Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church

09/03/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, and Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church offers a downloadable resource to help people respond with compassion, confidence, and hope. Find the toolkit here:

A collection of resources for churches and annual conferences to help promote the Su***de Prevention for Faith Leaders and Faith Communities training video.

09/02/2026

As Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community mourns Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut calls us to stand with those who are grieving and move from lament to action. Please read and share his pastoral message.

The United Methodist Church has long recognized gun violence as a public health and moral crisis and has called for common-sense measures that protect life, including universal background checks, safe storage requirements, stronger licensing and accountability measures, and restrictions on weapons d...

07/30/2026

Today, we celebrate the announcement that Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut will serve as the next chair of the Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church! As we continue living into our vision, A Healthy Church For A Healthy World: We Are the Church Together, may we also support Bishop Carlo through our prayers and encouragement as he prepares for this new responsibility.

Read more about the announcement:

Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, episcopal leader of the Desert Southwest and New Mexico Conferences, has been named the next chair of the Connectional Table, one of the denomination's key leadership bodies. He will begin serving in October 2026.

07/23/2026

What an amazing time at Kids Camp on ! 🏕️☀️

Our kids had so much fun laughing, playing, exploring, and making memories together. From the big adventures to the little moments, this camp was filled with joy, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️

We’re so thankful for the opportunity to watch these kids grow, have fun, and experience the love of God together. What a special time! 🙌

07/23/2026

Tomorrow, July 24, is International Self-Care Day, a reminder that caring for ourselves is part of building healthier lives, churches, and communities. Self-care can look different for each of us: rest, prayer, movement, time with people we love, setting healthy boundaries, or simply making space to recharge.

As we live into our vision, A Healthy Church for a Healthy World, may we remember to care for ourselves and one another because we are the Church together. What does self-care look like for you?

07/21/2026

Don't miss the free UNA Youth event on August 15, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Mesa, which is open to all churches. Feel free to share the event flyer in your congregation now. Registration closes on July 31, so don't wait to share this invitation in your community. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqZm_Se-LUpo9kIbe_Rsb2Ql_aWLQPypBbeflfUOqcfDnf0A/viewform

07/20/2026

For individuals and congregations looking for ways to pray, learn, advocate, and take action to prevent gun violence, the Desert Southwest Conference has gathered resources to support this work.

For individuals and congregations looking for ways to pray, learn, advocate, and take action to prevent gun violence, the Desert Southwest Conference has gathered resources to support this work.

07/19/2026

A healthy church does not look away from suffering. Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut responds to the shooting in Tucson with a call to compassion, courage, and action. Read his pastoral message. https://www.dscumc.org/blog-detail/19917485

07/16/2026

Register for the Co-Creator event, August 17-18 at Peace in the Desert Church (formerly North Scottsdale UMC). This two-day experience will bring together national leaders in innovation and congregational development to equip and inspire clergy and laity who are ready to shape the future of the Church with courage, creativity, and faith.

Register for the Co-Creator event, August 17-18 at Peace in the Desert Church (formerly North Scottsdale UMC). This two-day experience will bring together national leaders in innovation and congregational development to equip and inspire clergy and laity who are ready to shape the future of the Chur...

07/16/2026

The Desert Southwest Conference was represented at the 2026 Global Young People’s Convocation in Dublin, Ireland, where about 600 United Methodist youth, young adults, bishops, and youth leaders from around the world gathered to deepen connections, build relationships, and explore discipleship across cultures. UM News highlights Mele Malamala of Tongan United Methodist Church in Mesa and the Desert Southwest Conference’s Pacific Islander Commission, who reflected on the energy and meaning young people brought to the gathering. Bishop Carlo Rapanut also participated in a bishops’ roundtable, answering questions from young people about the church, its future, and its vision.

Read more from UM News about the gathering and the young people helping shape the church today.

The United Methodist forum gives young delegates, youth leaders space to foster fellowship, focus on discipleship and imagine the future church.