Meals for Wesley Foundation in Tucson AZ
Frontera Wesley (Wesley Foundation of UA) is looking for volunteers who are willing to bring dinner on Thursday nights to serve about 15 University of Arizona and Pima Community College students at the Campus Christian Center, 715 N. Park, Tucson AZ. If you are...
Cultural Competency Training Workshop
Culture is as much a part of our daily lives as the air we breathe. It shapes everything from what we wear to how we think, and yet culture is often an invisible force. Learning how to navigate diverse cultural spaces is a crucial part of doing ministry in the 21st...
Youth 2019 National Gathering
The national gathering for United Methodist youth and their leaders in Kansas City next July 10-14 promises four days of discipleship, worship, Bible study, big-name musical artists, service opportunities and life-changing fun. Early bird registration is available through Jan. 31 and includes a discounted rate, plus a free spot for every 10 paid registrants. And adults who volunteer for the event get registration at half-price. YOUTH 2019 is for youth grades 6-12 and their leaders.
Hispanic Heritage Month outreach
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, and new tools are available to help your church celebrate the contributions of Hispanic-Latino individuals in your community. Use these resources to invite your community to join you for worship and events throughout the month and to celebrate and build awareness of Hispanic-Latino culture and traditions.
A Position of Peace
It has been almost twenty-nine years since I had my cancer surgeries and chemotherapy. I’m very grateful for all the healing that happened in my life. I’m also aware that my cancer experience changed who I am as a person. One of my few regrets from that time is that I feel like I could have been a better patient. One of my long-standing goals is to prepare myself to be a more gracious patient. It is easy to be a faithful Christian when everything is going well, but what about when our world is turned upside down?
Mission Trip Opportunity
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Coordinators for the Desert Southwest Conference are initiating a Conference-wide home build in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Mexico, through 1Mission as an effort to involve people who are unlikely to go on a mission trip, to participate in an awesome weekend mission experience with brothers and sisters in Christ. This is going to be fun!
And a child shall lead them
This week's video about The Inn Project provides a child's perspective on the separations of the asylum-seeking immigrant families. Watch and listen to this young volunteer's experience while she and her family volunteer at The Inn Project. The Inn Project is a...
2018 Journal is available
The 2018 Journal of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference is now available for purchase or download. Visit www.dscumc.org/journal to get your copy. Churches, clergy, and members of the Annual Conference can download their copy of this year's Desert Southwest Annual...
Learning Gratitude from Immigrants
The Inn is a shelter that provides radical hospitality to asylum-seeking immigrant families on their journeys. Jesus Robles shares what he’s learned from his experience as a volunteer at The Inn Project about what it means to be grateful.
Blessings in Our Lives
I find it ironic that I’m not looking forward to a huge blessing that I’m receiving this week. On Wednesday I start the process of removing a (large) kidney stone from my kidney. It’s amazing to me how many things can go wrong with our bodies! My doctor has made it clear that this first surgery will not completely remove my staghorn kidney stone. If left untreated, this kidney stone could kill my kidney or cause infections that would be detrimental to my health. This is a condition that I cannot fix on my own, and it is not going to just go away. I’m having to depend on the skill and dedication of other people to remove this kidney-invader. Although not fun, it is a huge blessing that this treatment is available to me.
New Face in the South District
The Rev. Deanna Self-Price grew up in North Canton, Ohio. While in college, she worked as a Library Technical Assistant and later graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in English. Discovering a call to ministry, she served on several church staffs in the West Ohio Annual Conference as a professional church lay-worker. Her field of expertise at the time included: youth and young adult ministry, Christian Education, and Outreach program ministry. She was responsible for several mission trips, retreats, and study groups.
Chrysalis Weekend for Youth
Chrysalis is a 3 day spiritual renewal retreat that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about faith; to experience Christian love and support; and a chance to make new commitments in their faith journey. The content of the 3 days focuses on God’s grace, how one experiences Christ as friend in the body of Christ and how one is called into discipleship giving love to a needful world.
Conflict Transformation Seminar
Conflict is an inevitable part of life and growth. Learning to engage conflict in creative ways that open possibilities and lead to growth is a crucial part of building an authentic, collaborative, relational, trusting, bold, and compassionate church that is living...
Letting Go of Worry
Five weeks ago, my new urologist said that we need to eliminate the possibility that I have bladder cancer. My issue is that after I do even mild exercise I have visible blood in my urine. This has happened in the past and was determined to be kidney stones (which is still a strong possibility). At that time, though, it infrequently happened. Now it is almost every day. Ironically, the first urine test that the urologist took had perfect results, with no blood (visible or not visible) showing up in the test. Now I feel like that car that is taken to the mechanic with an issue, and the issue refuses to happen in front of the mechanic.
Introducing Our New Pastors in the South District
We would like to introduce you to the new faces in the South District and those with a change in appointment. Please join us in prayer for them as they settle into their new appointments.
Learning Faithfulness from Immigrants
What happens when you stop seeing people as a problem and start seeing them as your teachers? Hear Megan Spittell’s story about her experience as a volunteer at the Inn Project and what she’s learned about what it means to be a disciple.
$200 Grant from UMCOM for Outreach
United Methodist Communications has awarded the churches of the Desert Southwest Conference $200 grants in Outreach product that has been specially designed with UMC in mind! Check out all the designs here. Valid on UMC designs only, this offer has you covered up to...
Are you ready to tell your story?
These familiar words tell us we're about to hear a story. There's an art to storytelling and http://folio.umc.org/Art-of-Story has a palette of tools and resources that can help you craft your narrative and build your storytelling skills. You'll be surprised to find...
Early Response Team (ERT) Classes
Join the Desert Southwest Conference Early Response Team (ERT). Find out where the next ERT training classes will be held.
Mark’s Musings – July 17, 2018
Thirty-five years ago, I moved away from my home-state of Michigan. I left as soon as I graduated from high school, and I haven’t lived there since. When I first moved away for college, my visits back to Michigan usually happened at least once a year. Thirty-five years later, I don’t return very often. When I do, it is usually for a wedding or funeral. Sunday my wife and I returned from a two week visit to Michigan that was just for fun. It was a great time to visit with family and friends that I rarely see!
