The Purpose of the
United Women In Faith
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.
Deb’s Dispatch
I was recently very inspired by the overall theme of our Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of our United Methodist Church. “Go and Do Likewise” is centered on the parable of the Good Samaritan. How are each of us being called to see our neighbor…not just “see” but reach out and welcome in!
As United Women in Faith, we have been called to “Go and Do Likewise” for over 150 years. God has led us in different directions over these many years, but our mission and ministry still focuses on women, children, and youth. There is much work yet to do!
We were also introduced to “Mirror Work” and “Window Work.” I see this in two perspectives as it relates to United Women in Faith. For me, I think of “Mirror Work” as taking a look at our history and the vital ministry of those women who went before, who dreamed dreams, and who mentored us and inspired us. Sisters who cared and nurtured each other and the least of these. Women who led the whole church into justice and mercy issues through transforming education, passion, spiritual growth, leadership, and so much more. What inspires us and challenges us still? Let us build on that work as a springboard for our “window work.”
“Window Work” helps us to take a realistic look into our future as United Women in Faith. Where are we being called into mission and ministry in the times ahead? How are we reaching out to women of all ages and in all walks of life to bring more diversity into our planning and programming? How are we inspiring leadership? How are we looking past our church walls (and doors) to include women we may have not yet met so that God may speak to us through different voices? How are we making a safe space for innovative thinking? How are each of us inspiring, influencing, and impacting each other as sisters who have a passion for faith and action?
During these past few months, I have been blessed to visit several of our lay-led churches that do not currently have local United Women in Faith units. During all of these visits, I was consistently surrounded and inspired by women who have a passion for mission and yearn to make a difference in their local churches, local communities, and the world. They were eager to share their “her-stories” of their mission focus over the many years! These are stories worth sharing!
I encourage every unit, local church, and district organization to do some research about stories of passion for ministry and leadership by these women. Let us learn from this “mirror work” in order to help inspire and challenge us to continue in the “window work” of how our amazing Creator is calling us to “Go and Do Likewise.”
Personally, I am looking forward to participating in our 2023 Mission u at Wesley UMC, Yakima, July 21-23. This is truly an opportunity for transformative education. There are classes for adults, children, and youth as we study what it means to be “Living in the Kin-dom.”
Next, I am excited to be a part of our Pacific Northwest Conference Annual Meeting of United Women in Faith in Olympia, WA. The theme for this time together on October 20-21 is “Living Our Mission; Being the Hands and Feet of Christ.” Again…a “window work” theme as we are inspired through word, action, music, and worship.
What better way to mentor and motivate all women as they share a common passion…being united in faith! Think about women in your life who have a passion for justice and bring them along on an amazing journey through United Women in Faith.
Deb Avery
PNW Conference
United Women in Faith President