Deb’s Dispatch
Greetings, my Beloved Sisters in Faith!
As I write this, I am humbly beginning my 4th year serving as your conference president. I continue to be inspired by your passion for mission and justice! I feel blessed to be a part of a vital leadership team, as this makes our voices and actions even more bold! Thank you to all who have been willing to “say yes” to leadership calls on so many levels.
During our recent Annual Gathering of Pacific Northwest United Women in Faith, we joined with the focus: “If Not Now, When?” With our eyes on the scripture for our time together, Micah 6:8, we were challenged by an amazing panel of women as they responded to the question…How has your life been impacted by United Women in Faith? We also heard about their hopes for where our organization is being called to be in Mission in the future. We were blessed to hear from our Bishop as he also shared his story of engagement with United Women in Faith and challenged us to take a very reflective view of where we have been called and where we may yet be called as we continue to keep our eyes on justice and bold action. It was a blessing to have our National President of United Women in Faith, Jana Jones, share with us on so many levels, and I know we all look forward to hearing more as she continues in this role.
Linda Hay (Walla Walla, Pioneer UMC) received the Racial Justice Award for her leadership in engagement with persons on the margins in the surrounding area.
We had discussions around the tables, participated in leadership development as we visited various informational displays, and we had our souls and bodies nourished as we were warmly welcomed by United Women of Faith at Bothell UMC. For those of you who were not able to attend, please know that you WERE missed.
I continue to be blessed by those who are flexible in sharing their gifts through music, connecting, leading, and worship. I know that God has led these persons to places of ministry, sometimes spontaneously. What a beautiful service of remembrance as we honored our sisters who passed away since we last met. It is important to hold these women as sources of light and strength as we continue our legacy that has been so vital for the past 156+ years.
Our elected leadership team members for 2025—26 are devoted and eager to lead where they are being called!
Indeed, it was a power-packed 24 hours, and we eagerly await more opportunities to gather in 2026…Assembly in Indianapolis, May 15—17; Mission u at Lazy F in July; and our 2026 Pacific Annual Gathering of United Women in Faith hosted by SeaTac Missional District, October 16—17.
My prayer for each of you is that you will continue to be blessed in your call to ministry, that you will continue to find strength for your journey, and that you will be given many opportunities to reach out to other women as you share how God is calling us to be Bold and put Love into Action…If Not Now, When?
Blessings,
Deb Avery
PNW Conference President
United Women in Faith
