txconfumw Events, Fall Meeting, Uncategorized

2023 Annual Fall Meeting Takes Place at Lakeview

“We’re back!”

Those are the words heard many times during the 2023 Texas Conference Fall Annual Meeting. The two-day gathering, which took place Oct 6-7 at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, was the first face-to-face annual meeting since the pandemic.

Friday night members celebrated homecoming, with many in attendance wearing shirts from their favorite college and university. The speaker for the college-themed night was Rev Tabitha Rankin, Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Southern University. Rev Rankin brought us up to speed on all that is happening with college ministries inside the state of Texas and challenged us all to find a way to offer support.

The next morning began with a blessing of the Hands-On Mission Kits by Education and Interpretation Coordinator, Kathy Kraiza. After the welcome, greetings, and prayer calendar, Treasurer Kathy Aubin lit the mission candle in honor and memory of those lifted up by their units.

A special mission recognition was given to Valerie Adame, for her many years of work across the conference and the South District. If you’ve attended any event in the past several years that required registration or Zoom–which is just about every event–you can thank Valerie and her ability to navigate online technologies for making the experience so easy.

Vice-President Stacie Hawkins gave an update on the Legacy Fund, and then Bishop Harvey blessed us with a talk about all the good things happening within the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.

During the business meeting that followed, Ella Aubin and Carren Rogers were elected and installed as the 2030 class of the Nominations Committee. Stephanie Pounds and Dorothy Ringer-Sumner were elected as nominees for the National Board of Directors, and Paulette Moore-Hall was elected as a nominee for the National Program Advisory Group. The 2024 budget was adopted and the pledge service completed.

After lunch Christine Riggle, Facilities Manager of the Mission Center of the Texas Annual Conference, thanked everyone in the Conference for their support of the Hands-On Mission Kits, and described the new Feminine Hygiene Kit that we will be making next year.

The event ended with a hymn, communion, grateful hearts for the chance to see each other again, and a promise to meet back again next year.

You can check out our album of pictures from the event here!

stephaniepounds Events, Fall Meeting

New Officers Installed During 2022 Fall Meeting

Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Ezekiel 47:12

Healing and Joy in our Journey to God was the theme of the 2022 Fall Annual Meeting of the Texas Conference of United Women in Faith. Led by President Carolyn Milby, women from across the conference joined together on Sept 10, 2022, via Zoom to conduct business, be inspired, and install new officers.

Milby welcomed the group with the hymn, My Jesus, I Love Thee, which was followed by an 9/11 remembrance led by Spiritual Growth officer, Lue Wenzel.

Treasurer Kathy Aubin led the Candle Burning special recognition ceremony. As part of their mission giving, units from across the district donated money in honor and in memory of special individuals in their unit to recognize their service to the organization. Aubin announced that the Conference had received over $3,000 this year as part of the Candle Burning donations.

Two women were recognized for their special service to the Conference. Vice-President Krystal West presented outgoing President Carolyn Milby with a Special Mission Recognition. Rev. Cheryl Smith received the Hazel Decker Award, which recognizes an outstanding woman in the Conference, for her work in Africa.

Kathy Kraiza, Education and Interpretation officer, presented a report on the 2022 Hands on Project. Districts from across the conference assembled kits of toiletries and supplies, which were combined to create care bags for disaster survivors. Over 200 adult care bags and 200 child care bags were assembled representing over $28,000 in donations from Texas Conference districts.

Paulette Moore-Hall updated the group on the new UWF brand standards and encouraged everyone to incorporate them in their communications and presentations.

Stacie Hawkins urged members to donate to the Legacy Endowment Fund by becoming a Legacy Builder, a Friend of Legacy, or by being a part of the 1869 Society. Created in 2014 with a goal of raising $60 million as a source of ongoing income, Hawkins reported that as of May 31, 2022, the Fund total stood at $35,920, 237.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr Marilyn Stinson. Speaking on the meeting’s theme and scripture, Stinson invited members to follow Ezekiel’s example and:

  • Focus on God
  • Trust in the Lord and do good
  • Be aware of God’s care each and every day

After a break, the business portion of the meeting was called to order during which new officers were elected for 2023 and the 2023 budget was adopted.

Milby led the group in the closing hymn, God Be With You Till We Meet Again, and then adjourned the meeting.