Communications from the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, including the South District.
May 5, 2019
Dear Friends,
The Connectional Ministries Office has been receiving a number of requests for information about how people can learn more and participate in the denomination wide conversation after General Conference 2019 about what it means to be a United Methodist, a globally connected church, missionally and contextually relevant in our diverse and unique settings, and faithful to the call of Jesus Christ as we follow as disciples.
Many things are happening as new movements form and previous communities and associations wrestle with the question of how and if we can all still “be the United Methodist Church together”. The Connectional Ministries Office would like to invite you to a few events and offer some information regarding what is happening now and next.
- United Methodism 101/2.0 – an introduction to United Methodism and how to understand what is happening right now: Webinar – Wednesday May 15th 6:00pm (2hrs) Register At:https://dscumc.org/news/general-conference-2/
- Understanding what is changing in The Book of Discipline and Judicial Council’s ruling – just the facts: Webinar – Thursday May 16th 2:00pm (1.5hrs) Register At: https://dscumc.org/news/general-conference-2/
- Connectional Ministry Listening Sessions Zoom Town Hall meeting in preparation for UMC Next to hear questions and learn how things are going in local settings and what people need right now. Tuesday the 14th at 9:00am, Tuesday the 14th at 7:30pm, Thursday the 16th at 10:00am, and Thursday the 16th at 6:30pm. Register At: https://dscumc.org/news/general-conference-2/
- Follow DSC reporting from UMC Next at https://dscumc.org/news/general-conference-2/
- We want to hear from you: send questions, comments, or thoughts to brambikur@dscumc.org
Methodism has always been a movement shaped and molded by participation and practice. All of the input offered in these sessions will feed directly into the group going to UMC Next, into preparation for Annual Conference, and into work at the jurisdictional and general church level. The church is all of us practicing discipleship in local churches and communities, the most important way to be involved right now is your ministry in the local church as teachers, volunteers, listeners, prayers, givers, and passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. For more information about how to be involved, please ask your pastor or Lay Leader!
Yours in service,
Rev. Beth Rambikur
Director of Connectional Ministries, The Desert Southwest Conference
Read the Letter from Bishop Hoshibata regarding the Judicial Council Rulings, at the Desert Southwest Conference website.
February 27, 2019
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord and Savior!
Rev. Tony Dawson has served diligently and faithfully since his appointment to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Tucson, and continues to be a witness to the grace and power of God in his work.
Rev. Dawson has now been appointed to serve York UMC, York NE, in the Great Plains Conference, beginning July 2019. The Bishop and Cabinet are prayerfully discerning who will follow as your new pastor. As a decision is reached, we will be working with your SPRC to bring to St. Paul’s UMC Tucson, the best pastoral leadership available.
I pray for you, as you take time to honor Rev. Dawson for his ministry.
Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Mark Conrad
South District Superintendent
Desert Southwest Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church