Good Morning. I am a morning person. What does that mean? I like to watch the sun rise. I took all 8:00 classes at college. I was the first to arrive at work and make coffee. So, I ask myself, Why? Here is a poem by Christine Sine that helps me answer that.

The Stillness of the Morning

There is nothing quite like the stillness of the morning

to make me feel alive.

There is nothing like the beauty

of the sunrise over water

to make me sense the joy of God’s presence.

And walk in awe, and wonder

for the rest of the day,

There is nothing like birdsong

to make me feel.

I am entering into the wonder of creation.

There is nothing like the joy of life

to make me feel the delight of God.

My spirit soars, my heart rejoices.

The joy of God is everywhere.

Did you know? Early risers tend to get better grades, are more proactive, and “get things done” more effectively. They are generally happier, more optimistic, and conscientious. They often have healthier lifestyles, including better diets, and have lower risks of diseases related to poor sleep habits. Waking up early provides a chance to start the day in a calm, proactive manner rather than rushing, leading to a greater sense of control throughout the day.

So, by now, you should know I like music. Here are some morning songs. You know these and should be singing by now. Be uplifted as you move through each day.

“Here Comes the Sun” Beatles; “Morning Has Broken”; “It’s a Beautiful Morning” The Rascals; “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin” “Feeling Groovy” Harpers Bizarre.

A Daily Morning Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you at the start of this new day with a heart full of praise and surrender. Thank you for the precious gift of life and the endless mercy you bestow upon me. Lord, go before me today, guide my steps with your wisdom, and fill my heart with courage and peace. Help me to trust in your ways and to approach each responsibility with patience and diligence. Guard my heart from negativity and let my life reflect your goodness. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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

From Your Vice President & Mission u Dean

Hello, all. Spring has sprung, and I, for one, am so happy to see the earth come alive again. My garden is blooming in yellows and purples, and I’ve already purchased pansies and Boston ferns to fill my planters. Oh, the joy!!! Following is some work I do as VP and as Dean of Mission u 2026.

As VP I was asked to head our WOC UWF Assembly t-shirt project, and I look forward to seeing some of you in Indianapolis – at Assembly – May 15-17^th. Watch for photos of our West Ohio Conference delegation wearing our blue Assembly t-shirts.

As Dean of Mission u 2026 I would like to share the following information:

(1) On Friday morning, June 12^th, we will be enriched by a presentation on Sudan/South Sudan/The Lost Boys by Bol Aweng, Co-Founder/President of the Buckeye Clinic South Sudan. Following are suggested readings to prepare for our study on South Sudan:

A Long Walk to the Water (book or movie) by Linda Sue Park – recommended by Bol Aweng
Don’t Look Back by Achut Deng and Keely Hutton – on our UWF Reading List

(2) Other suggested (not required) readings in preparation for Mission u:

Five Children’s Books - for our evening enrichment Book Club -read all 5 and qualify for Plan 1 UWF Reading Program:
Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter & Daniel Miyares (Nurturing for Community)
Penny Preaches by Amy Dixon and Rob Dixon (Spiritual Growth)
Zion Learns to See by Terence Lester and Zion Lester (Education for Mission)
Still Dreaming by Seguimos Sonando (Social Action)
Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman (Leadership Development)
Scripture Readings: Luke 1; Luke 2; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 41:10; Galatians 4:3-6; Psalm 24 (for our Bible Study)
Buckeyeclinic.org (online info)
First and Only by Jennifer R. Farmer
Urbanfarmchurch.org (online info - Urban Farm Church)

(3) If you plan to attend Mission u don’t forget to order your Mission u 2026 t-shirt by using the following link: https://www.dmcreationsink.com/products/2026-mission-u through June 1^st (please mark PICK-UP not the “SHIP” option)

That’s all for now. Be safe, be happy, be blessed!

Carolyn Johnson

From Your Secretary

In preparing for April’s United Women in Faith program for my local unit, I read the article “Want to Save the Planet? Start with Joy” by Ayana Johnson. In the article, Ayana states that the climate crisis can be overwhelming, and we can’t wait for someone else to fix it. Often, we are told the same things: vote, protest, donate, spread the word, and lower your carbon footprint. These are great things to do, and many of us are already doing this. Rarely, are we asked to contribute our specific talents, our superpowers.

Ayana has created a climate action Venn diagram with three overlapping circles. One, what are you good for? What are your areas of expertise? What can you bring to the table? Think about your skills, resources, and networks. Second, what work needs doing? Are there particular climate and justice solutions you want to focus on? Think about system changes and efforts that can be replicated or scaled. Third, what brings you joy? What gives you satisfaction? Choose climate actions that energize and enliven you.

Starting now, reside at the intersection of these three circles for as many minutes of your life as you can. Choose something bigger than yourself, something that can have positive ripples. The thing at the center for your Venn diagram can change over time, and you can have multiple diagrams at once.

Ayana’s description of Venn diagrams and having multiple diagrams started me thinking about our focus on racial justice last year and on leadership and membership this year. Ask yourself the three questions and come up with a plan. Check out the information in this newsletter, on the United Women in Faith website, and from books on the Reading Program. Ayana Johson’s book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crises is in the Leadership Development category for 2023.

Source: Ayana Johnson, “Want to Save the Planet? Start with Joy.” Oprah Daily, September 17, 2014, oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a61996953/what-if-we-get-it-right-excerpt-ayana-elizabeth-johnson.

Janice Deal, secretary

From Your Treasurer

Thank you to all the United Women in Faith members and local units who contributed to the North Katanga Fund – a fund designated to help pay the expenses for four women to come from Africa and attend Assembly 2026. We raised $2251.21, which means we exceeded our goal. Yes! Thanks again.

Also, just a reminder that monies for the Legacy Fund should be sent directly to New York.

United Women in Faith

Attn: Legacy

Church Center for the United Nations

777 United Nations Plaza, 11^th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Marsha Klingbeil, WOC Treasurer

Opening Ourselves to Social Action:

This Month: Recycling Toothpaste Tubes & Other Oral Care Items

“…to adopt sustainable habits and practices, including refraining from overconsumption, repurposing and recycling materials, avoiding products that pollute or otherwise harm the environment…” (Social Principles, ¶160)

Writing letters, attending protests, or speaking to legislators can feel intimidating for individuals or units that are just beginning to explore social action. Sometimes the first steps are not sweeping gestures but small changes in our daily routines. Those small acts can spark a deeper passion and eventually lead us to take a stronger public stand on issues that matter.

This month, that small step is recycling toothpaste tubes and other oral care items.

Recently, I was complaining to my husband about the newer plastic toothpaste tubes because they can be so difficult to squeeze completely empty. Many of these tubes are made from recyclable # 2 plastic (HDPE). Then I noticed that some of them included recycling information right on the package, along with references to programs that accept them.

That discovery was a game-changer.

Unfortunately, recycling toothpaste tubes is not always simple. Many recycling facilities are not equipped to process toothpaste tubes and other oral care plastics, so they should not automatically be placed in curbside recycling bins. For example, my latest review of the Hefty ReNew Program did not show toothpaste tubes among its accepted items.

The bottom line is that a little research is necessary. Recycling rules vary from city to city, so it is important to check with your local waste management provider before recycling these products.

When I searched for options in Hilliard, I found that toothpaste tubes, caps, toothbrushes, floss containers, and other oral care products can be recycled at the specialized hard-to-recycle waste station located at the Hilliard Community Center, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive. These items are collected through the TerraCycle program, which means they do not need to be brand-specific, though they should be empty before being dropped off.

There are also additional TerraCycle drop-off centers throughout the country. You can search for a location near you here: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/colgate#@37.09024:-95.712891zoom:4

Call to Action

Begin recycling your toothpaste tubes and other oral care products.
Consider leading your unit or church in collecting oral care items and sharing information about where they can be dropped off.
Perhaps even start a local TerraCycle drop-off point in your community. Learn more here: https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/pages/start-a-drop-off-point

A Deeper Dive into Plastic Recycling

You may also want to become familiar with the Hefty ReNew Program, often known as the Orange Bag Plastic Recycling Program. This program can be used for items such as candy wrappers, foam egg cartons, dry mix liners, chip bags, salad bags, disposable cleaning cloths, foam peanuts, foam packaging blocks, and plastic utensils.

Central Ohio, Greater Cincinnati, and Greater Dayton all have participating programs. Check with your local solid waste provider to see whether your area participates or if there are nearby drop box locations.

Learn more here: https://www.hefty.com/hefty-renew/accepted-items

I would love to hear what you are passionate about or what you are already doing to care for our earth. Since this newsletter reaches several counties, each community has different resources available. Please share what is available in your area so we can spread the news and inspire one another.

Debra Stoner - stonerde@gmail.com

Stonybrook United Women in Faith, Gahanna

Stonybrook UWFaith’s spring meeting was a Lenten breakfast featuring a devotion, grace, a delicious meal with breakfast casseroles, a presentation, and Holy Communion celebrated by one of our pastors. Both women and men were invited to this year’s meeting, as our family program was of interest to all.

Pastor Amy Wood, our associate pastor, inspired us, speaking about “Grace in the Holy Hard Work of Raising a Child with Autism”. She shared how she leaned on the words of the Bible in parenting her son with autism. She discussed working through a complex medical system in finding a diagnosis and getting medical care for her son. She showed a weighted blanket and other means of calming a child with autism, who sometimes require decreased stimulation compared to an average child. The understanding and detection of autism has evolved over the years, such that more children are diagnosed with autism currently than was the case when her son was a baby. Arriving at a diagnosis for her son was difficult because little was understood about autism at that time.

Pastor Amy’s son, who is now 27, requires 24-hour supervision. He was raised with a rotation of aides who taught him daily living skills. He no longer lives at home but lives with a roommate, who also requires 24-hour supervision. Pastor Amy’s son is not verbal, but he communicates by choosing computer screen images of his needs and wants. One of his favorite things to do is to watch Blue’s Clues.

It was a stirring presentation with insightful questions and interesting answers, a terrific learning experience for all. It explained the issues of negotiating the medical care system, and it called for compassion for families of children with special needs whose sometimes strange, stressful situations we do not understand. We need to remember that all children, no matter their actions or inactions, are God’s children.

From Your Communications Coordinator

We have many resources for various types of information available to United Women in Faith. One is the “Faith Talks” podcasts. Various issues are discussed that enrich your spiritual growth and provide information on current social issues.

The format of “Faith Talks” has changed this year. Previously, if you registered for a session, you received an email to listen at the designated time. In 2026, when you view a taped podcast, you can hear the people discussing an issue as well as see them.

A recent “Faith Talks” deals with immigration – a topic relevant to many of our lives today. Jennifer Farmer interviews Patrice Lawrence regarding “Seeing the Unseen: Immigration in the U.S.” We have seen the escalation of immigration raids, and view how immigration officers are often violent and use lethal force in raids. The following link takes you to a 45-minute podcast on this topic: https://uwfaith.org/blog/2026/faith-talks-immigration-in-the-u-s/. There are also other sessions you can view.

Continuing with the topic of immigration, I am reading a ’25 book for the UWFaith reading program. It is the true story of Javier Zamora and what he went through as a 9-year-old immigrating from El Salvador to join his parents in America. He was raised by grandparents and his father immigrated to the US when Javier was 1 and his mother when he was 4. The book describes how he completes this two-month, 3,000-mile journey with the help of coyotes with other strangers he did not know. Please check either of these resources for information on this timely topic.

Carol Waugh – carolwaugh6@gmail.com

Legacy Endowment Fund Update

The total at the end of March for the Legacy Endowment Fund was $53,688,310! Each month we are a little closer to our goal of $60,000,000.

Day of Giving, March 23, was the anniversary of our founding. The theme for this year was Grace in Abundance. Together we gave thanks for the grace God has shown United Women in Faith and the celebration of the Legacy Endowment Fund. Thank you to all who donated.

Janice Deal

Scioto River District United Women in Faith

April 2026 Event

On April 11, 2026, members of Scioto River District United Women in Faith met for an information/get-acquainted event held at Chillicothe Trinity. This event was hosted by Molly Manring and Nancy Argabright, West Ohio Conference UWF officers living in the SRD. Paula Nourse, Conference UWF President, attended in support and encouragement.

Those present discussed the need to create a Scioto River District UWF leadership team. We recognize that a district team helps maintain the two-way connection between the conference and the district, between the district and the local units, and among the local units themselves. In addition, a district team promotes accountability from the local units to the district and to the conference in fulfilling the full mission of UWF. A district team can also coordinate events for fellowship, general information, training, and encouragement for local units.

We know that the district leadership team must consist of at least a president and a treasurer before it can establish a bank account and receive operating funds from the conference UWF. The ideal team would consist of a president, secretary, treasurer, and a chair of nominations.

The purpose of this event was to inspire a few women to voluntarily plan a Scioto River District UWF fall meeting where an election could be held for a 2027 SRD UWF leadership team. Unfortunately, we were not successful. The future remains uncertain, but we still pray there will be women to come forward because they want a district leadership team large enough to do the work. Interested women may contact Nancy Argabright at argabright2@horizonview.net or Molly Manring at gmm@roadrunner.com.

Molly reminded those in attendance of the West Ohio Conference UWF Mission u scheduled for in-person sessions at Bergamo Center in Beavercreek, Ohio June 12-14. Also, the West Ohio Conference UWF Annual Celebration to be held on Saturday October 10 at Scioto Ridge UMC in Hilliard. Special speaker is Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of national United Women in Faith.

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:

Community Development for All People (Columbus)

Wesley Dayton

Wesley Education Center (Cincinnati)

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.

Give Online

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.