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YOUNG CLERGYWOMAN REFLECTION

Sharing 1st HTC Mission u Retreat!

This year's Mission u Study Leaders were all young clergywomen from the Horizon Texas Conference. Each of them shared a reflection of our time together during the closing worship at the retreat.

Study Leader Rev. Karyl Patredis serves at Grace UMC in Frisco. She summarizes the message she took from her experience at her first Mission u where she led the study "Practicing Hope Together."

Watch the short video to hear what Karyl has to say!

Texas leaders' increasingly hostile posture toward religious expression is alarming. It’s time for Texans of faith and conscience to stand together to bear witness to and condemn the extreme politics oppressing our state.

This year’s called special sessions threaten the religious freedom of all Texans in several ways, such as laying the groundwork to undo the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) protections that all faith communities depend on. Add your name to the letter asking our elected officials to act in good faith to enact and preserve policies that honor the dignity of all people, respect all faiths, and advance the common good. Read the current information from Texas Impact, our partner organization: people of faith working for justice.

ALTERNATIVE RITE OF PASSAGE

Celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child with Jerri's Girls

The three-day alternative rite of passage event was for all the Jerri Savuto girls AND over 100 girls from the Marigat area. The girls learned a lot with instruction in four modules, made new friends, had a lot of fun and experienced many new things. The graduation was so very special for all of us. (See the photos with captions) Each girl received her graduation shirt along with a new skirt. The festivities started with the girls parading into the school compound. They sang "We Are Marching in the Light of God" as they entered just like we do when we get together! I wish you could have been there with us! Read the whole story . . .

-- Cynthia Rives - contact me about a program for your District or large group!

Be sure to both her story AND look at the photos!

The Jerri Savuto Girls Center is our 2025 Conference Project!

The Center provides a safe haven for girls escaping FGM and forced marriage, allowing the girls to attend school and thrive. This gives them choices where they had none before. Full information about our 2025 Mission Project is here.

MID-CENTRAL / WEST DISTRICT Annual Autumn Gathering

Saturday, September 6th, 9:30 am

Program: Happy Dancing with Jerri's Girls and our 2026 Election. Join us for Faith, Fellowship, Food, Fun, and Mission Project at FUMC DeLeon. Full info with Registration form.

METRO WEST DISTRICT Fall Gathering

Building Trust...A Good Starting Place

Saturday, September 13th, 9:30 am - noon

Its good to gather together - especially for this high-impact program! Join us at the Bethlehem United Community Center, 951 Evans Avenue in Fort Worth. Registration form. For more info, contact President Fannette Welton.

WESLEY-RANKIN PARTNER DAY

Tuesday, September 16th 9:30 am - noon

Join us at Wesley-Rankin Community Center to celebrate the history and future of our Partnership with WRCC! You'll learn about the innovative programs making a difference in West Dallas now and see how the neighborhood is changing. Our organization has been with them since they began in 1902!

All are welcome for lunch with a tour and update on current programs. Lunch will be provided by WRCC. Pre-registration is required so they have enough food! Come alone or bring your group and register you and friends all at once. No cost. REGISTER BY SEPT. 2nd!

METRO EAST DISTRICT GATHERING "Trusting God in Troubled Times"

Saturday, September 20th, 9 am - 11:30 am

Power and Strength abound when Women of Faith Gather! Join us for Fellowship, Praising God, program featuring Jerri Savuto Center for Girls and 2026 Plans! We always have a good time together. This time we'll meet at Ridgewood Park UMC. Full info with Registration form.

HTC MISSION U RETREAT PHOTOS



The photo album of the first Horizon Texas Mission u Retreat is available online ready for viewing with lots of your pictures!

Share your photos by emailing them to photos@uwfaithhtc.org Be sure to include names & caption info!

We'd also like to have photos from the UWFaith Lunch at SMU during Annual Conference on June 10th.

Member Musing: Love those Girls!

Circle leader Linda Kennedy shares about how simple fellowship with her Circle Sisters had a profound impact on her just when she needed it! That's what makes strong groups! Read her story.

Share your story, breakthrough, viewpoint, experience or perspective by sending it to news@uwfaithhtc.org.

Grant Opportunity for Your Project to Interrupt the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Deadline to Apply: September 1, 2025

The Office of Racial Justice invites United Women in Faith Districts and Local Units to apply for funding to support their local work to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and/or end mass incarceration. Project goals should be clear and demonstrate a healthy mix of ambition and realism. Collaborate with other organizations is fine.

What is YOUR vision? Goals may be at any level, from changing the practice of an individual school to shifting federal juvenile justice policy. Consideration will be given to funding requests of $100 - $1,500 to support district and local unit projects. Funding is limited.

Click for details about these events on our website calendar

September 6 • Mid-Central / West District Annual Autumn Gathering in DeLeon: Happy Dancing with JS Girls and 2026 Election. see above

September 13 • Metro West Gathering "Building Trust...A Good Starting Place" at Bethlehem UCC Center, see abovee

September 16 • Wesley-Rankin Partner Day see above

September 20 • Metro East District Fall Gathering, Trusting God in Troubled Times, at Ridgewood Park UMC see above

September 27 • Metro North District Fall Gathering

October 28 - Zurawski v Texas showing in Ft Worth

October 30 • Soul Care Mini-Retreats Virtual at 10 am or 6 pm

November 1 • SPECIAL HTC UWFaith Election & Workshop, 10 am - noon virtual

December 31 * End of current Reporting Period for local units & individuals on the UWFaith Reading Program

January 15 • Local Unit Annual Reports due - forms are all available online

March 7, 2026 • HTC UWFaith Annual Meeting, Plan to be in Dallas that Saturday!

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

Click for how to submit your events.

• Mission Rooted In Spirit - this excerpt from the July Soul Care Mini-Retreat is posted here as requested.

• Keep Reading! You have until 12/31/25 for this year's Reading Program list. What book do 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.

• 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.

• Don't be silent! Condemn Violent & Shameful Hate Speech: People of every political persuasion should reject hatred and misinformation targeting Tribal Nations -- and any other bullied group.This is a theme that is not limited to Tribal Nations! Read more about recent situation.

• Methodist Children's Home - How much do you know about the work they do? Call to arrange a speaker to come speak to your group, anywhere in Horizon TX Conf. Email Allison Hamby Allen, Advancement Coordinator or call her at 254-750-1348.

• Soul Care blogs - read Karen's thoughtful messages anytime • Member Musings blog - send your stories to  news@uwfaithhtc.org

• ANNUAL REPORT FORMS - They aren't due until January 15, 2026, but now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the simple questions. UWFaithHTC.org/annual_report_forms

• NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES on our website!

• 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.

• 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!

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

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.