June 2025
- West Ohio UWF
- Jun 2
- 9 min read
United Women in Faith of West Ohio
June Inspirations
We believe love in action can change the world.
Contents:
From the West Ohio Conference President
“June is Bustin’ Out All Over” Did you sing it? June is such a happy month for many of us. Graduations have been happening. Family reunions are beginning. Flowers are blooming. So “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.” Many units take a break meeting in the summer. My unit decided to meet in the summer and instead take a break in January and February. Of course, we know that just because we are not meeting, the work never stops. So, on with June. Mission u is June 27-29th. The registration deadline for in-person attendance was June 1st, but registration for the Virtual Mission u is still open. Are you ready to go?
My friend Laura and I will be doing morning devotions. I will be sharing the book, “Little Mole Finds Hope,” by Glenys Nellist. Little Mole learns of ways to find hope when he is sad. Finding light amidst darkness and new life springing from what seems dead are symbols of hope. You can look for signs of hope too. Learn more about Practicing Hope, our curriculum for Mission u by Tabatha Holley, which will explore hope, particularly when hope seems hard to find. The curriculum asks the questions such as: What is hope in the face of neofascism? What is hope in time of genocide? How do we imagine a future for the next generation as our planet grows hotter by the season? What tools do we have to face these hard realities. Remember, the classes are also taught virtually in July, and registration for those is still open! Can’t wait to see you!
Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)
Opening Ourselves to Social Action:
This Month – Differing Abilities
“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to theFather, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
Colossians 1: 11-12
I had lived on my short street in the same neighborhood for many years. One would think I knew just about everything there was to know about everyone, every house, every family.
One spring day, when the weather was starting to warm up, I came home after work, the car loaded with grocery bags for the week’s meals. Tired, thinking what to fix for supper, my mind wasn’t on what was happening a few houses away. As I picked up my purse, house keys, and grocery bags, encouraging words floated toward me from the sidewalk.
“You can do this! Come on...keep pedaling...Look ahead; don’t look down! I’m right beside you.”
“I can’t! I’m going to fall!.I’m afraid, Mom!”
“You won’t fall...the training wheels will keep you up. Don’t give up – you can do it!... You ARE doing it! ...Keep going! Don’t stop!”
Many of you have helped young family members learn to ride a two-wheeler. You know how much time, patience, encouragement, and maybe even treats, it takes to get some kids to venture out on this early-life challenge.
So what was so special about this particular neighborhood experience? The encouraging young mother was in a wheelchair, riding along beside her daughter as she struggled to balance her little bike!
I saw Sandy at my church the next week, helping corral her daughter’s Daisy troop. She said Olivia wasn’t quite ready for bike riding. They were going to try again later. Her husband is a local police officer – just a young family, living their best life.
There are many folks working valiantly, going to school or a job, establishing a home and family, making a way in the world that presents many obstacles. What can we do? In the current times, some of the help offered through Social Security, Medicaid, education financial aid or assistants in schools, and laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, are helpful. But efforts are underway to drop some of these hard-won accommodations. We need to contact the White House, Governor DeWine, Senators and legislators, and keep the pressure on!
Also, be aware in our churches, communities, and districts: Are there ways that we can improve our ministry of accessibility, hearing and visual accommodations, inclusion on committees, visitation, etc.? Again, get your units involved in offering to meet with folks, asking about their needs and/or possible ideas or solutions.
As Sandy said to her daughter, “You (We) can do this! Keep going! Don’t stop!”
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 Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan by Jillian Benfield
Rewired: An Unlikely Doctor, a Brave Amputee and the Medical Miracle That Made History by Ajay K. Seth
Charter for Racial Justice Committee
“Lift Every Voice: Dialogue Across Differences”
On Tuesday, April 29, the Charter for Racial Justice Committee of West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith sponsored a virtual event focusing on immigration and the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. There was a live event at 4:00 p.m. featuring an interview of and discussion with Rev. Madet Merove, a Haitian pastor in the Springfield area. This event was recorded for viewing again at 7:00 p.m. the same day.
The event began with devotions by Brenda Coleman, who reminded everyone of the Biblical references and United Methodist Church's Social Principles that exhort us to work toward a world in which each person’s value is respected and nurtured. Rev. Merove, while pastoring two churches, is also the CEO of Haitian Community Solidarity and Support. He founded this organization in 2024 to address the needs of the growing Haitian community in the Springfield area. The organization assists with language classes, driving classes, food and financial assistance, and legal referrals when necessary. Monetary donations may be made through its website at www.haitiancss.org or by check mailed to Haitian Community Solidarity & Support, 1040 E. Main Street, Springfield, OH 45503. Visit the website to learn more or address questions to Rev. Merove at haitiancommunity24@gmail.com.
Please watch for our next virtual event scheduled for August 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. This event’s focus will be on racial justice and equality in schools and feature the Marching Mothers of Hillsboro, Ohio. Our speaker will be Melvin Barnes from Ohio Humanities.
Additional Support for HCSS
If you or your units are interested in assisting members of the Haitian community in the Springfield, Ohio, area, we invite you also to consider donations of food items to the Covenant United Methodist Church Food Pantry. The button below links to a downloadable list of the food items that are needed for migrants and locals in the community of Springfield. The address of the church, for delivery of physical items is:
Covenant United Methodist Church
529 Johnny Lytle Avenue
Springfield, Ohio 45506
Telephone: (937) 324-3501
Rev. Merove notes that in addition to food items, funds are also appreciated to pay for migrant associates via LegalShield coverage under his organization, HCSS. As noted in the CRJC article above, monetary donations can be sent through https://www.haitiancss.org/. Monthly LegalShield fees are: single person membership - $30.00 monthly; family membership - $40.00 monthly. Funds may also be sent to help those who are not working pay for rent and utilities. We ask that you please indicate for which purpose any funds are intended so that HCSS can appropriately record donations for income, expenditures, and taxes.
If sending food items please call the Covenant United Methodist Church office at the number above to make appropriate arrangements for delivery.
REGISTRATION FOR VIRTUAL MISSION U IS STILL OPEN!
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:
Virtual Sessions: Via Zoom: $25/person (same curriculum as in-person Mission u)
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)
Our Theme: “Practicing Hope Together”
This theme will explore the hope that emerged within a small community of followers after the resurrection of Jesus, which 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.
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.
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
Reading Program with West Ohio
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 sharing the stories of the world to generate empathy and peace through books. Books will be announced on the 15th of each month, and a time for gathering and sharing will take place around the same time.
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 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 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.
The Legacy Endowment Fund
The most recent total of contributions to the Legacy Endowment Fund was $47,466,800 as of the end of January 2025. 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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