Finally - the information you've been seeking: registration is open for this year's Soul Care Saturday. You've got an update on the recent petition on Maternal Health and the ability to make public comments. Find out how to get your local groups' special event promoted here: uwfnorthtexas.org/promote.

And finally - it is really feeling like spring.

Wendy Campbell, NTC United Women in Faith President

SOUL CARE SATURDAY BE TRANSFORMERS OF THE WORLD

April 27, 2024 9 am - 3 pm

Explore your own spiritual journey and how we can transform the world together. The day will include a prayer walk in a peaceful garden in the midst of the city, mixed media art, poetry, worship, meditation and sisterhood. Women 12 years and older are invited to this intergenerational event. The Rev. Marianne Trigg-Brown will lead our worship.

Register now! $20 - Lunch and a swag bag are included.

Questions or want to help? Contact Karen Anderson-Lain, Chair.

DBC Connection: Launch & Lunch Tuesday, April 23rd 11 am - 1 pm

at Dallas Bethlehem Center

Come to see how DBC is making a difference in their South Dallas neighborhood. You'll hear about the many programs introduced in the past several months along with new programs on the horizon. Get a tour of the Center, see the garden and learn how all of these new initiatives are directly impacting the community. Lunch will be provided. REGISTER HERE.

LOCATION: 4410 Leland Ave. 75215. Carpooling is a encouraged. Park in the lot at the corner of Leland and Marburg.

TEXAS MATERNAL HEALTH UPDATE

SLOW PROGRESS . . .

More than 2,000 Texans of faith signed Texas Impact’s petition calling for a rule-making process to define the abortion exception in Texas state law relating to the life and health of the mother. You can still sign the petition. The Texas Medical Board got the message and has now introduced a draft rule for public comment. You can read and make a public comment here.

Listen to this "Weekly Witness" podcast with the two attorneys who started this to learn how this process works, why the draft isn't 'good enough yet', and what YOU can do to help protect the lives and health of Texas women. 

Use this link to listen to Dr. Charlie Brown, MD, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology powerful presentation given at this year's TX Legislative Event: "Coming to Terms: The Vocabulary of Reproductive Policy." FYI: Access recordings & handouts from this year's TX Leg Event here.

FAITH TALK LIVE

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Thursday, April 4th. 1 pm CST

Join this informative and encouraging session with protective and preventative tips to help us better support and nurture children and families. Featuring interviews with Chelsea Elliott of Somocom Lab; Ellen Reddy of the Nollie Jenkins Family Center; and Dianna Freelon-Foster of Activists with a Purpose Plus. Register here.

A PRESENTATION ON GUN SAFETY

Sunday, April 7th at FUMC Dallas, downtown

1 pm Lunch option; 1:30 - 2:30 Program

The community is invited to this engaging presentation on Gun Safety. You'll hear some valuable tips on how to keep your loved ones and communities safer.

Register here. Reserve a boxed lunch for $10.

Presented by the United Women in Faith of FUMC Dallas, St. Paul UMC, St. Luke UMC and Warren UMC.

Interested in helping present this event? Contact Katie Clark.

More information here about Be Smart.

PROJECT TRANSFORMATION PARTNERS IN JOY Luncheon

Thursday, April 11th, at noon

The 2024 Partners in Transformation Luncheon features a keynote address by Rev. Joy Gonzalez. Silent Auction opens April 8 and closes April 12. Reservations are requested -- no charge for the lunch, donations are appreciated at the event.

CLICK TO REGISTER OR DONATE

LOCATION: University Park UMC, 4024 Caruth Blvd, Dallas

EAST DISTRICT: A MORNING APART

Experiencing the Grace and Presence of God

GUEST SPEAKER: Rev. Kristen Glover

Saturday, April 13th, 9 am - lunch

Recharge yourself at the Morning Apart with the women of the East District! Come at 9 am for coffee and fellowship before an inspiring program. Lunch will be graciously provided at 11:30 am. Program Resources will be available with a check or cash. This is a nice opportunity to bring a friend to learn more about UWFaith. Contact President Betsy Sterkel if you have questions. LOCATION: First UMC - Bonham, 812 Star St. Bonham, TX 75418

RECYCLE OLD ELECTRONICS!

Saturday, April 13th, 1 - 4 pm



Bring all the unused, outdated and non-working electronics you may have hiding in your garage, closets or attic. Check the list of items that will be accepted, then start loading the car! Tell your neighbors & friends - the more to recycle the better for this fundraising project of the Bold Women of Lovers Lane and to keep the items out of the landfills!

LOCATION: Walnut Hill UMC, 10066 Marsh Ln, Dallas TX 75229. 

Our 2024 Mission Project will be: Abide Women's Health Services. The North Texas Conference Leadership Team chose a mission that deals with Disparities in Maternal Health - the focus of our recent Racial Justice Event.

Abide is a Black women-owned clinic in South Dallas that provides birthing services along with pre- and post-natal care to women of color. It was founded as a non-hospital birthing center for normal Black pregnancies, reducing the disparities in Black maternal and infant health.

To Be Announced Soon: how you and your group can support this mission project -- financially and hands-on. Until then, learn more with the many resources on Disparities in Maternal Health from the February 24th event.

CHECK OUR WEBSITE CALENDAR FOR MORE INFO ABOUT:

• Just Energy 4 All: Webinars and online Working Groups, monthly
• General Conference of the UMC: April 23 - May 3 in Charlotte, NC
• NTC UWFaith Lunch at Annual Conference: Tues, June 4
• MISSION u 2024 Retreat, July 19-20 at UTD; Virtual sessions TBA

• South Central Jurisdiction Gathering: GET TOGETHER with your UWF Sisters*

next June in St. Louis! REGISTER NOW for engaging workshops, inspiring worships, riveting and motivating speakers, and renewing soul care. Registration link has full information.



*Our Jurisdiction includes United Women in Faith from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

GATHER & LEARN:

2024 PROGRAM BOOK

Thursday, March 21st at 7 pm CST

Join to explore the theme of Hospitality with the April Program Resource, guided by author and theologian, Dr. Joyce del Rosario. Held monthly, Community Gatherings are intended to supplement and offer leaders experience with the digital Program Resource.

Use your Mighty Networks account to find the digital Program Resource in the “Resources” section, or click here to purchase your copy. (If you or your unit has purchased the print version of the Program Resource, you can add on the community gatherings and digital access for just $5.)

Creation Justice Ministries

Real Faith in a Synthetic World

Celebrate Earth Day - or any day - with stories of individuals and communities makeing a positive impact, ideas to spark meaningful discussions for your group, worship resources to unite in prayer and reflection. Actionable steps to address the plastic crisis in your life, community and our world are also included. The resource contains an overview of the plastic crisis, a theological framing, sermon starters, advocacy ideas, and resources for children."

Click to view the 26 page resource full of program ideas!

Earth Day Bible Study: The March / April issue of Response has a short version of the Bible Study: I Cry Aloud to God: Lament and Hope in the Face of the Climate Crisis -- a Bible Study on Psalm 77.

The 2024 Texas Legislative Event in late January was attended by fifty-one women from N TX to learn about state issues that concern us as United Women in Faith. Ask one of the many attendees to share with your group what they learned this year. Or look at the resources and choose a video to watch together. Discuss what your faith motivates you to do. See the topics & videos here.

Look at new and updated PROGRAM IDEAS on our website.

DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL HEALTH:

Click for program recording, speakers' slides, advocacy video, and a list of articles, websites, videos and more. MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES

PHOTO ALBUMS - See pics from recent events. Please send your photos to news@UWFNorthTexas.org.

LOCAL OFFICER TRAINING HANDOUTS

2024 handouts for all local officers are available in our website Resource section. Helpful Hints for: Presidents, Treasurers, VP-Programs, Social Action, Secretary, Spiritual Growth & Soul Care, Education & Interpretation, Membership Nurture & Outreach, Program Resources (clean presentation uploaded), Communications and the Committee on Nominations. Questions? Contact your District officer.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

See ideas for individuals or groups in the Volunteer Opportunities at Local Missions section on our website.

WOW -- TOGETHER WE DO A LOT! Check out the 2 pages listing "All We've Done Together" with who UWF of N Texas supported, where we donated items, and many, many examples of activities and events we organized, presented and attended in the past year.

NEW! Follow us on Instagram & facebook: ntcuwf

Connect & follow our accounts and share.

We look forward to engaging with you!