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.


Announcements and Upcoming Events


United Women in Faith Epiphany Retreat: “The Map You Make Yourself”:  Saturday, January 4th

Have you ever wanted to set out on a pilgrimage? A journey just for you to discover something the looms out there, in the unknown, on the edge of a waiting time to change something in your spirit? The United Women in Faith invite you to join them on Saturday, January 4, 2025, to look at The Map You Make Yourself.


We will come together with art, readings, comfort, and challenge to find something of sabbath rest and a map for your pilgrimage to a place of peace. Perhaps there will be something that stretches you to a new place or invites you to think in a direction of uncharted territory for your spirit. We will delight in blessings and prayers, filling bags of joy for others, share in a meal and in conversations of laughter, concern, sighs, and joys.


This very casual retreat is offered by our United Women of Faith as a retreat to relax after all the Christmas activities. We will meet on January 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dorothy Rainey Fellowship Hall. Coffee and muffins will be available as you arrive. A lunch of soup, salad, and bread will be served as you fellowship with others at your table.


Please sign-up at one of the United Women in Faith tables in the Veterans Memorial Gathering Room and outside of Hinton Hall during December so we know how many to prepare for handouts and lunch. The retreat includes all the readings and art from Jan Richardson for the program. If you would like to bring a donation of $7 it will be sent to Jan Richardson for “Sanctuary of Women” to be shared with the A21 Campaign, an organization devoted to ending human trafficking and providing sanctuary and healing for those rescued from slavery.


We will also be packing feminine hygiene kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) as a much-needed item due to all the recent disasters. Items needed for the hygiene kits include:

One-gallon resealable bags;

One-quart resealable bags;

2 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer;

4-gallon bathroom trash bags;

Travel packs of wet ones;

Tampons (regular and super absorbency unscented);

Sanitary napkins (unscented, long super ultra-thin);

Bath-size soap (no Ivory or Jergens, please do not remove from packaging);

Flushable wipes (42 count);

Laundry detergent sheets.


All are welcome to contribute to the hygiene kits. Bins will be located under the sign-up tables.


Blessings and joy for advent as you prepare the way for the Christ child to shine in your heart and for your family. Celebrate all you have done with a retreat together in January.


Sue French,

President, United Women in Faith (UWF)


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 Women in Faith Yearbook
Please contact kwilli@duluthumc.org to have a copy sent to you.