The Gathering 2023 Registration is Open
Happy Advent! As you are preparing your home and hearts for the Christ Child, I invite you to prepare your calendar for The Gathering! This event is a 48-hour retreat for clergy under appointment in our Conference and those who are retired members of our Annual...
ASU Lodestar: Nonprofit Training for Congregational Leadership
Arizona State University Lodestar, prompted by the Episcopal Diocese of Phoenix, designed a certificate program for a special sector of nonprofits - churches. ASU Lodestar Center worked with the Center's Nonprofit Management Institute to develop the content for the...
Mighty United Methodist Coalition
The Mighty United Methodist Coalition has begun planning for its upcoming build with Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona. Wall raising for the 2023 build in central Glendale will be in late January. Recent builds have been in Tempe, Surprise,...
Prescott Valley UMC selects Fort Yuma UMC as the November mission focus, and your church can too
Looking for a way to honor, support, or engage with Native American Ministries? Consider adopting Fort Yuma UMC this Christmas or plan to volunteer with UMVIM in January.
Thanks-Giving
It’s that time of the year. It’s Thanksgiving. Cool-weather, trees changing color, leaves falling, football. The day we gather with family and friends to celebrate. Too often we think of thanksgiving only as being the fourth Thursday of...
Western Jurisdiction News & Live Stream
Subscribers of DSC news will automatically receive the “Western Jurisdiction Update,” a newsletter focused on the 2022 WJC event and its actions. Through the Western Jurisdiction Update, we’ll provide you with a daily summary of the significant actions.
Youth 2023 Registration Link
Learn more about updates regarding the registration for Youth 2023.
Quiet time for prayer…
Lake Cross photo by Jeannie Ward Where have you found a calm place to read daily devotions? Or, spend quiet time with God? Is it a ‘place’ that you can spend more than 30 seconds quietly? However, having suggested that we ‘need’ quiet spaces and times, that may...
What is a Simplified, Accountable Structure (SAS)?
Discipleship Ministries looks at how simplified, accountable leadership structure (often called the “one-board” model) can empower, equip, and set laity and clergy free to focus on the mission of making disciples of Jesus who change the world.
Be a Part of the Conversation
Our church conferences are in motion, and it has been an exciting experience to hear and witness the powerful stories of ministry of each church so far. Church conference is more than filling out reports and paperwork or signing assessments. “The primary...
Bishop Hagiya Leadership Fund Announced
To honor Bishop Hagiya’s gifts to the church, the people of the Desert Southwest Conference are invited to contribute a donation in his name to the Bishop Hagiya Leadership Fund. All contributions to the fund will be used to support leadership initiatives for clergy and laity in the region.
2022 Journal is Available
The 2022 Journal of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference is now available for free as a downloadable PDF. Print versions will be available for purchase soon at dscumc.org/journal.
Webinar Recommendation: “The Craft of Asking”
Are you looking for a decent stewardship course? A few pastors from the West District have taken "The Craft of Asking" by Myte Ministries and saw positive results. The next Cohort begins on November 18. Find more details and registration information below. Click Here...
Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair at Paradise Valley UMC – November 19, 2022
Are you looking to start the Christmas season off in an amazing way with the community? Come join the Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair that will be held at Paradise Valley UMC on November 19, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This exciting event will feature various...
Desert Southwest Youth Go to Daytona Beach!
We are so excited that Youth 2023 will take place in Daytona Beach in July of 2023. We want to make sure that every youth in the conference, whether they have a youth group or not, is able to attend this wonderful event that happens once every four years in the UMC....
First UMC in Sun City hosts Cultural Competency Training and your church can too
First UMC in Sun City hosted its own Cultural Competency Training and so could your church! Learn more.
13th Annual Buckles and Bangles Gala
Come spend a memorable evening with us outside! On October 14, 2022, UMOM will host its 13th Annual Buckles & Bangles “Boot Scootin’ Ball.” Your involvement in this event will aid in generating much-needed funding and public exposure for Arizonan families and single women who are facing homelessness.
Don’t miss the 2023 District Leadership Conference
Save the date for the 2023 district leadership conference. The plan includes two Thriving workshop sessions and bonus workshops.
Impossible or Possible?
Does it feel like you need to take a breather, since 75% of the year is gone? Or do you see the "end of the tunnel" and you can't wait to get this done, to pick up a new project from God? Even though the year is almost over, the effort continues with forwarding...
TEST – please disregard
This article was published for testing purposes. Please disregard.