Central North – Texas Conference

November 10, 2023November 14, 2023 txconfumw Central North, Districts, Fall Meeting, Southeast, Southwest

Fall 2023 Brings District Events

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 4^th, 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.

August 15, 2023 stephaniepounds Central North

Klein United Women in Faith Installs Book Box

When Klein United Women in Faith formed a few years ago, they realized that most of their members were avid readers, so they chose literacy as one of the social priorities for their unit. One of the ways they decided they could help was to install book boxes where children can take books to read for free.

Their first two boxes were installed on their church campus and are meant to serve the Children’s Weekdays Ministries and Food Pantry clients. This July they followed that up by installing another book in the Five Oaks community, a neighborhood near their church.

The Klein unit partnered with the youth from their church who helped them with the installation. Now women from the unit check the box–regularly adding new books to keep the library fresh. The Children who might not be able to make it to the nearest public library now have a source of books to read thanks to United Women in Faith.

August 15, 2023 stephaniepounds Central North

Strawbridge United Women in Faith hold first retreat

The newly-formed Strawbridge United Women in Faith unit welcomed 83 women at their first retreat on August 12. The event was highlighted by Bishop Cynthia Harvey who spoke to the group during their opening program.

Later in the day the women participated in four workshops:

Missions – Christine Riggle talked about the Mission Center and the women put together 100 adult hygiene kits for our United Women in Faith Hands-on Project.
Prayer Stations – Members experienced different methods to pray
Arts & Crafts – The women put together cross pins from remnants and discussed how the remnants in their lives are still gifts to be used
Speed Friending – like speed dating only meeting new friends.

It was a great day!

May 10, 2023 stephaniepounds Central North

Strawbridge UMC adds new UWF Unit

When the church split occurred last year, it left a lot of people searching for a new church home, and many of them landed at Strawbridge UMC in Kingwood. Strawbridge did not hold a vote on disaffiliation, instead their vote was all about what the church’s positioning statement would be regarding the LGTBQ+ community. When the vote came back, defining Strawbridge as a reconciling church, the floodgates opened. The church doubled in size. The biggest issue right now is enough parking on Sundays! What a lovely problem to have.

Although it could have felt overwhelming for the Strawbridge members, long-time members threw the doors open and welcomed new members with open arms and helped them on a healing path.

One new member, Carol Boldin, was most interested in the Women’s Ministry. She had always enjoyed that in the past and wanted to contribute at her new church. The existing Women’s Ministry group at Strawbridge functioned but needed some organization. That’s when Boldin met Kathy Kraiza in her new Sunday School class. Kraiza, Texas Conference Education and Interpretation Officer, told Boldin all about United Women in Faith. This seemed like the ideal time to begin a new unit.

Boldin poured out the Strawbridge story to Katie Pryor and Khia Shaw at UWF in New York, who were encouraging and helpful. They emailed Strawbridge a membership kit.

On January 10, 2023, Strawbridge UWF had their first meeting to see if there was enough interest to proceed. They had a salad bar because it’s always time for a pot luck! Kraiza gave an excellent overview of UWF, and the women voted to move forward. Officers were nominated and voted in for 2023. There were many circle suggestions that night, as well as people stepping forward to volunteer their talents. They held their official New United Women in Faith Celebration on Sunday, April 17, 2023, and signed up a number of ladies that day.

In early May Strawbridge hosted their first event, a tea party. They had 77 in attendance. They opened with a performance by Sola Gratia, a women’s ecumenical choir, enjoyed their tea fare, and closed with women from a local charity, Oaks of Righteousness, sharing their testimonies. The event was free, but they asked everyone to bring household items for the Oaks of Righteousness. It was an amazing spirit-filled afternoon.