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txconfumw Fall Meeting, Hands-On Project

Highlights from Texas Conference 2025 Annual Meeting at Lakeview

United Women in Faith members from across the Texas Conference met at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center on September 26-27 to celebrate the 2025 Annual Meeting. This year’s theme was Carrying Our Faith Forward: Empowering Generations Through Faith.

The festivities began Friday morning when Conference officers met in executive session to hear yearly reports and to look ahead to upcoming events.

That evening we participated in the Friday Night Experience and lived into the theme of Carrying our Faith Forward, highlighting our own stories of generational faith. Our speaker, Rose Brewer, told us how her experiences on the Committee on Native Americans (CONAM) led to a deeper faith. Afterward women shared pictures and stories of those who had helped shape their own faith. Paulette Moore-Hall, Conference Program officer, followed with the story of The Lantern in the Storm. We ended the evening with an ice cream social and lots of laughter.

Saturday began with a Greet the Day service led by Kyle Dahlem who reminded us that when God says he is going to do a new thing, it means change is coming. Get ready.

After breakfast the Annual Meeting began with a welcome from President Theresa Graham and from the Lakeview staff. After the singing of a hymn, a devotion from the Prayer Calendar, and the Response Moment, Stephanie Pounds, who represents the Texas Conference on the UWFaith National Board of Directors, greeted members and introduced our new growth campaign, #unstoppable. She also reminded members of the need to give boldly to Mission Giving to stand in the gap for National Mission Institution who are facing funding cuts. She also announced that the 2026 Reading Program catalog is available.

Stacie Hawkins, President of the South Central Jurisdiction followed and encouraged us to each welcome three new women in the next year to help us reach our growth goal of 30,000 new members this year. She also encouraged everyone to sign up for Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis. Stacie highlighted two online resources, the Leadership Toolkit for officers and the short film, Never Give Up: Cynthia and Michelle’s Faithful Fight Against Mass Incarceration. She finished with an update on the Legacy Endowment Fund which currently stands at $51,183,800, and she recognized the Legacy Builders from within the Texas Conference.

Legacy Builders from the Texas Conference

Priscilla Patterson, Chair of the Nominations Committee of the South Central Jurisdiction, brought greetings and encouraged everyone to attend assembly and to consider stepping up to be an officer at the jurisdiction level.

Treasurer Kathy Aubin lit the Mission Candle. Members collected $2123.55 for the Candle in memory and honor of special people, so the candle burned for 3 hours and 22 minutes.

Keynote speaker, Bee Morehead, was unable to attend in person and so addressed us via Zoom. She reminded us that the Texas Health and Human Services department will be under that microscope in the next session the Texas Legislature as part of a sunset review. She also reminded us that work to protect voting rights is ongoing. Check out her short voting rights video. After Bee’s talk, Theresa Graham presented Bee with a Special Mission Recognition pin.

The first session ended with the procession of the feminine hygiene kits, which were presented to the United Methodist Mission Center located in Conroe. Members brought 621 kits to Lakeview, and more are expected to be donated in the next few weeks. In addition, $1857 was given to help buy and distribute kits.

The annual business meeting took place during the second session. During the meeting we adopted new standing rules, approved the budget for 2026, and elected two new officers, Rhonda Carpenter, First UMC Huntsville, Membership Nurture and Outreach, and Evette Warren, Friendship UMC, Communications.

Kathy Kraiza took a moment to remind us where the money goes (and where it doesn’t). We recognized Gwen Mason who retired as the Membership Nurture and Outreach officer, and then Linda Elms led the installation of the two new officers.

At the conclusion of the business meeting, Kathleen Spangler led us in our first focus group, Faithful Footsteps: Learning from Women’s Leadership in Christian Social Action. Kathleen reminded us that our foremothers had a “both…and” faith that stressed both individual piety and social action by telling us the stories of Jarena Lee, Lucy Rider Meyer, Georgia Harkness, and Minerva G. Carcaño.

After lunch we participated in table talk facilitated by Rev. Thea Curry-Fuson during her focus group, Ashamed and Redeemed. Rev Curry helped us apply our theme scripture 2 Timothy 1:5 and the surrounding text. We were reminded to remember and rekindle the gift of God and that community is powerful.

Closing worship followed as musicians Mark Williams and Florence Snyder led us in song, Rev Curry-Fuson extended the Eucharist to each of us. The meeting ended with hugs and smiles as we sang “God Be With You Til We Meet Again.”

Do you have pictures you’d like to share? Send them to news@uwfaithtx.com.

txconfumw Uncategorized

Texas Conference United Women in Faith Annual Meeting September 26, 2025

Call for Nominations: 2026–2027 Leadership Offices

We are preparing the slate of nominees for our upcoming Annual Meeting and invite you to prayerfully consider women in our faith community who may be called to serve. Below is a list of open offices. At this time, no nominees have been confirmed, and we welcome your submissions.

OfficeNomineeCurrent Church
Coordinator For Membership Nurture And Outreach To be nominated
Communications Coordinator To be nominated

To submit a nominee, please email Lillian C. Rogers Martin, Chairperson of the Nominations Committee at: admin@tumchtx.org on or before September 19, 2025.

Important Note

No nominations will be accepted from the floor during the Annual Meeting on September 26, 2025.

Rationale: In the spirit of thoughtful discernment and respectful preparation, we ask that all nominations be submitted in advance. This allows the Nominations Committee to:

  • Prayerfully consider each candidate’s gifts and calling
  • Ensure nominees meet eligibility requirements and are willing to serve
  • Prepare a complete and transparent slate for review
  • Honor the time and process of our Annual Meeting with clarity and unity

    This approach reflects our commitment to intentional leadership and fosters a spirit of collaboration and trust. We thank you for your understanding and support.

    Job Descriptions

    MISSION COORDINATOR FOR MEMBERSHIP NURTURE AND OUTREACH

    The Mission Coordinator for Membership Nurture and Outreach shall actively assist the unit in fulfilling the PURPOSE. She shall:

      1. Work with the Executive Committee to determine the needs of the membership, to enlist new members and to recommend ways for inactive members to participate.
      2. Nurture the current membership and equip women in the church to support each other in leadership roles.
      3. Work with the Executive Committee to become a supportive community and to provide regular creative fellowship activities for the unit.
      4. Chair the Committee on Membership Nurture and Outreach where, one exists or, if there is no separate committee, chair the Executive Committee when dealing with matters relating to membership; serve on the Committees on Program and Finance where they exist.

      Communications Co-Coordinator

      The Communication Co-Coordinator shall:

      1. Work with elected leadership in promoting the organization and PURPOSE and publicizing activities of United Women in Faith.
      2. Provide training for the local unit mission team to develop skills and techniques in publicity; provide training for the local unit mission team to develop skills and techniques in publicity.
      3. Establish contact with church and secular press; establish contact with church and secular press.
      4. Serve as editor or cooperate with the editor of the Conference United Women in Faith’s newsletter, newspaper or column.
      5. Serve on the Executive Committee and, where they exist, the Committees on Program, Finance, and Membership Nurture and Outreach. serve on the Executive Committee, and, where they exist.
      txconfumw Fall Meeting, Uncategorized

      2025 Annual Meeting Registration is Open

      All women are invited to join us for the Texas Conference Annual Meeting to be held at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, TX on September 26-27, 2025. Download the Program Guide here.

      Registration

      Registration should be completed by September 12. If you are registering by mail, the treasurer should receive your check by September 12.

      Register online
      download form to register by mail

      Schedule

      Friday

      3:00-5:00 pm
      5:30 pm
      7:00 pm

      Registration – Great Hall
      Dinner – Sparling Cafeteria
      Gather in Song & Ice Cream Social – Great Hall

      Through the Lens of Faith: Stories That Shape Us
      Join us for an evening of reflection, storytelling, and sweet fellowship. This special event invites you to bring a photo, keepsake, or treasured item that represents a moment of faith, transformation, or spiritual heritage. 

      Saturday               

      7:15 – 7:45 am
      8:00 am
      8:15 am
      8:45 am
      9:00 am
      12:00 noon
      1:15 pm
      2:45 pm
      3:15 pm

      Greet the Day
      Breakfast
      Registration for those arriving after breakfast
      Gather in Song
      Program/Annual Meeting
      Lunch
      Focus Group
      Closing Plenary/Communion
      Depart 

      Housing

      There are two options for housing this year.

      • Dorm Housing – Many people to a room. You’ll need to bring your own linens for bed and bath, pillows and a flashlight.
      • 1st Class Housing – Single or double occupancy. Linens & pillows are provided.

      Food

      There will be three meals available–a Friday meal, a Saturday breakfast, and a Saturday lunch. Your registration can include meals or you can bring your own food.

      Speakers

      Bee Moorhead

      Bee is the Executive Director of Texas Impact and its sister organization, the Texas Impact Foundation. Since taking on this role in 2000, she has led Texas Impact to become one of the most respected interfaith advocacy networks in the country.

      Under her leadership, the organization mobilizes tens of thousands of Texans from diverse faith traditions to advocate for policies that support vulnerable communities, local development, and environmental sustainability.

      Bee’s expertise spans a wide range of policy areas, including health and human services, climate change, immigration, public budgets, and civic engagement. She has served on numerous state agency working groups and task forces, addressing issues from nursing home care to hurricane response. Additionally, she is a credentialed observer to the United Nations climate policy negotiations, attending the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s annual Conference of the Parties since 2015.

      Bee Moorhead has played a pivotal role in Texas Impact’s partnership with the Texas United Women in Faith for their annual Legislative Event. This long-standing collaboration brings together women of faith and conscience from across Texas to engage in policy advocacy, leadership development, and community building. The event provides a platform for participants to meet with lawmakers, attend workshops on key social issues, and explore ways to put their faith into action through legislative engagement.

      Under Bee’s leadership, Texas Impact has worked closely with Texas United Women in Faith to ensure that the event remains a powerful force for justice, freedom, and opportunity, particularly for women and children. The partnership has strengthened faith-based advocacy efforts, equipping attendees with the tools and knowledge to influence public policy in meaningful ways.

      Bee Moorhead and her husband, Robert Moorhead, share a life filled with purpose, advocacy, and community engagement. They are proud parents to three adult children and two grandchildren. As a former professional costumer, Bee loves sewing and knitting, as well as cooking, gardening, reading, singing, and travel. She is an ordained ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church USA, and a member of University Presbyterian Church in Austin since 1983.

      Kathleen Spangler

      Kathleen Spangler works for a technology company helping to address the social issues that affect health. She attends Klein UMC and is currently in her third year of seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She is a certified candidate for deacon in the United Methodist Church.

      Rev. Thea Curry-Fuson

      Rev. Thea Curry-Fuson is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. After growing up unchurched, Thea had a relational experience with God overseas that sparked her call towards pastoral ministry, eager to be a part of the Jesus mission. She is passionate about having authentic conversations about Jesus and hearing how God is moving in others. Thea has an MDiv from Southern Methodist University and a previous career in nonprofit management before entering ministry. She and her husband, Wayne, live in Pearland TX.

      Voting

      On Saturday, we will be voting to approve our 2026 budget.

      We will also be voting on some new officers. Note that all women are invited to join us at our Fall Meeting (invite your friends!); however, non-members will not be able to vote.

      Hands-on Mission Kits

      We will be collecting our hands-on mission kits at Lakeview, so don’t forget to bring them. You can read more details here.

      Register today

      txconfumw Uncategorized

      District News – June 2025

      Southeast

      Deer Park

      On May 11th, members of Deer Park UWFaith held their traditional Mother’s Day Bake Sale. Members, along with volunteers from the DPUMC congregation, put together quite the assortment of confectionary treats! Besides the wonderful treats, the bake sale committee members also put up beautiful decorations and a photo backdrop for everyone to enjoy. Instead of pricing items, we welcome love offerings to support UWFaith’s mission work. The bake sale has become a very popular event at DPUMC to purchase delicious homemade treats made by special ladies for special ladies.

      Deer Park

      On May 18th, members of Deer Park UWFaith alongside their Youth Pastor, Joel Coulter, celebrated the graduating Class of 2025.  Every year, Deer Park UWFaith offers DPUMC members graduating high school the opportunity to receive a scholarship.  This year they had two scholarship recipients, one being a three-year Deer Park UWFaith member, Cori Grissom.  Seniors and their families were invited to a catered luncheon provided by DPUMC Youth.  UWFaith decorated and provided dessert for this amazing celebration luncheon. It was a beautiful day of faith, family, and love in our church – praying and celebrating these young adults as they start their next journey!

      Southwest

      Klein

      Congratulations to Morgan Floyd, recipient of a $1050 Climate Justice scholarship from Klein United Women in Faith. Morgan will be using her scholarship to attend Ocean Conservation Camp in Galveston later in June. During her time there she will learn about carbon footprints, plastic pollution, endangered species, and habitat restoration. Morgan recently graduated from Klein Collins High School.

      txconfumw hazel decker

      Who was Hazel Decker?

      Each year the Texas Conference of United Women in Faith honors one member with the Hazel Decker Award, but who was Hazel Decker?

      Hazel Meeks Decker was born in Dubach, La., on Jan. 6, 1913, and died in Jacksonville, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2002. By any measure, she was an extraordinary person. A devoted wife, mother, homemaker and a gourmet cook, she was also a global citizen, a social activist and a liberated woman long before that term became popular. She lived by a deep religious faith that not only allowed her to bear great suffering with courage and dignity, but also led her to a life of service to others. She had a passion for justice and frequently challenged the status quo power structure on behalf of racial minorities, women, victims of war and poverty, and those who were shunned or left out by society.

      She was elegant, intelligent, articulate and compassionate, and she could be a potent force for those in need. Hazel Decker was active in civic affairs and was especially devoted to the United Methodist Church, in which she held offices from the local level to the national level. It was under her presidency that the Texas Annual Conference United Methodist Women organization (now known as United Women in Faith) was integrated. She chaired the national committee on women’s concerns, and played a major role in securing the ordination of women in the Methodist Church. She represented the Church at the 1971 Paris peace conference on Vietnam, and two years later went to South America to help in discussions about how the Church should deal with a number of the military governments in the region.

      In 1975, the World Council of Churches sent her to Laos and Vietnam to review work there. That same year, she visited church installations in Afghanistan. She helped to draft and deliver the first Laity Address ever given at a United Methodist General Conference, and was named one of the hundred most outstanding women in the entire history of American Methodism. She was with the first group from the southern United States to enter mainland China after that country was opened to Americans, and also traveled in Russia, Estonia, Iran and Africa. Hazel Decker was a person of vision, courage and love.

      In a world that treats truth with increasing disdain, she was a person of absolute integrity. In a world that has elevated selfishness and greed to the status of virtues, she was a person who put others first, and gave generously of her resources. In a world that follows the crowd, she dared to stand firmly for what she believed. She was consistently ahead of her time, and was an excellent example of what a human should be.

      txconfumw Mission u

      Mission u 2025 Registration Open

      Register

      Interested in deepening your faith in community? Gaining experience interpreting Scripture? Working toward healing for yourself, your community, and all of creation? Mission u is for you!

      Mission u is a transformational study that is open to all who are interested in learning together for the transformation of the world.

      The theme is Practicing Hope, and it will take place via ZOOM on July 11-12, 2025, from 9:30-3:15 each day. Registration is $20.

      Register

      This year we will explore hope, particularly when hope seems hard to find. The curriculum asks questions such as: What is hope in the face of neofascism? What is hope in a time of genocide? How do we imagine a future for the next generation as our planet grows hotter by the season? What tools do we have to face these hard realities? How does Christ teach us to embody hope when our backs are against the wall? 

      This study’s purpose is to allow all of our communities to cultivate hope that is honest about our current conditions (refugia), hope that is restorative when everything feels urgent (rest), and hope that is possible even when we transgress (repair). 

      Our study leader this year is Linda Elms. In addition to being a previous Mission u leader, Linda has served as a Conference President, Spiritual Growth Coordinator, and Program Resource Officer. She was also a two-year member of the Program Advisory Group and served as Vice-President of the South Central Jurisdiction. Linda is a member of St Peter’s UMC in Katy.

      This year’s Mission u Dean is Ashley Mayho. Ashley currently serves as the Program Resources coordinator and the Language Coordinator for the Texas Conference UWFaith. She is also the serves as the Social Action coordinator for Literacy for her local unit. Ashley is a member of Klein UMC in Spring.

      Mission u 2025 Agenda

      Friday, July 11

      • 9:30-9:45 am – Gathering Time
      • 9:45-10:15 am – Opening Worship
      • 10:20-11:20 am – Session 1
      • 11:25 am-12:25 pm – Session 2
      • 30-minute lunch break
      • 12:55-1:55 pm – Session 3
      • 2:00-3:00 pm – Session 4
      • 3:00-3-15 pm – Closing & Announcements

      Saturday, July 12th

      • 9:30-9:45 – Gathering Time
      • 9:45-9:55 am – Announcements
      • 10:00-11:00 am – Session 5
      • 11:05 am-12:05 pm – Session 6
      • 30-minute lunch break
      • 12:35-1:35 pm – Session 7
      • 1:40-2:40 pm – Session 8
      • 2:45-3:15 pm – Closing Worship

      Mission u Resources

      The Adult Study Book is not required for to attend the study, but if you would like to purchase a copy for yourself, you can get order your own copy. You can also download invite posters/flyers for free.

      Mission u Author

      Tabatha Holley is the former pastor of New Day Church in Bronx, New York, a writer in the 2024-2025 Sojourners Opinion Writing Cohort, and founder of A Space to Land, LLC, which provides holistic, interfaith services to individuals and communities ranging from funerals and weddings to workshops, curriculum development, and conflict mediation.

      Mission u on Faith Talks Podcast

      The UWFaith podcast Faith Talks recently featured the authors of Practicing Hope on one of their episodes. You can listen to the recording on UWFaith Digital or on the UWFaith website.

      How do you Mission u?

      Mission u will be presented this year via Zoom, but if watching a computer screen by yourself isn’t your cup of tea, consider gathering your friends and watching the presentation together. When the agenda calls for small groups to discuss, your group can be its own breakout room. Each participant is asked to register independently, but there is an option to register as part of a group.

      Register
      txconfumw Annual Luncheon

      UWFaith Luncheon Planned for Annual Conference

      Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
      Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

      Purchase $35 Ticket

      The 2025 United Women in Faith luncheon will be held Monday, May 26, at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston from noon to 1:30 p.m. The hotel is located at 1600 Lamar St. All women from across the Texas Conference (and friends from further away) are invited to attend.

      The theme of this year’s event is Together We Rise: Faith, Love, and Unity, Celebrating at the Table. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Elizabeth Duffin, the Southwest District Superintendent. This year’s Hazel Decker Award will also be announced.

      Elizabeth Duffin has served as the District Superintendent of the Southwest District since 2023.  She previously served as the senior pastor of First UMC Missouri City.  Other appointments include the Associate Director in the Center for Clergy Excellence, and pastoral positions in northwest Houston and Beaumont.  She is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and Davidson College.  She serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry and was a General Conference delegate.  Elizabeth is married to Seann, the senior pastor of Memorial Drive UMC, and they have two children.

      Purchase $35 Ticket
      txconfumw Day of Giving, Events

      2025 Day of Giving – March 23

      On March 23 of each we celebrate the birthday of United Women in Faith with a special Day of Giving offering. This year we plan to meet via Zoom to celebrate with a special Texas version of the event. Everyone is encouraged to wear their best western gear. Hats on, ladies!

      Register here.

      Why March 23?

      On this date in 1869, a group of eight intrepid women founded the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, the forerunner of United Women in Faith. Their vision was to create educational opportunities and provide health care to women in India. These founding women invited others to join their mission through their prayers and two pennies. Thus, a movement of faith and generosity in action was born.

      The Legacy Endowment Fund

      The Legacy Endowment Fund of United Women in Faith is a permanently invested endowment that supports the work of improving the lives of women, children, and youth at home and abroad.

      Ways to Give

      • Online
      • By phone: 800-278-7771 (8 am – 5 pm EST, Mon-Fri and Sunday, March 23)
      • Text: Text “FUTURE” to 20503
      • By Check:
        Make checks payable to:
        United Women in Faith
        Attn: Legacy
        Church Center for the United Nations
        777 United Nations Plaza, 11th Floor
        New York, NY 10017
        (Write “Day of Giving” in the memo section)

      Join Us in Giving for Generations to Come

      • Become a Legacy Builder by pledging to make a monthly donation of $18.69 or more.
      • Become a Friend of Legacy by making a gift of $5,000 or more. For more information, please contact Development at 800-278-7771.
      • Join the 1869 Society by making a planned gift through a will bequest, gift of stock or securities, or donation of other non-cash assets.
      • For more information about The Legacy Endowment Fund, visit: Legacy Fund | United Women in Faith, call 1-800-278-7771, or email legacy150@uwfaith.org.