November 2025
- West Ohio UWF
- Oct 28
- 10 min read
United Women in Faith of West Ohio
November Inspirations
We believe love in action can change the world.
Contents:
From the West Ohio Conference President
ASSEMBLY 2026 IS COMING! MAY 15-17, 2026
Dream it! Believe it! Do it!
Who should go? Assembly is for all ages! We don't have specific events for teens during this Assembly. Without knowing what a teen is interested in, the team suggests the following workshops: "Vision Manifesto," "With God in Every Breath," "Lift Up Your Voice," "Soul Care Movement," and both the justice and international town hall meetings. Some teens may be interested in learning how to influence the UMC for the future.
Why should I go? This is THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION! It is so uplifting to worship and have fellowship with so many women and men who devote so much time to all that United Women in Faith believes. The worship, music, speakers, workshops, exhibits, soul care, and just plain fun are all waiting for you.
How do I sign up? Go to: uwfaith.org/assembly and click "Register Now!"
Just follow the steps. You will choose your workshops and any other events available. Note that some may be at an additional cost.
West Ohio has a block of rooms at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, which you can book through the preceding link. The hotel is connected to the Convention Center, meaning you will be able to walk to all the events.
You will need to pay online with a credit card.
East Ohio is coordinating a group bus for those who do not wish to drive. Click here for more information/registration form.
Do you want to carpool? Contact me.
Do you need a roommate? Contact me.
Any questions? Contact me.
All must be done by November 30th!!!
Paula Nourse, Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062 (texting is good)
Opening Ourselves to Social Action:
This Month – Unhappy Holidays
“Love is patient, love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no score of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrong doing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4-7
This is part of a famous Bible passage that we know and use as a guide in all relationships, but, as we also know, these words are a difficult checklist to accomplish all the time. In some frightening situations, they are seemingly impossible to even imagine.
He had just graduated from high school several weeks before. Trying to impress a friend with his dancing, his record player on her porch, life came to a screeching halt. A neighbor came rushing down the street, begging him to come home: his mother was injured! An ambulance was on the way to the hospital. The youngest in the family, he called an older sister and her husband. They all spent the night at the hospital, where his mother passed away the next morning. She had been murdered by his stepfather after she complained about his continual drunken behavior and abusive language. A wonderful mother to UMC Bishop James Swanson, Sr., now 65, he continues to deal with the trauma/guilt of losing her to violence so many years ago.
We sometimes have a certain vision of abusive homes and families, but all races, religions, sexual orientations, economic or educational levels, states, and countries have to deal with domestic violence. United Methodists believe, “Domestic violence robs women, children, and families of the dignity and life that God wants for each of us.” We believe in justice and peace for all. Physical abuse, accumulation of power and greed, oppression of the poor, powerless, and refugees, lead to un-Christ-like behaviors on our part. Add in drugs, alcohol, and access to weapons, and all can trigger explosive family situations.
Perhaps you’ve heard that stress-related holidays bring more violence, depression, and mental health problems. New Year’s Day has the most tragedies, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and hot weather holidays/months following⎯all adding up to possible trouble. Such a sad reflection of our times!
The 19th Ohio Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report for September 4, 2024, one day only, showed these statistics:
1,621 adults and children found refuge in emergency housing, hotels, motels, or local housing programs.
1,080 adults and children received nonresidential services – transportation, court accompaniment, counseling, and more.
636 hotline calls – an average 27 per hour.
347 unmet requests for services not available.
Again, that’s just one day!
What actions can we take to help protect and heal ourselves and/or others? There is the Ohio Domestic Violence Network hotline (1-800-934-9840), website (odvn.org), and address (1855 E Dublin Granville Rd, Suite 301, Columbus, OH 43229).
The United Methodist Church and Society website has many suggestions for programs, literature, and speakers.
The United Women in Faith website has videos, program ideas, webinars, and podcast suggestions.
Please do what you can. Be observant with friends, neighbors, and relatives. Pray. Call for assistance. Make a plan. Accept help. May God give us courage to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
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.
Let Your Light Shine: Mobilizing for Justice with Children and Youth by Reginald Blount & Virginia Lee
Choosing Us: Marriage and Mutual Flourishing in a World of Difference by Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum
The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree: How I Fought to Save Myself, My Sister, and Thousands of Girls Worldwide by Nice Leng'ete
One Dress, One Year: One Girl’s Stand Against Human Trafficking by Bethany Winz with Susana Foth Aughtmon
Report from Nominations
On October 11, 2025, at our West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith Annual Celebration, those present elected the following women to serve in 2026. Duly installed were President Paula Nourse; Vice President Carolyn Johnson; Secretary Janice Deal; Communications Coordinator Carol Waugh; and Chair of Committee on Nominations Nancy Argabright. Continuing in elected office for 2026 is Treasurer Marsha Klingbeil.
The Nominations Committee is still looking for a Membership Nurture and Outreach Mission Coordinator for 2026. A job description may be obtained by contacting Chair Nancy Argabright at (740) 703-9054 or argabright2@horizonview.net. If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Nancy. The Committee thanks all those who stepped up and said “yes”.
The WOC UWF Lead Team for 2026
President Paula Nourse; Vice President Carolyn Johnson; Secretary Janice Deal; Treasurer Marsha Klingbeil; Communications Coordinator Carol Waugh; Chair Committee on Nominations Nancy Argabright.
Program Resources Coordinator Molly Manring; Social Action Mission Coordinator Debra Stoner; Spiritual Mission Coordinator Judy Grigsby; Committee on Nominations Nancy Argabright (Class of 2026), Frellie Easterling (Class of 2027), Jayne Dunlap (Class of 2027), Pat Goulborne (Class of 2028), and Carlene Triplett (Class of 2029).
Charter for Racial Justice Committee: Chair Paula Nourse, Nancy Argabright, Becky Ruple, Pam Boh, Cecelia Long, and Brenda Coleman.
Mission u: Dean Carolyn Johnson and Assistant Dean Kim Hoessly
Legacy Fund: Janice Deal
At Large: National Board of Directors Roxie Hutsell, North Central Jurisdiction Alice Gravely, and Communications Consultant Angie Cox.
Treasurer's Report
It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over, which means it’s time for local unit United Women in Faith treasurers to submit their final remittances to their District Treasurer. Most districts have established a submission deadline in November, as I must receive all monies by December 15 so I can submit remittances to the National Office by the end of December. Whew! (Those of you in the Scioto River and Western Lakes Districts, please mail your remittances to me by December 15.)
How are we doing in the West Ohio Conference? Our pledge for 2025 is $150,000. By the end of September, we had achieved approximately 53% of the goal, or around $80,000. So, we have a way to go to achieve the goal⎯but it’s still possible! Some of your local units may be holding World Thank Offering celebrations, or maybe your unit is holding a fund-raising event in November.
Overall, unfortunately, giving in UWFaith “nation” is down. At the national level, giving is down a little over $260,000 when compared to giving at the same time in 2024. This is at a time when National Mission Institutions are facing multiple cuts in funding, at least partially due to cuts in government spending and the government shutdown.
So, as your unit assesses its year-end giving, please remember United Women in Faith and give to support work with women, children, and youth in the United States and around the world!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Marsha Klingbeil
Advent Study - A Child Is Born
Nov. 30th, Dec. 7, 14, & 21
4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
The book is available at Cokesbury, Amazon, and Thriftbooks.
Amy-Jill Levine’s A Child is Born is a masterclass: a literary ultrasound that explores the ancient and often turbulent roots of nativity stories. She invites us to eavesdrop on the conversations between Old Testament narratives and their Gospel echoes, revealing raw, human stories of longing, rivalry, and divine interventions. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged, your imagination ignited, and your understanding of the divine profoundly deepened.
Save the Dates for Mission u!
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 in excess of $51,994,013 as of the end of September 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.
Comments