Membership, Nurture & Outreach

Carrying Our Faith Forward

In my career as an educator, I belonged to the union. We were always told to share our story. How do the things around us affect the situations we are trying to improve? Sharing a personal side seems to allow others to become more invested. This is also true when sharing our faith stories.

For Christmas, I was given the gift of telling my stories. Each week, I am sent a question. It provides an opportunity to reflect on events and people that have influenced my life and who I have become. At the end of the year, the stories can be put together in a book for future generations to explore. It is a fun chance to remember my past. I also recently participated in a genealogy presentation. The two events seem to flow together.

Have you seen the cover of the 2025 program resource book? A woman looks out over a body of water. At first glance, it looks peaceful. However, there could be underlying currents. Do we always know how a person’s life is going? Reaching out and connecting with the women around us provides the possibility to nurture and meet their needs. As we care for others, we are being Christ-like in our actions. Sharing our faith in this way shows the involvement side of our beliefs. As we think about membership, women are more likely to want to join us if we offer an opportunity for them to take action on things they value.

The first quarter of the program resource book uses Proverbs 27:19 as its theme. “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Each month, a question is presented. February’s question is, “How have scriptures and songs informed your faith.” As I write this, the scripture that keeps coming to mind is, “Be still and know that I am God.” In this busy life, pausing and listening to God is often difficult. Yet, reflecting on familiar scriptures turns our focus back to God. What scripture brings you back? I want to challenge you to consider a scripture, act on the lesson you hear, and then reflect on your experience. This could be done by journaling or sharing with a friend. As you are comfortable, it could also include sharing with your group. As you share, you may be providing an invitation for another woman to take that step.

Whether your faith story picture is a peaceful lake or the rapids of a raging river, there is a purpose for its existence. Comparing your faith story to water can bring up memories, pictures, and reflections that let us know who you are. As our community expands, please know you are loved and valued wherever you are on your journey.

Gail Simpson
Membership, Nurture and Outreach Coordinator


Forget Me Not—Remembering Our Sisters

At the Annual Gathering, a memorial service was held for the 83 sisters who passed on last year. Each member was remembered with a packet of Forget Me Not seeds. Several people asked for the poem that was read. It is included below. As you read it, remember those who have been examples for you. May we always smile, open our eyes, be full of love, be happy for tomorrow, and cherish her memory.

She is Gone by David Harkins

She is Gone by David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty, and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.


Faith • Hope • Love in Action