Register for The Gathering Registration
The Gathering is the annual gathering of appointed and retired pastors in the Desert Southwest Conference. It is for ALL appointed pastors: elders, deacons, provisional elders and deacons, local pastors, laypersons assigned, retired pastors, and everyone who doesn't...
Conference Leadership Invitation
The ministry leadership of the Desert Southwest Conference is shared by over 300 people who serve on our many committees, task forces, teams, and working groups. Once more we are changing our nominations process for conference leadership. Listed below are the...
Called Together By Grace: One Body
You are invited to join laity and clergy from across our conference on March 2 for a time to gather in worship as a community, experience our covenant together, and affirm our shared vision and values. I will share a message of hope and unity, including conversations about the implementation of the General Conference 2019 legislation.
Mark’s Musings – February 5, 2019
It’s interesting to know that someone considers me to be their enemy. I’ve thought long and hard, and I can’t come up with anyone that I consider to be my enemy—including this person. Their opinion of me surfaced when my wife realized that she had not seen any of his posts on Facebook for a long time.
South District Leadership Event – Registration Extended!
It is not too late to join us for the Annual South District Leadership Event. Registration will stay open until noon of Thursday, February 7th. We hope to see you there!
Newsletter Changes
Beginning next week, the District and Conference newsletters will be combined into one single newsletter that will be published once a month.
Mark’s Musings – January 22, 2019
It seems to me that God has a way of preparing us for our future. Often, in ways that are hardly noticed when they are happening. When I was pondering this article, I opened a fortune cookie. It said: “Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity”. How frequently do we attribute something to luck, when it really comes from God both preparing us, and giving us opportunities?
It is Not too Late to Register
s your church looking for ways to appeal to a younger generation? We invite you join us for our Annual South District Leadership Event.
Register today for the Western Jurisdiction Disaster Academy
The Western Jurisdiction Disaster Academy is being held in Phoenix Arizona March 28-31 of 2019. This training opportunity will connect you with trainers from UMCOR and disaster coordinators across the country who will equip and prepare you to mobilize your...
Beginning on February 3rd the Desert Southwest Conference will be Praying Our Way Forward
Prayer is one of the essential ways we connect to God and to one another, and in preparation for General Conference 2019, prayer will be one way we can all participate in this unique and significant event in the life of our church and our connection. Beginning January...
One More Holy Huddle, with a twist:
If you missed out on the 2018 Holy Huddles, there is good news! There will be one additional clergy holy huddle on Feb 3rd from 1:00pm Arizona Time-1:55pm Arizona Time. There will also be one additional lay and clergy holy huddle on Sunday Feb. 3rd from 2:00pm-4:00pm...
Zion UMC Set to Rebuild
Sunday, January 6, Zion United Methodist Church voted to hire a contracting firm and begin construction on the rebuilding of their sanctuary!
Responding to the Opioid Epidemic
Churches are among those community organizations looking for ways to respond to the opioid epidemic. Whether it is identifying signs of abuse in loved ones, having conversations about the spiritual impact of pain management, equipping parish nurses to respond to...
Fraud in the Church
From the time they were born, George and I raised our daughters in the church. We wanted to raise them to have hearts open to all people. We struggled though, with how to raise them to seek the best in all people and be safe for we knew there were people who would use their trust to harm them.
Engage in General Conference 2019
Updated registration information for engaging General Conference 2019
Surprise Blessings
A surprise blessing this last Sunday morning at church was an infant baptism. This baptism was for a very young baby boy. Infant baptisms are a time when I think about both the future and the past. I love thinking about the future that God has planned for this little...
Making Church a Home
I felt a bit wary as we entered the parking lot of the church. My wife and I were visiting our daughter in Maryland, and we wanted to go to a Christmas Eve service. The church that we chose in 2017 was not the best experience, so this year we tried a different church....
Give Yourself a New Year’s Gift
Give yourself a new year’s gift. Join us for the 2019 South District Leadership Event.
A New Worshiping Community Begins
Pastor Tim Hunsinger celebrates a first Sunday (January 6, 2019) in worship for the Northwest campus of Desert Spring United Methodist Church, the beginning of a New Year, the beginning of a new community in Christ. Pastor Hunsinger says it well, "I was blessed...
Winter Family Camp
Mingus Mountain Camp will offer the first ever Winter Family Camp February 16-18, 2019. Bring your family and friends to experience a touch of the winter season, enjoying a starry night sky or the warmth of a crackling fireplace during cold evenings among the great...
