Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Arizona Time)
First Church UCC, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hybrid Event: Attend In Person or via Zoom
Register or become a sponsor today: arizonafaithnetwork.org/gather
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We're moving on August 1!
The Southwest Conference staff is excited about our August 1 office relocation!
Our PO Box will remain the same, but our new office will be at:
3030 N Central Ave #405, Phoenix AZ 85012
Our new Executive Assistant, Gwynne, took some photos last week. Click through to view them all.
Read MoreInsurance Board in Partnership with Disciples Church Extension Fund: Join Our Property Stewardship Roundtable Webinar!
Insurance Board Presents:
Partners in Stewardship: A Roundtable Discussion on Property Care, Risk Management, and Insurability
Thursday, August 20, 2026
11:00 am AZ / 12:00 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Register to attend this webinar by visiting this link. The Zoom has a limited number of live participants, and the recording will be posted on the Insurance Board’s webinar page.
Celebrating Three New Lay Ministers in the Southwest Conference
One of the deep joys of ministry in the United Church of Christ is watching the Spirit call people into service from every corner of the church. Authorized ministry in our tradition is not reserved for those who follow a single path. It rises up wherever gifts, faithfulness, and the affirmation of a community meet. This season, the Southwest Conference celebrates three individuals whose callings have been recognized and affirmed: Eileen Wiard and Jerry Kennell of Taos United Community Church (Taos UCC), who have been granted Lay Ministerial Standing, and Davin Franklin-Hicks of Church of the Painted Hills UCC, who continues faithfully as a Member in Discernment.
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SWC's Congregational Resilience & Revitalization Grant Application Empowered through the SWC C.A.R.E.S. Program
For the third consecutive year, the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ is excited to offer the Congregational Revitalization and Resiliency Grant, designed to equip and empower congregations as they pursue holistic renewal, faithful innovation, and deeper connection with God, one another, and their communities.
This grant invites congregations to design projects that align with at least one component of the C.A.R.E.S. Program, a spiritually grounded framework for ministry rooted in Covenant, Advocacy, Rest, Engagement, and Spirit. Whether your congregation is seeking to deepen discipleship, respond to community needs, or experiment with new ministry models, this grant provides a sacred opportunity for revitalization with purpose.
There will be a webinar on August 3 to answer questions and assist the churches in the preparation of their grant. Details about the webinar are forthcoming.
Please note: The due date for applications is September 1, 2026. You may request $500-$3000 (this grant is not intended to fund capital campaigns, or repairs to facilities).
Click through for the application and resources on filling it out.
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You Are Invited to Attend the Pension Boards’ Summer Webinar Series!
Because of Ministry…Financial Security and Self-Care Sustain the Call runs through August 31, and is specially designed for clergy, lay leaders, caregivers, and ministry employers who are navigating change and ministry demands with resilience.
Gain practical strategies and peer insights into how to sustain your call while balancing money, bi-vocational ministry, family, health and wellbeing, and securing retirement income with purpose and confidence.
See session descriptions here and register today!
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2026 Antoinette Brown Society Clergywomxn Leadership Event
In collaboration with African American Women in Ministry and inspired by the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3, The Antoinette Brown Society gathers to embrace the M.O.R.E. God has for us. Identifying Ministry Opportunities, prioritizing the Relationships, Rest, and Resources necessary for the journey, and cultivating a standard of Excellence that honors our calling in every season.
The Antoinette Brown Society gathers at the State View Hotel in Raleigh, NC, beginning September 29 through October 2. The African American Women in Ministry group gathers at Franklinton Center at Bricks and Courtyard by Marriott in Rocky Mount, NC beginning September 30 through October 3. We are excited to share that there will be a joint day on October 1 where both groups will gather together at Franklinton Center at Bricks.
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Don’t Throw That Away: Why Archiving Our History Matters!
Thursday, July 30, 12:30 pm AZ / 1:30 pm NM & El Paso
We all know there is one room in a church filled with memories – from documents to old hymnals to whatever item found its way there and we know the temptation to throw it all way! But our Church records are more than just words on dusty paper; they are windows into the past that illuminate the history of a community and convey the mission of the church. Church records span the entire history of your church, and no matter the age, are important to be preserved. But knowing what to preserve can be daunting work, especially if those with institutional knowledge have moved on.
Join the Congregational Library & Archives' archivists Billy McCarthy and Zachary Bodnar for a program focused on the first tangible steps a church can take to begin organizing their existing records and ensuring the long-term preservation of the records they produce today.
Read MoreJustice and Local Church Ministries Grant Opportunities
Rev. Dr. Terrill N. Murff, Interim Conference Minister for the Illinois Conference, put this information together beautifully:
Applications for the United Church of Christ’s 2026 Justice and Local Church Ministries grants are now open. These grants are designed to support the mission and ministry of local congregations. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.
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Our Whole Lives (OWL) Program for Youth
Families with youth entering 8th or 9th grade are invited to explore Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive and age-appropriate sexuality education program co-published by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Classes begin August 30, 2026, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, with a parent/caregiver orientation on August 23. Learn more about the program, schedule, and registration here.
Read MoreCommunities of Practice for Clergy
The Southwest Conference has offered Communities of Practice for Clergy (COPs) for two years. Previous COPs have focused on general ministry, specialized ministry and antiracism. As we approach the fall of 2026, we are trying to determine the interest of clergy in continuing this offering. What we need to know:
Would you participate in a COP? (There is a $250.00 fee for joining a COP. The COPs meet once a month for 2 hours with the exception of December.)
Is there a specific area of ministry you would be interested if you joined a COP?
If you are not interested, would you please let us know why this is not an area we should focus on as a conference?
You can respond to these questions by clicking here.
Your assistance will be greatly appreciated as we learn to provide resources to you that meet the needs of our clergy.
Read MoreWhat if children didn't have to leave the sanctuary to belong in it?
Pray-Ground Forum
September 17, 2026, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
First Light Fellowship, 4111 W Innovative Dr, #108, Anthem, AZ 85086
Hosted by Woven — Weaving Children into the Life of Worship
What if children didn't have to leave the sanctuary to belong in it? Join presenter Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe at First Light Fellowship in Anthem, AZ for a full-day forum on pray-grounds — intentional, in-sanctuary spaces that make room for children to worship alongside the whole congregation.
Hear stories from real churches. Reimagine radical hospitality. Go home with something you can actually use.
$75/person; use code EARLYBIRD by 8/1 for $20 off
Registration closes 8/15.
Read MoreIntroduction to Three-Way Covenants with Rev. Jeff Nelson
Wednesday, August 5 | 12:30 – 2:00 pm AZ / 1:30 – 4:00 NM & El Paso
Ministers who serve local churches know the call agreement well, the document that spells out salary, benefits, and time away. Less familiar, but just as valuable, is the 3-Way Covenant. This separate document outlines the expectations that the Minister, the Local Church, and the Association or Conference hold for one another, helping to strengthen the relationships among all three.
Join Rev. Jeff Nelson for a basic overview of the 3-Way Covenant and a look at how it can benefit these important ministry relationships. Whether the term is new to you or you have heard it mentioned and wondered what it involves, this introduction offers a helpful starting point.
All are welcome. We hope you will join us.
https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/YQMkX5SVSuy_n1-ITHa9iQ
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UCC 2026 Juneteenth Commemoration
Join us for the 2026 Juneteenth Commemoration: In Troubling Times, Consult the Ancestors!
Juneteenth is a sacred day of remembrance and hope—a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward justice. Today, we honor the legacy of those who fought for liberation and the ancestors who guide us still.
In these challenging times, the Racial Justice Ministries of the United Church of Christ invite you to gather in prophetic remembrance. Let us draw wisdom from the prophets of scripture and the modern-day leaders who inspire us to resist injustice and nurture a just world for all.
Thursday, June 18th | 12:30 pm Arizona, 1:30 pm New Mexico & El Paso
Featuring Rev. Dr. Velda Love, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay, and Rev. Trayce Potter
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Thriving Without a “Traditional” Path: Tools for Part-time, Multi-Vocational, and Bi-Vocational Ministers
June 10 Webinar: Join the Rev. G. Jeffrey MacDonald, award-winning journalist and UCC pastor in the Southern New England Conference, for an engaging discussion on why financial preparation and retirement readiness matter for clergy navigating diverse income streams.
Register now and join the Pension Boards on Wednesday, June 10 at 12 pm AZ / 1 pm NM & El Paso.
See session descriptions here and register today!
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Upcoming Pathways offerings
Launching August 2026: PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program
The PATHWAYS Environmental Justice Program equips faith-rooted environmental practitioners with theological grounding, place-based learning, and skills in advocacy and storytelling. Structured across three certificate levels and optional specialization tracks, the program connects local context with broader environmental justice efforts. Launching August 2026. Learn more at pathwaystheological.org.
Introducing the Old Testament (Dickinson/MBS) - Begins June 17 - REGISTER TODAY!
Using the student text Introducing the Old Testament from the Exploring the Bible Dickinson Series, Rev. Anne Robertson, author, as the foundation, this course introduces participants to the Old Testament as part of the Christian scriptural tradition. Participants who complete this course will be prepared to continue their Biblical journey with the New Testament course based on the other volumes in the series.
CLICK HERE FOR FALL 2026 COURSE OFFERINGS
Read MoreWould your church like a Sunday visit or sermon from Dr. Toni?
Dr. Toni welcomes opportunities to visit and preach in congregations across the Southwest Conference. A simple invitation ensures her visit is both warmly received and thoughtfully coordinated with your church’s leadership.
To explore scheduling and availability, please contact her at thawkins@uccswc.org or call 480-997-5015.
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Faith Formation meeting June 1
Due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 25, the Faith Formation Gathering will meet on June 1 (10 AM Arizona and 11 AM New Mexico and El Paso). The June gathering will resume on the fourth Monday of June, the 22nd.
We’ve invited some new people to the monthly meetings. If you know anyone interested in joining the group, please share this information with them!
Click through for the agenda and Zoom link.
Read MoreRev. Jennifer Sowell Elected AGM
The Rev. Jennifer Sowell, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with more than two decades of pastoral leadership experience, was elected to serve an unexpired term as the next Associate General Minister (AGM), Love of Church on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at a special meeting of General Synod 35, which officially ends a several year process that began at the end of 2023. Sowell’s election is a historic one, marking the first time in the denomination’s nearly 70-year history that leadership of the church is all women.
Read MoreFree ONA Sunday Resources Are Here.
Open and Affirming Sunday is coming up on Sunday, June 28, and this year’s theme is “We Shall Not Be Moved: Rooted in Love, Justice, and Affirmation.”
Whether your church is newly Open and Affirming or has been living into this commitment for decades, we hope these resources help your congregation worship with courage, joy, and holy boldness.
Access the full Open and Affirming Sunday worship resources here.
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