Summer Camp is Almost Here!
By Dina Reid, Camp & Retreat Ministries Summer Camp is Almost Here! In just over a month, Summer Camp begins! We are so excited to offer Summer Camp at Mingus Mountain and Potosi Pines this year! We missed seeing all your smiling faces at camp last summer and...
It’s How You Look At It
What you see is what you get becomes a powerful spiritual formation phrase for a person of faith. It challenges you to not only see the difficulties that are real and present, but also to look at the situation to see beyond the first glance realities. There is the opportunity to ask God to help you see not only what is, but also what could be. Is there beauty hidden in the mess right in front of you?
Lay Servant Ministries Training – Mesa
St. Matthew United Methodist Church has graciously offered meeting space to host an in-person class, "Come to the Table", for lay servants who have completed the Basic course for Lay Servants. This class focuses on Holy Communion. Enrollment is limited to 10 persons...
Three Steps to a Better Offering
Horizons Stewardship recently posted an article titled "Three Steps to a Better Offering". In the article, three points are explored: Clarify Your Why Imagine a Better Offering Design and Implement a Better Offering To further explore new ideas for a better offering...
Women’s Retreat
The Christ Community UMC WOW Planning Team has been busy planning for their May retreat. Ruth Baker has a great series for us! This year’s retreat is Women Of Wellness: Feeding Our Souls.
Curso de Predicacion
Marca tu calendario y se parte de una experiencia que enriquecera tu predicacion! Dias: Jueves (Abril 22, 29, Mayo 6, 13, 20) Hora: 6:00 p.m. Modalidad: Virtual Para preguntas de registro: Pastor Raul Velazquez a Para el Flyer y compartir:...
April News from Camp & Retreat Ministries
By Dina Reid, Camp & Retreat Ministries Register for Summer Camp! We've been busy hiring summer staff, registering campers, and preparing the camps for summer!! Some camp sessions are at or near capacity. Register soon so that your campers are not disappointed! ...
Annual Conference Mission Project – Student Hunger
A Glimpse of Hunger at ASU By Billie K. Fidlin, Director of Outreach & Justice, and Rev. Jamie Booth, ASU Valley Wesley There are students on university campuses across the country who have difficulty securing regular meals during the best of times. In these times...
Don’t Return to Normal! Re-Launch Instead!
COVID 19 has changed the way we do church. Church leaders have had to learn new ways of being together. For many, this has been a gift. New tools for worship, meetings, and how to make giving easier have been discovered, improved upon, and celebrated. There have been...
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...
