Women's Ministries

The United Women in Faith
The United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) is a sisterhood acting in faith to tackle the hard work of the world without hesitation. Driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood, we work to improve the lives of women, children and youth. Every day, we show up, take action, and get it done. We invite you to join us as we seek 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 communities.


Over the years the United Women in Faith have had many name changes but still the same purpose.

Perhaps you have heard of a few:

  • 1869: Methodist Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society founded by wives of 2 missionaries sent to India. They raised money to send Isabella Thoburn and Dr. Clara Swaim to start a school and a hospital for women. Both of these institutions are still there today.
  • 1872: Wesleyan Service Guild
  • 1880 & 1890: Two Woman’s Home Missionary Societies form.
  • Early 1900’s: Ladies Aid Society
  • 1940: Women’s Society of Christian Service
  • 1972: United Methodist Women became the first women’s mission organization under the United Methodist Church’s Board of Global Ministries.
  • 2019: United Methodist Women celebrate 150 years of helping the underprivileged around the world.
  • 2022: United Women in Faith. Today as our name changes our legacy continues with the same purpose: to stand up for the lives of women, children, and youth.

We would love for you to join us in our projects, our service, our circles. Let us know how we can help you get involved by contacting Karen Smith at by -email at smith-ga@att.net or call 770-495-7978.


United Women in Faith Officers
President:  Sue French
Vice President:  Linda Kepler
Treasurer:  Gail Waigand

Spiritual Growth: Terrie Adkins

PR/Communications - Anita Curry

Program Resources:  Annette Pierce

Membership:  Karen Smith

Happy Sacks Liaison:  Terrie Adkins
Clergy Representative:  Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino


In addition to our district giving, we would like to highlight our giving over the last year. From our love offerings: Music Ministry ($374); Baby Recognition ($95 to Wellroot Ministries); High Tea ($1500 to Family Promise); Christmas Program ($365 to Hugs for Soldiers); Vegetable seeds ($50 to UWF East Central District); 1 UMCOR bucket. We would like to thank each of you for your generous donations to these worthwhile missions.


Upcoming Events


Book Club for Women
United Women in Faith (formerly the United Methodist Women) is sponsoring a ZOOM book club again this year. This is a different kind of club in that we all read different books from the United Women of Faith’s reading program and then share our thoughts on those books when we meet. This gives us lots of good recommendations for reading. The list has many books that are in the Gwinnett County Public Library (23 books this year, as well as some great popular novels). 

The books and the book list can be found in the second drawer of the chest of drawers located outside of Rev. Beth Brown Shugart’s office, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Please sign out a book when you take it, and then return it within a few weeks so that it can be recirculated. Come join us – we would love to have you! Send your e-mail address to Terrie Adkins at ttadkins47@gmail.com so you can be notified of upcoming meetings. Meeting are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, and our next meeting will be held on April 18th at 7 p.m. Feel free to join us even if you have not read a book!



“Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You” Ladies’ Bible Study Begins April 25th
What would you think God’s greatest gift to us is? The gift of your soul. The best direct connection to God is your soul. Ladies, is it time you for you to discover your soul? When was the last time you thought about the state of your soul? Is your soul hurting and are you neglecting it?  Did you know that a wounded soul will set you back spiritually? How does a woman retrieve her way out of the spiritual shallow-lands to true divine depth?

Sisters By Grace invites you to join them for a 7-week study on the book Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg. Lois Young, facilitator of the study, will lead it at her home beginning on April 25th. The class will be offered Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. each week, and you can choose which night fits your schedule each week. The same homework for that week will be reviewed for each class.

Your soul’s resting place is in God. John Ortberg takes you on an exploration of the soul from the perspective of a wise guide who has struggled to understand and care for his own soul. Ortberg highlights his relationship with Dallas Willard, a “professor of the soul,” and what he learned from this man in the midst of his own struggles and hardships. Ortberg shares his honest, funny, moving, insightful, and tender journey with you so that you can better care for your own soul.


For more information and to sign-up for the study, please contact Lois by e-mail at  sisterbygrace@att.net.


Listing of Circles


Agape Circle meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in members’ homes. We fellowship and support each other in prayer. We are also involved in mission projects. For more information, please contact Agape Circle leader Karen Smith by e-mail at smith-ga@att.net or call 770-241-1651.


Hannah Circle - Project Focus for Community Benefit and Faith in Actions. We meet when we organize for projects and provide opportunities for fellowship.  Do you have a busy schedule? Drop in participation is welcome! Virtual projects and meeting opportunities are possible to coordinate in a more creative way. Hannah Circle is an open group evolving to meet the needs of others and to spread God’s spirit which becomes more special when we care and share. For more information, please contact Hannah Circle leader Gail Robinson by e-mail at mellgail@hotmail.com.


Mary-Martha Circle meets for programs on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in rooms F-145/146, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center for programs. We are involved in mission projects for women, children and youth supported by our unit.  For more information, please contact Mary-Martha Circle leader Gail Waigand by e-mail at waigandgail@charter.net or call 770-623-4120.


Rainbow Circle meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. for a covered dish luncheon at Nina Sanders home, loacted at 3705 N. Berkely Lake Rd. in Berkeley Lake. They support Happy Sacks. For more information, please contact Rainbow Circle leader Nina Sanders by e-mail at ninarsanders32@gmail.com.



United Methodist Women Yearbook
Please contact kwilli@duluthumc.org to have a copy sent to you.