Hope for the World
In a time when hope may seem far away, we need to remember that hope is our future. Hope can be defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen. Hope can be grounds for believing something good may happen. It can be a feeling of trust. At different times in one’s life, we may hope for other things. As faith continues throughout our lives, it will likely change and grow. One of the ways this happens is by living out our faith. As a verb, hope is what we want to have happen. What we work toward making happen. These actions vary based on your interests and areas important to us. We accomplish or carry out the achievement of our hopes and dreams through these actions. Mission U is happening July 24-26, 2025, at Wesley UMC in Yakima. The adult study theme is Practicing Hope. The youth study is also based on hope. It is titled, Communities of the Spirit, Living into Hope as Resurrection People. Our ability to live into hope as resurrection people will include sharing our faith with those around us.
I invite you to join others at Mission U. Don’t come by yourself. Share your hope, invite a friend. Think of someone who is new to your church or someone you work with. Age doesn’t matter; there are groups for everyone. The children’s class is for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Childcare is available for younger children. Youth and adults will each have their own sessions, and there will be opportunities for intergenerational activities as well. Local units may have scholarship money available to help cover registration and expenses. UWF district and conference levels can also be sources of financial assistance. Don’t let finances stop you from participating. Having attended for the past 2 years, I can say this is a life-changing opportunity.
As we hope our organization will grow, please consider this a chance to be with others with common goals. It can be a great introduction to our mission and purpose. This one event can be a chance to reach possible new members as well as to nurture ourselves and those around us.
Hope to see you at Mission U, July 24-26, 2025. Registration forms are in the sharing Line.
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.