Deb’s Dispatch

If Not Now, When? As I reflect on the world around us, I realize the overwhelming amount of mission and ministry that lies before us as United Women in Faith…locally, nationally, and globally. If we, as faithful and justice-minded women, avoid speaking up and speaking out about the injustices we witness all around us daily, who will?

For over 156 years, women organized for mission through action and faith have stepped up and spoken out for the voiceless, the marginalized, and the forgotten. Yes, now is the time to engage women of all ages, abilities, and cultures in our Sisterhood. Let us reach out to women of all ages outside our own church doors and into our neighboring communities. We have so much to offer to those who want to make a difference in our local communities, states, nation, and the world. Remember…our words and works have power as we gather to energize each other in Action!

I am inspired by programming that focuses more on transformational awareness than on what day of the week we meet, listening to a myriad of business items discussed, and filling a slate of officers…I think you know what I am leading up to! Let us focus more on mission giving and put more of our energy and passion into working for the common good of all those around us. Let us engage women in “rolling up our sleeves” and meeting women where they are…modeling this passion for justice for women and girls of all ages!

Let us continue to be a model of advocacy, truth, and justice for the rest of the church! We know how to organize and get things done. Let us continue in our spiritual growth and nourishment as we listen to where our Creator is leading us. Let us be passionate enough to inspire and influence others to want to be a part of making a positive impact! When we link, we form a powerful chain that is also there to lend support when some of us aren’t feeling so strong. We need to nourish each other and ourselves so that the work of United Women in Faith will carry on long after we may be gone.

I look forward to connecting with you at upcoming opportunities to re-energize our souls, build communities of care, and make our voices be heard through our various district and conference annual gatherings, participating in our UMC Annual Conference, Mission u, and looking ahead to Assembly 2026!

My dearly beloved Sisters, we have much work to do…If Not Now, When?

Blessed to be serving as your conference president,

Deb Avery
President, Pacific Northwest
United Women in Faith
“Honored to serve as your Conference President.”
PNW Conference United Women in Faith