Dear Members and Friends of the Desert Southwest Conference, Grace and peace to you in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ!

 

As a result of my decision to request retirement, under ¶ 408.2a of the 2016 Book of Discipline, the office of resident bishop for the Desert Southwest Conference becomes open. As prescribed in the Book of Discipline, the Council of Bishops has the responsibility of determining, who will serve as the episcopal leader for the Desert Southwest Conference until a new bishop is elected at a regular Jurisdictional Conference.

 

On July 2, 2021, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church announced that the Council has voted to approve the recommendations from the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops for the episcopal coverage for the Desert Southwest Conference, Phoenix Episcopal area.

 

Following proper procedure, the Council of Bishops announced that Bishop Grant J. Hagiya, resident bishop of the California-Pacific Conference, will serve as your bishop for this interim time. Please be assured that this is not in any way a step toward merger of the two conferences, but simply a plan for episcopal coverage for the Desert Southwest Conference. Details about any welcome events will be announced soon.

 

In the meantime, a transition team has been constituted and plans for a smooth transition are being developed. I know Bishop Hagiya as a cherished colleague and friend, so I ask you to please welcome him with open arms and warm hearts!

For those who are interested in more details about the role and election of bishops in The United Methodist Church, click here. If you have any questions, please feel free to email my office.

 

In Christ,

Bishop Bob

 

DSC Leadership Talks

 

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? Opportunities are available to anyone in the Desert Southwest Conference interested in learning through a focused discussion of mixed media leadership resources, such as books, videos, podcasts, webinars, etc. Leadership is explored from various perspectives, including resources that look at leadership from more than one cultural lens. A number of one-hour, virtual evening conversations are being offered this year.

 

The first one is on the book Membership to Discipleship, by Phil Maynard. Check us out online – Future presentation schedule – Save the dates! September 13, October 11, and November 8

To register and read the full article, visit  https://dscumc.org/blog/2021/07/12/new-virtual-leadership-talks-sponsored-by-your-clergy-and-lay-leadership-development-team-clld/

You can find the book at:

https://www.cokesbury.com/9780989922326-Membership-To-Discipleship

https://www.amazon.com/Membership-Discipleship-Growing-Mature-Disciples-ebook/dp/B01IFMPDJC

MISSION OPPORTUNITY

 

The Cal-Pac United Methodist Conference has a short-term mission opportunity which might be of interest to individuals and congregations in the Desert Southwest Conference because of its proximity and brevity. The Cal-Pac Conference has received a FEMA grant to help re-hab the former Holtville UMC for use as an Immigration Welcome Center. Holtville, California, is located 10 miles east of El Centro, California, and 50 miles west of Yuma, Arizona. 

 

The timeline for this work opportunity is very short. Work will begin on Wednesday, July 21st, and should be complete by Saturday, July 24th.  

 

While the long term goal is to add showers and laundry facilities for the Immigration Welcome Center, workers during this immediate period will clean a building which has been closed for a while but is in generally good condition in preparation for arrival of beds (16 twin bunks!) and chairs. Work will include general cleaning of kitchen, office, and other spaces, sorting, and disposing of unusable items. If the beds arrive during the work time, they will be assembled.   

 

 Workers will need to bring air mattresses and bedding. Meals will be at local businesses. There is a refrigerator available.  

 

The work will be coordinated by Doug and Judy Lewis, Disaster Coordinators for Cal-Pac and by local coordinators. Contact Mike and Lorraine Eyer, UMVIM Coordinators for Desert Southwest Conference, at (623) 810-5600 or clnmwe@gmail.com for more information or to be connected to Doug and Judy.  

 
  
Lay Servant Training
 
 

“Leading Bible Study”  Lay Servant Ministry

This Advanced ZOOM class is taught by long time Bible Teacher Eli Reeves from Lakeview UMC in Sun City. Two ZOOM Classes will be offered in mid-July, one during the day and one evening class.

To register for the classes go to: https://dscumc.org/lay-servant-ministries-training-sessions/ The class is $15. If you have to cancel or postpone you will get a credit for a future class. There will only be twelve (12) students per ZOOM class so please register as soon as possible. The book you need to purchase and read completely before class begins is Biblical Interpretation: A Roadmap. It is available at Cokesbury.com or Amazon.
 

The Daytime Session is: Wednesday to Friday – July 14, 15 and 16, 8:30 A.M. to Noon

The Evening Session is:  5:30 – 9 P.M.  Wednesday to Friday – July 14, 15 & 16, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Introduction to Lay Ministry

Lay Servant Ministries “The Basic Course : Introduction to Lay Ministry” This Basic ZOOM class is taught by Jeannie Ward, the West District Lay Leader from Prescott Valley UMC.

 To register for the classes go to: https://dscumc.org/lay-servant-ministries-training-sessions/ The class is $15. If you have to cancel or postpone you will get a credit for a future class. There will only be twelve (12) students per ZOOM class so please register as soon as possible. The book you need to purchase and read completely before class begins is Lay Servant Ministries (the Participant Book). It is available at Cokesbury.com or Amazon (also in e-book formats).

The Daytime Session is: Wednesday to Friday – August 25, 26, and 27, 8:30 A.M. to Noon

The Evening / Saturday Session is: Thursday and Friday – August 26 & 27, 5:30 to 9 P.M.

Saturday Morning Class August 28, 8:30 A.M. to Noon

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-————————-

“Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century”  Lay Servant Ministry

Lay Servant Ministries “Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century” This Advanced ZOOM class is taught by Pastor Linda DeAtley from Lakeview UMC in Sun City. Two ZOOM classes will be offered in October, one during the day and one evening class.

To register for the classes go to: https://dscumc.org/lay-servant-ministries-training-sessions/ The class is $15. If you have to cancel or postpone you will get a credit for a future class. There will only be twelve (12) students per ZOOM class so please register as soon as possible. The book you need to purchase and read completely before class begins is Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century. It is available at Cokesbury.com or Amazon.

The Daytime Session is: Wednesdays – October 6, 13, and 20, 8:30 A.M. to Noon

The Evening Session is: Wednesdays – October 6, 13, and 20, 5:30 to 9 P.M.

Blessings,

Betty Stewart, West District Director Lay Servant Ministries

bettyboop491@cox.net  or  Cell #480-658-7713

 

 

Click here for Current News From Our Conference and Bishop

 

Click here for current news from the United Methodist Denomination