United Women in Faith of West Ohio
February Inspirations
We believe love in action can change the world.
TAKING A LOOK AT 2025-2027
“Lift Every Voice: Dialog Across Differences”
Our West Ohio Racial Justice Program Committee has been meeting. Our focus is on emphasizing Racial Justice throughout 2025-2027.
Our Black, Native, Asian, and Hispanic Americans, refugees, and migrant sisters, brothers, and their children are crying out for justice! Thankfully, we have resources to offer you in this fight for all of God’s children.
Across the conference, districts and local units, we will be making a concerted effort to educate ourselves, find avenues of service, and work towards better conditions, legislation, and political solutions to this continuing concern.
We are planning some Conference virtual events: on April 29, August 13, and our Annual Celebration, on October 11, around the theme, “Lift Every Voice: Dialog Across Differences.” Please join us in these efforts, and let us know what you are doing, too. If we can be of any help, please contact us.
Paula Nourse
“So God created man in his own image,
in the image and likeness of God He created him;
male and female He created them.”
Gen. 1:27
Once again, we are continuing our emphasis on Racial Justice through Black History Month. One would think we would have gotten it right over the last nearly 50 years. The month was officially designated by President Gerald Ford in 1976, and subsequent presidents have continued this tradition.
But historically, Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson and the Rev. Jesse E. Moorland formed an Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. Gradually over the years, there was a Negro History Week (1926) scheduled the 2nd week of February, coinciding with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Schools, colleges, communities, and clubs would sponsor activities and performances. In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement promoted celebrating the whole month of February.
This year’s theme, Black History and Labor, reminds us of the disparity of employment of African Americans to nearly all other ethnic groups. Recent statistics show that 5.6% unemployment is the best ever for Blacks, but it’s still too high. Large numbers of Blacks work in certain transit, health care, and security jobs and earn less than most U.S. workers. Many experience discrimination on the job and find it more difficult to be successful. These workers appreciate DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) but feel most employers need to use it more effectively.
A number of Black labor leaders throughout history have advocated for better working conditions and civil rights: Hattie Canty, A. Phillip Randolph, Dorothy Bolden, Maida Springer Kemp, Bayard Rustin, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Chris Smalls, a modern-day Amazon labor organizer.
Many folks now celebrate by volunteering service in their communities—perhaps at a food pantry or soup kitchen, clean-up of neighborhoods, planning and working on new parks or neighborhood community centers, etc. Others travel to Washington, D.C., to talk with legislators or demonstrate at their state capitals.
Perhaps your district or unit could come up with an activity to bring attention and/or service close to home. Let us know what you do! We are interested in how you participate in this year’s Black History Month.
Becky Ruple, WOH Social Action Coordinator
BOOKS TO INSPIRE
Here are some books from the Reading Program you might find motivating as you plan on educating yourself and encouraging others.
The Enneagram for Black Liberation: Return to Who You Are Beneath the Armor You Carry by Chichi Agorom
No Justice: One White Officer, One Black Family, and How One Bullet Ripped Us Apart by Robbie Tolan, Lawrence Ross
A retreat focusing on using scripture text to tell the story of faith through water stories from Genesis to Revelation.
West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith invite you to our Spiritual Retreat led by Paula Nourse and Laura Wagner.
April 4th, 5:00 p.m. to April 5th, 3:00 p.m.
Procter Conference Center, London, Ohio 43140
Dinner, breakfast, lunch, ADA-accessible lodging in a beautiful room
Watch for registration information on the website.
Throughout this year your Committee on Nominations will be looking for servants for 2026. We will need a Secretary, a Communications Coordinator, and a Nominations Committee Member Class of 2028.
We also have an immediate need for a Secretary of Program Resources for 2025.
Nancy can supply job descriptions for these positions. If you are seriously considering serving UWF at the Conference level, please contact a member of our committee:
Chair Nancy Argabright – argabright2@horizonview.net – (740) 703-9054
Deb Mercer – damduke77@gmail.com – (614) 906-5163
Frellie Easterling – ruthie21@zoomtown.com – (513) 364-7243
Mollie Manring – gmm@roadrunner.com – (740) 703-6896
Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
Film Screening + Discussion
Thursday, February 6th
7 PM-9 PM ET | 4 PM-6 PM PT
Join United Women in Faith for a special screening of Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools. The film screening will be followed by a small group discussion time open to all and an optional information-sharing session for those interested in screening the film in their local context.
About the Film: Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools is a feature-length documentary that takes a close look at the educational, judicial, and societal disparities facing African American girls. The documentary is based on Dr. Monique W. Morris’ groundbreaking book of the same name and confronts the ways in which the misunderstanding of Black girlhood has led to excessive punitive discipline which in turn disrupts one of the most important factors in their lives – education. View the film trailer here.
This event is hosted by United Women in Faith. There is no cost to participate. All are welcome.
Wish you could offer something like this for your community? Now you can! We want to support United Women in Faith groups across the country by offering local screenings and discussions of this powerful film. With that goal in mind, we have purchased thirty additional screening licenses for our members' use this year. At the end of the February 6th program, we will share more information and provide an application link for United Women in Faith Jurisdiction, Conference, District and/or Unit leaders interested in hosting their own local screenings of Pushout in 2025.
*If you are unable to open the registration link above, please copy and paste the following text into your browser: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z1416slYSwWGA28jFRBT-w
Serve as a Volunteer Evaluator
with the Reading Program
Blessings!
I am writing to share an exciting volunteer opportunity with United Women in Faith's Reading Program.
Did you ever wonder what goes into shaping the United Women in Faith Reading Program each year? At the heart of the Reading Program is the work of numerous volunteer evaluators who read and review a list of assigned books, offering careful and candid feedback regarding the books' overall quality and alignment with our mission. In 2025, we will be evaluating potential books for the 2027 Reading Program, again relying on the extraordinary work of a great team of volunteer evaluators.
Are you interested in serving as a volunteer evaluator for the Reading Program this year? If so, please take 10 minutes to complete the 2025 interest form.Both new and returning volunteers should use this form.
We will consider interest forms on a rolling basis throughout the year, but completion by February 15th is preferred, as it allows us to plan appropriately for the spring cycle book assignments.
Peace,
Emily
Emily Jones
Executive for Racial Justice
United Women in Faith
United Women in Faith is excited to announce that the Call for Workshop Proposals for Assembly 2026 is now open! The 2026 Assembly, themed “Dream it, Believe it, Do it!” will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 15-17, 2026. The deadline for submitting workshop proposals is March 3, 2025.
Workshops are a highlight of our Assembly, providing participants with opportunities to explore a wide range of topics and deepen their engagement. We invite you to submit a workshop proposal that aligns with our mission and resonates with our community.
We have three distinct workshop categories:
Inspire: Deepen spiritual awareness and enrich the soul
Influence: Focus on personal and professional development
Impact: Emphasize service, action, and advocacy
Please go to assembly.uwfaith.org/eSites/821058/Homepage to create a profile and begin your submission.
For more information, please contact Assembly Workshop Producer Jessica Tulloch at assemblyworkshops@uwfaith.org. Don’t miss out! Submit your proposal before the March 3 deadline at 11:59 p.m. (PT).
Space is limited, so we encourage you to submit your proposals as soon as possible.
Join us in making Assembly 2026 an unforgettable experience!
Contact:
Jay Rollins
Assembly Communications Producer
Email: jrollins@uwfaith.org
Join us on March 23 at 1 pm E.T. for a special live-streamed event.
For Generations to Come
Save the Date: March 23, 2025
By uniting our hearts and hands, we are building a future filled with hope and support for women, children, and youth. Every gift you make, regardless of size, will make an impact for generations to come. Give to The Legacy Endowment Fund on the Day of Giving, March 23!
Ways to Give
Online at: uwfaith.org/dayofgiving
By phone: 800-278-7771 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, Mon.–Fri.)
Text: “FUTURE” to 20503
By check to:
United Women in Faith
Attention: Legacy
Church Center for the United Nations 777 United Nations Plaza, 11th Floor New York, NY 10017 Write "Day of Giving" in the memo section.
Together, we are building our legacy for generations to come!
Hello. Kim Hoessly, Assistant Dean, and I are excited about our MISSION u 2025 program being planned, and we’d like to share the following information with you:
Once again, Mission u 2025 will be held in two sessions – In-Person and Virtual Sessions:
In-Person: at BERGAMO CENTER, 4400 Shakertown Road, Dayton, OH 45430
(the Bergamo Center is accessible with living quarters, cafeteria, and classrooms all on one floor; however, this year two classes will be held in the lower level)
Date: June 27, 2025, Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. – June 29, 2025, Ending at 12:30 p.m.
Our Theme: “Practicing Hope Together”
This theme will explore the hope that emerged within a small community of followers after the resurrection of Jesus that changed the world. Out of so much confusion and fear following the crucifixion of Jesus, grew a “Resurrection People” steeped in hope who began living out their faith in powerful ways.
Registration fees:
$250/person/Single;
$200/person/Double;
$80/person/Commuter;
$15/Youth
Registration Opens April 1, 2025 (maximum attendees: 140)
Adult curriculum – Practicing Hope by Tabatha Holley
Practicing Hope is a biblical curriculum that invites us to explore hope as a daily practice. Its purpose is to allow all of our communities to cultivate hope that is honest about our current conditions (refugia), hope that is restorative when everything feels urgent (rest), and hope that is possible even when we transgress (repair).
Youth — Communities of the Spirit: Living into Hope as Resurrection People by Regina Heater
Communities of the Spirit invites youth to consider what they need in a community to help them be committed to actions that transform the world into the kin-dom they anticipate. Youth will explore the inexplicable hope we find in early post-resurrection Christian communities. Heater asks how we can create such “Communities of the Spirit” today by examining common themes found in the post-resurrection stories: bravery, miracles, rituals, time and diversity, the fruit of the Spirit, and adversity and perseverance.
Children — Hope as a Resurrection People by Joni Cisowski
Hope as a Resurrection People intends to help children build trust in Jesus to bring comfort and support as they find courageous hope in the face of uncertainty. Through each session, children will develop their understanding of hope by reflecting on important people, communities, places, activities, personal goals, and desires for the future. Then, they will look for ways to build communal hope to be the change our world needs today.
Virtual Sessions: Via Zoom: $25/person (same curriculum described above)
Wednesdays, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30 (7-9 p.m.)
Thursdays, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31 (10 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
More info to follow, including a flyer for the promotion of Mission u 2025 with registration info.
Feel free to contact me at cjohnson3253@yahoo.com for more info.
Carolyn Johnson, Dean
We have many opportunities to review and discuss the books selected for our Reading Program. This year, we are going to use the resources available to us, including a new collaboration with The West Ohio Conference.
Emily Jones, UWF's Executive for Racial Justice – (Ending Mass Incarceration & Criminalization of Communities of Color and Priority Lead Liaison for Conference Social Action Coordinators) has invited us to the Book discussion We Are Not Here to be Bystanders: A Memoir of Love and Resistance by Linda Sarsour on 2/24, 7:00 p.m. You need to register to attend the virtual event.
Our collaboration with The West Ohio Conference continues, led by Julie Carter, Director of Faith Formation and Lay Ministry. Each month, the Expanding Connections Book Club meets via Zoom to discuss the month's book selection. In this new partnership, we are inviting our UWF community to join people from all over West Ohio as we Expand our Connection with one another and people we haven't met yet. Each month's book selections will be diverse, accessible, and empowering. This community of readers will be a hub promoting equality, equity, and inclusion and share the stories of the world to generate empathy and peace through books. Books will be announced the 15th of each month and a time for gathering and sharing will take place around the same time.
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:
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 2023 Annual Report. We will share the 2024 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 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,e and impact local and global communities.
The Legacy Endowment Fund
The most recent total of contributions to the Legacy Endowment Fund was $46,026,552.00. We anticipate making our goal of $60M by the end of the quadrennium in 2028. To learn more about this fund and how you can give to keep United Women in Faith strong for the future go here.
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.
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