For the Love of Camp
By Patricia Pegram, Camp & Retreat Ministries February is here and that means Winter Camps, Summer Staff recruitment, and spring just around the corner! We have quite a lot to offer from both of our DSC Camps, so be sure to take a look at each camp website for...
Leadership In the Church: Spirituality, Work Ethic, and a Love of People
This month’s event features “Leadership In the Church: Spirituality, Work Ethic and a Love of People” on Monday, February 14 at 7:00 PM with Rev. Garry Kennedy, senior pastor Willowbrook UMC.
Gifts of Christmas
by Rev. Matt Ashley, South District Missional Strategist & Superintendent “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense,...
District Leadership Webinars in 2022
We are a Connectional Church. Our United Methodist tradition is rooted in relationships between people, local churches, conferences, jurisdictions, General Conference, and other United Methodist organizations. In this webinar, we’ll watch and discuss a recorded video from Bishop Grant Hagiya.
Happy Holidays
The District Offices will be closed Monday, December 20 through Monday, January 3, reopening on Tuesday, January 4 for the Christmas holiday. We will return to the office Tuesday, January 4, 2022. "And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone....
The Gathering 2022
THE GATHERING2/22/2022 – 2/24/2022At The Redemptorist Renewal Center, 7101 W. Picture Rocks Road, Tucson, AZ 85743, www.desertrenewal.org The Gathering is the yearly meeting of the retired and active clergy and appointed pastors of the Desert Southwest Conference....
BOTH/AND to be continued…. with Jason Moore
By Dave McPherson, Director of New & Vital Faith Communities “The front door to the church” is the place people go to check out the congregation. It used to be the actual front door. Then it became the church’s website. Now it’s the church’s online service....
Advent is Here: Prepare the Way!
By Patricia Pegram, Camp & Retreat Ministries Upcoming Camp Events DSC Potosi Pines Camp: DSC Mingus Mountain Camp: Counselor Interns at Mingus Mountain are seasonal, paid positions for Summer 2022. Applications open December 1! Pay ranges from $365 to $450...
Being God’s Hands and Heart
by Rev. Matt Ashley, South District Missional Strategist and Superintendent United Methodist pastors are followers of Jesus who go where they are sent. Some are called to justice ministries with immigrants. Some are called to spiritual formation ministries. Some are...
District Office Holiday Hours
The District Offices will be closed Wednesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will return to the office Monday, November 29. Our offices will also be closed Monday, December 20 through Monday, January 3, reopening on Tuesday,...
Webinar: What a Church & Society Ministry Team does (and why) and how to get started in your church
MISSION FILLS THE NEED, JUSTICE ELIMINATES IT Monday, Dec. 6, 12:00-1:30 PM (MST) - or - Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30-8:00 PM (MST) How do we create a safe space to transform the world: a safe place to talk politics, health care, adequate funding for public education,...
Sweater Weather & the Season of Giving
By Patricia Pegram, Camp & Retreat Ministries Upcoming Camp Events DSC Junior/Senior High Winter Camp - January 15-17, 2022 There is a different vibe at camp - a vibe of love, acceptance, and JOY! Come explore how you can carry the "Potosi Vibe" with you all year...
When An Ending Was Really Just A New Beginning
By: David McPherson, Director of New and Vital Faith Communities “It’s not about us!” That was the mantra in the sermon from Rev. Tom Kiracofe at the last service for Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Some pews were marked off for social distancing, but there were...
The latest worship data and some reflections
By Paul Nickerson, CEO of Nickerson Coaching I often hear the following comments from church leaders: "When will everyone come back to in-person worship?" "Is our online ministry keeping people at home, rather than in-person services?" Both questions are predominantly...
Take a deep breath; Fall is in the air.
By Patricia Pegram, Camp & Retreat Ministries Upcoming Camp Events DSC Family Camp at Mingus Mountain - October 15-17, 2021 Registration closes October 8! REGISTER HERE! Bring your family to camp to enjoy the beautiful fall...
Innovation
by Rev. Matt Ashley, South District Missional Strategist and Superintendent “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” ~Mark 2:22~...
New Pastors in the South District
Rev. Lynn Bartlow - St. Mark's UMC - Tucson, AZ Rev. Lynn Bartlow was appointed to St. Mark’s in July of 2021. She has served congregations here in Arizona – including Trinity Heights UMC in Flagstaff – in Illinois, and in Florida before becoming a pastor. She...
Immigration and Justice at the Border
Please join us for a conversation on Immigration and Justice at the Border on Saturday, September 25, 2021. The participants will be Professor Ernesto Todd Mireles from Prescott College; Immigration Attorney, Margo Cowan from Keep Tucson Together; and “Dreamers.” Franceny Gardea and Sergio Gonzalez.
Fall Camps are Just Around the Corner!
By Patricia Pegram, Camp & Retreat Ministries Upcoming Camp Events DSC Family Camp at Mingus Mountain - October 15-17, 2021 Bring your family to camp to enjoy the beautiful fall weather! Activities include hiking, campfires, crafts, games, bouncy house, hayride,...
Joy to the World!
Two of my favorite hymns are about Joy. The words to ‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’ (#89 in the UM Hymnal) were written in 1907 by Henry Van Dyke, a Presbyterian clergyperson and scholar. Rev. Van Dyke was reportedly inspired by the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains during a visit to Massachusetts. The world was a troubled place in 1907, with the events leading to World War I already in motion, but Rev. Van Dyke’s words remind us that God’s joy is a gift even in the midst of trouble.
