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.
The End of Another Amazing Summer Camp Season
By Dina Reid, Camp & Retreat Ministries End of the Summer Camp Season Mingus Mountain and Potosi Pines Camps have wrapped up another amazing season of summer camps. Our campers and young adult summer staff are back in school or anticipating the start of the school...
Conference Staff Transitions
It is with deep personal sadness and great joy that we announce the upcoming retirement of two Conference staff persons, Cynthia Satchel, Pension & Health Benefits Officer, and Dale Cook, Assistant Treasurer. As of September 1, 2021, both long-time staffers will...
IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING –ASSISTANT TREASURER
The Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church is looking for an experienced and detail-oriented accountant to replace a retiring Assistant Treasurer. The ideal candidate would be a Certified Public Accountant with experience in financial software,...
We Are Connected
We are a connectional church. I heard that phrase over and over during my seminary years at Duke Divinity School. We are a connectional church. We are not isolated local churches who wave hello to one another once a year at Annual Conference. We are connected.
Small Group Facilitator’s Package for Implicit Bias Online Course
Have you taken the Implicit Bias online course? A facilitator's package is available to serve as a supplement to the self-directed online course. This premium resource provided through United Methodist Church Religion & Race includes a facilitator's guide, a...
New Virtual Leadership Talks sponsored by your Clergy and Lay Leadership Development Team (CLLD)
Do you enjoy having opportunities to grow as a leader and to learn from other leaders? Do you find it enriching to share leadership ideas, concepts, and inspiration with others? Opportunities are available to anyone in the Desert Southwest Conference interested in...
A Great Summer at Mingus Mountain & Potosi Pines Camps!
By Dina Reid, Camp & Retreat Ministries After the Covid pause of last summer, it has been so great to fill our camps with the laughter of children and smiley, happy faces! We have had an action-packed, fun-filled summer at Potosi Pines and Mingus Mountain...
Healing Love in Community
So many of us are broken! The pressures in our lives from work, family, school, and society are immense. Economic stress, worries about health, and concern for others flood our hearts and minds. We are distracted, irritable and out-of-sorts. The pressure carries over to the church, which seems to be failing as well. We long for healing, for respite, for a different rhythm in our lives.
Juneteenth Resources
Resource UMC has published an article by Kathy Noble titled "Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom From Slavery". In it contains history of this day and resources to use. You can read the full article at...
Welcoming Campers!
By Dina Reid, Camp & Retreat Ministries After the necessary Covid pause of last summer, we are so excited to welcome campers back to Mingus Mountain and Potosi Pines Camps! We have been planning for months - hiring and training staff, recruiting and training...
Gathered Together in One Place
A year ago our church buildings were empty, but on Pentecost we will gather together in thanksgiving, and the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts as we thank and praise God together for the harvest of God’s goodness.
Join Us for the 2021 5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
YOUR HEART WILL LEAD YOU TO THE DESERT WHERE I WILL SPEAK. Hosea 2:14 These words are written on the front wall inside the chapel at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona. When I read them and let my thoughts center there I feel the peace and calm of...
Office Best Practices -S/PPRC Resource
A new resource for Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committees (S/PPRC) is available on the Desert Southwest Conference website under the DSC University Trainings and Resources button.
Ministry Partnership with Ace Hardware
Nashville, TN – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) Ministry Partner Program recently added Ace Hardware as a new ministry partner with General Council on Finance and Administration. Shop online and in your local Ace Hardware and receive 10% off* your purchase. Check out the GFCA website for the benefits of that partnership.
Worship service for Pride Sunday
By Rev. Michael Patzloff The Welcoming and Reconciling Team for the Desert Southwest Conference are providing a complete worship service for Pride Sunday to be celebrated on the first Sunday in June. We encourage you to mark this day and celebrate the lives and...
