Submit Church News
Conference Office News
Church News & Events
Faith In Action
SWC Calendar
Conference News & Events
Share your news!
Pending review, we’ll publish it on the website and our weekly newsletter, In the Loop.
Arguably the most popular resource that is sold by the United Church of Christ, the Desk Calendar and Plan Book is more than just a calendar. It’s a gateway into the life of the church, full of resources, important dates, liturgical calendars, and fun facts about the many different ministries and programs of the UCC.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the UCC in 2027, a special cover of the Desk Calendar and Plan Book was released, featuring photos from the past 70 years highlighting the rich, storied, and diverse history of the denomination.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Arizona Time)
First Church UCC, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hybrid Event: Attend In Person or via Zoom
Register or become a sponsor today: arizonafaithnetwork.org/gather
The Southwest Conference staff is excited about our August 1 office relocation!
Our PO Box will remain the same, but our new office will be at:
3030 N Central Ave #405, Phoenix AZ 85012
Our new Executive Assistant, Gwynne, took some photos last week. Click through to view them all.
Insurance Board Presents:
Partners in Stewardship: A Roundtable Discussion on Property Care, Risk Management, and Insurability
Thursday, August 20, 2026
11:00 am AZ / 12:00 pm NM & El Paso via Zoom
Register to attend this webinar by visiting this link. The Zoom has a limited number of live participants, and the recording will be posted on the Insurance Board’s webinar page.
One of the deep joys of ministry in the United Church of Christ is watching the Spirit call people into service from every corner of the church. Authorized ministry in our tradition is not reserved for those who follow a single path. It rises up wherever gifts, faithfulness, and the affirmation of a community meet. This season, the Southwest Conference celebrates three individuals whose callings have been recognized and affirmed: Eileen Wiard and Jerry Kennell of Taos United Community Church (Taos UCC), who have been granted Lay Ministerial Standing, and Davin Franklin-Hicks of Church of the Painted Hills UCC, who continues faithfully as a Member in Discernment.
For the third consecutive year, 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.
There will be a webinar on August 3 to answer questions and assist the churches in the preparation of their grant. Details about the webinar are forthcoming.
Please note: The due date for applications is September 1, 2026. You may request $500-$3000 (this grant is not intended to fund capital campaigns, or repairs to facilities).
Click through for the application and resources on filling it out.
Because of Ministry…Financial Security and Self-Care Sustain the Call runs through August 31, and is specially designed for clergy, lay leaders, caregivers, and ministry employers who are navigating change and ministry demands with resilience.
Gain practical strategies and peer insights into how to sustain your call while balancing money, bi-vocational ministry, family, health and wellbeing, and securing retirement income with purpose and confidence.
In collaboration with African American Women in Ministry and inspired by the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3, The Antoinette Brown Society gathers to embrace the M.O.R.E. God has for us. Identifying Ministry Opportunities, prioritizing the Relationships, Rest, and Resources necessary for the journey, and cultivating a standard of Excellence that honors our calling in every season.
The Antoinette Brown Society gathers at the State View Hotel in Raleigh, NC, beginning September 29 through October 2. The African American Women in Ministry group gathers at Franklinton Center at Bricks and Courtyard by Marriott in Rocky Mount, NC beginning September 30 through October 3. We are excited to share that there will be a joint day on October 1 where both groups will gather together at Franklinton Center at Bricks.
Thursday, July 30, 12:30 pm AZ / 1:30 pm NM & El Paso
We all know there is one room in a church filled with memories – from documents to old hymnals to whatever item found its way there and we know the temptation to throw it all way! But our Church records are more than just words on dusty paper; they are windows into the past that illuminate the history of a community and convey the mission of the church. Church records span the entire history of your church, and no matter the age, are important to be preserved. But knowing what to preserve can be daunting work, especially if those with institutional knowledge have moved on.
Join the Congregational Library & Archives' archivists Billy McCarthy and Zachary Bodnar for a program focused on the first tangible steps a church can take to begin organizing their existing records and ensuring the long-term preservation of the records they produce today.
Rev. Dr. Terrill N. Murff, Interim Conference Minister for the Illinois Conference, put this information together beautifully:
Applications for the United Church of Christ’s 2026 Justice and Local Church Ministries grants are now open. These grants are designed to support the mission and ministry of local congregations. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.