top of page
Search

October 2025

United Women in Faith of West Ohio 

October Inspirations

ree

We believe love in action can change the world.

Contents:

From the West Ohio Conference President


When someone says, "How are you?" How do you reply? Do you say, “Fine,” and move on? Or, do you say how you really are? Most say, “Fine.” Why get into it? I figure, if they are going to ask, they deserve an honest answer. Can your answer be, “I am Blessed” or “It is well with my soul”?


What is your Soul Care? It’s important to take care of you. Something many of us might not be good at. Most of us, me included, are devoted to helping meet the needs of those in our community. Family, friends, co-workers, etc. Are you in that list? Make sure you have “me” time on your schedule. And I mean every day! Mine is early in the day, coffee in hand, sitting in my favorite chair, watching the sun rise (yes, that early), and talking with God. I plan my day while I am relaxed and have a clear mind. It might be 5 minutes or 20. However, I stay put until I feel inner peace. Then I can say, “Bring it on!”


Before I turn out the light at night, I journal, reflecting on my day. How did I handle the issues sent my way? Who did we pray for on the prayer chain? Then I read my entry from the same day the year before. Sometimes it’s an Oh Yeah moment. I talk to God and finish by saying, “See you in the morning.”


What do you do? I hope your answer isn’t, "Nothing." Take care of yourself. I’m a good listener if you need me. My door is always open.  Paula


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

Biographical Information for Proposed Elected Officers


Paula Nourse (President – second term)

Paula is currently President of WOC UWF and her local unit, which keeps her very busy. Paula is on the WOC Connectional Table Board and the WOC Board of Laity. A graduate of Ohio University, she retired after 27 years with the Columbus City Schools. She has traveled around the world, enjoying all the history and cultures of many countries. Her grandchildren – Lauren (38), Mick (35), Remy (10), Cora Gayle (7), Maddox (4), and great-grandchildren Hudson (5), Parker (3), William (22 mo.), and Warren (22 mo.) – fill her time and heart with joy.  

 

Carolyn Johnson (Vice President/Program)

Carolyn is a member of Asbury North UMC in Columbus, where she has been active for more than 30 years and has held a number of leadership positions. She currently serves as the Church Historian and is the Assistant Treasurer and Social Action Coordinator for the Asbury North UWF local unit. She served as Assistant Dean for Mission u 2023 and 2024 and Dean for Mission u 2025. Carolyn graduated from Ohio Dominican University in 1997 with a BA in Business Administration. She retired from Fifth Third Bank in 2011 and truly enjoys the retirement lifestyle. She and her late husband, Rev. Michael D. Johnson, are the proud parents of 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, and 2 grand-dogs.

 

Janice Deal (Secretary)

Janice graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Nursing. She worked as a hospital nurse in Ohio and Virginia. In 1984, she started a home-based business in Virginia that provided word-processing services, which transitioned to freelance editing. She has provided substantive editing for research articles in medical journals and books and conducted several workshops about editing practices. In 2006, Janice and her husband returned to Ohio, settling outside Zanesville, where they built a new home utilizing energy efficiency and universal design. They also included multiple handicapped accessible features that enabled them to provide live-in care for her parents. 

 

Janice joined UMW in Virginia as a young adult and was active at the local level as circle leader, Vice-President, and President. After returning to Ohio she became a member of UMW at Central Trinity. She served on the Foothills District leadership team as Communications Coordinator and President. She has also served as Secretary for WOC UMW and was on the WOC Board of Trustees. Presently, she is President of Central Trinity UWF’s local unit, Liaison to the UWF Legacy Endowment Fund, and Secretary for WOC UWF Mission u. She is active at and serves Central Trinity on the Administrative Council, the Missions Committee, and Trustees. She volunteers as a Communion Steward and plays in the handbell choir. Janice has attended UWF Leadership Development Days and 3 Assemblies. She considers participating in Mission u and the Reading Program to be her favorite UWF activities.

 

Carol Waugh (Communications Coordinator)

Carol was raised in the Newark/Utica area, where she attended an EUB church. She was active at Camp Otterbein in Logan as a camper and a counselor. She graduated from Otterbein College and married Jim Waugh, who was studying for the pastorate. Jim is ordained UMC clergy, and together they served several churches in the WOC and as Athens District Superintendent. Carol taught elementary school and has worked as a legal secretary and church administrator. She retired from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

 

Jim and Carol have 2 daughters, Lisa and Laura, and have recently moved into independent living at Otterbein Senior Life in Lebanon. They attend Clifton UMC in Cincinnati. Carol has served as treasurer of Mission u and is active in the Otterbein UWF unit.

 

Nancy Argabright (Chair, Committee on Nominations – second term)

Nancy has been a member of Chillicothe Trinity UMC since 1991, when she transferred from Tyler Memorial EUB/UMC, where she grew up. She is a graduate of Ohio University with a BA in Sociology/Social Work. For most of her working career, she was employed as a legal administrative secretary for the Ross County Prosecutor and his private law firm, the State of Ohio Inspector General, and Judge William Harsha of the 4th District Court of Appeals, retiring from the latter in 2011. She has been married to Gary, a retired Chillicothe High School Latin teacher, for 56 years. They have an adult son, Seth, living on the West Coast.

 

Nancy chairs Trinity’s Leadership Board, sings in the Chancel Choir, serves as a trained Stephen Minister, and is active in the Esther Circle. She has been on Trinity’s Women’s Retreat Team since its inception in 2004. In the past, Nancy served 4 years on the former Shawnee Valley District Doministions Committee, 2 of those years as Chair. She is currently on the WOC UWF lead team as Chair of Nominations.

 

APPOINTED OFFICERS

 

Molly Manring (Program Resources)

Molly attends the First Church of Chillicothe, where she teaches the adult Sunday School class and serves as Chair of Administrative Board, Kitchen Coordinator, and President of the First Church Ladies' Women’s Group. She has served as Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator for the former Portsmouth District and the former Shawnee Valley District, Communications Coordinator for 5 years, Committee on Nominations for 2 years, Reading Program Coordinator for 3 years, chair of Committee on Nominations for 3 years, then finally President for 4 years. Molly currently serves on the WOC UWF Committee on Nominations. Molly loves to read, grow flowers, and cook. She is a widow and a retired kindergarten teacher.

 

Debra Stoner (Social Action Coordinator)

Debra began her nursing career nearly 50 years ago, answering a lifelong call to care for others. After retiring, she served as executive director of a clothing pantry and soup kitchen – experiences that deepened her commitment to social justice and community engagement.

Throughout her life, she’s held a variety of leadership roles – from treasurer to president – across PTAs, nonprofit boards, local and state organizations, and church committees. She’s an active member of Scioto Ridge UMC in Hilliard, where she serves as UWF Treasurer and Chair of the Missions Team. She has participated in the Health and Wellness Committee and spent a year on the Advisory Board for the church’s new Respite program. She is especially passionate about health issues that impact communities and the importance of caring for our planet. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, rowing, and expanding her knowledge of native gardening.


Jayne Dunlap (Committee on Nominations, Class of 2027)

Jayne is a life-long member of Central Trinity UMC in Zanesville. She is a member of UWF, sings in the Chancel Choir, and serves on Communion Stewards, Administrative Council, Trustees, and Worship Committee. She knits for the church Prayer Shawl Group and the National Trails Knitters Guild. She is married to Dennis Dunlap and has a daughter, Samatha Roush, and a son, Jeremy Roush. She and her daughter belong to Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jayne recently retired from Genesis Hospital after almost 25 years as an Insurance Biller.

 

Pat Goulbourne (Committee on Nominations, Class of 2028)

Pat was born on Ragged Island in the Southern Bahamas. She is a graduate of Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Washington. She is currently a member of Stonybrook UMC in Gahanna and sings in the Chancel Choir.

 

Carlene Triplett (Committee on Nominations, Class of 2029)

Carlene is a retired diaconal minister and deaconess living in Athens, OH. She is a member of Canaanville UMC, where she is president of their United Women in Faith. She enjoys writing Hope Letters (part of All in Community) and serves on the Jackson Area Ministries Board and the leadership team of the Rural Chaplains Association. 

 

Submitted by Nancy Argabright, Nominations Committee Chair, West Ohio UWF

Opening Ourselves to Social Action:

This Month – “Fighting” Violence


ree

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”


Matthew 5:9


As I write today, there is again cause for despair over several shootings at a school and on a college campus. Even though statistically, crime rates are down to new lows in the country (praise God!), we still question what should be done to move past this obvious flaw in our democratic system.

 

Six years ago, on an August Sunday in Dayton’s Oregon district entertainment area with restaurants, bars, and music venues, gunfire erupted. In 32 seconds, 27 people were shot, 9 were killed, and many are still haunted with residual injuries, PTSD, loss of loved ones, and horrible memories.

 

A young woman from my church in the Dayton area was there with friends from work and her boyfriend, waiting in line to enter Ned Peppers. Her friend in front of her was killed. Having moved away, I sent her a note, not knowing what to say, just wanting her to know I was praying for her and the others. Many of the folks involved or grieving still meet on East Fifth Street yearly to remember and share feelings that only they understand. On one of my trips back, I visited a temporary memorial area with pictures of the victims and messages about them. Last year, a permanent sculpture and mosaic, “Seed of Life,’ were dedicated. (See Photo)

 

There are stories of a son building a community center close by, in memory of his father, who was killed that day; a restaurant bouncer who saved lives; relatives of a young mother of 2, raising her children with faith in God; friends from Tipp City who decided to leave early and missed the whole tragedy. First responders were on the scene quickly.  Reading all their stories puts a face on these all too common occurrences.

 

A nearby UM church, Hope Collective, which meets in The Neon movie theater on Sundays, ministers in the neighborhood. Pastor Jon Morgan (he taught at 2023 Mission u) has sponsored events near the area, being available for meeting needs of the hurting.

 

So what has Ohio done in the aftermath of this terrible situation? Governor Mike DeWine visited, shared sympathy and encouragement, and promised to get new gun regulations to our legislators soon. The bill presented, “Strong Ohio Plan,” was met with the usual excuses: it should be a Federal issue, mental health is the problem, people get guns no matter what, etc. So once again, nothing has been accomplished. Local residents continue to provide healing without the help of lawmakers.


For ideas to help make a difference, please check out “Gun Control” on the United Methodist Church and Society website and the United Women of Faith website. The many signs around Dayton after the shooting read “DO SOMETHING!” Let’s TAKE ACTION IN LOVE!

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Join Us in Building a Legacy of Love


I hope this message finds you blessed, thriving, and inspired by the power of our community and sisterhood. Today, I am reaching out to share an update on the Legacy Endowment Fund.

At United Women in Faith, we are dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable people, fostering equity, and advancing social good for women, children, and youth here at home and around the world.


Together, we bear witness to the Wesleyan tradition of living an active Christian life, blessing others with our service, and building the kin-dom—we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. That’s what we do as Methodist women: United Women in Faith’s mission is to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education.


One of the most impactful ways you can contribute to our mission of putting love in action is to join us by supporting the Legacy Endowment Fund, a permanently invested endowment, that will be an ongoing source of income, providing the assurance that our important work can always continue for generations to come. In 2014, United Women in Faith launched the Legacy Endowment Fund Campaign with a bold goal of raising $60 million. The Legacy Endowment Fund is now at $51.2 million!


We are excited and proud that we have come this far together. Without you, none of this would have been possible.


I believe that your gift is not just of monetary value; it’s an investment in the next generation of bold, courageous women who will live their faith by showing up and taking action in service of love, justice, and mercy.


If you are able, please consider giving generously and joining us in building this legacy of love. Giving to the Legacy Endowment Fund will support United Women in Faith in perpetuity. To make your gift today, visit uwfaith.org/legacy.


Thank you for your generosity and for your commitment to putting love first.


In Christ,


Janice Deal

Legacy Liaison

Annual Celebration Registration


Although online registration for our October 11 Annual Celebration is now closed, you can still sign up by contacting WOCUWF President, Paula Nourse, at Kinder6595@hotmail.com, 614-326-9062. Please plan to review the proposed rules, budget, and nominations before our meeting. These documents are available at https://www.westohiouwf.org/2025-annual-celebration.

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

ree

The most recent total of contributions to the Legacy Endowment Fund was in excess of $51,183,300 as of the end of July 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

Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.

© 2025 United Women in Faith of West Ohio

bottom of page