Our deepest condolences to Rev. Ann Utke on the loss of her father
Ann Utke's father, John Ringelstetter died peacefully at Sharon Richardson Hospice on Tuesday, May 10th following a lengthy decline. He was a tremendous supporter of his daughter and son-in-law and their ministerial vocations.
Read MoreUCC@ASU Monthly Dinner Group
UCC at ASU has launched a new monthly dinner group for all young adults. They are keeping the groups small and eating outdoors to be mindful of pandemic concerns. Do you know an ASU student that might want this connection? Email andrew@andrewponderwilliams.com to find out how to get more involved and to be added to the group text.
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Strengthen the Church Offering: June 5, 2022 [resources]
As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Most congregations will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Read MoreUCC Board outlines search process for next GMP, creates webpage for updates
Do you want to know more about the process of calling the United Church of Christ’s next general minister and president? There’s now a web page for that.
The page here, on UCC.org, will be updated with information periodically from the United Church of Christ Board’s GMP Search Committee. In this letter to the wider church, Board Chair Cameron Barr expands on the search and call process for the UCC’s next general minister and president.
Read MoreCelebrating Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month
webinar: Thursday, May 12, 12:30pm AZ / 1:30pm NM/EP
May is Pacific Islander & Asian American History Month and the United Church of Christ is privileged to be affiliated with PAAM (Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries).
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Mental Health Sunday: Resources from UCC MHN
It is Mental Health Awareness Month and the UCC MHN wants to make sure you have resources to best equip you for a Mental Health Sunday!
Read MoreOrdination Service for Andrew Ponder Williams - with updates
May 22, 2022 4 pm AZ / 5 pm NM-EP
Desert Palm UCC, Tempe, AZ & Livestreamed
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes Psalm 118:23
Hold the date to celebrate with the Southwest Conference the ordination of Andrew Ponder Williams, who has been a member in discernment with Desert Palm UCC, Tempe. He has been called and is beginning his ministry as solo pastor of United Church of Christ of St. Johnsbury, Vermont in June.
Congratulations, Andrew!
Read MoreSWC Welcomes Co-Coordinators for Disaster Ministry
The Southwest Conference United Church of Christ joyfully announces the appointments of Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith and Rev. Tom Davis as Conference Co-coordinators for Disaster Ministry.
Read MoreJoin us for Spring ASDIC Workshops
Register today for workshops, dialogue circles, and programming in 2022.
We hope you will join us!
UCC Board Update on Search Process for Next GMP
The United Church of Christ Board (UCCB) has completed its preparations for the search for our next General Minister and President and the search committee is now actively beginning its work.
Read MoreAntiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDIC)
The SWC and Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDiC) have entered a 2 year partnership to provide antiracism dialogue experiences that build awareness, knowledge, communication across structures of domination, motivation and commitment. A conference-wide Intercultural Development Inventory IDI assessment will begin our work together. Email ASDIC at info@asdicircle.org to learn how your congregation can partner with them.
Read MoreIt's a celebration—Arizona Women's Hall of Fame to induct Rev. Dosia Carlson!
Join us as we celebrate and pay tribute to beloved Beatitudes Saint, the late Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson, recently nominated and selected to be inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame. Wednesday, April 27 | 3:00 pm MST
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Nollau Leadership Institute 2022-23: registration is now open
Registration for the Nollau Leadership Institute Class of 2022-2023 is now open. The program is a stellar opportunity for leadership development and continuing education, building skills applicable for church and beyond-the-church employment and nonprofit settings. The program is open to everyone – clergy, lay leaders, MIDs, pre-MIDs, anyone seeking professional and/or continuing education opportunities, and the list continues.
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ONA NEWS: Andy Lang Retires at the End of this Year
Dear Open and Affirming family:
I’m writing with the news that I will retire from my ministry as Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition effective at the end of this year.
Serving the Coalition for more than a decade has been the greatest experience in my life. When the United Church of Christ called me to public ministry nearly 30 years ago, I had no idea my path would take me to leadership in the Coalition. Along the way, I have been inspired, supported, educated and transformed by many in the church, especially by members of the Coalition’s Leadership Team, past and present.
Read MoreRev. Teresa Blythe appears on "Pew & Beyond"
Rev. Teresa Blythe, ordained UCC minister in the SWC, spiritual director, author, and blogger, recently was a guest on the Canadian podcast "Pew & Beyond" talking about her book, 50 Ways to Pray.
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Report to the church from the United Church of Christ Board, March 2022
The Rev. Cameron Barr, chair of the United Church of Christ Board, has issued the following report on the board’s recent meeting. He is senior pastor of United Church of Chapel Hill, a bilingual and multicultural UCC congregation in Chapel Hill, N.C.
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Revitalizing Worship: a word from the UCC Musicians Association
The UCCMA is a vibrant national grassroots organization of musicians and pastors who continually seek new ways to worship, connect and uplift people through music and the arts. Since the organization came into being in 1993, it has been committed to increasing its footprint in the lives of our UCC congregations throughout the denomination.
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Strengthen the Church – Offering Date: June 5, 2022
As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Most congregations will receive the STC offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022. The Southwest Conference will retain ½ the total collected in the conference to fund SWC projects.
Read MoreMemorial Service for Jean Brady
Jean Brady, a former Annuitant Visitor and spouse of the founding pastor of Church of the Painted Hills, Rev. Dr. D. Joseph Brady, died on August 14, 2021. Church of the Painted Hills will hold a memorial service for Ms. Brady on Saturday April 9th at 10:00 AM at the church, 3295 West Speedway Blvd. Tucson.
After Rev. Brady’s retirement in1987, the Bradys served the church as Annuitant Visitors in Southern Arizona, a service Ms. Brady continued after Rev. Brady passed away in 2007. The church invites anyone touched by the lives of the Bradys to join them for this time of remembrance.
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