You are invited to attend the Texas Conference Spring Spiritual Growth Retreat being held via Zoom on March 1.
The keynote speaker this year is Ilka Vega, a transfronteriza from El Paso / Cd. Juarez borderlands. She serves as the Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice at United Women in Faith.
You’ll also be able to attend two workshops: Soul Care led by Abby Gutierrez and Discover the Divine Connection with Nature led by Paulette Moore-Hall.
Rev Soledad de La Cerda will lead the closing worship and Love Feast.
Agenda
| 7:30 am – 8:00 am | Morning Praise |
| 8:00 am – 9:00 am | Gathering Time |
| 9:00 am – 9:30 am | Opening Plenary |
| 9:30 am – 10:00 am | Keynote Address |
| 10:00 am – 10:10 am | Break |
| 10:10 am – 11:00 am | Workshops – 1st Session |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 am | Return to the main room |
| 11:15 am – 12:05 pm | Workshops – 2nd Session |
| 12:05 pm – 12:15 pm | Break |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | Closing Plenary |
Biographies
The keynote speaker this year is Ilka Vega, a transfronteriza from El Paso / Cd. Juarez borderlands. She serves the Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice at United Women in Faith. She holds a B.A in Sustainability, Culture, and Social Justice and a B.A. in Business from Southwestern University and a M.Sc. in Innovation, Human Development, and Sustainability from the University of Geneva. She is a graduate of Lydia Patterson Institute and has over 14 years of experience working on human rights and different advocacy issues including migration, climate and racial justice. She has worked as an educator and campaign organizer developing social and climate justice curriculum for faith-based audiences. She has also worked on mainstreaming sustainability policies and educational resources across different UN and international organizations including the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and the 2050Today initiative in Geneva.
Abby Gutierrez has grown up in the United Methodist Church as a Pastor’s kid alongside strong, encouraging and empowering United Methodist Women, now known as United Women in Faith. The most influential of these women has been her mother, Minerva Briones, who through powerful examples always encouraged the growth of our organization in every church her father and family were appointed to. Abby has served as a Program Advisory Group Member representing the Rio Texas Conference United Women in Faith and is now a member of the Board of Directors. She is also a part of the Charter for Racial Justice Support Team where she supports Conference presidents in the South Central Jurisdiction in their ongoing Racial Justice work. She also served as the Chair for the Texas Legislative Event planning committee for 2024.
Abby, her husband Brian and daughters Hannah & Sarah, are members of La Trinidad United Methodist church in San Antonio, TX where she serves as Lay Leader.
Rev. Soledad de la Cerda holds graduate degrees in Theology and Divinity from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She was ordained as a Deacon in 2022. Balancing the responsibilities of being a devoted mother to five children with her role as Associate Pastor at CrossRoads UMC in Houston, Texas, Soledad also preaches as the assigned pastor at Beneke Memorial UMC on the first and third Sundays of each month.
Soledad embodies a deep commitment to both family and spiritual leadership. Born in Santiago, Chile, she encountered Christ while studying at university. She married on May 12, 1988, and is the mother of Claudia, Andres, Kevin, Dylan, and Annahi. After 33 years of marriage, she divorced in 2021.
Recently, she published her first book titled “La inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en la iglesia”, which was edited by AETH (Association for Hispanic Theological Education). The book, based on her experience as the mother of a child with disabilities, creates a moving and compelling narrative.
Paulette Moore-Hall is deeply committed to her faith and the mission ministry of United Women in Faith. She recently completed her 2020-2024 term as a member of The United Women in Faith Program Advisory Group and the United Women in Faith Legacy Endowment Fund Steering Committee. She has faithfully served in prior offices such as President and Treasurer of the Texas Conference United Women in Faith, and the former Central North District United Women in Faith. Also, Mission u study leader. She is the current president of the John Wesley Unit, United Women in Faith. In addition, she is the Chairperson for the 2025 United Women in Faith Texas Legislative Event and serves on the Board of the Spring Interfaith Council as Treasurer.
Paulette has a passion for serving ministries and is an active member of John Wesley Methodist Church in Houston, TX, ministries include Prayer Ministry Coordinator, Choir member, substitute Sunday school teacher, bible study facilitator and actively participates in her local unit mission projects and ministry outreach.
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