Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | | | | We're in the home stretch! | | |
Really!
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| | Justice, Justice, Justice programs! | | Books, Sisterhood and Suprises | | |
Member Musing Blog
-- Sharon Spratt, UWFaith St. Paul UMC, Dallas
If you are looking for a community that feeds your mind, stirs your spirit, and leaves you inspired — look no further. The HTC UWFaith Book Clubs are one of the best-kept secrets in our sisterhood, and we are letting the secret out! Each meeting is a rich conversation where women of faith bring their unique perspectives, life experiences, and God-given wisdom to the text.
The women in the group are from across our Conference, so some I only know from our time together on Zoom — yet we have gotten to know each other well over the months. Everyone is welcome. But what I did not expect when I . . . read more
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September's Program
Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness
Kevin Nye's book tells us that homelessness is not a moral failing, but due to an intricate web of systemic crises. Special guest Leah Parker, UWFaith member and co-founder of the Body & Soul Homeless program at St. Paul nearly 30 years ago. Her lived experiences with the Dallas mission embody the radical hospitality espoused in the book.
Read Becky Baird's full description of the September session here (after Sharon's blog)
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SPECIAL EVENT!!
Author & retired UMC Bishop Peggy A. Johnson Speaking at Book Club!
October 19th at 6:30 pm on Zoom
BOOK: The Ever-Expansive Spirit of God: For All Who Feel Left Out, by Peggy A. Johnson
Everyone is invited to join us for this wonderful opportunity to hear from the author about her memoir. It is a personal story, full of honest reflections on her Christian journey. Bishop Peggy shares her remarkable experiences in a lifetime of ministry, which are at various times painful, courageous, embarrassing, inspiring, sad, happy, and even humorous. The book is in our 2026 Reading Program in the spiritual growth category.
If you would like to join us on Zoom, email Caye Felton, Conference Resource Coordinator, and you will be sent the link.
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We're getting closer to our goal of $20,000!
Gifts from individuals like you and your UWFaith group help!
Thank you for your donations!
Give in one of these three ways:
For full explanation of our 2026 Mission Project see our website. Read the "Letters from La Lydia" to learn more about the lives of LPI students. You'll also find a video that explains the project.
Questions? Contact LPI Board member & Metro East Dist President, Barbara Dorff.
| IN NEXT WEEK'S NEWSLETTER: | |
• Slate of 2027 Conference Officer
• Proposed 2027 Budget
• Proposed Standing Rules changes
SAVE THE DATE:
Election & 2026 Mission Project Celebration on Sat., Nov. 7th!
| DO IT! Confirm your Voter Registration BY MONDAY! | |
In order to vote on November 3rd, you must be registered by October 5th. Because of changes made everyone is advised to confirm their registration status on the county website or on the Secretary of State site.
Then make a plan to vote: will you vote early or on election day? Where will you go? Encourage 3 friends, neighbors, or co-workers to vote too!
| | Plan to attend these fall events! | |
Metro North & Mid-North Districts Gathering
Rooted in Justice Event
October 10 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Guest speaker: Deaconess Katie Pryor
National UWFaith Executive
We will explore the intersection of UWFaith Social Action Priorities: Racial Justice & Climate Justice. 9:30 am Fellowship, 10 am Program start.
Full info here. We look forward to seeing you! No charge.
LOCATION: FUMC Plano, 3160 East Spring Creek, Plano
Questions? Contact Karen Anderson-Lain, District President
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Metro East District Gathering
October 17th at Kessler Park UMC
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
"Raise Your Voice and Act Justly:
Turning Injustice into Action"
Keynote speaker: T. Maxine Woods McMillian
Voters Rights - Rebecca McMilwain and Gender Based Violence - Debra Nixon-Bowles
We'll start the day with coffee & goodies during registration. Lunch is provided.
No charge, but please register!
LOCATION: Kessler Park UMC, 1215 Turner Ave., Dallas, TX 75208
Questions? Contact Barbara Dorff, District President
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Mid-South District RACIAL JUSTICE Gathering
Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
October 24th in Waco. 10 am - 1 pm with lunch
The program is focused on Voter Rights and Voting Suppression, followed by buffet lunch and business meeting to elect officers and approve our 2027 Budget. No charge!
Click for Registration and more info.
LOCATION: Revelation UMC, 125 Turner Street Waco, TX
Questions? Contact Patsy Lampkin, District President
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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.
NOTE: This is the same event we had to postpone in July when our leader was sick. We're happy to present it at last —please make sure to register again so we can send you the new event details!
| | WHAT IS A ADVOCACY POWER HOUR? | | |
Our first Advocacy Power Hour was great! Participants came motivated by their faith and values to make a difference. We learned we could make a big impact with simple actions. The focus for our first event was Civic Responsibility.
Texas has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States. Research indicates people generally intend to vote but fail to follow through. Personal, face-to-face conversations can increase voter turnout by 8 to 9% points! Actually talking through a specific plan about when, where, a how they will vote adds another 4 - 9 percentage points to voter turnout.
We agreed to a 3-Step Action Plan:
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Adopt a Voter Circle: Identify 3 to 5 people you already know who are inconsistent voters. This includes people able to vote but recently moved, who face physical, logistical, schedule or childcare barriers.
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Talk to Your Circle: Engage in a personal conversation before the October 5th voter registration deadline to ensure they are registered.
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Help them create a Voting Plan: 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.
The Advocacy Power Hour equipped us with the tools to make an impact in our own communities.
Click here for resources and the video recording.
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The session was presented by Jennie Berkholz, Deaconess candidate and HTC UWFaith member from Round Rock. She is also a climate justice activist, and former 2024 candidate for Texas State Representative. Thank you, Jennie, for stepping up with a great ideaand leading the way!
What are your ideas for our next Advocacy Power Hour?
Let us know. After all, we believe love in action can change the world!
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October 3 • HTC UWFaith Virtual Soul Care Retreat
October 10 • Metro-North/Mid-North Fall Gathering see info above
October 17 • Metro East Fall Gathering see info above
October 24 • Mid-South Fall Gathering see info above
October 29 • Soul Care Mini-retreat: "Leaven" see info above
Nov 7 • HTC UWFaith Election & Mission Celebration mark your calendars now!
Click for how to submit your events.
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• 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 adn Member Musings on the website. Send us your ideas too!
• Free UWFaith Digital Resources: have moved to UWFaith Digital where you can download them. 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
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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.
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