August 2026
- West Ohio UWF
- Aug 1
- 7 min read
United Women in Faith of West Ohio
August Inspirations
We believe love in action can change the world.
Contents:
From Your President
WOMEN UNITED FOR CHANGE 157 years in mission…
Wow Women! You Rock! Today I’m referencing the book Women United for Change: 150 years in Mission by Ellen Blue. It was the Mission u study in 2019. Every Unit should have a copy of this to share. Women’s Stories, Then and Now. The foremothers of United Women in Faith were engaged in mission in countries around the world. Though improving the lives of women and children was their primary concern, they brought education and healing that benefitted whole societies. They trusted in the gospel and found the strength to venture onto ships that carried them away from their families and the lives they knew. The kind of work done by these women foreshadowed what would come to be known as “citizen diplomacy”; the concept that individuals have the responsibility to affect foreign policy through building strong relationships with people who live in other countries. There is a growing recognition that peace must be waged as intentionally, assiduously, and unremittingly as war. UWFaith is such a powerful, life-giving force for that work precisely because of the thousands upon thousands of women who have reached out to their sisters. Christian women around the world are carrying on this legacy in their own countries, actively engaging in God’s mission and spreading faith, hope, and love every day.
Just take a moment and reflect on all the mission work your local church, UWFaith unit, district, and conference has done through the years. Wow! Is right. I am so proud to be a member of this organization and proud of each of you and your continued devotion to the cause. A Celebration is in the works…Saturday, October 10, 10:00 to 3:00, at Scioto Ridge UMC in Hilliard, Ohio. Sally Vonner, General Secretary/CEO of United Women in Faith is our guest. We are so excited. Please join us. Registration and flyer are on our website: westohiouwf.org under Coming Events and is open August 10 to September 26. Don’t be shut out!
Faith Talks with Jennifer Farmer was great this month. She interviewed Dr. Heather Lamb. Watch it here.
Something I recently heard…You cannot grow in your comfort zone. I’ll see you August 15 at the East/West Spiritual Retreat and October 10 at Annual Day.
Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)
From Your Vice President
Hello, to all Vice President/Program Coordinators in our West Ohio Conference. I invite you to join me in a Zoom gathering of Vice Presidents/Program Coordinators on Tuesday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss and share ideas about our work and responsibilities. Click below for the Zoom link.
Until then, I look forward to seeing you at our East Ohio/West Ohio UWFaith Spiritual Retreat at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio in Delaware, Ohio, on Saturday, August 15. Registration info can be found on our West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith website: westohiouwf.org. Everyone is invited!!!!
Also, please join me at our WOC UWFaith Annual Celebration on Saturday, October 10, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Scioto Ridge UMC, 4343 Dublin Road, Hilliard, OH. SALLY VONNER, General Secretary/CEO of our National United Women in Faith will be our guest speaker–she leads our National UWFaith!!!! Registration information is available at: westohiouwf.org under the “Upcoming Events” tab. Please come—we need you there!
Let me know if you have any questions—my contact information is below!
Be safe, be happy, be blessed!
Carolyn Johnson, Vice President, WOC UWF | (614) 565-4121 or email at cjohnson3253@yahoo.com
Social Action Update
A Heartfelt Thank You
Thank you to everyone who decorated birthday cards for the detained asylum seeker from Peru during Mission U! More than 30 cards were created and will be delivered to him while he is being held at the Butler County Jail.
What a meaningful way to remind someone that they are seen, remembered, and surrounded by prayers. Your kindness is a powerful witness of God’s love.
Learn More: Butler County for Immigrant Justice
For those living nearby or interested in immigration advocacy, Butler County for Immigrant Justice (BCIJ) is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working to end Butler County’s contract with ICE, which allows the county to detain immigrants.
One of BCIJ’s goals is to raise awareness among Butler County Commissioners and the public about the harmful effects that aggressive arrest, detention, and deportation have on individuals, families, and the community, particularly when people have committed no crime other than being undocumented.
To learn more about their work, visit www.bcij.org.
I am also looking for faith-based organizations that are actively supporting Haitian families in Springfield, Ohio. If you know of a group or ministry, please let me know.
Social Action Coordinators Meeting
Calling all District and Unit Social Action Coordinators, as well as anyone interested in social justice ministry!
You are invited to attend the first 70 minutes of the quarterly Social Action Coordinators Conference meeting. The next virtual meeting will be held on September 10 at 7:30 p.m.
If you would like to attend, contact me and I will make sure you receive the registration link. I would love to see the West Ohio Conference well represented.
Debra Stoner, Social Action Coordinator
Funding Opportunity: Office of Racial Justice
The Office of Racial Justice is accepting proposals for its Social Advocacy Initiative, which supports efforts to:
Interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.
End the criminalization of communities of color.
Address mass incarceration.
Grants ranging from $200 to $2,000 are available.
Projects should:
Have a clear and achievable goal.
Balance ambition with realistic expectations.
Include the voices of directly impacted people in leadership and decision-making.
Encourage collaboration with other local organizations while ensuring substantial participation by United Women in Faith.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded or September 30, 2026, whichever comes first.
The application is available here.
If you would like to discuss a project idea or need a copy of the application questions, please contact me at stonerde@gmail.com. I would be happy to help.
Debra Stoner
GreenFaith Voter Mobilization
GreenFaith USA is organizing people of faith to encourage voter participation this November, with a focus on supporting ambitious climate action to protect our common future.
During the Annual Celebration on October 10, there will be an opportunity to write postcards encouraging voter participation. I hope you'll consider joining this effort.
Debra Stoner, Social Action Coordinator
Hocking River District UWFaith Welcomes Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio
At our April spring meeting, at Faith United Methodist Church in Zanesville, Melissa Best, Director of Community Engagement of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio, shared inspiring and uplifting news and information about this wonderful organization.
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio serves eight counties – Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Perry, Meigs, Morgan, Noble and Muskingum. They are the largest nonprofit homebuilder worldwide.
Basically, their vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity empowers people who qualify to build and buy their own homes. The Build Your Own Home Program requires “sweat equity” (250 hours for one adult member and 500 hours for a household with two more adults), the completion of a series of educational classes, a down payment of $2,000.00 and monthly mortgage payments on a zero-interest home loan.
This summer, the organization sponsored a “Stud-A-Thon 2026”. Any business, family, group, or non-profit could purchase a stud and then paint, decorate, collect signatures, quotes, or best wishes messages. These studs will be used in future Habitat for Humanity homes! At least two churches in our district purchased studs and either decorated them at the church or participated in a paint party at a local American Legion in late June.
Ms. Best was a very enthusiastic speaker and encouraged all of us to shop at the ReStores in our counties and support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of safe, affordable housing in our community.
Barb Wolfe, Hocking River District
Registration Opens August 10 for Conference Annual Day
Our districts will be holding their fall UWFaith Annual Days in September and October. Don’t forget to register for your individual district annual day.
Registration will open for our Conference Annual Day on August 10. Annual Day is October 10 at Scioto Ridge UMC in Hilliard from 10:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Sally Vonner, our National CEO of UWFaith. Registration will be online and you can register several people on the same form. You have the option of sending your check for the $15 lunch to Marsha Klingbeil or paying online. Please start checking with your unit and circle members and planning for this special day.
There is a flyer available on our website under Upcoming Events. Several officers have mentioned this event in their articles this month.
Carol Waugh, Communications Coordinator
National Mission Institutions
National Mission Institutions are community-based organizations and social service agencies that were almost exclusively founded by women in the 19th century to serve marginalized communities and populations across the United States. Today, United Women in Faith remains connected to these community centers, colleges, and residences, providing vital services in vulnerable communities. National Mission Institutions empower women, care for children, support seniors, educate youth, provide housing for domestic violence survivors, and offer residences for special needs children and youth. National Mission Institutions also advocate for the women, children, youth, and families in the communities they serve.
Learn more about the Mission Institutions in West Ohio—their histories, missions, and how you can serve and support the vital work they do:
National Events, News, & Resources
The National Office has many interesting events and gatherings such as Faith Talks, Voices of the Field, Podcasts, and Webinars. Go to the United Women in Faith website to find out more and to subscribe to their digital communications to stay up on the latest scoop by clicking here.
Important Information
Join us in celebrating all the ways we inspire, influence, and impact our churches and communities with our 2024 Annual Report. We will share the 2025 Annual Report once it is made available.
The United Women in Faith Board of Directors approved the organization's 2025 budget at its fall board meeting. Check out our report.
United Women in Faith continues to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. Read our statement.
We join our friends at the General Commission on Religion and Race to condemn false claims against migrants and call for action against racism and xenophobia. Read the full statement.
Support United Women in Faith
Please consider increasing your Pledge to Mission, both individually and from your local unit! Gifts to Mission make it possible for United Women in Faith to carry out its vital work to connect and nurture women through Christian formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact local and global communities.
Learn about All-Access Membership
All Access provides easy online availability to resources nationwide. Customize your experience and access more ways to put love in action. Because love in action can change the world. Learn more.
Comments