vitality Committee;
• Act on business forwarded to the meeting by the United Church of Christ, churches, associations and the Executive Board of the Conference according to standing rules.
• Transact any other business which may be properly brought before the Conference. 

Visit the Annual Meeting page for details.

Time to sign up for CAMP!!! * deadline is April 4 *

Hello, happy campers (and counselors and staff)!

We will gather June 17 - 22 at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott for our week together of building community and faith, and to grow Roots and Wings!

We need LOTS of mature youth and adults to help nurture our children and youth to grow ROOTS “to know their belonging” and WINGS to “explore their becoming.”  Good camp leaders are those who are compassionate, energetic, empathetic, willing to share themselves authentically: your gifts, your faith, sometimes your doubts too.  You need to be able to follow a schedule and structure, live in close community with many others, take your responsibilities seriously, ask for help, give help, be gentle with your own and other’s emotions and vulnerabilities, be enthusiastic and flexible – even in times of high emotion and stress.

You need to be at least 5 years older than the age group you are requesting to counsel. Counselors in Training can be in 10th-12th grades. Program Staff applicants are generally incoming high school juniors and seniors.

We also need more “seed” funds to help kids go to camp.  Donate now to Sow the Seed and help kids go to camp through scholarships!  (A cost of a week at camp is $410).

If you have questions, contact Camp Director Nathan Watts, or Acing Associate Conference Minister Barb Doerrer-Peacock.

April 4 is the FIRM DEADLINE to register for camp.

Before you begin the registration process, download these two forms, fill them out, and scan them so that you can upload them at the appropriate place on the form.

Health Form

Camp Covenant

Now you're ready!

Camp Registration Form   (everyone)

Camp Counselor Application

Camp Program Staff and CIT Application

Our camp director, Nathan Watts, will be in touch with more camp details as we get closer!