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SWC – In the Loop January 31, 2008 If you have any problems receiving this e-mail, please contact Peggy Ice at PIce@uccswc.com. Thank you.
Southwest Conference UCC news Youth Ministry – Junior High Retreat Clarification: The dates for the Junior High Retreat are Feb. 29 – Mar.2. There is a typo in the center of the flyers that were mailed to the churches this week. Dates at the top of the forms are correct.
South Mountain Community Church Rededication Celebration Dates: February 8 at 7 p.m. - Stage@SoMo February 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. - Gratitude" Open House February 10 at 10:30 a.m. – Sunday rededication worship followed by a potluck Location: 717 E. Southern Avenue, Phoenix More information: 602-276-0050
South Mountain Community Church will celebrate and rededicate it's
sacred space during the "History Alive" weekend of Feb.
8-10. Many renovations have been done inside and outside thanks to a
historic preservation grant from the City of Phoenix and many
contributors. Come and celebrate with us: a "Gratitude" Open House:
Saturday, Feb. 9 from 2-4 p.m., and our rededication Sunday worship,
Feb. 10, 10:30, followed by a potluck. Friday night starting at 7 p.m.
will be the Stage@SoMo, our monthly "open mic" event, sharing talent or
not-so-much-talent, storytelling, songs, food, etc.
Partners in Education: Planning for Lent 2008 Bible story based curriculum changes… A reminder to local churches which have been (and may still be) using the Bible story based curriculum Bible Quest… That curriculum resource will no longer be available beginning Fall 2008.
Congregations are encouraged to review another Bible story based resource ‘Gather Round, which is now available through United Church Resources. This curriculum resource is a cooperative effort of the United Church of Christ, The Mennonite Church and the Church of the Brethren. Materials are available for children, youth and adult caregivers. A sample set of the materials is available in the Southwest Conference Office and another at the InterChurch Resource Center.
Introductory workshops for Christian Education Boards, church school directors, and training for church school teachers are also available. The Southwest Conference Partners in Education may be contacted to assist your congregation.
The Southwest Conference Partners in Education v Northern or Central AZ: Susan Wadell 602-993-0050 or Dana Bender 602-264-1221 v Southern AZ: Carol Wilson 520-296-9332 or Marie Bacchiocchi 520-297-1181 v New Mexico or El Paso: Juanita Marken 505-268-2765 v
Phoenix Pride Parade The coordinator for the Phoenix area UCC churches’ entry in the Phoenix Pride Parade is Mr. Dewey Roach from First Congregational UCC in Phoenix. Please contact Dewey at dewroa@cox.net or 602-725-6710 to participate.
People News The Rev. Tom Hall has been selected as the Interim Senior Pastor at Shadow Rock UCC. Hall’s contact information is 406-697-4580 (cell) or RevThomasHall@yahoo.com
An Ecclesiastical Council for Ms. Jean Bareis will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 10th at First Congregational UCC in Albuquerque.
The Andalusian Legacy: Remembering Medieval Spain in a Post - 9/11 World Date: January 31 at 7 p.m. Location: First Congregational UCC, 1407 N 2nd St., Phoenix Contact: Fletch Wideman at 602-564-0212 or fswide@cox.net
Clergy and lay are invited to hear an enriching presentation by Dr. Albert Hernandez, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity at the Iliff School of Theology. Lessons from medieval Andalusia can provide important insights into events like the 9/11 attacks in the US, the 2003 train bombings in Spain, and the 2006 subway and bus bombings in London.
National UCC news Creating Change: The National Conference on LGBT Equality February 6-10, in Detroit, Michigan
Creating Change is the one and only time each year when thousands
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates from
every corner of the country converge to strategize, socialize and
mobilize for LGBT equality. Be sure to check out the day-long Institute on Thursday, February 7th: Empowering and Working with People of Faith, led by the National Religious Leadership Roundtable as well as the workshop: Marriage Equality: Changing Hearts and Minds in Religious Communities and Beyond, led by Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, the UCC Minister for LGBT Concerns. For more information and to register: www.creatingchange.org
National Youth Event 2008 Date: July 24-28 Location: University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee Cost: $345, includes food and lodging Deadline: Registration will begin the end of February. Register early, event is expected to fill. More information: http://www.ucc.org/youth/ Contacts: UCC National Staffer, Head of the NYE Planning Committee, Rev. Kelly Burd at burdk@ucc.org or the Youth Representative to the Planning Committee for NYE, Lauren Roedner at lroedner@maine.rr.com or by phone (h) (207) 286-1281 The National Youth Event is a four day event for over 3000 youth from all over the country to join together for worship, workshops, fun, faith and fellowship. It is a great opportunity for kids to make new friends from across the country, learn more about the UCC and share their faith with their peers. This event is held every four years on a college campus for youth ages 13-18, so for many kids, they only have one chance to go to this spectacular event. Some of the speakers we have joining us for the event are John Thomas, Valerie Tutson and Julia Butterfly Hill. Musicians include Lost and Found. Countless workshops cover every topic important to high school youth including a forum about Tents of Hope for Darfur. This is just a taste of the great event we are putting together for our youth to enjoy.
Ecumenical news Arizona Ecumenical Council - “East Meets West” The Arizona Ecumenical Council invites you to sign up for this year’s tour, May 9 to 20. We are limited to 24 spaces. Call or email today to reserve your place! This tour was created specifically for the AEC and will take participants to exceptional places in Eastern Europe and conclude in glorious Venice. Click on our link for details and registration:
Beatitudes Center DOAR Mind-Full Aging Date: Thursday, January 31 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m Location: First United Methodist Church, 5510 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix Cost: $50, includes breakfast, lunch, and all materials. Information: call 602-274-5022 or go to www.centerdoar.org for registration information.
Parish/Faith Community Nurse Basic Preparation Program Dates: March 2-4, 2008 and March 30-April 1, 2008 Location: Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, Cost: $390, the fee for this two-part preparation course includes lunches on Mondays and Tuesdays, refreshments, course materials, text book, selected resources, and AzNA contract hours. Information: Nurse & Health Ministries Network staff can be reached at 602-274-5022, nmn@centerdoar.org, and www.centerdoar.org.
CALENDAR February 1-2, Congregational Vitality Event, Ontario, CA February 9, Open House, South Mountain Community Church, Phoenix, AZ, 2 – 4 p.m. February 10, Ecclesiastical Council, Ms. Jean Bareis, First Congregational UCC, Albuquerque, NM, 3:30 p.m. February 14, COCAM, SWC office, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. February 16, Nominating Committee, SWC office, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. February 19, Pre-Retirement Seminar, Scottsdale Congregational UCC, Scottsdale, AZ February 22-23, Polity Class (2nd half), Shepherd of the Hills, Phoenix, AZ, February 22-23, Full Board of Directors Meeting, Shepherd of the Hills, Phoenix, AZ, March 2, Installation service for the Rev. Lynne Hinton at St. Paul’s UCC, Rio Rancho, NM April 12-13, Phoenix Pride Celebration, Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix, AZ, April 25-27, 2008 Annual Meeting at Rincon Congregational Church, Tucson, AZ
DATES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY AND SUMMER CAMPS Feb. 15-17, Senior High Sneak Trip, Los Angeles, CA Feb. 29-Mar 2, Junior High Retreat, Rincon UCC, Tucson, AZ April 25-27, Youth Rally, Rincon Congregational Church, Tucson, AZ June 15-18, Super Camp for Young Juniors, Emmanuel Pines, Prescott, AZ June 15-20, Super Camp for Juniors & Junior High, Emmanuel Pines, Prescott, AZ June 29-July 5, Senior High Camp, Pine Summit, Prescott, AZ July 24-28, National Youth Event, University of Tennessee, TN
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ 4423 N 24th Street #600 Phoenix, AZ 85016-5544 602-468-3830 602-955-4540 fax 800-822-0821
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