PURPOSE:
The United Methodist Women are now the United Women in Faith!
We are United Women in Faith! In more than 150 years in mission we’ve had more than 25 name changes. Our last change was in 1972 when the name United Methodist Women was adopted, signaling a change not only in the life of the church but in the lives of women and how they could organize for mission. Today, we again face a change in life of the church and in how women live and choose to engage in the world in faith. Thus, it’s time to take on a new name.
What has not changed: We remain the official women’s organization of the United Methodist Church, training women for leadership, growing spiritually, transforming through education, and providing opportunities for service and advocacy. We are women in mission who follow God’s call for our time.
Our updated mission remains basically the same: United Women in Faith seeks to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence and impact local and global communities.
What has changed – we have a new name, designed to include a new look, new feel, and new and improved programs designed to better nurture current members and welcome new women into our sisterhood to put their love in action too. We have a new logo that features the new name of United Women in Faith next to a Christian cross in muted yellow, blue, orange, and green to reflect our forward-looking faith and diversity of the organization and God’s world.
We have a new website: www.uwfaith.org. All are welcome to explore this website and watch a new video of the fresh new look of United Women in Faith.
November Devotional
Scripture Matthew: 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Hopy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Reflection: From the Daily Prayer Guide 2023 “Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness. Reflection by Katie Peterson, Order of Deaconess and Home Missioner, Church and Community Worker, Director of Eastbrook Mission Barn, New Castle, Pennsylvania.
"I have celebrated God’s faithfulness in my life and calling, as I wake up each morning, thanking God for a new day to share in the joy of missions. I love to meet new friends who may become volunteers in a variety of areas around the world and in my community. I try to open people’s eyes to the immediate needs in their neighborhoods—whether it’s providing paper products to a pantry or buying buy tickets to help someone get to and from work. Sometimes it’s even just calling up or texting someone to say that you are thinking about them. Sometimes it is advocacy. We never know how small or big gestures can have an impact today or in the future. Go, and serve the Lord with thanksgiving every day!"
Each quarter we send a Pledge to Mission from our Meridian Unit. Those funds come from you, or our sales at NU2U, or funeral meals. Here are some ways this month our Pledge to Mission helps:
- Contribute to the Transit Equity Network Solidarity Fund support groups that are organizing Transit Equity Day actions to raise awareness and pressure on climate justice, racial justice, and transit, access.
- Fund Senegal Mission Initiative, Senegal—Supporting congregational development, pastor’s salaries, economic development, and building projects.
- The Hands and the Heart of Christ Orphanage Home, Democratic Republic of the Congo00Caring for vulnerable children and the needy withing the orphanage through skills training.
- Fund New Life Center Zambia that ministers through projects such as PET handicap bikes, educational classes, and community health.
What a variety of different entities our gifts at work cover! Be sure to look at the US map and the world map on our UWFaith bulletin board about all the areas of the earth where our mission dollars are at work.
This month’s Footprints article will be on 5 National Mission projects and 5 International mission projects.
And remember to cast your vote on Tuesday, November 7.