Desert Southwest Conference
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A Prayer for Peace and Justice
Dear Jesus
Come and be with us today.
You are God; we are not, money is not,
Bombs and guns are not.
Yet, here we are,
Devastated by war in Ukraine,
Stunned and deeply troubled
about the deaths of school children,
of people shopping in a grocery store,
and doctors and health care workers
losing their lives in a hospital.
All happening from guns.
Our concerns are enormous.
Surrounded by violence
We cry out for justice.
The hurt and loss will not leave us.
Help us to find healing that will give
us courage to act and bring about
means to stop this carnage and pain.
Strengthen our resolve to establish change.
NOW.
Arvilla Jungman, spiritual growth coordinator
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Turn! It! Up!
As I reread an article in our North Country Breezes by Allie Lakey back in June 2014 I was reminded of the assemblies I attended in the past. At this year’s Assembly 2022 my experience was exhilarating to see the diversity and inclusion again gathered from those around the country. Singing along with the all women band was great knowing that it was their first time altogether in person.
I gathered in both workshops with all the presidents to continue our path on The Charter for Racial Justice and putting our best foot forward in maintaining a viable and strong leadership team. I was pleased to wave the conference banner with a new logo and bring it back home for display at our Mission u and Annual Celebrations.
What does Turn It Up mean? To embolden your faith, actively engaged in justice for all, get to know your many sisters in faith for the glory of God. While “our long-standing Purpose, which has not changed, we created a new mission statement … to better describe our goal to new women.”
Our Mission – To connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact local and global communications.
Since attending Assembly, I have heard the phrase “Turn It Up” mentioned several times in various places. Maybe you have too.
Gracie Campbell, president
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Mission u 2022
the Virtual Mission u
Opens Friday, July 22, 5:30pm and Saturday, July 23, 8:30am
on zoom
Register for Online
“Who Can We Be Together: A Biblical Exploration of Luke 13”
The book is available for $10.
Please purchase your study book prior to Mission u. Order at: https://www.umwmissionresources.org/
The Virtual Study will be facilitated by Rev. Rula Colvin.
Please be prepared to have a great weekend of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth
Email umwomen@dscumc.org for more information.
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Turning It Up Against Gun Violence
At the United Methodist Women’s Assembly, “Make It Happen!” in Louisville, Kentucky in April of 2014, Hillary Clinton spoke; later that morning, Deaconesses and Home Missioners were consecrated. Fast forward to United Women in Faith’s “Turn It Up!” Assembly in Orlando, Florida, in May of 2022, and 26 Deaconesses and Home Missioners were consecrated – this time in a hybrid ceremony. Watching virtually, one felt as if there in person. Maybe virtually is the way to go until the gun violence in the United States is resolved……eradicated…..
This site archives the last 72 hours of gun violence. Reporting is voluntary, so the number of incidents is likely to be considerably higher. https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/last-72-hours
If you haven’t already, please contact your Representatives on The Hill (https://www.congress.gov/members). Tell them how you feel about gun violence and what you’d like them to do about it, and/or sign your name to this petition urging Congress to take action to end gun violence: http://txt.democrats.org/jy0
Thank you for wearing orange on Gun Violence Awareness Day!
Maria Hase, social action coordinator
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Assembly Stories
More than 3,000 gathered in Orlando, Florida, and online for United Women in Faith’s Assembly 2022, held May 20-22 at the Orange County Convention Center. Twenty-four countries and all 50 states were represented at the event with the theme “Turn It Up!” Read more on our blog, and check out the photos of this inspiring event on our Flickr page! Many of our own Desert Southwest Conference women attended. Here are some of their stories.
This was my first time at Assembly. It was exciting to see so many like minded women from across the country and overseas. The speakers were inspiring and had high energy. The music was dazzling and inspired. Saturday night CEO Harriet Olsen discussed the future of United Women in Faith. We are called to invite women of all faiths to become a force in the world through the ministry of United Women in Faith. It is truly an event each of us need to experience once in our lives. I plan to attend the 2026 Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana. Why don't you put it on your bucket list? See you there! - Submitted by Sandy Flaherty, Western Jurisdiction Treasurer
From left to right:
Glenda Hill, formerly served as Dean Mission u, Gracie Campbell, Conference President, Eileen Guillermo, Western Jurisdiction Nomination Committee Member, and Sandra Flaherty, Western Jurisdiction Treasurer
Music lifted our hearts and souls every morning: old traditional hymns, contemporary praise songs, and even a song written especially for Assembly, “Turn It Up”! We raised our voices as our speakers raised our awareness and our intentions. Shannon Priddy, our previous National President, and Ainise ‘Isama’u, our current National President, introduced our new name, United Women in Faith and the inclusivity and new options it brings to women around the world. Heather McTeer Toney, lawyer and environmentalist, and Janet Wolf, theologian-in-residence, gave impassioned presentations on climate justice, one of the priorities of United Women in Faith in 2022. Heather related the picture of the beautiful pastures in Psalm 23 to the Mississippi Delta today and the disparities of the environments of varied communities in our country. She called on us to “connect the dots” between social justice and climate justice in the church; we must care for other’s environment as we care for our own. And if that seems to be a daunting task, we must remember, “nothing is too hard for God!”
One phrase which stood out for me from Assembly was that “United Women in Faith is not a Social Club!” We are here for a purpose! Our faith is our foundation and we are to go into the world to perform acts of love, acts of faith, and acts of change. - Submitted by Carol Johnson, member committee on nominations
After much anticipation and lots of training sessions, I attended the first Virtual Assembly ever presented for the United Women of Faith. The in person Assembly for 2022 was live in Orlando, Florida and was recorded and zoomed to another 1200 women. I had attended my first Assembly in 2018 (in-person) in Columbus, Ohio. It was interesting to compare the experiences. This 2022 Assembly was very diverse and action oriented. The music was fantastic with an emphasis on the African American Jazz and Gospel music traditions. Much of the program was devoted to explaining the renaming of UMW to United Women in Faith. Hopefully, the new naming and new online programs will influence and serve new women who have never joined as active members. - Submitted by Billie Larime, Mission u assistant dean
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Money Matters
 Question: Who is the most important one in this great organization now called United Women in Faith?
Answer: The Individual Unit Member! You make up the grassroots with your commitment, sisterhood, faith, hope, and love in action. Please remember all the ways you make this a greater mission for Christ. That includes your prayers, presence, donations, and pledges.
Question: What kind of fund-raiser is your unit planning this year?
Answer: Please let me know your ideas at junehanson@juno.com. Watch for your answers in next month's Southwest Winds.
Question: Can we still use the Gift to Mission and Gift in Memory cards!
Answer: Yes. When I send mine, I add the words "doing business as United Women in Faith" after the words "United Methodist Women." Hope you continue to use them as well ...
Love and appreciation,
June Hanson, treasurer
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Visions from your Vice President
Save the Date!!
Wheels are in Motion for the 2022 Annual Celebration!
“Pouring New Wine”
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Virtual Meeting with your
Conference Team of United Women in Faith
Speaker will be a special guest from our National team !
Katie Pryor will speak with us about new visions, ideas, and plans for
the future of our
United Women in Faith.
You will not want to miss it.
Special this year, no registration fee.
More exciting things for our day planned. Mark your calendars now!!
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United Women in Faith News
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Voices From the Field: Listening to Women From Liberia
Join Finda Quiwa, United Women in Faith Regional Missionary, and the Liberian country team for an informative discussion of the work of United Women in Faith in Liberia June 22, 7:00 AM PDT. Speakers will discuss the critical issues facing women in Liberia and share their current work as well as future programs needed to improve the lives of women and girls.
Learn more and register today!
Photo by Priscilla Dickson/Gittings
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 Every single Mission Dollar Makes a Difference!
Through YOUR generosity, United Women in Faith helps empower and improve the lives of women, youth and children in the United States and around the world.
Your gifts of MISSION GIVING are critically important.
Check out the MANY stories of ways your Mission Giving is making a difference by visiting the United Women in Faith website and reading response magazine.
You can make gifts through your local treasurer. |
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