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April 2025

United Women in Faith of West Ohio 

April Inspirations

We believe love in action can change the world.

 


We are United Women in Faith. United in our love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. United in our relationships with each other. United in being advocates for women, children, and youth. United in staying current with issues, reaching out to the marginalized, educating ourselves on what we believe and how to show Love in Action. There are so many opportunities for us to accomplish these things. Just in case you don’t know or need a refresher, check out our website, westohiouwf.org, on a regular basis. Our webmaster, Rev. Angie Cox, is doing an amazing job.


  • Check out your district’s web page (links below). But also look at the other district pages and see what they are doing. You are always welcome to go to other district events.

  • Chats With Paula: Come to an informal, no-agenda hour to talk about what’s on your mind. Hopefully about UWF, but sometimes we get off track. I am always available to you. Don’t be afraid to ask. If I don’t know the answer, I got people!

  • Faith Talks: A UWF podcast hosted by Jennifer Farmer. She explores timely themes and resources from expert insights on ways to live your faith to inspiring interviews with spiritual leaders. These are the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month from 2:00 to 3:00. The link is uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts/.

  • Voices From the Field webinars: Hear firsthand stories from people benefitting from “Mission Giving”. This, too, is available at uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts/

  • Response Podcast: Tune into audio versions of some of the top articles from each issue of Response magazine. uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts/

  • Registration for Mission u is now open. This is a wonderful experience. First-time attendees can receive a Martha Scholarship. There are also Mission u scholarships up to $100.00 if needed. Don’t let the cost keep you from coming.


Thank you for all you do.


Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)

 

Lift Every Voice: Dialogue Across Differences

April 29th, 2025

A live event is offered from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.;

a separate event featuring the recording will be shown from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.


Join us for a presentation on Immigration, led by Rev. Madet Merove, who serves as a community leader, pastor within the United Methodist Church, and the CEO of Haitian Community Solidarity & Support. He founded the organization in 2024 to address the needs of the growing Haitian community in the greater Springfield, OH, area. With our commitment and compassion for helping the Haitian community in Springfield and the surrounding areas, we are dedicated to supporting everyone, without discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.


“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” verse 2

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,

Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;

Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;

We have come, treading our path thru the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past, til now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.


 

This Month – Asians, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders


 My former church near Dayton and Wright-Patterson AFB had some families from various states, countries, and traditions.


  • One base family had a Hawaiian father, Chinese heritage mother, and four great kids who were involved in Sunday School, youth group, and as adults with their own families.

  • A Japanese American Airman and his wife adopted a biracial baby and another South American child.

  • A Korean student pastor and his family attended until he began serving a Korean congregation nearby.

  • A Vietnamese group met for worship in our chapel on Sunday afternoons and participated in a Christmas dinner and program.

  • An African American Phys. Ed. Teacher / part-time Pastor started a Sunday afternoon service in our church.

 

Perhaps your church can report similar cultural involvements.

 

West Ohio UMC has several Korean and Vietnamese congregations ministering in their language and cultural traditions.  Our new Bishop, Hee-Soo Jung, is bringing together Korean UMC congregations, emphasizing their importance in Ohio.

 

AHNPI – Are you familiar with this abbreviation? Asians, Hawaiian Natives, Pacific Islanders. Now you know! Why should we be interested in these folks?

 

Recently, I began thinking about United Women in Faith’s connection to our Christian brothers and sisters from those parts of our world. UWF supports Philippine Deaconesses, educational and health institutions, and scholarships ministering to women, children, and youth in India, Nepal, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Pakistan. Some of our United States mission sites also work with AHNPI Americans. Check out the maps in the March-April 2024 issue of response magazine! I feel so good when I see where our offerings go and how many people are benefiting from UWF.

 

Becky Ruple, WOH Social Action Coordinator

 

BOOKS TO INSPIRE


Here are some books from the Reading Program you might find motivating as you plan on educating yourself and encouraging others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that you can find information relating to your specific District on our website? On most District pages, you can find a listing of leadership, recent newsletters, and upcoming events. If you are looking for more information and cannot find it, please check with your District leadership team. All of the District pages are found under the "Districts" tab on the website or by clicking on the respective links below.

 

 

January through July is a very busy time for the Committee on Nominations as we search for women willing to serve UWF at the Conference level. A position still open for 2025 is Program Resources Coordinator. This appointed position is an immediate need, so if you are interested or have questions, please contact our Nominations Chair Nancy Argabright without delay.

 

Open elected positions for 2026 are Secretary, Communications Coordinator, and Nominations Committee Chair. Open appointed positions are combined Education & Interpretation/Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinator and Nominations Committee members for 2028 and 2029.

 

Nancy can supply a detailed job description for each of these positions to interested parties. A general description can be found in the UWF Handbook for 2025-2028.

 

Chair Nancy Argabright – argabright2@horizonview.net – (740) 703-9054

Deb Mercer – damduke77@gmail.com – (614) 906-5163

Frellie Easterling – ruthie21@zoomtown.com – (513) 364-7243

Mollie Manring – gmm@roadrunner.com – (740) 703-6896

 

Thank you for your prayerful consideration!

 

 


Hello. Kim Hoessly, Assistant Dean, and I are excited about our MISSION u 2025 program being planned, and we’d like to share the following information with you:

 

Once again, Mission u 2025 will be held in two sessions – In-Person and Virtual Sessions:

 

In-Person: at BERGAMO CENTER, 4400 Shakertown Road, Dayton, OH 45430

(the Bergamo Center is accessible with living quarters, cafeteria, and classrooms all on one floor; however, this year two classes will be held in the lower level)


Date:  June 27, 2025, Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.  – June 29, 2025, Ending at 12:30 p.m.

Our Theme:  “Practicing Hope Together”

 

This theme will explore the hope that emerged within a small community of followers after the resurrection of Jesus, which changed the world. Out of so much confusion and fear following the crucifixion of Jesus, grew a “Resurrection People” steeped in hope who began living out their faith in powerful ways.  

 

Registration fees:

$250/person/Single;

$200/person/Double;

$80/person/Commuter;

$15/Youth

Registration opens TODAY! April 1, 2025 (maximum attendees: 140)

 

Adult curriculum – Practicing Hope by Tabatha Holley

Practicing Hope is a biblical curriculum that invites us to explore hope as a daily practice. Its purpose is to allow all of our communities to cultivate hope that is honest about our current conditions (refugia), hope that is restorative when everything feels urgent (rest), and hope that is possible even when we transgress (repair).



Youth — Communities of the Spirit: Living into Hope as Resurrection People by Regina Heater

Communities of the Spirit invites youth to consider what they need in a community to help them be committed to actions that transform the world into the kin-dom they anticipate. Youth will explore the inexplicable hope we find in early post-resurrection Christian communities. Heater asks how we can create such “Communities of the Spirit” today by examining common themes found in the post-resurrection stories: bravery, miracles, rituals, time and diversity, the fruit of the Spirit, and adversity and perseverance.


Children — Hope as a Resurrection People by Joni Cisowski

Hope as a Resurrection People intends to help children build trust in Jesus to bring comfort and support as they find courageous hope in the face of uncertainty. Through each session, children will develop their understanding of hope by reflecting on important people, communities, places, activities, personal goals, and desires for the future. Then, they will look for ways to build communal hope to be the change our world needs today.

 

Virtual Sessions: Via Zoom: $25/person (same curriculum described above)

Wednesdays,  7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30 (7-9 p.m.)

Thursdays, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31 (10 a.m. – 12:00 noon)

 

More info to follow, including a flyer for the promotion of Mission u 2025 with registration info.

Feel free to contact me at cjohnson3253@yahoo.com for more info. 


Carolyn Johnson, Dean


 

United Women in Faith is excited to announce that the Call for Workshop Proposals for Assembly 2026 is now open! The 2026 Assembly, themed “Dream it, Believe it, Do it!” will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 15-17, 2026. The deadline for submitting workshop proposals is March 3, 2025.


Workshops are a highlight of our Assembly, providing participants with opportunities to explore a wide range of topics and deepen their engagement. We invite you to submit a workshop proposal that aligns with our mission and resonates with our community.


We have three distinct workshop categories:

  • Inspire: Deepen spiritual awareness and enrich the soul

  • Influence: Focus on personal and professional development

  • Impact: Emphasize service, action, and advocacy


Please go to assembly.uwfaith.org/eSites/821058/Homepage to create a profile and begin your submission.


For more information, please contact Assembly Workshop Producer Jessica Tulloch at assemblyworkshops@uwfaith.org. Don’t miss out! Submit your proposal before the March 3 deadline at 11:59 p.m. (PT).


Space is limited, so we encourage you to submit your proposals as soon as possible.


Join us in making Assembly 2026 an unforgettable experience!


Contact:

Jay Rollins

Assembly Communications Producer

 

Our collaboration with The West Ohio Conference continues, led by Julie Carter, Director of Faith Formation and Lay Ministry. Each month, the Expanding Connections Book Club meets via Zoom to discuss the month's book selection. In this new partnership, we are inviting our UWF community to join people from all over West Ohio as we Expand our Connection with one another and people we haven't met yet. Each month's book selections will be diverse, accessible, and empowering. This community of readers will be a hub promoting equality, equity, and inclusion and sharing the stories of the world to generate empathy and peace through books. Books will be announced on the 15th of each month and a time for gathering and sharing will take place around the same time.


 

National Mission Institutions are community-based organizations and social service agencies that were almost exclusively founded by women in the 19th century to serve marginalized communities and populations across the United States. Today, United Women in Faith remains connected to these community centers, colleges, and residences providing vital services in vulnerable communities. National Mission Institutions empower women, care for children, support seniors, educate youth, provide housing for domestic violence survivors, and offer residences for special needs children and youth. National Mission Institutions also advocate for the women, children, youth, and families in the communities they serve.

 

Learn more about the Mission Institutions in West Ohio—their histories, missions, and how you can serve and support the vital work they do:

 

 

The National Office has many interesting events and gatherings such as Faith Talks, Voices of the Field, Podcasts, and Webinars. Go to the United Women in Faith website to find out more and to subscribe to their digital communications to stay up on the latest scoop by clicking here.


Important Information

Join us in celebrating all the ways we inspire, influence, and impact our churches and communities with our 2023 Annual Report. We will share the 2024 Annual Report once it is made available.

The United Women in Faith Board of Directors approved the organization's 2025 budget at its fall board meeting. Check out our report.

United Women in Faith continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. Read our statement.

We join our friends at the General Commission on Religion and Race to condemn false claims against migrants and call for action against racism and xenophobia. Read the full statement.

 

Support United Women in Faith


Please consider increasing your Pledge to Mission, both individually and from your local unit! Gifts to Mission make it possible for United Women in Faith to carry out its vital work to connect and nurture women through Christian formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence,e and impact local and global communities.

 

The Legacy Endowment Fund


The most recent total of contributions to the Legacy Endowment Fund was $47,466,800 as of the end of January 2025. We anticipate making our goal of $60M by the end of the quadrennium in 2028. To learn more about this fund and how you can give to keep United Women in Faith strong for the future go here.

 

Learn about All-Access Membership

 

All Access provides easy online availability to resources nationwide. Customize your experience and access more ways to put love in action. Because love in action can change the world. Learn more.

© 2025 United Women in Faith of West Ohio

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