Recently, the annual meeting of PNW Conference UWF was held at Bothell UMC. We gathered, we listened, we worshiped, new and returning officers were installed, business was completed, and now it is time to ACT. Like the conference theme says, “If Not Now, When.”
I am returning to the Membership, Nurture, and Outreach Coordinator position for the PNW Conference UWF Team. I want to share a little about myself with those who are new. After teaching for 22 years, I retired from my position as a preschool special education teacher. I also have a degree in occupational therapy. Before teaching, I worked as an occupational therapist for 20 years in schools and rehabilitation settings. As a clergy spouse, I have been involved in multiple church groups. Before retirement, I was the Spiritual Growth Coordinator for what was then the Columbia River and Vancouver Districts of the UMW. Once I retired, I answered the call to be on the conference team.
If we are to reach out to others, we need to remember to care for ourselves. Throughout the year, there are a variety of programs for one to participate in. Soul care retreats have taken place in various districts. Check with your district officers and/or your local units to see if a Soul Care retreat is happening near you. If not, think about having one at your church. Maybe join with another unit and share the work and benefits.
Assembly 2026 is happening in Indianapolis, May 15-17, 2026. The theme is “Dream it! Believe it! Do it!” Promote this event at your local unit. Encourage young women to participate. Scholarships are available. Check out the information in this Sharing Line. Early registration is due by the end of November. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask at your unit, the district, or a conference officer. We are here to help.
Mission u will have a new location this summer. It will be held at Lazy-F Camp and Retreat Center. The dates are July 10-12, 2026. If you have ever attended Mission u, be a promoter in your unit. Invite new members to attend with you. Having this event on Friday night through Sunday morning will hopefully allow young women to attend. There are classes for adults, youth, and children. This will allow for family participation.
Later in the year, there will be district annual meetings and the conference annual meeting. These are not the only events that need to happen. If we have cared for ourselves, we will hopefully have more energy to reach out to those around us. At the recent annual meeting, women had the opportunity to share ideas that their units have been doing. Many units feel they are too small. It was suggested that, rather than limiting the participants to members, we invite the whole church to an event. Also, if you know someone is a knitter, invite them to help with a prayer shawl ministry. Participants can take part in one or all the activities that are going on.
Another suggestion was to develop a Welcome Packet. When you talk to someone about your unit, share the packet. Listen to ideas that interest women. Help start a group that focuses on what is important to them. As we nurture and support each other, we will be allowing others to see more of what UWF is all about. Let us invite new members to join us as we carry out the work of Jesus Christ.
