A Sermon from Rev. Dr. Lyons, at Church of the Red Rocks.
It had been a tough week for Jesus and his posse. As Robert Brown observes in Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes, the realm of God wasn't "exactly appearing overnight."[1]After fleeing north to escape Herod, Jesus asked his closest friends, “Who do people say I am.” And then more pointedly, "Who do you say I am? " Peter nails the answer with, "You are the anointed one, Son of the Living God." Jesus used the moment to clarify for the group what Peter’s answer meant
Read MoreBeginning February 1st, The Southwest Conference UCC Office will close Wednesdays from 1:00-5:00 pm on an ongoing basis. In order to provide Conference Staff with much needed time to focus on large project and event planning preparation, we will be closing the office Wednesday afternoons. See below for new weekly office schedule.
Read MoreThe Designated Conference Minister Review Team Requests Your Input. Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons’ has been in his Designated Conference Minister (DCM) role for just over one year now. In keeping with our SWC Employee Handbook and good employment practices it is time for the Personnel Committee and Moderator to provide him with an annual review.
Read MoreDear UCC Ordained, Licensed, Commissioned and Privilege of Call Ministers and Members in Discernment:
New Year’s Greetings! We are pleased to announce that the United Church of Christ is being invited to participate in the Flourishing in Ministry Project, a national study on clergy wellbeing. This longitudinal study is designed and implemented by Dr. Matthew Bloom of the University of Notre Dame and is funded by the Lilly Endowment...Using surveys and daily life studies, as well as conducting a limited number of interviews, the project’s main objective is to provide empirical data that will shed light on the conditions most conducive to wellbeing among clergy and their families. What distinguishes a flourishing, meaningful, vital life from one that is declining, empty, languishing, or otherwise not well lived?
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference Nominating Committee is beginning it's discernment to identify our next conference leaders. If you are feeling called to serve the conference through one of our standing committees, the Nominating Committee invites you to let them know that. If you know an outstanding leader in your church we encourage you to talk with them about sharing their name with us.
Read MoreAs our conference looks toward the future we are interested in how all members of the conference see who we are, what is important and how we should prioritize goals for our coming journey. With this in mind, your Executive Board has committed to leading “listening sessions” around the conference. Your input gives guidance to the Executive Board and staff for planning next steps.
The Listening Sessions focus on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of our conference. From the information that you offer, specific goals will be established.
In addition to the In-person Listening Sessions, zoom/conference call sessions will also be available. Those dates, times, and connect information will be available soon! Please watch for updates at www.uccswc.org.
Read MoreCommittee on Church and Ministry A discussed the Southwest Conference requirements for ministerial authorization in light of our current cultural context for ministry and best practices being recommended by and adopted throughout the United Church of Christ. “As a condition of maintaining standing, all parish and non-parish active clergy and all retired clergy serving in active ministry will be required to complete anti-racism training by the end of 2017.” This step is not an indication of a problem or deficiency among us, but rather an expression of our shared commitment to excellence in ministry.
Read MoreAs a non-profit ministry, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center works to encourage the non-violent transformation of conflict in relationships in homes, churches, workplaces, schools, and throughout our world. Our training events address ways of resolving conflicts and building healthier relationships in all of these settings. Conflict in itself is neither good nor bad, but, an indicator for the need for growth. Handled in a healthy way, it is an opportunity for all involved to mature and cultivate healthier relationships.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference logo has a new look. Curious? This Huffington Post article will help.
Read MoreWhite Privilege: Let's TALK. Let's DO something.
The UCC now offers a new adult curriculum—White Privilege: Let's Talk—that's designed to encourage church members to engage in safe, meaningful, substantive and bold conversations on race.
- 4 sessions that each introduce a different aspect of white privilege
- 5 authors who contribute a different view of the subject based on their unique experiences
Read MoreShare your opinions with the UCC Faith Community Nursing leadership team.
Read MoreA post-election pastoral letter from the Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, Designated Conference Minister.
In every congregation in this conference, voters from both presidential candidate's camps will sit next to one another on Sunday. We as Church stand independent of politics, yet, because we live as Church in a political world, and because God issued and Jesus exemplified a call to be prophetic, we are impacted by and must speak to political realities around us. Sometimes these two worlds align, sometimes they don't, and sometimes we live in the limbo of wondering. That's part of what Jesus was getting at when he challenged us to live in the world without being part of the world, [1] and when he said “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." [2]
Read MoreThe window for applying for a UCC scholarship opens on December 1, 2016 and closes in March, 2017. Learn more!
Read MoreKeeping in progress with the new Green & Digital transition, the 2016-2017 Conference Directory will not be printed and emailed but rather available here on the Conference Website. This page is protected and require a password for access in order to keep information secure. For more information please contact the Southwest Conference Office.
Read MoreDear members and friends of the Southwest Conference,
Grace and peace to you. I hope this letter finds you prospering even as your soul is getting along well!
This week 2017 OCWM pledge forms were sent to our congregations. The moment has arrived for UCC churches to make their financial commitments to the ministries of the Southwest Conference for the coming year. Many of you give to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) through your local church. Thank you! I want to tell you about a few of the ways your OCWM dollars equipped congregations and clergy for their best possible ministry, and how you have been transforming the world for justice and peace.
Read MoreTake a moment to checkout the MESA/CARD Ministers Articles.
The MESA team works in a collaborative model to meet the needs of those at the table. Duties, responsibilities and contact information of each MESA team member are listed below, understanding that the goals and partnerships noted here are not designed to be exhaustive.
MESA/CARD have produced a series of articles in reflection of the purpose and background regarding certain aspects of ministry. These Ministers Articles are written both to help convey the circumstances of clergy to lay folk as well as provide insight into the trends of the ministry setting.
Read MoreIn the waning days of the South Mountain Community Church, the remaining members gathered in hopes of continuing a legacy of over 100 years in ministry. Once such gift came in the form of a donation to the Southwest Conference Youth & Outdoor Ministry. On October 22nd, the Youth & Outdoor Ministry gathered to finalize plans for the upcoming Youth Launch on November 12th. The representatives from South Mountain expressed not only an interest at preserving youth ministry but a passion to provide what was offered to their families to the next generation.
Read MoreIn order to bring together youth from all over the Southwest Conference, the Youth & Outdoor Ministry has elected to drop the cost of registration so that all may come. This now ONE day event will be held on Saturday November 12th from 2:00- 9:00 pm for all Jr and Senior High. Food and drinks will be provided. Games, a Movie, and possibly a dance will offer a taste of what is to come at camp in 2017. If you are an experienced UCC camper or wish to check out what the camp life is life please join. Make new friends and connect with old ones as we delve into the limitless. Can you complete the mission?
Read MoreFall 2016 has become the season of music with concerts ranging from the classical styling of Dan Forrest to the southern flavor of Mariachi. Please join fellow UCC churches and congregations as we appreciate and celebrate the rich musical culture from around the Southwest Conference. Find a concert in your area or join us for the Southwest Conference Music Mania on October 23rd...
Read MoreOctober 11th, 2016 celebrates the 28th Anniversary of National Coming Out Day.
When LGBTQ people and our allies come out, they change lives and make the world a better place. When ONA churches come out, they transform their communities. Celebrate National Coming Out Day, and renew your commitment to build a church where all are truly welcome.
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