April 16, 2024 – April 18, 2024
“Weaving our Tapestry at the Intersections”
Join UCC clergywomen for a time for connection, challenge, learning, and support as we gather in historic Charleston. Look forward to building relationships and networks that will support your ministries and develop your leadership potential.
We will be inspired by our 2023 Awardees, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel and Rev. Dr. Lisa Goods, who will engage us at the intersections of Race, Gender, and Ministry.
Open to authorized clergywomen in the UCC.
MIDs are welcome to join online for a digital retreat with opportunities to share in the keynotes, worship, and workshops.
Read MoreThe Executive Board is very pleased to announce that on Thursday, February 22 at an executive session, they unanimously voted to recommend to delegates of the 2024 Southwest Conference Annual Meeting that our Transitional Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins be called as our settled Conference Minister!
Registered delegates will vote on this measure at our Annual Meeting business session on Saturday, April 27.
Read MoreNew message from Sonja Haller:
We want to help connect churches in our conference that might be interested in attending. I know churches in other conferences who don’t have youth are also hosting fundraisers to help youth from their conference be able to attend (it’s expensive!) This is a great way for all churches to get involved and help make this a possibility for our youth. Wherever you are if you’d like to learn more about it, sign up to host a fundraiser, or just gather and see how you can support the youth of our conference please click on the link below and let us know your availability so we can find the best time to meet.
Meeting Doodle Link: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/bDwoYXna
Read MorePlease welcome Rev. Janice Steele and Rev. Leslie Etheredge to our staff as our Bridge ACMs!
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference UCC Annual Clergy review form is available for all Conference Clergy to complete.
“The annual Information Review is a basic obligation to maintain good ministerial standing…” (United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry).
This survey is a means for authorized ministers to participate in the Information Review in order to uphold the covenantal relationship with their Conferences and Associations.
Please complete and submit this form by March 31, 2024.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our staff here at the Southwest Conference! Please join us in extending a warm Southwest Conference welcome to Adrienne Kaye, who has officially joined us as our Executive Assistant, effective February 6, 2024.
Read MoreWhat a joyful weekend! Enjoy these photos from Martha Phillips and First Congregational Albuquerque.
Read MoreThe Spring and Summer ONA Webinar Series was just announced! One per month will be offered (February-July) with some classic webinars as well as some new ones to address what we've heard ONA churches say they need support with. Save money by purchasing the series pass or register for them a la carte. Church pricing (based on church size) and individually priced tickets available for both a la carte and series pass.
Read MoreCyber crime is on the rise, and cyber criminals love to seek out unsuspecting organizations. Safeguarding information can help deter theft, preserve privacy, and avoid lawsuits.
Everything from mailing lists and donation records to Social Security information to banking information may be kept in a church database or filing cabinet. Unsecured, this data and protected personal information, could make your attendees, donors, and employees vulnerable to thieves—putting both your ministry and them at risk. Carefully protecting data and information not only makes business sense, but it also can reduce the likelihood of crippling data loss, embarrassing public disclosures, and lawsuits.
Read MoreDr. Toni has visited many SWC churches and attended several events this fall and winter.
In December, Dr. Toni preached at Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque, NM and at Black Mountain UCC, Scottsdale, AZ. She attended Common Ground on the Border held by The Good Shepherd UCC in Sahuarita, AZ and Dr. Barb's service of release and retirement celebration at Desert Palm UCC in Tempe, AZ. She also participated in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in Scottsdale, AZ.
Coming up, she'll be preaching at Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, AZ and at Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona, AZ.
If you'd like her to visit and/or preach at your church, email her a request!
Read MoreFor Black History Month, the UCC will be celebrating past environmental justice leaders and their historic contributions to the movement. We will lift up and reflect upon the lives of champions for justice such as Dana Alston, Damu Smith, Hazel Johnson, and others. To fully appreciate their impact and legacy, we will hear from those in the movement who knew them. Featured speakers will include those who have been at the forefront of the movement: Robert Bullard, Vernice Miller-Travis, and Peggy Shepard. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on February 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
Read MoreThank you to all who turned out on Sunday, January 21 at Desert Palm UCC for the service of release and celebration of Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock as she retires from ministry!
Rev. Tina Campbell took many wonderful photos which we share with you here; if you have photos from the event and don’t mind sharing them, please email them to Wende.
If you weren’t able to attend in person, you may watch the video replay here.
Read MoreYour Nominating Committee is working to provide clarity for the nominating process and the process for filling vacancies on your committees. Our conference relies on the dedication of individuals serving in crucial roles to oversee our operations and programs. The Nominating Committee is committed to identifying and placing people with the right skills and talents in these vital positions. We invite your assistance in this process.
Read MoreSong of Life UMC has an open position for their Director of Children - Youth - Family Ministries. Please see the job description here.
Read MoreThere is a Service Learning Community for seminarians aged 20-25 to learn about the intersection of pastoral ministry in the declining mainline church, chaplaincy in homeless services, and international mission in historically colonized environments.
Click here for the information packet.
Read MoreThe 2024 Arizona celebration will be held at St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church at 8849 E Cholla St, Scottsdale. All are welcome!
Read MoreThe 2024 New Mexico celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held at First Presbyterian in Albuquerque, 215 Locust St NE.
Read MoreRegistration for CHHSM’s 86th Annual Gathering — to be held March 12-14, 2024, at the Live by Loews Hotel in St. Louis — opened Monday, Dec. 18. The hotel is located in downtown St. Louis’ Ballpark Village, adjacent to Busch Stadium and within walking distance of the new Arch riverfront, museums, and eateries.
Learn more and register here.
Read MoreWith the new year comes plenty of new plans for ministries throughout the United Church of Christ.
As an election year with pressing, ongoing advocacy issues, 2024 promises to be a year with many opportunities for getting engaged in faith-filled, spirit-driven work. The National Ministries are putting together a wide variety of programs, from finding ways to center the needs and perspectives of children and youth, to building community and movements for justice among congregations and people across the UCC and beyond.
Here are some of the highlights of what’s coming in 2024.
Read MoreEvery year, Christian communities and churches join together to pray for the visible unity of the Church, faithfully abiding by the will of Christ, who prayed “that all may be one” (John 17:21) during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In much of the world, this Week of Prayer is commemorated from January 18-25. In other places, it is celebrated during the eight days preceding Pentecost.
See the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity events happening in our geographical area.
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