Are you someone who has done significant anti-racism work? Do you ever wonder – “How could I get better at recognizing racism when I see it?” “How could I get better at knowing what to do about it?” Then this Community of Practice may be for you. As a group of both lay and clergy UCC members we meet monthly on Zoom from September through May on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM Arizona time.
Each September we welcome new members who would like to be part of the work. You can apply to join this community of practice here.
Click through to see what some members of the group say about the experience.
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Attending General Synod 35 in Kansas City this past week was a good reminder of that for me. Gathering with so many faithful people around the theme “Into the Deep” rekindled my sense of purpose. The worship, the conversations, and the witness to justice all pointed back to the same truth: we are here because God called us. As the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson noted in her address to the church, the UCC is a “big tent.” We encompass a diversity of beliefs, theologies, and traditions. That’s what I love about the UCC. We don’t have to agree, but we are together because of the covenant they faithfully promised we made to each other that we will be together. Being with others who share this calling renewed my gratitude and gave me fresh energy for the work ahead.
I can still remember my very first General Synod. The gathering of so many people from the various expressions of the United Church of Christ: congregations, conferences, national staff, and global partnerships, all seeking to walk together in all God’s ways, made the Day of Pentecost come alive. It was like the rush of a mighty wind, a holy stirring that reminded me we are not alone in this call. The Spirit is still moving, gathering, and sending us out to be with others.
I also remember the moment that first stirred my heart toward ministry.
Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s full article.
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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.
Please note: The due date for applications is September 1, 2025. You may request $500-$3000 (this grant is not intended to fund capital campaigns, or repairs to facilities).
Go here to apply now!
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Do you have a passion for climate justice, faith-rooted organizing, and building resilience in frontline communities? Or know someone else who does? We’re excited to share that Creation Justice Ministries is hiring a Faithful Resilience Program Director!
This new, full-time position will lead and expand our growing portfolio of climate resilience programs. This senior-level role will oversee CJM’s “Faithful Resilience” initiative and serve as the organizational lead on major resilience projects. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated leadership in community-based environmental management, particularly participatory planning and co-production of knowledge, as well as a passion for engaging faith communities in resilience-building.
Learn more and apply.
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Message from General Counsel for our Churches
This morning (July 8, 2025) we woke to the news that churches now have the freedom to endorse candidates from the pulpit.
What happened?
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The National Ministries has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.
As many plan to gather for General Synod in Kansas City in just a few weeks, the United Church of Christ National Setting has prepared special options for people to tune into parts of Synod’s work and worship from near and far.
A livestream, to be hosted on a special page of the UCC website, will broadcast the plenary sessions and worship gatherings of General Synod, taking place July 11-15.
General Synod will hold three worship services, including a community worship service on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 CDT, featuring General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as preacher. People from the surrounding communities are invited to attend this service in-person at no cost.
Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks and Rev. Tony Coleman are the featured preachers for opening and closing worship on July 11 and 15, respectively.
The General Synod Agenda-at-a-Glance offers times for all plenary and worship sessions, based in local CDT time.
More details here.
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During our weekly staff meeting on Tuesday, our Executive Assistant, Shandrika, shared a thoughtful devotional she had written called “Divine Check-In.” It was a way for us to pause early in the week and reflect on how we’re tending to our spiritual health and sense of purpose from the beginning of the year until now! So Beloveds, as we enter July, we’ve already completed six months of 2025. It is a good moment to pause and ask ourselves: What is our divine check-in?
I don’t have to tell you that this year has been among the most challenging for our communities and the people we serve. Some realities in our community and this nation were once hidden from some but always visible to others. They have been brought into the open, and our souls weep and wrestle with consternation. We are faced with changes, uncertainty, and moments that have tested our resilience and faith; all the more reason to take time for an honest check-in with God and ourselves.
Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s full article.
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“You’re all following Rev. Sarah on TikTok and Instagram, right? Seriously, click here and here and take care of that right now. Then come back and keep reading.
“All set? Welcome back.”
Settle in for this conversation between Dr. Sarah TevisTownes, pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque and Rev. Jim Keat, Minister of Digital Worship & Education at The Riverside Church and the Director of Online Innovation at the Convergence network.
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I had the chance this week to pick up the phone and call a few of our retired clergy in the Southwest Conference. As the SWC Associates Conference Minister and also their colleagues, I to say it felt good just to hear their voices. It is my belief that sometimes a simple check-in is all it takes to feel a little less alone. We don’t always have to solve big problems—sometimes it’s enough just to be present for each other. This caused a flashback of my military days!
Back when I was in the military, first the Army, then the Air Force, we never went out by ourselves. In the Army, you had a battle buddy. In the Air Force, you had a wingman. Those were not just nice titles. They meant you always had someone by your side. A battle buddy was there to make sure you came back safe. A wingman was there to keep watch, to cover you when things got rough. No matter how well-trained you were, you still needed that person you could count on.
This isn’t a new idea. It shows up in our sacred stories, too. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs. They didn’t head off alone to teach or heal. They went together. They depended on each other, and that was part of the plan all along.
Click through to read Dr. Derrick’s full article.
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Come spend a weekend with me in the cool pines of Prescott!
Most people in the conference don't know that I'm a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ. For years I've led the singing at our annual Arizona women's retreat. I look forward to it every single year, and a few years ago we opened the invitation to our UCC sisters. Our Conference Minister Dr. Toni has enjoyed attending the last two retreats and keynoted last year.
This amazing retreat is held at the beautiful Chapel Rock Retreat Center in Prescott. They have comfortable lodging and the food is phenomenal!
This year's keynote speaker is Rev. Lori Tapia, National Pastor and president of the Obra Hispana of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
The workshops are always top notch and there's free time for fellowship (sistership?) and even naps. We begin Friday evening with dinner and end with worship on Sunday morning.
I truly hope to see you there. Save the dates, September 12-14, alert your church’s groups, and register today!
You can register with a $50 deposit, and the remaining balance will be due by August 27th. All registrations must be completed by August 27. Contact me and I'll be happy to answer any questions. wgonzales@uccswc.org or text/call 520-329-3012.
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Introduction to Spiritual Health (Pastoral Care) begins August 1.
Through personal reflection and exploration of current pastoral care paradigms, this 6-week course offers training to
identify and apply best practices in empathetic listening
understand models of pastoral care assessment
create a pastoral care plan based on spiritual assessment tools
articulate how to provide pastoral care effectively in diverse cultural settings.
The course outcome project will give you an opportunity to apply what you have learned within your own faith community or practice context.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:00p.m.
Come celebrate with us! PATHWAYS Theological's Benefit Concert sponsored by Lena’s Place Coffee House in the beautiful Central Congregational UCC sanctuary in Atlanta. Enjoy great local musicians (Maureen & Matthew Shelton, and Mockingbird’s Wing) and delicious refreshments. Watch for more information including how to attend online.
Go to the PATHWAYS website (pathwaystheological.org) to learn more and to apply for this and other courses.
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by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott
Recently, Rev. Dr. Gloria and I attended our boundary training with other Associate Conference Ministers throughout the United Church of Christ (UCC), and the topic of the UCC Ministerial Code and the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministry came up. It sparked some honest conversation—not just about rules and expectations but about what it really means to be faithful in ministry today. It reminded me that we don’t talk about these tools often enough, even though they shape how we live and lead.
Every profession has some code. Teachers follow standards for education. Doctors take an oath. Even hairstylists know there are rules—keep your tools clean, respect your clients, and show up on time. Ministry is no different. In the UCC, those of us who are called to serve are expected to do so with integrity, accountability, and care—not just for what we do but for how we live.
The UCC Ministerial Code isn’t just a list of dos and don’ts. It’s a covenant.
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Rev. Susan Valiquette of First Church UCC Phoenix attended last year’s Convergence Music Project conference and writes:
I am now on the planning team of the Converging 2025 Conference. This was a deeply spiritual experience for me. It was like the best of summer camp and a soulful retreat that sparked theological musings in worship and music.
The Converging Conference is a great opportunity for a pastor, worship leader, worship committee, and/or music team for an injection of fresh energy and excitement around worship and music. Many of our churches are hungry for theology in lyrics that represent what we believe.
If you are not familiar with the Convergence Music Project (www.convergencemp.com), CMP is a rapidly growing online source of new music for congregational singing that congregations and denominations committed to justice, compassion for the poor, inclusive language, creation care, LBGTQ+ affirmation, and expansive theology can trust.
Please check out the event website to see the list of exciting keynote speakers and musicians who will be featured at the conference.
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The UCC Open and Affirming Coalition has a new 30-day devotional for Pride, “Sacred, Seen, and Called: Living Our Truth, Embracing Our Light.” You can use it for personal reflection or group discussion throughout the month.
Click here to access the devotional.
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The Disaster Resilience and Recovery Ministry is responsible for overseeing the Southwest Conference’s Relationship with Safe Communities Coalition (not to be confused with the national SAFE (Science and Families Engaging) Communities Coalition. Arizona Faith Network’s website describes this Coalition as: “… a bold, inclusive initiative uniting faith communities, advocacy partners, and historically marginalized groups to protect sacred spaces and ensure all people can live, worship, and gather in safety. Amid rising threats of violence and extremism, the Coalition serves as a proactive and unifying response. Together, we foster secure, resilient communities across Arizona through trust-building, strategic partnerships, and rapid action.” (We will seek to duplicate this format for New Mexico and El Paso churches in the Southwest Conference.)
Local Church Ministers have received a letter asking them to select a delegate from their church to participate in monthly meetings. If you have an interest in serving as a representative for your local church, please contact your minister.
Look for forthcoming information as we begin our work beside other faith based communities to keep sacred spaces safe and secure.
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As Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, draws near, we pause to consider what freedom means through the lens of faith. You might be surprised that The Star-Spangled Banner wasn’t officially adopted as the U.S. national anthem until March 3, 1931. But even then, not everyone in this country was truly free. Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, Asian Americans, and Latinx communities were still denied equal rights under the law. That familiar phrase, “the land of the free,” didn’t reflect everyone’s experience then, and it still challenges us today.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally heard the news of their freedom: two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This moment reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied. It pushes us to ask a deeper question: What does liberation look like now?
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Are you considering studying more about the Bible or working toward the Bible Studies Certificate? A good overview of the Bible, What is the Bible? (Dickinson/MBS), begins September 17.
The 3-course Bible Studies Certificate guides the learner to deepen their knowledge and current scholarship of the Old and New Testaments, while also giving the learner opportunities to create and teach curriculum in their own faith community.
· Old Testament Hermeneutics 08/6/2025 - 9/23/2025
· New Testament Hermeneutics 10/8/2025 - 11/18/2025
· Approved Elective Course with Bible Study Project
Go to the PATHWAYS website to learn more and to apply for these and other courses.
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When I first stepped into the role of a local church pastor, I believed I was ready. I had the education, the sense of call, and the fire to serve. But reality hit hard one quiet Tuesday afternoon—sermon half-written, voicemail piling up, and no one around who truly understood what I faced. That day, I realized how much I needed someone to listen.
My seminary didn’t prepare me for the loneliness that can sneak into ministry. Our congregations see us on Sundays but don’t see the in-between: the pastoral visits, the strained budget meetings, and the quiet moments of doubt. I didn’t need advice or critique. I needed someone to hear me out. I needed a connection.
Click through to discover Dr. Derrick’s message.
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Join us for an intimate workshop and learning community space for womxn as we journey toward Synod together! We’ll grow together and share communal space in an open-meeting format. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to build community and gather. Register here.
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June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! The United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund joins UCC congregations nationwide in celebrating LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and organizations.
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