Deb’s Dispatch
‘DREAM IT, BELIEVE IT, DO IT!’ continues to be an overarching theme for us in United Women in Faith. Beginning with its introduction at our amazing experience at Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and continuing into our planning for retreats, annual gatherings, and more.
As I prepare to finish up my tenure as your conference president, I have been blessed to experience many “mountain top” experiences, and this quarter continues to inspire me to Dream it, Believe it, and Do it!
I have experienced the joy of the creation of a new unit in Crest to Coast, invited to speak at United Women in Faith Speak Sunday at Spokane Valley, representing our conference of United Women in Faith at the PNWUMC Annual Conference (our ministry fair table and ice cream treats were a hit!) and actively participate on our UMC Conference Board of Church and Society where we were able to add four $500 seed money grants thanks to dividends from our Endowment Funds.
I have connected with women and girls eager to know more about the Purpose of United Women in Faith, especially as I took on the role of Mission u 2026 Dean. In this role, I was so excited by the support I felt from the whole planning team, as well as the passionate group of study leaders who said “Yes,” including some who had never experienced Mission u, let alone taught a study! I am so excited that we will be returning to Lazy F for Mission u 2027 next July, and we are looking forward to the renovation of Ponderosa (aka old dining hall) when we return. Having reviewed many evaluations submitted, I can share that most participants truly experienced Emmanuel in this most beautiful setting of God’s Creation.
I have been stretched in my learning, having read the various reading program 2026 books chosen by our conference leadership team to read and discuss each quarter and now reading our current selection, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, by Uché Blackstock, MD. I invite you to join us in that reading.
I have HOPE restored as I witness the increased passion for Social Justice around our conference and the possibilities for creating opportunities for action and leadership. I also have been made aware of our women’s call for a need for soul care…a deep cry to restore ourselves in order to continue the work that our Creator is calling us to be a part of…I hold in my prayers all of our districts as they prepare their own annual gatherings coming up in September. Each of our districts has its own distinct leadership team, yet all focused on the same goal. I am always inspired as I hear from each of our district presidents about what is being so creatively planned.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our conference Annual Gathering at Hope UMC in Bellevue, October 23-24, with SeaTac District as our host. I challenge each of you to reach out and invite/sponsor a woman who has a passion for justice and a yearning to learn more about what it means to have a purpose for mission and ministry with women, children, and youth. Let each of us strive to become the impactful “ancestors” to others who will continue this legacy that has been moving forward for the past 157 years.
Please take the time to explore the Pacific Northwest Conference United Women in Faith website as it contains a wealth of information. Also, if you have not already, please sign up for United Women in Faith Digital. The educational offerings are impactful and inspiring. How will you be saying “YES” as you hear God calling you to be about the work of United Women in Faith?
Deb Avery, President,
Pacific Northwest Conference,
United Women in Faith
