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We woke on July 4^th morning ready to celebrate. What we didn't know was that during the wee hours of the morning the water of the Guadalupe River near Kerrville had raged over its banks, washing away everything in its path. By afternoon it was still flooding, and victims were mounting. We stood in spirit with those who were grieving for lost loved ones, the beyond-heroic responders who were putting themselves in harm’s way, and those who were waiting and praying at home for missing family and friends to be found safe. Children at camp, camp counselors and vacationers perished, and the toll kept rising. Others have not yet been accounted for and some will never be found.

We grieve. As humans, we, like the psalmists of old, shake our fists to the heavens in lament and moan: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!” (Ps. 130:1). God, why don’t you hear and answer our prayers for the safety for your daughters? “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Ps.10:1). Why would a loving God who created those children stand aside and let this happen? “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me!” (Ps. 42:7). Why didn’t You part the waters and lead the precious little girls and their counselors, who were at camp to worship You, out of there? Is there no hope?   

The answer is, yes. Inasmuch as we lament when we hurt in times such as these, as did the writers of the Psalms, in our anguish we acknowledge that expressing our pain and grief to God encompasses elements of faith, love, and hope. This is because through God’s gracious gift of allowing us to lament wholeheartedly, we simultaneously confess our reliance on God’s honesty, trust, understanding, and compassion to help us move forward in our lives. For, if we didn’t believe there was hope for healing, why would we waste our time complaining to God? "Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken,” (Ps. 62:5-6) 

On July 6, Rio Texas Conference Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey visited Kerrville and reaffirmed this: “You can just feel the heaviness in this space. And at the same time, we know that we serve alongside a God of hope, a God of possibility, a God that never leaves us or forsakes us, a God that is always promised to be with us.” Amen!

This month, from July 24-26, we have the opportunity to attend Mission u at McMurray Univ. in Abilene, where we’ll learn more about hope in God and God’s work. What a blessing it will be to come together to study, worship, create, laugh, and engage in loving friendship with our HTC UWFaith sisters. If you’ve not already registered, please register now.  I look forward to being there with you.

 -- Karen Kaigler-Walker,, HTC Spiritual Growth Coordinator  

MISSION u 2025:

Practicing Hope Together

Many of us are struggling with finding hope, because of the news or personal issues. Join us for lessons that speak truth, meaningful worship, and time to fellowship with others. Moving beyond the anxiety, grief, and uncertainty we may feel, let's help each other find that brave space we need to grow. We'll practice hope together, make new friends, and have some fun, too.

Choose what works for you:

3-day Retreat at McMurry University • Virtual Evening Class • Virtual Morning Class • Virtual Evening Class in Spanish

Click for full information about the different formats available, the young clergywomen who will be our Study Leaders, scholarships available, dates, pricing, study book, and more. Scholarship application deadline July 12th.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!

Please bring special items to Mission u for the traditional Silent Auction that will benefit this year's annual mission project: the Jerri Savuto Center for Girls in Kenya. We're looking for a variety of items: handcrafts, gifts, books, art, toys, home or holiday decor, fashion accessories, vintage. . . Bring items to check-in at the Mission u Retreat. No dust or broken items - like new please! Questions? Contact Jeanne Ann Gibson or Lynne Grandstaff.

Dedication Day at the Jerri Savuto Girls Center: Great Joy & Celebration!

< Cynthia Rives, Jerri Savuto Board Chair and HTC UWFaith member, was overcome with joy! Shown in the native costume the girls presented to her.

Finally! The dedication of the Jerri Savuto Girl Center took place in the tiny village of Tot in Kreel Marakwet, Kenya on Thursday, June 26, 2025. As we piled out of our vans after a long and bumpy journey, the community was lined up on our way down the hill to the new buildings that make up the Jerri Savuto Girls Center. Then I saw the Jerri Savuto girls standing right there in front of me, welcoming us with singing and dancing, beautiful smiles, festive multicolored skirts and special t-shirts, and I was overcome with emotion. We have worked for years to see this day! The love I saw in their eyes just brought tears to mine.

Through the singing, dancing, and sharing the story of the Jerri Savuto Girls Center, I knew our UWFaith Conference made the right decision and a very good investment back in 2021 when we voted to support the Jerri Savuto Girls Center! All we’d put into building and growing the Jerri Savuto Girls Center is already paying dividends. The more I saw the girls and heard their stories and dreams, the more I was convinced we had used our time, efforts or money very well. These girls are making the most of their opportunities and have dreams for their future well beyond what they faced without the safety of the JSCenter. The JSCenter gives the village chief a place to bring girls who run away from forced marriage and female genital mutilation. These girls look forward to secondary school and college. They have visions for their future they could never have dreamed of without this place of safety and love, a nice place to live, and a chance to go to school.

The ceremony brought the local community, the girls, the HTC mission teams, and the supporters from across Kenya together to celebrate this mission, to dedicate this center to the glory of God, in memory of Jerri Savuto, a much-loved GBGM nurse and prophet. Those of you who knew Jerri Savuto will know how appropriate the dedication ceremony was-- it was a special time of “happy dancing”!

-- Cynthia Rives, JS Center Board Chair and HTC UWFaith member

MORE ABOUT THE VISIT IN NEXT WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

The Jerri Savuto Girls Center is our 2025 Conference Project!

The Center provides a safe haven for girls escaping forced marriage, allowing the girls to attend school and thrive. Together we are helping change these girls lives.

Full information about our 2025 Mission Project is here.

WHAT IS THE JERRI SAVUTO CENTER?

Read a powerful 2-page article describing the JS Center in the May/June 2025 edition of response, the official UWFaith magazine. HTC UWFaith member, Cynthia Rives (FUMC Denton) wrote the article, Contact Cynthia with your questions or to arrange for a speaker for your group.

• Be a Literacy Tutor with the Scholars Literacy Program at Wesley-Rankin Community Center! Dedicated volunteers will use the proven Sequential English Education (SEE) curriculum to for students with learning differences. Training will be provided. Learn more about how you can be part of this effective program.

• LINKS ADDED! Students will soon be back at school and in need of supplies. Dallas Bethlehem Center seeks your support to help their families. Help the children start the year prepared. Click to see the list of supplies online at Walmart and Amazon. Order online by July 21 or deliver to DBC by July 30. Questions? contact Annette Cullors or call DBC at 214-753-7656.

• Don't be silent! Condemn Violent & Shameful Hate Speech: People of every political persuasion should reject hatred and misinformation targeting Tribal Nations. Read more about recent situation.

• Please let us know what books on the UWFaith Reading Program you recommend! Send a short review of a book on the UWFaith Reading Program list that made an impact on you to news@uwfaithhtc.org.

• NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES on our website

• Soul Care blogs - read Karen's thoughtful messages anytime

• Mission u Study Leader's bios and Mission u Planning Team (bottom of page)

• RESOURCES include an important reminder of the role the church plays in standing for justice and supporting vulnerable communities. -- Check out the resources for the humane treatment of immigrants and refugees. Provided by the Horizon Texas Conference, immigration resources can be accessed here. -- Check out the new resources for Creation Care here, including Bible verses, ways you can combat climate change, devotional, FAQ's, podcast and more!

• Looking for a program? Need a quick or short program? Check out our Quick Program Ideas in the Resources tab on the website. Send us your ideas too!

• Resources from our 2025 Racial Justice Event are posted on our website with links to watch the plenary session, explanation of the Charter for Racial Justice and more.Look at the RJ Event photo album.

• Officer Training Handouts are available on our website under Resources. Watch for videos of the recent Officer Training sessions to be posted there soon.

Click for how to submit your events.

July 11 • HTC Book Club: We Are Not Here to be Bystanders. Its a Bonus Book

by Linda Sarsour in the Leadership Development category of the UWFaith Reading Program. see website calendar

July 12 • Life is Better at the Beach - Red Oak UWFaith invites you to their Local Soul Care event see website calendar

July 24-26 • HTC UWF Mission u 3-day retreat in Abilene see above

July 31 • Soul Care Mini-Retreats Virtual at 10 am or 6 pm, no cost, register now at uwfaithhtc.org/mini-soul-care

August • Mission u VIrtual Sessions offered as Virtual Evening, Virtual Morning and Virtual Evening in Spanish

September 16 • Wesley-Rankin Partner Day

May 15-17, 2026 - Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis. Visit uwfaith.org/assembly



United Women in Faith believe love in action can change the world.

United Women in Faith welcome ALL women of faith, no church membership required. We connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact communities, locally and globally.