Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church

06/21/2026

Join us for the 2026 Service of Commissioning and Ordination live from Lakeview United Methodist Church

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/20/2026

The path to ministry is different for every pastor. Some sensed God's call early in life. Others discovered it through unexpected experiences, relationships, or moments of discernment.

As we celebrate our 2026 retirees, we're sharing their stories in their own words. In this video, Tom Jelinek reflects on his call to ministry and what he is looking forward to in retirement.

Join us in giving thanks for his ministry and wishing him blessings in this new season of life.

06/20/2026

Retirement marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As part of the 2026 Desert Southwest Annual Conference, we asked our retiring clergy to reflect on the journey that brought them into ministry and what lies ahead.

In this video, Mary Klaehn shares the story of her call to ministry and her hopes for retirement. We are grateful for the countless lives touched through her faithful service and leadership.

Thank you, Mary, for the ways you have helped build the church and serve God's people.

06/20/2026

As part of the 2026 Desert Southwest Annual Conference, we invited retiring clergy to reflect on two questions: What is the story behind your call to ministry, and what hopes do you have for this next chapter of life?

In this video, Sandy Lynn Johnson shares her journey of answering God's call and her plans for retirement. We give thanks for her years of faithful service and ministry across the Desert Southwest Conference and beyond.

06/20/2026

Every pastor's journey begins with a call. As we celebrate the retirement of our clergy at the 2026 Desert Southwest Annual Conference, we're sharing stories of how God called them into ministry and where they sense God leading them next.

Wendi Aitken reflects on her call to ministry, years of service, and hopes for retirement. Thank you, Wendi, for your faithful witness and leadership.

06/20/2026

Celebrating and honoring the ministry of the 2026 Retirees of the Desert Southwest Conference. Not everyone is featured in this video, but we recognize with deep appreciation:
Rev. Sandy Lynn Johnson, Elder in Full Connection
Rev. Arthur Tom Jelinek, Elder in Full Connection
Pastor Wendi Aitken, Associate Minister
Rev. Mary Beth Klaehn, Elder in Full Connection
Pastor Tracy Perry, Local Pastor, Retired status as of July 1, 2026
Pastor Taike Lolohea, Associate Minister as of June 18, 2026
Pastor Sandy Lee Johnson, Serving as an LLP for 14 years

06/04/2026

Dove Summer Nights at Dove of the Desert, Four Wednesdays, 6-8 PM

Kids VBS - Snowball Mountain Challenge
Adult Bible Study on Galatians

What are you most excited for this summer? ☀️ For us, it's Dove Summer Nights — starting in just two weeks!

🐧 Kids: Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS with Ollie the Arctic Seal
📖 Adults: Galatians study with Pastor Dave

📅 June 17, 24 & July 1, 8 | 6–8 PM

Register today at the link in our bio! 🔗

Tag a friend you're bringing! 👇

06/04/2026

As the Phoenix Conference Center of the Desert Southwest Conference sale is set to finalize, we give thanks for the many years of faithful ministry, connection, and service that took place within these walls.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this transition. We remain committed to faithfully stewarding our resources as we continue our mission of becoming A Healthy Church for A Healthy World.

05/19/2026

Not receiving Conference emails? All Desert Southwest Conference communications are subscription-based, which means individuals choose which newsletters and ministry updates they would like to receive. Following a recent transition to a new email platform, we encourage everyone to review and update their subscriptions to make sure they do not miss important news, announcements, or ministry updates. https://www.dscumc.org/news-detail/helping-you-stay-connected-to-conference-news-19739475

05/05/2026

We’re seeing our Annual Conference theme, “We Are the Church Together,” lived out in real ways across our Conference. This story from The Tempe Tribune highlights how Dayspring-UMC continues a long legacy of faith in action, standing with immigrants and engaging issues of justice in their community.

A Tempe church founded 60 years ago by a minister who stood against racial segregation — and paid a price for doing so — has continued calling out injustice and encouraging faith in action. More on this at https://www.tempenews.com/news/tempe-church-takes-stand-for-immigrants/article_c1eeddd7-c0a4-4fdc-96c0-c536c0e8c063.html.

📸: Eric O. Ledermann Photography