Southwest Conference UCC

Southwest Conference UCC Extravagantly welcoming & affirming followers of Christ called to embody God’s unconditional justice & love.

The Southwest Conference comprises all UCC churches in Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso County, TX. We are an Open and Affirming Conference, proud of our Progressive view of the Gospel and the way we live that out every day. Our office staff raises the bar of excellence and provide outstanding support to the churches of this Conference. The Conference and over half of our churches have approved an

"Open and Affirming" covenant welcoming all people, without regard to sexual orientation, into the life and ministry of the congregation. Although each congregation is autonomous, we are all connected by covenant and are welcoming to all. http://www.uccswc.org/

Our Mission Statement:
Extravagantly welcoming and affirming followers of Christ called to embody God’s unconditional justice and love. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. Our local congregations offer a friendly welcome to visitors and newcomers. Many of our church buildings offer beautiful settings for weddings and a caring ministry to young couples. Babies are baptized as infants (we're happy to baptize young people and adults who affirm their faith and who have not previously been baptized). Children are warmly included in the life of our churches, many of which offer a children's story time during worship as well as educational programs for all ages. Children and Youth Programs:
The Southwest Conference has an active summer camping program for children and youth, as well as annual retreats for junior high and senior high. There is also an annual "Thanksgiving Alive!" service project held in different cities every year, where 150 youth from around the conference will gather to do such helping ministries as repairing low income houses, cleaning or painting a shelter for abused families, and sort food in a food bank. Conference and Church Leadership
We welcome the leadership of both men and women - we've been ordaining women to be pastors since 1853, the first US denomination to do so. The United Church of Christ has voted at its national meeting, the General Synod, to try to become a more truly multi-cultural and multi-racial church. Open and Affirming
The United Church of Christ welcomes all people without regard to racial or ethnic background or sexual orientation. Being in the Southwest, many of our congregations have a large number of active, interesting retired persons as well as singles and families.

🌈
06/03/2026

🌈

Happy Pride Month

Happy Pride Month! ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
06/02/2026

Happy Pride Month! ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

🌈 Happy Pride Month from Church of the Red Rocks! 🌈

At Church of the Red Rocks, we believe God’s love is expansive, welcoming, and meant for everyone.

This Pride Month, we celebrate the sacred worth and belovedness of our LGBTQ+ siblings and neighbors. We affirm that every person is created in God’s image and deserves to be welcomed, valued, and loved exactly as they are.

As part of the United Church of Christ’s Love is Louder initiative, we join in proclaiming a message of hope, justice, and compassion:

Love louder than hate.
Welcome louder than fear.
Grace louder than exclusion.

You are beloved here. You belong here. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Would your church like a Sunday visit or sermon from our Conference Minister, DrToni Hawkins? Dr. Toni welcomes opportun...
06/01/2026

Would your church like a Sunday visit or sermon from our Conference Minister, DrToni Hawkins?

Dr. Toni welcomes opportunities to visit and preach in congregations across the Southwest Conference. A simple invitation ensures her visit is both warmly received and thoughtfully coordinated with your church’s leadership.

To explore scheduling and availability, please contact her at [email protected] or call 602-468-3830.

Now Hiring: Executive Assistant to the Conference MinisterThe Southwest Conference (SWC) is seeking a highly capable and...
05/31/2026

Now Hiring: Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister

The Southwest Conference (SWC) is seeking a highly capable and mission-aligned Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister, a trusted partner who will help advance the ministry and leadership of the Conference through exceptional administrative and relational support.

This is more than an administrative role. It is an opportunity to serve the wider church by supporting the daily work, priorities, and communications of the Conference Minister. The ideal candidate brings both professional excellence and a deep respect for the values, relationships, and rhythms of faith-based leadership.

Read the job description and see how to apply at the link in the comments.

ONA Churches: ONA Sunday is almost here! 🌈✝️This year’s theme is:“We Shall Not Be Moved: Rooted in Love, Justice, and Af...
05/30/2026

ONA Churches: ONA Sunday is almost here! 🌈✝️

This year’s theme is:
“We Shall Not Be Moved: Rooted in Love, Justice, and Affirmation”

Download worship resources and inspiration to help your church celebrate ONA Sunday during Pride Month with courage, q***r joy, and public witness.

Resources include:

🌈 Theme introduction and worship framework
🌈 Full liturgies and prayers
🌈 Scripture reflections and sermon idea
🌈 Music, hymn, and freedom song suggestions
🌈 Communion resources
🌈 Children and youth idea
🌈 Nontraditional media and worship inspiration

Rooted in love. Rooted in justice. Rooted in affirmation.

We shall not be moved.

Provided by Open and Affirming Coalition UCC

Visit https://openandaffirming.org/ona26/ now!

Recent UCC hires bring talent and passion to the National Ministries:
05/29/2026

Recent UCC hires bring talent and passion to the National Ministries:

Megan Vogias joined the National Ministries as Director of Marketing and Communications in early March, bringing with her a deep commitment to innovative

It was probably in the bulletin, too 😂
05/28/2026

It was probably in the bulletin, too 😂

Monthly Faith Formation meeting rescheduled for Monday, June 1Due to the Memorial Day holiday on our regular fourth Mond...
05/28/2026

Monthly Faith Formation meeting rescheduled for Monday, June 1

Due to the Memorial Day holiday on our regular fourth Monday, the Faith Formation Gathering will meet on June 1 (10 AM Arizona and 11 AM New Mexico and El Paso). The June gathering will resume on the fourth Monday of June, the 22nd.

We’ve invited some new people to the monthly meetings and are reaching out to more people involved in faith formation and/or Christian Ed at their SWC church.

Agenda for June 1st:

⭐Welcome and personal check-ins
⭐Devotion
⭐Topic for discussion: Family, Youth and Children Ministry — This is an opportunity to continue your discussion from the Annual Meeting and to introduce others to your discussion.
⭐Closing

Need the Zoom link? Check this week's Loop or email Dr. Gloria [email protected].

Q***r Love + Liberation Roundtablean Our Whole Lives (OWL) discussionWednesday, June 3, 9 am AZ / 10 am NM & El PasoJoin...
05/27/2026

Q***r Love + Liberation Roundtable
an Our Whole Lives (OWL) discussion
Wednesday, June 3, 9 am AZ / 10 am NM & El Paso

Join us as we welcome these folks for a discussion about Q***r Love and Liberation:

-Schmian Evans, Minister for Women and Gender Justice, United Church of Christ

-Rev. Derek Terry, Acting Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

-Mylo Way, Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries, Unitarian Universalist Association

-Rev. Mykal Slack, Assistant Minister for Lifelong Faith Formation, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville

Register at https://www.ucc.org/event/our-whole-lives-taking-flight-q***r-love-liberation-round-table/

Address

PO Box 44968
Phoenix, AZ
85006

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16024683830

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Southwest Conference UCC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share