If you weren’t able to join us on November 22, you can watch the recording of our online gathering.
Video now available: An Intergenerational Conversation and Ideas to Decolonize Thanksgiving
COVID spreading in SWC churches
Each one of us, through the small actions we can take, can contribute to stopping the spread of the virus, reducing the number of daily new cases, and saving lives. Please use your agency and courage to do everything possible to stop COVID19.
Read MoreBylaws Changed to Decenter Whiteness, Include Lay Ministers
On November 12, 2020 the SWC Executive Board adopted three significant bylaws changes purposed to implement the SWC resolution “Decentering Whiteness in our Churches and Society.”
These additions will impact how the nominating committee identifies and recruits conference leaders. The nominating committee will invite local church’s and clergy to submit individuals’ names for consideration as SWC leaders with a particular emphasis on church members who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color.
The Board also updated the SWC bylaws to include Lay Ministerial Standing.
Read MoreNew Mexico hits ‘reset,’ re-enacting most heightened level of statewide public health restrictions
Southwest Conference Minister Rev. Bill Lyons is recommending that ALL SWC churches adopt these guidelines through the end of November.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials on Friday announced the state of New Mexico will temporarily re-enact a statewide order closing in-person services for all non-essential activities in order to blunt the unprecedented spike of COVID-19 illnesses and to attempt to relieve dramatically escalating strain on hospitals and health care providers across the state.
Read MoreGeneral Synod website, newsletter sharing information about July’s virtual online gathering
The United Church of Christ General Synod Planning Team is inviting people across the wider church to bookmark the recently released GS 33 website to learn more about the denomination’s first online biennial gathering.
This website will provide a hub for all the information related to General Synod 2021.
Read MoreAn Intergenerational Conversation and Ideas to Decolonize Thanksgiving
What does it mean to “DECOLONIZE THANKSGIVING,” and WHY would we want to do it??
A Southwest Conference Faith Formation leaders will sponsor and facilitate intergenerational conversation and idea-sharing Zoom gathering for the whys and ways we might begin as families and church cultures to DECOLONIZE THANKSGIVING on Sunday, November 22 at 3 pm.
Conference Minister Rev. Bill Lyons' latest recommendations to churches re: COVID-19
The exponential spread of COVID19 requires churches to re-evaluate their plans for returning to in-person gathering.
Read More3 Great Loves Advent Toolkit
This Advent season will be unlike past years as a result of the pandemic, so this resource has been created with online and streaming worship in mind. The toolkit includes calendar, theme graphics, social media assets for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and weekly video prayers. Best of all, it's FREE!
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Pre-Election Day Communion Service of Unity in HOPE
This will be a 90-minute service that includes encouraging words from former General Ministers, Rev. Dr. Paul Sherry, Rev. Dr. John Thomas, and Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Black, as well as former Associate General Minister, Dr. Edith Guffey. We will also be led in Communion by former Executive Ministers of Justice & Witness Ministries, Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson, and Rev. Linda Jaramillo. Several full communion partners will join us as well. Rev. John C. Dorhauer will offer us all a message of hope.
Read MoreAccess to Q3-2020 Town Hall Presentation and Recordings
United Church Funds (UCF) conducted a Q3-2020 Town Hall meeting on October 27. to give you a better understanding of market performance during the third quarter and strategies moving forward, as well as our responsible investing practices and progress.
You can access the recording, presentation slides, poll results and a summary of the Q&A session by clicking here. Please feel free to share this link with your Investment/Endowment Committee members who may be interested.
If you have any questions that we didn't cover in the meeting, please send them to info@ucfunds.org.
Disability justice and the election
Michael Curry has some words about disability justice, intersectionality, and how the upcoming election could significantly impact disability justice and equality for all people.
Read MoreNew episode: UCC@ASU podcast
Our UCC@ASU student Hailey Lyons is producing an incredible podcast that we are delighted to share with students at ASU and the UCC congregations in the SWC. Nearly all our UCC@ASU students are participating in interviews with Andrew in our past and upcoming episodes. We are delighted to offer this as a way to share about our ministry but also to have an intergenerational connection.
Listen now: S1E2 - Voting Part 1: Voting as Civil Disobedience and Defiance
Read MoreStrategic Communication for Mission Advancement
Churches and their leadership are invited to a free webinar being presented by Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at Indiana University and OPTIC.
October 28, 2020 at 4pm - 5pm EDT
The important work of mission advancement includes raising awareness, inviting partnership, and raising resources for sustainability and innovation in ministry. Effective, strategic communication enables these essential, relationship-focused activities, and helps your organization or congregation to thrive.
Read MoreElection week safe community space
Do you need a safe community space during election week? From Monday, November 2nd through Wednesday, November 4th the Southwest Conference will be holding space on Zoom for those who desire a place for prayer, community, and contemplation.
Read MoreUCF Q3-2020 Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, at 5:00 p.m. EDT
David Klassen, Chief Investment Strategist, will join the UCF team to share a recap of the third quarter of 2020 as well as our responsible investing efforts and progress. Register here.
Read MoreFinal versions of resolutions from 2020 Annual Meeting
Below are the final versions of the Resolutions that were voted on and approved during Annual Meeting. Click on a title to read it.
Read MoreEcclesiastical Council for Carson Hawks!
Sunday, November 1 at 3 pm on Zoom
Carson Hawks has been approved by the Committee on Church and Ministry ‘A’ to take the next step toward ordination. Congratulations, Carson!
The Zoom link will be sent out to SWC clergy. If you don't receive it but would like to attend, please RSVP to Barb Doerrer-Peacock - bdoerrerpeacock@uccswc.org.
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NOWCYM Partners with National Office to Offer A Virtual Gathering for Youth Ministry Leaders
There is an upcoming national virtual gathering for everyone serving in youth ministry on November 12-14, 2020. Participants will be able to select workshops and small groups, as well as other items that speak to their individual needs. Registration is now open and will close November 10th.
Read MoreGeneral Synod 2021 working group creating first virtual experience for July 11-18
How will the United Church of Christ National Setting program a virtual General Synod with moving worship, interesting workshops, educational intensives, church business, youth programming and service projects? There are working groups for that.
Presenting General Synod 33 as a totally online event for the first time demands a lot of creativity. The staff in Cleveland has a structure in place to convert the biennial gathering from an actual to virtual experience.
Read MoreReport to the church from the United Church of Christ Board, October 2020
United Church of Christ Board Chair Yvette Wynn drafts a report to the wider church following fall meeting.
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