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C.A.R.E.S. is a foundation for meaningful, Spirit-led work, and designed to shape our culture with grace, purpose, and unity.
The C.A.R.E.S. model centers the mission and vision of the SWC staff in holistic, Christ-centered service:
C – Covenant Relationships
A – Accountability and Alignment
R – Resilience and Renewal
E – Empowerment through Education
S – Spiritual Formation and Service
This acronym reminds us that caring is not just what we do—it’s who we are. It's the heartbeat of our ministry and leadership.
📖 Scripture
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
The Southwest Conference is currently seeking facilitators to lead new Communities of Practice (COPs) for the 2025–2026 program year. The number of facilitator openings will depend on clergy registration.
COP facilitators play a vital role in nurturing both support and learning within their groups. Ideal candidates are skilled in hosting, administration, worship leadership, facilitation, and covenant keeping. Using case studies and shared experiences, facilitators help clergy deepen their skills, confidence, and connection with one another.
Each COP meets monthly for two hours, from September through August. In addition to leading sessions, facilitators are responsible for maintaining attendance records and submitting quarterly reports to conference staff.
Compensation and Training
Compensation: Up to $1,000 for a one-year commitment, based on group size.
Training: Provided by UCC national staff prior to the start of the program.
If you feel called to this important ministry of accompaniment and leadership, please contact:
Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith
Associate Conference Minister, SCT
📧 gsmith@uccswc.org
Last week, I sat down with Rev. Dr. Gloria and Wende to begin shaping our upcoming clergy retreat for Arizona and New Mexico. As they were talking, I kept hearing echoes of something many of us already know deep down: ministry can’t thrive without rest. Not just time off, but intentional time to reconnect with God, with one another, and with the quiet places within us that we often overlook. (I think I am preaching to the choir, lol) When we neglect that space, we risk running empty while trying to lead others to fullness. Rest isn’t indulgent, it’s part of how we honor the sacred calling we’ve received. How do we take C.A.R.E.S. of our mind, body, and soul, tending to our well-being in ways that reflect our covenant, accountability, resilience, education, and spiritual life? You’ll learn more about what C.A.R.E.S. means and how it shapes our shared ministry in the weeks ahead.
Click through to read more of Dr. Derrick’s article and to learn a little about C.A.R.E.S. at our upcoming clergy retreats.
All clergy and MIDs with standing in the Southwest Conference are invited to the 2025 clergy retreats! Attend either or both.
Ministry can’t thrive without rest. Not just time off, but intentional time to reconnect with God, with one another, and with the quiet places within us that we often overlook. When we neglect that space, we risk running empty while trying to lead others to fullness. Rest isn’t indulgent—it’s part of how we honor the sacred calling we’ve received. How do we take C.A.R.E.S. of our mind, body, and soul, tending to our well-being in ways that reflect our Covenant, Accountability, Resilience, Education, and Spiritual life?
We invite you to retreat for a time not for fixing, producing, or checking things off a list—but for BEING. For laughter, prayer, quiet, renewal, and maybe even sleeping in without guilt.
Ask yourself: What might it look like to truly rest in the presence of God, among colleagues who get it?
Register today.
Are you someone who has done significant anti-racism work? Do you ever wonder – “How could I get better at recognizing racism when I see it?” “How could I get better at knowing what to do about it?” Then this Community of Practice may be for you. As a group of both lay and clergy UCC members we meet monthly on Zoom from September through May on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM Arizona time.
Each September we welcome new members who would like to be part of the work. You can apply to join this community of practice here.
Click through to see what some members of the group say about the experience.
Attending General Synod 35 in Kansas City this past week was a good reminder of that for me. Gathering with so many faithful people around the theme “Into the Deep” rekindled my sense of purpose. The worship, the conversations, and the witness to justice all pointed back to the same truth: we are here because God called us. As the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson noted in her address to the church, the UCC is a “big tent.” We encompass a diversity of beliefs, theologies, and traditions. That’s what I love about the UCC. We don’t have to agree, but we are together because of the covenant they faithfully promised we made to each other that we will be together. Being with others who share this calling renewed my gratitude and gave me fresh energy for the work ahead.
I can still remember my very first General Synod. The gathering of so many people from the various expressions of the United Church of Christ: congregations, conferences, national staff, and global partnerships, all seeking to walk together in all God’s ways, made the Day of Pentecost come alive. It was like the rush of a mighty wind, a holy stirring that reminded me we are not alone in this call. The Spirit is still moving, gathering, and sending us out to be with others.
I also remember the moment that first stirred my heart toward ministry.
Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s full article.
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.
Please note: The due date for applications is September 1, 2025. You may request $500-$3000 (this grant is not intended to fund capital campaigns, or repairs to facilities).
Do you have a passion for climate justice, faith-rooted organizing, and building resilience in frontline communities? Or know someone else who does? We’re excited to share that Creation Justice Ministries is hiring a Faithful Resilience Program Director!
This new, full-time position will lead and expand our growing portfolio of climate resilience programs. This senior-level role will oversee CJM’s “Faithful Resilience” initiative and serve as the organizational lead on major resilience projects. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated leadership in community-based environmental management, particularly participatory planning and co-production of knowledge, as well as a passion for engaging faith communities in resilience-building.
Message from General Counsel for our Churches
This morning (July 8, 2025) we woke to the news that churches now have the freedom to endorse candidates from the pulpit.
What happened?
The National Ministries has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.
As many plan to gather for General Synod in Kansas City in just a few weeks, the United Church of Christ National Setting has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.
A livestream, to be hosted on a special page of the UCC website, will broadcast the plenary sessions and worship gatherings of General Synod, taking place July 11-15.
General Synod will hold three worship services, including a community worship service on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 CDT, featuring General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as preacher. People from the surrounding communities are invited to attend this service in-person at no cost.
Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks and Rev. Tony Coleman are the featured preachers for opening and closing worship on July 11 and 15, respectively.
The General Synod Agenda-at-a-Glance offers times for all plenary and worship sessions, based in local CDT time.