United Methodist Women CEO Harriett Jane Olson issued the following statement following the guilty verdict of former police officer, Derek Chauvin: "We are relieved to see some measure of justice for George Floyd's family...may justice roll down like waters, today and in days to come."

The General Board of Church & Society invites you to learn more about "advocating for peace and justice on a global scale." Featured speakers for this virtual event include:

Rev. Dr. Susan Henry Crowe: General Secretary General Board of Church & Society

Rev. Dr. Liberato (Levi) Bautista: Asst. General Secretary for United Nations and International Affairs

John Hill: Deputy General Secretary for Advocacy and Grassroots Organizing

Gun violence and mass shootings continue to rise in the United States. Join "Faith Talks" host, Jennifer Farmer of Spotlight PR, as she explores the many forms of gun violence and the next steps people of faith can take to help keep their own communities safe. This episode's panelists feature:

Amber K. Goodwin: Executive Director of the Community Justice Action Fund

Rev. Rhonda Thomas: LIVE FREE Florida

Oresa Napper-Williams: Not One More Child (and the parent of a son who died by gun violence)

Project Unity, in partnership with Catalyst Health Network, neighborhood churches, and non-profits, is pleased to offer FREE Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to the community.

What: 1st Dose Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-Through Event; 2nd dose: to be announced

Day/Date/Time: Friday, 04.30.21, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CDT

Location: For Oak Cliff (former Mooreland YMCA Bldg.), 907 Ledbetter Dr., Dallas, TX 75213

Important Info.: Age 18+; masks and I.D. required; registrations are limited by appointment block times only; wait time may be up to an hour; public restrooms are not available; vaccine site reserves the right to close early due to supply demand/depletion and/or inclement weather

"Caring for creation is a biblical directive, God's very first charge to humans in Genesis...net-zero emissions by 2050 is imperative," said Harriett Olson, CEO and general secretary of United Methodist Women. United Methodist Women joins the United Methodist Church in their combined support of dramatically decreasing greenhouse emissions in its ministries, facilities, operations, and investments by 2050.

UMW National's newly-elected 2020-2024 executive officers (including the UMW National Vice President from NTC UMW, Cynthia Rives) are profiled in the March/April 2021 issue of response magazine. Not a subscriber? You are invited to review the FREE digital response sampler, read the "Leaders for the New Quadrennium" article, and subscribe to response magazine online.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF (2016), it is estimated that at least 200 million girls and women (and 44 million of these are girls below age 15) in 30 countries have been forced to endure the painful procedure of female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is recognized internationally as a "violation of the human rights of girls and women."

Despite laws prohibiting the practice as a method to "keep girls and young women from straying outside of marriage," many villages outside Kenya and across Africa still practice FGM. Females refusing the procedure are banished from their local tribes and forced to survive with little or no family/community support or resources.

Pauline Ntombura of the Methodist Women's Conference of Kenya and wife of Bishop Joseph Ntombura of the Methodist Church of Kenya, is reaching out to UMW units, districts, and conferences with a call for financial assistance to support the creation of a safe refuge in Kenya -- the Girls Rescue Centre -- for girls refusing the FGM procedure.

This project was adopted and approved by the NTC UMW 2021 Leadership Team in March 2021 as the conference UMW's 2021 Annual Mission Project. Donations may be made either online or by mailing checks directly to the NTC UMW treasurer.

Owenwood Farm & Neighbor Space is White Rock UMC's second campus. One of Owenwood's programming partners which serves the neighboring community is Diapers, Etc., and its purpose is "to provide diapers, feminine hygiene products, and other important goods not covered by government programs or other service providers" to needy families. Distribution of diapers, wipes, etc., is the last Saturday of every month on-site at Owenwood.

NTC UMW has received word that Diapers, Etc. is in need of diapers (size 1-5), baby wipes, pull-ups, and adult diapers. Diapers and/or supplies can be mailed, dropped off, or ordered on the Amazon.com registry. Amazon.com gift cards are also welcome.