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.
Events and Opportunities:
Story Link
The UWFaith Book club is asking for new or gently used books to be donated from our church family for the Story Link program. Story Link is a program where volunteers take new or very gently used children's books to area prisons along with a tape recorder. Parent detainees get to choose a book, read the book into the tape recorder, and then the book and recording are sent to their child. Bring your donations into the church office by Wednesday, Dec 6th.
For several years, the Church of the Warm Heart has partnered with Cathedral of the Rockies in this vital ministry, which provides free hygiene products to low-income and homeless teens in our community. With the school year back in swing, we are in need of the following items:
- Hair Care: brush, comb, hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, hair oil
- Skin Care: acne face wash, bar soap, body wash, face cleansing cloths, hand sanitizer, loofah, lotion, razor, shaving cream, deodorant
- Dental Care: dental floss, mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste
- Eye Care: contact supplies, eyeglass cleaner
- Grooming: cologne, perfume, eye shadow, lip gloss, mascara
- Feminine Hygiene: heavy duty pads, light day pads, tampons, panty liners
- Mirror Image Supplies: Jumbo (1/2 gallon), quart, and snack size Ziploc bags
You can drop off items in the FLC on Tuesday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. or email Lisa at care@meridianumc.com to arrange pickup.
Or, if you do not wish to shop for products, you can make out a check to Meridian UMC and earmark Mirror Image in the memo line. We will use your donation to order products that are most needed.
The Reading Program is a cherished United Women in Faith tradition that brings together members in mission as they explore, share and discuss the books.
To participate, select one of our four plans and start reading! From captivating novels and heartfelt biographies to urgent messages about issues such as climate change and mass incarceration, there’s something for everyone. There are many selections available outside Lisa Miller's office. Pay attention to the church's monthly Footprints newsletter, where Claudia Moberly provides a review for a reading program book. For a full list and description of the titles in the 2024 catalog, click below!
Faith Talks are monthly conversations with United Women in Faith, hosted by Jennifer R Farmer, Spotlight PR. Each conversation explores themes and resources that empower us to put faith, hope and love into action. You can find the entire archive of existing and upcoming conversations on the UWFaith website...
...and you can subscribe to the talks in podcast form!
UWFaith Book Club
The United Women in Faith has formed a book club that will loosely follow the UWFaith Reading Program. For specific information about the UWFaith reading program go to: https://uwfaith.org/resources/2022-reading-program/
Why: Our purpose in these organizing days of the book club is to bring women together to study, share, and explore books, from captivating novels and heartfelt biographies to urgent messages about issues such as climate change and mass incarceration. Most of the books on the UWFaith reading program are meant to challenge our thinking or possibly move us to action.
Goal: To read at least one book per year from each of the 5 UWFaith reading program categories: Spiritual Growth, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, Education for Mission, and Leadership Development.
Who: Anyone! You do not have to be a United Women in Faith member or even a member of the UMC.
When and where: Bimonthly, third Thursday (next meeting, Christmas party on 12/7), in the FLC, Classroom #2 at 12:30. Bring your own lunch, with discussion starting at about 1 p.m. for about 1 hour.
What: 2023 Calendar
Do you have a couple hours a month to give to the NU2U thrift store? Help is always needed! No experience necessary; we'll train you. Please contact Cheryl Mulvihill to volunteer. Sales at NU2U are the primary source of funding to make our pledge to Mission so we welcome your shopping at the store as well!