United Women in Faith: response

United Women in Faith’s new president, elected in July, is a retired registered nurse, a mother, a wife, and a dedicated member of United Women in Faith with a long list of service on all levels, including the Reading Program committee.From the Nov./Dec. 2024 issue of response.

United Women in Faith’s Reading Program (uwfaith.org/read) is designed to help women of faith achieve five key goals: lean into our spiritual growth, strengthen our leadership skills, equip ourselves for local and global mission, take faithful action for the common good, and build community in ways large and small. The books are current and cover a wide variety of topics. Participating in one of the Reading Program plans at any of the four levels, or even reading just one or two books in this catalog, can help you grow. And anyone, anywhere, can participate—whether you are a member of United Women in Faith already or just getting to know us.From the Nov./Dec. 2024 issue of response.

As this issue of response reaches you, you may be setting your tables for Thanksgiving and decorating your homes for Christmas. You may be shopping, wrapping gifts, planning menus, and making travel plans. And I hope that come December, you will be filled with the wonderful joy and anticipation of this Advent season, preparing your hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus.From the Nov./Dec. 2024 issue of response.

Kelly G. Loeb thought it was in God’s plan to graciously donate her special home as a planned gift to The Legacy Endowment Fund so that Mai Gray’s legacy, and her own, will live on. From the Nov./Dec. 2024 issue of response.

On February 24, 2024, the North Texas Conference United Women in Faith held their fifth annual Charter for Racial Justice event at Hamilton Park UMC in Dallas. From the Sept./Oct. 2024 issue of response.

From the Sept./Oct. 2024 issue of response.

Mother and daughter members serve together as General Conference delegates. From the Sept./Oct. 2024 issue of response.

United Women in Faith submitted 19 petitions at General Conference. These included calls to action on racial and climate justice, gender equity, protecting the girl child, and supporting deaconesses and home missioners. Eighteen of our petitions passed.From the Sept./Oct. 2024 issue of response.

The World Methodist Council has awarded Deaconess Norma Dollaga the World Methodist Peace Award. From the July/August 2024 issue of response.

A United Women in Faith regional missionary helps empower young Japan. From the July/August 2024 issue of response.

The Responsively Yours column from United Women in Faith CEO Sally Vonner. From the July/August 2024 issue of response.

The United Women in Faith CEO reflects on her first year in office. From the July/August 2024 issue of response.

More than 50,000 are expected to attend the parade and festival at Northcott Neighborhood House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Killingsworth NMI offers hope for recovery.

Can you think of anything more elusive in many United Women in Faith units than women under the age of 39? Younger women are hard to find, hard to attract once we found them, and even more difficult to keep as integral parts of the work we do around the world.

From the May/June 2024 issue of response.

From the March/April 2024 issue of response.

Native American United Methodists share their art and faith with the 2024 General Conference. From the March/April 2024 issue of response.

United Women in Faith brings four new petitions to General Conference and 11 resolution readoptions that call on the church to prioritize women, children, and youth.From the March/April 2024 issue of response.

What does it mean to step “faithfully forward”? Is it blindly moving ahead without planning or purpose? Of course not. Is it just expecting God to take over and do it all? No. We know that God doesn’t work that way. Well, the Bible tells us in Hebrew’s 11:1 (NIV), “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And Philippians 3:14 reads, “I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ.”With that biblical guidance, I believe that to go “faithfully forward” is to prayerfully set a goal, work hard to reach it, and then have the faith to know that the Holy Spirit is right beside us every step of the way, guiding us to victory. However, it can still be a little scary. And often fear of the unknown or of the challenges we face can keep us from being able to see God’s promises.The path we plan to take to reach our goal can also change without notice and then we must adapt. That can be hard to do. We want everything in life to be a direct path. But often God takes us on a different journey. Yes, there are challenges to overcome. Are we going to see only the challenges or trust in God’s promises? Pointing out only the problems and roadblocks can derail us. But, moving forward with the knowledge of God’s presence and faith in God’s love and guidance can lead to success and glorious celebration. That’s why we chose the theme Faithfully Forward for the Day of Giving, March 23, 2024. We hope that you will join your United Women in Faith sisters around the world on that day in celebration as we step Faithfully Forward, uniting hearts and hands to create a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow for women, children, and youth.