All are invited to the ordination of Carlos Sosa at 3 pm AZ time / 4 pm NM & El Paso time on Sunday, July 14 at The Church of The Painted Hills UCC either in-person or via livestream on their Facebook page!
Just go here and you should see the stream once it begins.
The Southwest Conference Facebook page will share the video afterward, too.
Congratulations, Carlos!
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As we enter an election season, clarifying how we engage in politics is critical. Churches and clergy must abide by IRS guidelines to protect 501c3 (tax-exempt) status. It is critical that we are well informed about what we can (and can’t!) do as churches in the political sphere and particularly around the 2024 election.
Join a discussion with Heather Kimmel, the United Church of Christ’s General Counsel, and Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, on the “Do’s & Don’ts” for congregations around the election. This webinar is part of the Nurture the Soul series and the UCC’s Our Faith Our Vote 2024 Campaign: “Vote with Love!”
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On Sunday, July 21st, Churches for Middle East Peace and its 35 member denominations and communions call upon congregations in the U.S. and worldwide to pray for peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East as part of Solidarity Sunday.
CMEP will provide resources to shape Sunday prayers, worship, liturgy, and other aspects of Solidarity Sunday services, including videos from Palestinian Christian voices in the region. Resources will be ecumenically and politically diverse, allowing each community to shape their Solidarity Sunday around their own traditions and commitments.
Mark your calendars and encourage your churches to join us in this faithful call for comprehensive ceasefire and peace for all in the Holy Land.
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The "First Nations Version" is an Indigenous translation of the Christian scriptures. It brings a fresh language to how these scriptures are conveyed and understood. Notably, a decolonized rendering of the sacred texts articulates a different understanding of how humans understand their relationship to both God and all of God's creation.
In this webinar, we will hear from three members of the translation council that produced the First Nations Version. Terry M. Wildman, who envisioned the translation, will be joined by Amy Allan and Kimberlee Medicine Horn Jackson.
Even if you cannot make it at its scheduled time on Tuesday, July 16th at 12 pm AZ / 1 pm NM & El Paso, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording.
Read MoreExcitement is mounting as the announcement that General Synod 35 rules and deadlines have been announced, calling United Church of Christ members to Kansas City in July of 2025. The theme of the gathering is “Into the Deep,” based on Luke 5:4, which says, “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'”
Read MoreDo you have a heart for the Southwest Conference UCC and want to make a real difference? Become a Vital Involvement Partner (VIP)!
As a VIP, you'll dedicate one day a week (on a rotating schedule) to supporting our Conference office in downtown Phoenix. Your skills and energy will be instrumental in keeping things running smoothly.
Vital Involvement Partners (VIP) is a dedicated and enthusiastic Southwest Conference volunteer group focused on providing essential support to the conference office once a week on a rotation basis. The SWC VIPs are instrumental in ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of office operations. This program offers volunteers the opportunity to engage in meaningful work, develop valuable skills, and contribute to the success of the SWC. As a Vital Involvement Partner, you will be recognized for your contributions and become an essential part of a collaborative and supportive community. Join us in making a significant impact through your dedication and involvement in the SWC.
Ready to join our VIP team or have questions? Contact Dr. Toni today at 602-468-3830 or thawkins@uccswc.org. Let's make a difference together!
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We're looking for a volunteer to pick up our mail at our PO box, prepare and make bank deposits, and help with light administrative duties.
Our new office location is at 214 E Willetta, Phoenix.
If you're interested, please contact Dr. Toni!
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Mondays at noon AZ, 1 pm NM & El Paso
Start your week with some guided meditation led by Bhikkhu Vasu Bandhu, AFN's Interfaith Manager, and guest leaders. Vasu Bandhu serves the Buddhist community as Bhikkhu (monk) in the Dhammapada Sangha (Zen Buddhism), assisting in the practice and teaching of the principles, ceremonies and rituals.
Read MoreAlongside Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, people from different parts of the world bring religions that are new to many Americans: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and many others.
Rev. Dr. Kathy Harvey Nelson invites you to this amazing level 1 course of Pluralism & Religion in North America beginning July 10 - register now!
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We encourage churches to celebrate June (Pride Month) in ways that best suit the culture and climate of your congregation! Resources in this article.
And don't miss the next installment of the ONA Spring/Summer Webinar Series! Click the headline for the full list.
Read Moreby Donna Jackson | published on May 28, 2024
Get ready to batten down the hatches. Research indicates that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, could be a doozy thanks to La Niña and increasingly warmer ocean temperatures.
With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, which runs to Nov. 30, the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries encourages congregations to have in place disaster preparedness policies, which include knowing who their Conference Disaster Response Coordinators are. (You can view the CDRC directory here.)
Formerly known as Conference Disaster Coordinators (CDCs), the recent addition of “response” to the name illustrates a renewed focus on better equipping, educating and connecting emergency volunteers and congregations to the resources available in a time of crisis.
“We don’t coordinate disasters. We coordinate the conference’s disaster response,” said Kevin Gehres, CDRC for the Columbus, Ohio-based Heartland Conference.
read the full article on the UCC website
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The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center just added nine additional ONLINE one-day trainings, as well as one Mediation Skills Training Institute.
Upcoming Trainings:
Healthy Congregations, Jun. 19
Conflict Transformation Skills, Jul. 17
Mediation Skills Training Institute, Jul. 22-24
Restorative Conversations, Aug. 13
Conflict Transformation Skills, Sep. 12
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Our agency partner Insurance Board has an upcoming webinar on the topic of grants for ministries. This webcast will equip church leaders with the groundwork and knowledge to secure grant funding from experts in the field. Ministries will learn how to navigate the grant application with confidence, identify funding opportunities based on their church's needs, and understand the importance of developing a compelling proposal.
This webcast will take place on May 30th at 11 am (AZ time) / 12 pm (NM time)
You can access the registration page here.
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Are you a clergy person in the Southwest Conference? Did you know that we host a monthly clergy call via Zoom for our clergy to gather, be rejuvenated, and discuss the joys and challenges of ministry with each other?
If you have never been or maybe you haven’t joined in a while, we’d love to have you!!
Our monthly call takes place on the third Wednesday, but with respect to the Juneteenth holiday, our next gathering will take place on Wednesday, June 26th at 10 am AZ / 11 am NM/EP.
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Tuesdays from June 18 - July 9, 12:00 - 1:00 pm via Zoom
“Process theology is a worldview lens through which those of many faith traditions perceive the realities of the world. The world is inter-connected and continuously becoming through its interactions with others and God. We are response-able and responsible beings in the midst of this process."
Rev. Al Gephart, in collaboration with the Arizona Faith Network, invites you to a series of enriching Lunch and Learn sessions that promise to ignite your spirit and challenge your perspectives.
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Choral, handbells, organ, an opening concert, plus yoga, alternative worship, antiracism, women composers, deep listening and more.
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Auburn Theological Seminary is partnering with Aegis Trust to recruit 20 North American clergy and theological leaders to travel with them to Kigali, Rwanda this summer for the Listening and Leading: The Art and Science of Peace, Resilience, and Transformational Justice Conference July 25-28, 2024. Travel support and scholarships are available for interested clergy.
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The World Health Organization definition of mental health is “state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well, and work well, and contribute to their community... it is a basic human right." The Mental Health Network W.I.S.E. program, (welcoming inclusive, supportive and engaged) provides a path for congregations, associations, conferences and nonprofit organizations to join to reduce stigma and promote mental well-being. Come learn how to become W.I.S.E. and hear the stories of those who have taken this journey.
Read MoreFrom the UCC Open and Affirming Coalition:
Join Us for #GiveOUTDay and Our #Pride Fundraiser!
We are excited to announce that the Open and Affirming Coalition is participating in #GiveOUTDay, the only national giving event for the LGBTQ+ community. This is our chance to make a real difference and we need the help of our amazing supporters to reach our goals!
Donations are now being accepted and every contribution counts. Not only do your donations directly support our work, but they also help us compete for Leaderboard prizes through friendly competitions with other LGBTQ+ organizations! These are thousands of additional dollars awarded to organizations with the most unique donors in their category. Your donation could be the one that helps us win!
Click the headline to see how to help.
Read Morefrom SWC Bridge ACM-COCAM, Rev. Leslie Etheredge:
Being a minister in any setting is often a lonely job and a Community of Practice encourages lifetime friendships, support and nurture as well as spiritual growth among the other 4 or 5 participants in each group.
A Community of Practice (COP) is a great way for clergy to connect and offer support to one another. I have been a member of a COP for 5 years now and the experience has been invaluable. I have learned and grown with other ACMs that have become very dear friends.
I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for self-care and enrichment. Groups meet once a month virtually and commit to one year.
When asked to be in a COP, one pastor said, “I’m hesitant to add yet one more thing to this crazy schedule we are living. It is exactly for that reason I say ‘I’m in!’ Not doing a great job of self-care these days.”
Retired Clergy: If you would be interested in getting trained to facilitate one of these groups, please feel free to contact me. The training is free of charge and conducted by UCC National staff.
Click the headline for more details.
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