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May 2025

United Women in Faith of West Ohio 

May Inspirations

We believe love in action can change the world.


A Mother's Day Prayer

Lord, on this day in which we honor mothers, may we love and cherish the special women who have borne us, who have nurtured us, and who have prayed for our well-being. May our hearts overflow with gratitude to you, who formed and knitted each of us in a mother’s womb. We pray you give each mom strength. We ask you to be the daily bread of tired mothers. May each mother find rest in you. Amen.


We are United Women in Faith.


God Created us for a Purpose


It can be difficult for us as Christian women to know our purpose. There are so many voices shouting at us, suggesting all kinds of goals for women.

But God’s Word rises majestically above the clamor, and the good news is that God doesn’t ask a thousand or even a hundred things of His women.  A few things from Titus:

  • Be godly in your behavior.

  • Be truthful and kind in your speech.

  • Be disciplined and self-controlled.

  • Be discreet and wise in your actions.

  • Be kind and good to all.

  • Be a teacher/encourager of good things.


Our purpose for UWF is to advocate for women, children, and youth. We are all mothers as we nurture, protect, and support women. So many of our Mission Giving opportunities empower marginalized women to take control of their destiny. So as I celebrate Mother’s Day, I say thank you to all the women who mentored me and helped me become the woman I am today.


Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)

This Month – Homelessness


 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard”.


Isaiah 58:6-8



A few years ago in a Sunday School class, we were discussing migrants and their plight in our country. There are many Hispanics in our area.


In the past, parents worked the harvests, and the children were in school with us during that season. Several families ended up staying year-round. Three friends were in my high class and still attend our reunions. There was a Migrant Store in the county seat selling used clothing and household goods, staffed by church volunteers.


These days, men are shipped in to work for 3-month terms at the Nature Fresh tomato/pepper greenhouse factory nearby. On Fridays, many of them are in town cashing checks, getting supplies at the grocery, thrift, and dollar stores.


Back to the Sunday School class discussion. I don’t remember the scripture reference, but something about inviting strangers to your home. After sharing one of my opinions about providing hospitality, one class member asked me, “Would you invite a homeless migrant to your home to spend the night?” I had to reply, “Yes.” And I think he was shocked.


Many scripture verses emphasize our willingness to share food, shelter, a helping hand, whenever, wherever needed. Many communities have been dealing with those who have no place to call home for many different reasons. As Christians, our calling is to serve nonjudgmentally and help others to survive in a sometimes-uncaring society.


You know your own communities. Are there volunteer opportunities? Thrift stores, food pantries, and temporary housing facilities? Perhaps your church can provide space, shower and/or laundry facilities. I visited a church recently that had converted an unused room to an overnight room for those in need. Some churches offer weekly or monthly community meals.


Get your unit involved in a project that ministers to those in need in your community.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Volunteers Needed at Annual Conference

 

The West Ohio Annual Conference will be held Wednesday, May 28 – Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Capital University in Bexley.

 

We need volunteers to serve as golf cart drivers, greeters, ushers, parking lot attendants, camera operators, to assist with transportation, and to help with the Picnic in the Park. We have a lot of fun, and you’ll get a chance to see what happens during the West Ohio Annual Conference! Free parking is available in any lot on campus, and instructions will be provided.

 

If you’d like to serve as an usher, please email usherwoc@butter.toast.net. For all other volunteer opportunities, please click this link: West Ohio Annual Conference: West Ohio Annual Conference 2025 Volunteers.



You can find all of the details about Annual Conference here.

 

Contact Rev. Dominic Mejia with any questions at dominic@worthingtonumc.com.

Reconciling Ministries Gathering at Annual Conference

You do not need to be registered/attending Annual Conference to join in this gathering on Thursday night! If the QR code above does not work, or if you prefer to register on a desktop computer, you can visit https://tinyurl.com/WOCRMNGathering to sign up.

West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith

Nominations Committee

 

January through July is a very busy time for the Committee on Nominations as we search for women willing to serve UWF at the Conference level. A position still open for 2025 is Program Resources Coordinator. This appointed position is an immediate need, so if you are interested or have questions, please contact our Nominations Chair Nancy Argabright without delay.

 

Open elected positions for 2026 are Secretary, Communications Coordinator, and Nominations Committee Chair. Open appointed positions are combined Education & Interpretation/Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinator and Nominations Committee members for 2028 and 2029.

 

Nancy can supply a detailed job description for each of these positions to interested parties. A general description can be found in the UWF Handbook for 2025-2028.

 

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!


 


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, 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.  

 

Registration fees:

$250/person/Single;

$200/person/Double;

$80/person/Commuter;

$15/Youth

Registration opens TODAY! 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


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 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 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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© 2025 United Women in Faith of West Ohio

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