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 Book Club Online Meeting: Tuesday, March 18th
If you have not yet tried Duluth First UMC’s United Women in Faith (UWF) Book Club, please consider joining us one month to check it out. Our next online meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m.
What the UWF Book Club is NOT:
Required reading - we all choose what we want to read; we don’t all critique the same book at the same time.
Time-consuming, intimidating, or stress-inducing.
Limited to members of UWF Circle groups.
A place where you have to argue or defend your positions.
Bible study or limited to religious books.
What the UWF Book Club IS:
Fellowship - online on Zoom for 1 hour per month.
Fun - an easy way to get ideas about books to read from others who have read them.
Free (or as low cost as you prefer) - many books are in our Church Library or borrowed for church member use from the Gwinnett Library.
Flexible - if you don’t have time to read a book that month, please come listen to others who have new books to recommend.
Informative - the recommended reading list has books about leadership, missions, nurturing community, and spiritual growth, but we also read a variety of biographies, international books, and popular books.
A group of avid readers from this church who would love to chat with you about books.
Please contact Terrie Adkins by e-mail at ttadkins@sprynet.com to request the Zoom link for the United Women in Faith Book Club. We hope you’ll join us online on Tuesday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m.
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.