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Member Musing blog

by Karen Anderson-Lain

As we enter this season of giving, I encourage each of you to embrace a practice of grateful generosity through the World Thank Offering. As one of the five channels of intentional mission giving in UW Faith, the World Thank Offering invites us to make gratitude a daily spiritual practice.

For generations, UW Faith members have saved coins and dollars in special Thank Offering banks, setting aside gifts in response to moments of gratitude and blessing. Whether it was a coin given in thanks for a friend, a word of encouragement, a safe journey, or simply a sunny day, placing that coin in a "Thank Bank" became a tangible reminder of God's abundant blessings. Many units and circles continue this tradition each year, often gathering for a special World Thank Offering celebration in November. In today's digital world, many of us . . . read her full message

You are invited: World Thank Offering Community Gathering

Thursday, October 29 7 pm CST on zoom

Gather with UWFaith members from across the country and national staff for a special gathering to explore what it means to belong to one body, one community, and one humanity. Together, we'll learn the history and meaning of the World Thank Offering, and discover how daily gratitude inspires us to support women, children, and youth through Mission Giving. Also: practical ideas for bringing this program to life in your local context. Open to All. Register here.

HTC UWFaith Special Virtual Event

CELEBRATE!

Saturday, November 7th @ 10 am

Together with members from across our large conference, we'll meet virtually for a quick consent election and celebration. All are welcome and encouraged to participate -- no picture ID required! 


The election is to approve our slate of 2027 officers, our 2027 Budget and some simple changes to our Standing Rules. Then some Lydia Patterson students will join us. We'll learn more about what they are doing in creative arts -- visual arts, music and dance, and the new UWFaith student group will share a devotion with us.

Sign up now to get the zoom link to join the celebration!

Click for the proposed slate of 2027 Officers.
Click for the proposed 2027 Budget.

Click for the proposed changes to our Standing Rules.

2026 Mission Project: Creative Arts Studio at Lydia Patterson Institute
GOAL: Raise $20,000 by Nov. 1, 2026

You said that the $ is coming...
please send it ASAP! 
You've told us the funds are collected so we'll meet our $20,000 goal. But we need the funds in hand to cross the finish line! Please ensure your gifts reach our Conference Treasurer by the November 1st campaign deadline so every dollar can be celebrated!

2 Ways to send your donation:

• Donate online with a credit card or PayPal.
• Mail a check payable to Horizon Texas Conference UWFaith (write Lydia Patterson Inst. on the check's memo line), and mail to our treasurer: Julie B. Noel, 9536 Heatherdale Dr., Dallas, TX 75243

For full explanation of our 2026 Mission Project see our website. with a video that explains the project.

Questions? Contact LPI Board member & Metro East Dist President, Barbara Dorff.

Of course you care about God's creation, so of course we're asking for your input on the UWFaith annual climate justice survey.
Your candid participation helps UWFaith understand where members like you stand on climate justice and helps us evaluate and improve our programming.  Take the 5-minute survey.

The survey is part of national's UWFaith Just Energy for All campaign.

Summarized from our first Advocacy Power Hour: 
Get Out The Vote!

Texas has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States. People intend to vote, but fail to do it. You can help.

Increase voter turnout by 8 to 9% with a personal, face-to-face conversation. Simply talk to friends & neighbors about voting -- especially those who have recently moved, vote inconsistently or are somehow challenged.

Add another 4 - 9 % points to voter turnout if you talk through a specific plan about when and where they will go to vote! Move past the vague question of "will you vote?" and ask specific questions regarding when (early, by mail, or Election Day), what time, where they will vote, and how they will physically get there.

Click for resources & video recording of our Advocacy Power Hour.

Thank you to Jennie Berkholz, HTC UWFaith member and Deaconess candidate, for developing and leading this session.

Leaven- Mini-Retreat "Be ye yeasty"

Thursday, October 29th 10 am or 6:30 pm

“God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises,” (Matt. 13:33, The Messenger).

Consider how "leavening with God’s yeast" helps transform us into being spiritually mature. Guests welcome! No cost for this virtual event. Register now to get the reading and link for virtual event.

2027 Texas Legislative Event

Our 40th year working together!

If you are committed to justice, freedom, and opportunity for all people, especially women and children, then this is for you! Together we'll explore the issues, be inspired and learn to advocate for public policies that promote the well-being of all Texans. The speakers and workshop leaders will be issue experts. On the third day of the event, attendees visit the Capitol and meet with lawmakers who will be in Austin for the beginning of the next legislative session.

You'll be comfortable advocatinge when you know the issues and the facts. Connect with women like you, who are ready to put their faith into action!

Presented in partnership with Texas Impact.

Click for details & registration with Early Bird Pricing NOW!

MISSION TRIP SEEKING TEAM MEMBERS

Cynthia Rives leads team to work with Jerri's Girls in Kenya - June 2027

Join the team helping lead an Alternative Rite of Passage program that will give girls in the community an alternative to female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. 
See the new campus at Kimalel. Approximate cost: $3,500 including flight. Email Cynthia at cynrives@yahoo.com

For details about these events & more, see our website calendar



October 29 • Soul Care Mini-retreat: "Leaven" see info above

Nov 1 • Funds due for '26 Conference Mission Project - LPI see above

Nov 3 • Election Day -- VOTE!!

Nov 7 • HTC UWFaith Election & 2026 Mission Project Celebration see info above

Dec 16 • Early Bird Pricing ends for 2027 TX Legislative Event see info above

Click for how to submit your events.

• Social Action Resources

• Read the Advocacy Power Hour on Civic Responsibility. article &

• Check out the resources for the humane treatment of immigrants and refugees. Provided by the Horizon Texas Conference, immigration resources can be accessed here. 
• Read the UM Immigration Task Force’s Statement Denouncing the Actions of ICE in Houston and Honoring the Life of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

• From the Texas Bishops: A Pastoral Statement on the Death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

• For conversation and action, read Immigrant Rights Are Under Attack. What Do We Do? Stand Up, Fight Back
• Check out the new resources for Creation Care here, including Bible verses, ways you can combat climate change, devotional, FAQ's, podcast and more!

• Our website calendar is kept up-to-date and always available to confirm dates, details, and locations.

• BLOGS - Soul Care and Member Musings - read them anytime. Send your thoughts & perspectives to news@uwfaithhtc.org

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

• National UWFaith Digital Resources: have moved to UWFaith Digital where you can download them for free. Click here or log in at uwfaith.org/digital and navigate to "free resources" on the left sidebar to access them, organized by topic. See the collection of Assembly 2026 material that has been prepared to share with units & circles.

• Local Officer Training - Recordings available with guidelines, ideas, best practices

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.