Applications open for 2023-2024 Governor’s Youth Commission

April 03, 2023 in Conference News

The Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) is seeking inspiring youth leaders from Arizona high schools to serve on the 2023-2024 Governor's Youth Commission (GYC). The GYC brings together a diverse group of high school students from all fifteen Arizona counties to identify and address the greatest challenges facing Arizona’s youth by developing innovative community impact projects, establishing partnerships with young leaders across the state, and advising the Governor.

Commissioners are selected through a competitive application process. If you know a high school student with a passion for service and leadership, please share this unique opportunity to serve as an ambassador in a nationally recognized leadership program! Applicants must be sophomore, junior, or senior students during the 2023-2024 school year. Applications are currently being accepted until May 31, 2023, at 5:00 PM from Arizona youth in all fifteen counties.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

Congratulations, ellie hutchison!

April 03, 2023 in Conference News

It is our great honor and pleasure to share that ellie hutchison, one of the MIDs in the Southwest Conference was unanimously approved for ordination pending a call.

Congratulations ellie, the best is yet to come!

UCC leaders call for action after Nashville School Shooting

April 03, 2023 in Conference News

“There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve.” ~ Miroslav Volf, Public Theologian

Every child deserves to make it through the school day alive.

The officers and national staff of the United Church of Christ mourn with those who lament the needless deaths of Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill, violently killed at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN.

Antiracism Study Dialogue Circle Workshops

April 01, 2023 in Conference News

Sign up now for the ASDIC spring workshops, completely free of charge. Sign up for workshops HERE (scroll down to the bottom of the form).

Workshops at Annual Gathering

March 25, 2023 in Annual Meeting

Attending the Annual Gathering? Here’s the workshop information you’ve been waiting for, including an “Unworkshop” - check it out.

Southern Arizona meet & greet photos

March 19, 2023 in Conference News

Southern Arizona Meet and Greet event for Dr. Toni happened today! Thanks to Rev. Louis Mitchell and Rincon Congregational UCC for hosting, and to Rev. Dean Hokel for the wonderful intro.

Board affirms: Karen Georgia Thompson will be first woman to lead UCC if elected by Synod

March 11, 2023 in Conference News, General Synod

Board affirms: Karen Georgia Thompson will be first woman to lead UCC if elected by Synod.

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. Upcoming Courses

March 11, 2023 in Conference News

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. exists to offer a range of stimulating, accessible, and affordable online progressive Christian resources for church leaders, faith explorers, pastors, and those discerning various vocations and callings within and outside the church community.

Meet our Transitional Conference Minister in person!

March 09, 2023 in Conference News

Please join us in welcoming Dr Toni Hawkins to the Southwest Conference for meet and greets around the Conference.

–Susan Valiquette, Moderator

These informal events are open to all clergy and lay people throughout the area. Come and meet Dr. Toni, our Transitional Conference Minister, enjoy light refreshments, and mingle with old and new SWC friends!

Ecclesiastical Council for ellie hutchison

March 09, 2023 in Conference News

You’re invited to attend the Ecclesiastical Council for ellie hutchison of Church of the Beatitudes, for approval for ordination to the ministry (pending call), on Sunday, March 26th at 3:00 pm MST, via Zoom.

UCC GMP Search Committee makes historic choice, recommends Karen Georgia Thompson as next leader

March 06, 2023 in Conference News

After a year-long search, the United Church of Christ Board’s Search Committee for General Minister and President has made a historic choice. The committee will be recommending Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson to the UCCB this week as nominee for General Minister and President. If elected, she would be the first woman, and the first woman of African descent, to lead the denomination.

Click here for the letter to the wider church from Search Committee Chair, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin.

UCC Webinar—Leaky Stoves and Deadly Gases

February 25, 2023 in Conference News

In the media and social media, gas and electric stoves have recently been a "hot topic." In this webinar, we will seek to put this "heated debate" within its proper ethical context in terms of environmental justice, public health, and concerns about methane pollution.

This webinar will prepare faith communities for informed action in caring for our neighbors and our planet.

Ukraine Prayer for Peace

February 25, 2023 in Conference News

On this, the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United Church of Christ calls on our clergy, our lay leaders, our churches, and all people of faith to pray for peace, to pray for an end to the hostilities that are ravaging the people and land of Ukraine, and to pray for a de-escalation of rhetoric that threatens nuclear options.

Proposed GS Resolutions

February 20, 2023 in Conference News, General Synod

Synod resolutions move to UCC Board, create space for ‘Holy Spirit to be at work.’

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. Upcoming Courses

February 20, 2023

PATHWAYS exists to offer a range of stimulating, accessible, and affordable online progressive Christian resources for church leaders, faith explorers, pastors, and those discerning various vocations and callings within and outside the church community. (pathwaystheological.org/)

Prophetic Imagination: A 12-Week Course on the Life and Work of Walter Brueggemann

February 20, 2023 in Conference News

Our own Rev. Dave Stabenfeldt was someone who was interviewed by the author for the book, and he's shared this with us.

Check it out!

Come Play!

February 04, 2023 in Conference News

The wider church invited to create ‘play space’ with the General Minister and President, by engaging in a series of interactive conversations through May.

Church Leadership Training

February 04, 2023 in Conference News

Church moderators, treasurers, and other persons in leadership:

The Center for Transformational Leadership is excited to announce a Church Leadership Training session that will be held over Zoom on Saturday, February 25th from 9:00AM - 12:00PM.

Power of the Pause

February 04, 2023 in Conference News

The Southwest Conference staff invites you to pause at noon each Wednesday, wherever you are, to be renewed in prayer, knowing that you're joined by countless others across our Conference.