As I write this article for our Winter Edition of \u201cSharing Line,\u201d I am so filled with a sense of gratitude and belief that our Creator continues to call each of us and leads us into opportunities where we really need to be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are all blessed by the impact of our newest members of the Conference United Women in Faith leadership team, who have already begun to make a difference for all of us within our Pacific Northwest area and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have been reading the book \u201cEveryday Ubuntu\u2026Living Better Together, the African Way\u201d<\/em> by Mungi Ngomane (granddaughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu), which was recommended by Kathy Johnson, our program resources coordinator, and is on our 2026 Reading Program list in the Social Action category. It is a beautiful book inspired by the 14 lessons of the Rainbow Nation. Throughout this book of wisdom we experience lessons like: \u201cSee Yourself in Other People\u201d; \u201cStrength Lies in Unity\u201d; \u201cPut Yourself in the Shoes of Others\u201d; \u201cChoose to see a Wider Perspective\u201d; \u201cHave Dignity and Respect for Yourself and Others\u201d; \u201cBelieve in the Good of Everyone\u201d; \u201cChoose Hope over optimism\u201d; \u201cSeek out Ways to Connect\u201d; \u201cThe Power of Forgiveness\u201d; \u201c Embrace our Diversity\u201d; \u201cAcknowledge Reality (however painful that may be)\u201d; \u201cFind the Humor in our Humanity\u201d; \u201c Why Little Things Make a Big Difference\u201d and \u201cLearn to Listen so that You can Hear\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concepts of Ubuntu as described in this book, to me, are the very core of our vision, mission, and purpose of United Women in Faith and predecessor organizations for the past #156 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These concepts are already being explored through our coordinator for Social Action, Cecille Corsilles-Sy, as she supports us in understanding what it means to create \u201cbrave space\u201d rather than \u201csafe space\u201d in our own discussions with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joan Hackett is creating connections as we explore a \u201cnew way\u201d to share what it means to \u201cbe in mission\u201d in our own local units and churches. You will read more about this in this edition\u2026we are starting a Revolution!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am always inspired by the ministry and mission of each of our district organizations, which continue to support connections not only with existing local units but also by creatively bridging connections among women without current local units!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I truly believe that we are all being called for such a time as this! I am eagerly looking forward to sharing with many of you as we \u201cDream it, Believe it, and Do it\u201d at Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis in May! At the UMC Annual Conference, our United Women in Faith has offered to host an \u201cice-cream social\u201d for all participants. Mark your calendars for our 2026 Mission u July 10-12\u2026this year will be at Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center. October 23-24, the SeaTac Missional District, United Women in Faith, will host our Conference Annual Gathering at Hope UMC in Bellevue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have so much to look forward to this year and beyond as we look to the future of a strong and relevant organization of Women, organized for mission and ministry with women, children, and youth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blessings on Each of You,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deb Avery Deb\u2019s Dispatch As I write this article for our Winter Edition of \u201cSharing Line,\u201d I am so filled with a sense of gratitude and belief that our Creator continues to call each of us and leads us into opportunities where we really need to be! We are all blessed by the impact of our newest … Continue reading President’s Message<\/span>
PNW Conference President
United Women in Faith<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n