Pastors will have the opportunity to attend Rev. Andrew's Bible Study, Don’t Beg – Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon on Tuesday, October 12th at 2:00 pm Arizona/ 3:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso. This Bible Study for pastors will think through options for sermons on Stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. It will be guided by Henri Nouwen’s observation, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’”
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Can fundraising be ministry? Can stewardship be spiritual?
The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar this fall offers an opportunity for pastors and lay leaders to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. We will draw on current research, seek guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discuss the best practices in church-based fundraising. Pastors and leaders participating in this program will be equipped to lead an effective stewardship campaign and, more broadly, help their congregation reclaim generosity as a spiritual practice.
Read MoreCongratulations to the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros. A resounding "yes!" was affirmed by delegates at a special meeting held recently to elect her as the next Conference Minister for the Kansas Oklahoma Conference/UCC. She will officially join them on January 1st, 2022.
Congratulations, Rev. Ceniceros!
The new address when sending contributions is:
United Church of Christ. PO BOX 71957, Cleveland, Ohio 44194
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Requirement for ALL clergy with Active Standing (both those who are EMPLOYED AND RETIRED). All four modules must be taken once between 2018 and the end of 2022. All four modules will be held one more time during the fall of 2022.
Read MoreThis Professional Certification in Community Engagement and Ministry is sponsored by the Memphis Theological Seminary - Center for Faith and Imagination. All course materials and classroom instruction are online.
Registration for the first class; Foundations and Theology of Placed-Based Community Building begins on September 7th. Registration ends September 3rd.
Read MoreApply today! One application streamlines process for several Justice and Local Church Ministries grants.
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image credit: Rev. Michael Bush
Acting Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock offers a pastoral word along with updated Conference COVID guidelines and the latest Staff Travel Policy.
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Saturday, September 11th at 9:00 am Arizona / 10:00 am New Mexico & El Paso
We will be hosting a conversation with COVID-19 Response Teams from around the Conference.
This call will allow teams to come together and share learning, tools, struggles, and resource each other as we collectively move forward during the pandemic.
If your team is unable to make this call, it will be recorded and distributed after.
Read MoreThese opportunities are coming up soon, so take a look: Any of the antiracism trainings can count for the racial justice requirement for active ministerial standing.
Solidarity: Antiracism Training with Rev. Joan Crawford
Be the Healing Conference 2021 with Dr. Joy DeGruy
Discerning Whiteness—The Hidden Barriers
Heavenly Meetings; processes to Foster Healthy Engagement
Read MoreWe have an exciting event coming up on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:00 pm Arizona/7:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso. Rev. Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer for OPTIC – Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, & Communication at the National Office, will be presenting the Annual Campaigns 101: An Introduction to Stewardship for Pastors and Lay Leaders webinar.
This webinar is designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign and will explore ways to create an effective campaign. Learn more and register today.
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The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network is pleased to offer a new set of resources to help congregations and other community-based organizations address the mental health effects of trauma on children.
Read MoreFrom Andrew Ponder Williams:
Every Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the month of August we are offering our new Zoom group for all young adults. We have young adults from across California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas signed up. We specifically are creating a space to support people just out of college who are looking for meaningful community and spiritual engagement.
Contact Andrew for more information: andrew@desertpalmucc.org.
For ASU specific ministry we have a full plan prepared for on-campus/in-person ministry this fall. We can't wait!!
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These SWC special offerings are the “7 for 7” offerings that qualify churches for year-end recognition.
SWC Mission Fund Special Offering – Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 – Goal: $10,000
Sow the Seed Special Offering – Sunday Feb. 20, 2022 – Goal: $11,000
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Hope to see you at First Church UCC Phoenix on Sunday, November 7 at 3 pm MST!
Read MoreDocumenting the Pandemic: UCC included in $5-million study of COVID and the church. See how your church can take part.
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From Andrew Ponder Williams:
Every Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the month of August we are offering our new Zoom group for all young adults. We have young adults from across California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas signed up. We specifically are creating a space to support people just out of college who are looking for meaningful community and spiritual engagement. Contact Andrew for more (andrew@desertpalmucc.org).
For ASU specific ministry we have a full plan prepared for on-campus/in-person ministry this fall. We can't wait!!
Read MoreHow do you build an effective stewardship campaign? Ask a pastor who has done just that.
That’s what the United Church of Christ OPTIC team did when it came time to develop this year’s stewardship theme materials.
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On behalf of the MHN Board of Directors and officers, I want to thank you for your support and prayers — we could not do this important work without a community of people who also believe in providing safe and loving places for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, neurodiversity, and other brain disorders.
Read MoreUCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel now has a dedicated page on the UCC website. She's including a blog of her most-asked questions, and it already has useful information on it (leasing church property and copyright compliance). Check it out here.
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