Pink-shirted members of Windsor Village United Women in Faith hosted Southeast District’s Spring meeting on Saturday, April 13.
Acting Southeast District officers called the program “Love in Action,” and shared a list of volunteer activities suitable for Texas Annual Conference’s Ubuntu Day of Service on April 20. These ranged from supporting women’s shelters and food ministries to building programs such as Habitat for Humanity and Sleep in Heavenly Peace—they build beds!
Ron Parker, director of Baytown Meals on Wheels, spoke on the role of volunteers in his organization.
At the program’s conclusion, attendees sat down to enjoy box lunches and to celebrate a return to post-Pandemic in-person meetings.
The room at Trinity UMC was full of high expectations as the women of the Metro District met for the first time in person since the pandemic on May 4, 2024, to gather and regroup. Led in conversation by Conference President Theresa Graham, women from each unit represented gave a short description of the state of their unit and the activities they are involved in. (It was a lot!)
Tables of handouts and sign-up sheets for various activities were available, and Conference officers introduced themselves and gave quick reports on each of their areas. Delicious snacks were provided by United Women in Faith, Trinity UMC unit.
A three-person convening committee was formed to set the date for a future meeting where new officers will be solicited. Are you interested in serving as a Metro District officer? Contact Theresa and let her know!
We are excited to announce a special gathering of the women of the Metro District taking place on May 4 from 2-4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, connection, and community building. We welcome all members and friends to join us for this special occasion. There will be engaging activities, meaningful conversations, and of course, refreshments to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you there as we come together to celebrate and strengthen our bonds.
The Texas Annual Conference will be here before you know it and that means that the United Women in Faith Annual Luncheon is right around the corner. The luncheon will take place on Monday, June 10, at noon at the Marriott Westchase. The cost of a ticket is $50. Click here to purchase tickets..
This year’s speaker is Rev. Romonica Malone-Wardley. Ordained as an Elder in the Texas Annual Conference in 2010, she has served as an associate pastor, senior pastor and district superintendent. Currently, Malone-Wardley is working as Assistant to Bishop.
Photo courtesy Texas Annual Conference
Malone-Wardley has also held posts as General Conference Delegate, member of the Strategic Mapping Team and the Board of Ordained Ministry in the TAC. In addition, she served on the nominations committee of the South Central Jurisdiction of the Black Methodist for Church Renewal and on the South Central Jurisdiction Mission Council.
United Women in Faith members are encouraged to invite their clergy to join us for the event.
Save the date and make plans to join us Saturday, March 2nd, via Zoom from 9 am – 1:30 pm. for the Texas Conference United Women in Faith Spring Event.
Our theme this year is Get Together, and we are lucky to have Rev. Janet Wolf bring our keynote message.
Following the conference news items and Rev. Wolf’s message, we will hold three workshops in separate breakout rooms.
Get together to serve – Wesley Community Center will share their programs and how ladies can volunteer.
Get together to worship – Rev. Neomi Fletcher will lead
Get together to advocate – Texas Impact will share ways to engage our communities this election season.
Each workshop will be repeated once, so you can choose to attend TWO of these workshops. Each session will be 45 minutes long with a 15 minute break in between.
Rev. Wolf is an elder in The United Methodist Church and has served as a pastor of rural and urban congregations. She is a college and seminary professor, community mediator, learner, and partner for transformative justice. In July 2012, she was appointed to work with Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund on nonviolent direct-action organizing to dismantle the cradle-to-prison pipeline, work that includes the organization’s Freedom Schools and the annual Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. She is the author of “To See and To Be Seen,” a chapter in I Was in Prison: United Methodist Perspectives on Prison Ministry, edited by James M. Shopshire Sr., et al., and numerous other writings. She is the author of the book, Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship.
Rev. Neomi Fletcher holds a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology – Emory University with a concentration in Theology and Ethics. While at Candler, Neomi served on the Candler Community and Diversity Committee working to promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the school.
On January 20, 2024, Winnie-Stowell United Women in Faith hosted the first gathering of the new Southeast District. Twenty-five women from Santa Fe to Beaumont braved freezing temperatures to hear Kandy Lawson, 2023 president of South District, outline issues facing the newly reconstituted district.
Several conference officers—President Theresa Graham, Vice-President Stacie Hawkins, Treasurer Kathy Aubin, and Program Resources Chair Debra Wroblewski—joined the group also.
Rev. Jared Grosse, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Winnie-Stowell, officiated a communion service and blessed the lunch that concluded the gathering. Fortified with hearty soups and salads, attendees returned home with inspiration for the coming year.
A New and Serious Response was the theme of this year’s Texas Legislative Event (TLE). The event provides annual training and information on statewide public policy issues and pending legislation to educate and equip women to do justice by putting their faith, hope and love in action to fulfill the purpose of the United Women in Faith. The event is organized by the United Women in Faith and their advocacy partner, Texas Impact.
Attendees were presented with an election year overview of the legislative priorities for 2023-2024 and their impact on the March 6th primary elections. The overview was followed by issue briefings on reproductive policy, climate justice, public school vouchers, gun violence, immigration, voter education resources and civic engagement. An inspirational worship service was led by Rev. Cheryl Smith, she urged us to be witnesses as we advocate for justice. The keynote speakers, Rev. Sharon Austin, Director of Connectional and Justice Ministries in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and Sally Vonner, General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of United Women in Faith both spoke with the same engaging and prevailing theme, our God is a justice seeker and He seeks to make things just for all people in due time.
We shared our legislative priorities on Tuesday morning with visits to our representatives and senators offices at the Capitol. We concluded our time together with encouragement to return home ready to advocate on behalf of women, children, youth and the marginalized by putting faith, hope and love into action.
On June 21-23, 2024, United Women in Faith members from across the South Central Jurisdiction will meet in St. Louis, Missouri. Early bird registration for the event is open untilNovember 30. Registering early not only saves money, but it also ensures that you get the workshops and Ubuntu activity of your choosing. Click here to get started.
Scholarships are available for first time attendees, youth, young adult, or newly retired women from the Texas Conference. The scholarships will cover the cost of registration up to $300.
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, download the application, which includes a 200-word essay on why you want to attend and why you should receive the scholarship, and send it to Kathy Aubin, 1621 Prairie Mark Lane, Houston, TX 77077, or email it to khaubin@earthlink.net or thrgram@yahoo.com. Deadline for submitting your scholarship application is November 27.
The South Central Jurisdiction encompasses twelve conference, including the Texas Conference. Its role is to implement the election process for the United Women in Faith’s national board of directors, and it’s also responsible for hosting special programs. The jurisdiction meets as a body every four years.
United Women in Faith from across the Texas Conference met for district meetings in October and November, in some cases for the last time and in some cases for the first time, as the current nine districts will be merged into five districts on January 1.
South/Southeast District
On Saturday, November 4, South District United Women in Faith held a fall meeting, including representatives from the Southeast District. This was their first in-person gathering since 2019, and attendees delighted in meeting face to face. Deer Park United Women in Faith hosted, providing light breakfast to begin the day and brown bag lunches to end it.
South District President Kandy Lawson of Seabrook was the keynote speaker, elaborating on the theme, “Into a New Season.” She closed by inviting her audience to assemble feminine hygiene kits, the hands-On project for 2024.
Conference Treasurer Kathy Aubin filled in for district treasurer, explaining the 2024 budget and leading the mission candle-burning ceremony. The morning concluded with communion service led by Rev. John R. Black, senior pastor of Deer Park United Methodist Church, and Debbie Talley, Deer Park choir accompanist.
Southwest District
Southwest District United Women In Faith held its Fall celebration on Saturday, November 4th, 2023 at Newman Chapel United Methodist Church in Kendleton, Texas. The theme was “Inspire” based on the scripture Isaiah 43:18-19. The special guest speaker was Prophetess Sharon Y. Allen of Kendleton.
Installation of officers for the incoming year was done by Carolyn Milby, secretary of the Texas Conference. Luncheon catered by Michael Phoenix “Made a Tea Cake Services” It was enjoyed by all.
Special games were presented including Biblical questions and a super fun icebreaker Bingo. Special door prizes were also available to everyone. Although attendance for the celebration was not as full as it has been in the past, those who were there heard a powerful message from the speaker and enjoyed a nutritious and filling lunch. The event was enjoyed by all who were there.
Central North District
The Central North District met for the last time at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring on October 21st. President Florence Snyder led the meeting and the singing. Women enjoyed the breakfast provided by the Klein women.
Jane Clark, district treasurer, led the Mission Candle burning ceremony, and during the meeting a vote was taken to close our bank account as the Central North District will merge with the Southwest District in the new year. Suzie Worsham reminded us that the November election was coming up quickly and encouraged everyone to get ready to vote.
Linda Elms was the keynote speaker, and she reminded us that while our goals may seem hard and sometimes far away, our foremothers did great things in a time when it wasn’t easy for women to do many things. Yet they persevered.
During the 2023 Fall Annual Meeting, Rev Tabitha Rankin, Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Southern University spoke about the mission of the United Methodist Church’s campus ministries. She suggested that congregations and units could support those ministries in a number of ways, including:
Texas Conference 