July 2026
- West Ohio UWF
- Jul 1
- 7 min read
United Women in Faith of West Ohio
July Inspirations
We believe love in action can change the world.
Contents:
Pictures from Mission u 2026
These are just a small sample of pictures from this year's Mission u. To see all pictures we have, please visit westohiouwf.org/mission-u-2026-pictures.
Hallelujah! From Your President
So where am I coming from today? I am reading my devotion from Mornings with Jesus/Guideposts, Revelation 19:6…Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” The storyteller was singing a Hallelujah song and the phone rang. When she answered, she said, “Hallelujah”. I loved it. The Faith Step today: Look up the definition of Hallelujah. Use it to praise Jesus right now, no matter what is calling you. So I did.
Hallelujah translates directly to "praise Yah" or "praise be to the Lord." It is a compound Hebrew word that combines hallelu (a joyous command meaning "praise ye" or "to boast in") and Yah (a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh).
Where It Comes From
Ancient Roots: It first appears in the Old Testament (primarily in the Book of Psalms) as an invitation to sing exuberant, communal praise to God.
The New Testament: In the Christian Bible, it is famously used in the Book of Revelation as a triumphant shout of celebration for God's ultimate reign and victory.
Deeper Spiritual & Cultural Nuance
While often used simply as a synonym for "Praise the Lord," its linguistic roots carry a much stronger, active connotation:
A Call to Action: The hallelu portion is a command. It is like a cue directing everyone around to actively glorify the divine.
Transcending Language: Because the word is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew, it acts as a universal, transcendent expression of awe, joy, and surrender that is recognized across many different faiths.
The Leonard Cohen Concept: In modern culture, the word is highly associated with Leonard Cohen's famous song "Hallelujah," where he explored how the word can represent not just religious worship, but the beautifully complex mix of human faith, love, sorrow, and doubt.
This is a song I’m sure many of you have listened to and probably like. But, have you really listened to the words? You should. Then, do some research of your own. Also, Pentatonix is one of my favorite groups.
So, what is your Hallelujah? How better to answer the phone with a greeting that exalts Jesus. Feel free to send me your thoughts.
Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)
From Your Vice President
I attended my first UWFaith National Vice President Meeting & Training Meeting on Monday, June 8 and a LOT of information was shared during our 2-hours together on Zoom.
They talked about fundraising and had some good suggestions:
Ask for contributions more than once – before and during the event – sometimes people need to be reminded about giving
Make giving fun – at Assembly they tied giving to the Indianapolis 500 race car theme – they used the sound effects of ZROOM, ZROOM and the “pit crew” consisted of a woman dressed in an orange jumpsuit with the words MISSION GIVING on her backside – it was fun and we all had a good laugh and we all reached into our pockets and gave in record breaking fashion at Assembly.
Set attainable goals and once you achieve that goal you’ll have a lot to celebrate and folks will give even more
National United Women in Faith have established three main goals for the next 4 years – and they need our help to achieve those goals:
To increase UWF membership to 500,000 by 2029;
To increase our annual giving to $10,000,000;
To raise $60,000,000 and beyond Legacy Fund goal.
My next meeting will be on June 29 – will let you know what information is shared.
By the way, our in-person Mission u 2026 event ended on Sunday, June 14–God was with us! More details will be shared next month after our Virtual Mission u event–to be held in July–ends. Till then, be safe, be happy, be blessed!
Carolyn Johnson, Vice President, WOC UWF; Dean Mission u 2026 | (614) 565-4121 or email at cjohnson3253@yahoo.com
From Your Secretary
At Mission u, I was asked about who could be an officer at the local and district levels. After some research and talking with Nancy Argabright, chair of nominations, this is what I found.
At the local level, membership is open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to participate in the global mission of the Church through United Women in Faith and shares its Purpose. Only laywomen not serving as a pastor of a church are eligible to serve as elected or appointed leaders. The president must be a member of the local United Methodist Church with which the unit is affiliated and serve as a member of the church council or on the administrative council or administrative board/council on ministries. No restrictions were found for any other elected or appointed position at the local level.
Membership at the district level comprises all members of United Women in Faith existing within the district. Membership at the conference level includes all women who have made a voluntary decision to join in membership in local or district organizations within the annual conference.
For district and conference leadership, only laywomen who are members of United Methodist churches or who were members of United Women in Faith on January 1 of the year of their election and within the boundaries of their respective district or conference may serve as elected leaders. Only laywomen who are members of The United Methodist Church may serve as president of a district or conference organization of United Women in Faith. No restrictions were found for any other elected or appointed position at the district or conference level.
The source of this information is the United Women in Faith Handbook 2025–2028 Constitution & Bylaws (United Women in Faith - 2025-2028 Constitution and Bylaws D11308).
I do not remember who asked me this question; I hope you find this information helpful.
Janice Deal, Secretary, jdeal@ideal-services.com
Register for the East-West Ohio Spiritual Retreat
Register now for the August 15 East West Ohio United Women in Faith Spiritual Retreat by July 30! “Live Out Loud” is the theme for the day retreat. We will meet at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO), 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. A charge of $25 includes a buffet lunch.
Julie Carter, Director of Faith Formation and Lay Ministry, will lead the group in “Living Your Faith Joyfully and Boldly.”
You may register online here: westohiouwf.org/lol-live-out-loud. You may also print out the form and send with a check to Marsha Klingbeil, Treasurer. There is also a flyer you can share with your unit.
Carol Waugh, Communications Coordinator, carolwaugh6@gmail.com
UWFaith at Sulphur Grove in Huber Heights
The United Women in Faith at Sulphur Grove UMC in Huber Heights, OH is an active and spiritual organization. First and foremost we put the triune God at the head of our unit. We have two circles: New Dimensions and Caritas Circle. Each circle has programs to enhance spiritual growth.
The Sulphur Grove unit is very active. We have about 77 members, 50ish of which are active. As a unit, we do two bake sales a year and will make $500 - 700 each bake sale, all for missions. We have found by asking for donations only, people are very generous. In the spring we have a Food Panty collection for five local food pantries. We honor the important ladies in our lives with donations and print the honorees’ names, past and present, in the Mother’s Day bulletin. We do the same for the men in our lives and print their names in the Father’s Day Bulletin. This year we raised $1225.00 for the five food pantries. Our unit will have a concession stand October 18 with the Huber Heights Historical Society Classic Car Show held in the church’s parking lot. It is another good source for mission money. Our circles are active collecting items for the Hygiene Kits and Kids Kits, and the circles have made many blankets for ‘My Very Own Blanket’ each donated to Care House for children who sadly, are removed from their homes and need to go into Foster Care. This past Tuesday, the New Dimensions Circle organized, for both circles, a spiritual visit to the Labyrinth at the Bergamo Center in Beavercreek, and this summer, many ladies of our unit will have lunch at the Do Good Restaurant and Ministry in Osgood, OH. It serves wonderful food where profits and tips benefit community missions. These are just some of the ways our Sulphur Grove unit is serving God and doing God’s work in our community.
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.
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