Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | | Have you figured out Communion? | | | | | Jelly Bread and High-top Shoes | | |
Soul Care Blog
by Karen Kaigler-Walker
Among my earliest memories is sitting between my parents at church and seeing my white socks and high-top shoes sticking out in front of me, my knees being way too short to bend around the pew seat. I loved getting dressed up in the frilly socks and freshly polished shoes and going to services. Aside from the fashion aspect, I loved the singing, the prayers went on too long, and the fundamentalist preacher seemed to be on a mission to change us by yelling.
Week-in and week-out, we passed the communion elements. First came the crackers, then the grape juice, then the plate in which I placed my weekly nickel. I liked that part and understood wanting to drink grape juice—good stuff.
What mystified me was why everyone broke off and ate a piece of unsalted cracker, calling it “bread” before they drank their juice. At our house, crackers were saltines and eaten with soup. Jelly (on) bread was my afternoon snack. Decades later and a whole lot of thinking about . . . read her full message
| | 2026 Annual Project Campaign Deadline: Nov. 1st! | | 2026 Mission Project: Creative Arts Studio at Lydia Patterson Institute
GOAL: Raise $20,000 by Nov. 1, 2026 | | |
We are so close!
We are confident we'll hit our $20,000 goal because
you've told us the funds are collected. 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!
Send your donation one of these three ways:
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Donate online with a credit card or PayPal.
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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
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Bring your donation to the Mid-South District Gathering in Waco, 10/24.
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.
| | Sign-up for the Mission Project Celebration | | |
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!
| | Have You Voted Yet? Do you have a plan? | |
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.
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What are your ideas for our next Advocacy Power Hour?
Let us know. After all, we believe love in action can change the world!
| These fall events are happening SOON! | |
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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Membership Training for Local Units
Share the Good News Everywhere: Influence
Tuesday, October 27th 6:30 - 8 pm
National UWFaith is leading this virtual training to learn about options to learn, act, and lead to invite more women into the sisterhood of your local unit. We'll look at a new free resource, get ideas from growing unit's leaders. You'll leave with an action plan for the next few months developed for your local group!
Real Faith. Real Women. Real Community. Register now.
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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!
| | Mission Trip to see the JS Girls in June 2027 | | |
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.
Approximate cost: $3,500 including flight.
Email Cynthia at cynrives@yahoo.com for details.
| | REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY PRICING! | |
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!
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October 24 • Mid-South Fall Gathering see info above
October 27 • UNSTOPPABLE Year of Influence training for units see above
October 29 • Soul Care Mini-retreat: "Leaven" see info above
Nov 1 • Campaign Deadline for '26 Conference Mission Project - LPI see above
Nov 7 • HTC UWFaith Election & 2026 Mission Project Celebration see info above
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 a - 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!
• 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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