Step into Spring with Camp & Retreat Ministries
Summer Camp Registration Open We are so excited to announce that Summer Camp registration is open!! We have fun, new camp sessions planned for the summer, and would love to have your children and youth join us at camp! To register or learn more about Potosi Pines...
New S/PPRC Training Videos Now Available Online
New training video segments for Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committees (S/PPRC) are now available on the Desert Southwest Conference website under the DSC University Trainings and Events button or at this link https://dscumc.org/initiative/itraining/.
New March Virtual Lay Servant Ministry Classes
The West District Director of Lay Servant Ministries will be offering the Advanced course, Public Prayer, virtually. There will be offering two sessions – a day class to meet the needs of those not able to attend an evening class and an evening / early Saturday morning class for those not able to meet during the day.
Taking Online Worship to the Next Level
The pandemic forced most churches to have an online worship presence. This was not an easy task, but leaders stepped up to the challenge. Now the question is, “What will we do when we go back to in-person worship?” We can’t go back to the way things were because the way things were wasn’t working all that well! The Conference Vital Faith Team will host a 2-hour webinar on March 17th, at 6:00 PM lead by Jason Moore that will help churches take their online presence to the next level.
Who Does She Look Like?
I remember when my granddaughter was born. People asked, “who does she look like, her mom or her dad?” At first, I could see hints of her dad in her eyes. When she was about 6 months old, there was a photo where I was struck at how much she looked like her mom. Now this child looks like her own unique self. What I see in her now reflects something of the characteristics I see in her parents. She is bright, inquisitive, strong, filled with joy. Her sense of imagination fills the room. I see all of these qualities in her mom and dad and in this young child.
February Camp News
Potosi Pines Almost Camp Potosi Pines is offering Almost Camp for elementary and youth campers! These day camp sessions will include all the things that make camp great, including archery, games, crafts, and time outside - just not the overnight stay! The camps will...
The Gathering 2021
Join us for The Gathering 2021. This is a time for clergy who are serving churches or are a member of our Conference to join together for conversation, worship, and community. The restrictions of COVID make it a challenge, but we will go ahead and meet when we...
A Time of Living Faith Into Reality
It is the eve of the inauguration and the news is filled with words reflecting the fear, anger, and hope that is present in our nation. As disciples of Jesus Christ we are to called to live as people of faith. We are called to live our faith in a way that is experienced in the language we use, the actions we take, the way we treat others.
District Training for Local Church Administrative Committees
In the first months of the year, people who have been elected to local church leadership begin their new ministry roles. The Desert Southwest Conference recognizes the importance of these church leaders and the importance of training them on the disciplinary duties of the local church administrative committees.
East District Lay Servant Classes
Classes for the Lay Servant Ministries program in the East District have not been scheduled for 2021 due to the pandemic. A schedule will be available after meeting spaces in district churches and facilitators are available and can be determined. If you have...
Announcing New Conference Clergy Wellness Task Force
We are pleased to announce the creation of the Conference Clergy Wellness Task Force at the direction of the Connectional Ministries Team. Structurally this task force will fall within the Health & Caring Ministries Team. Members include Melissa Rynders, Tom...
Jump Into January at Camp
Summer Camp Registration Open Registration for Summer Camp is open! We have new and exciting camp sessions planned for 2021 and would love to have your children and youth join us at camp this summer! Campers registered in January will receive a free camp gift: ...
District Office Holiday Hours
The District office will be closed for the Christmas Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, 2020. Normal business hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. May you have a blessed and safe Christmas.
2021 Virtual Lay Servant Ministry Classes
The West District Director of Lay Servant Ministries will be offering the Advanced course, Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, virtually. There will be offering two sessions – a day class to meet the needs of those not able to attend an evening class and an evening / early Saturday morning class for those not able to meet during the day.
December Camp Ministries News
Potosi Pines Unwrap the Gift Campaign - December 1 through December 8 Three anonymous donors have offered a combined gift of $16,000 to Potosi Pines Camp if the camp is able to secure 62 donations, one for every year the camp has been blessing lives. These gifts can...
Finding Ways to be Thankful
This is not the Thanksgiving any of us have planned for. We had hoped that the virus would be under control long before now. We dreamed of Thanksgiving meals with the people we love. We longed that by now we would have a bit of normalcy in life. But that is not the Thanksgiving we have. Instead, the Thanksgiving we have includes in Arizona over 277,000 diagnosed with COVID-19, and more than 6300 families will have an empty chair at the table.
Worship and Planning For A New Time
BeADisciple.com is offering a class entitled: "Engage and Inspire: Worship and Planning for a New Time". This course will explore alternative and creative ways to engage and inspire congregations in this new time of doing worship that also includes people with...
Preparing your virtual choir
Find this article and other excellent training resources for creating a virtual choir at https://dscumc.org/worship-online/virtual-choir/ By Joshua Ian Elder, Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church As you begin the process of creating a virtual choir...
November News from Camp
Unlock the Gift A long time friend and supporter of Mingus Mountain Camp has offered a $20,000 gift to the camp, granted we are able to secure 50 new committed, monthly donors. New donors are encouraged to give at the rate with which you feel comfortable. All gifts...
Parenting in a Pandemic
The Desert Southwest Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries, in conjunction with the Cal-Pac Conference, is offering Parenting in a Pandemic, a support group for parents in both conferences. The group is led by clergy parents from both conferences, including our...
