RIVER VALLEY DISTRICT FALL GATHERING @ OWATONNA

You’re Invited!

By Jane Baker, River Valley District President

“Anticipating our Future—Honoring our Past” is the theme for River Valley District’s Annual Gathering on Saturday, September 14, at Owatonna UMC.  Everyone is invited to attend!  

Please email the host unit for reservations.

We look forward to 2025 as we elect and install officers and approve a budget for the year. We will also learn about Emma Norton’s new building, programs, and plans from our Emma Norton representative, Ann Girres. 

We honor our past with our Remembrance Service and as we hear reports from our officers about UWFaith activities held this year.

As United Women in Faith, we are called to put our faith into action in everything we do, wherever we are, individually and together. All of us must answer this call!

EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION

Where Does the Money Go?

By Carol Miller, MN UWFaith Conference E & I Coordinator

“When you make a gift through United Women in Faith, you can be confident it will be used to make the greatest impact where it matters most” (UWFaith Website).

 

I recently did some research using the MN Conference website, the United Women in Faith website and the Response magazine. United Women in Faith support international partners and the amazing work being done include these examples:

 

On the right are just a few examples of the use of our mission money. 

 

I am also the E & I coordinator for my local unit, First United Methodist of the St. Cloud, MN Region; located in Sartell, MN. I often report on money-making projects at our Executive Board meetings after having read about them in the Resource magazine. 

 

One that recently caught my eye was a story from the Berryton, KS UWFaith. They report that a local project that was taken on by the UWFaith is the cleaning and care of the cemeteries in the Berryton area. 

 

Live flowers are cleaned up and artificial flowers are collected, cleaned and resold—a sort of “recycling” project. Funds from the resale of the artificial flowers are used for children’s programs, which includes sending youth to summer camp and funding Vacation Bible School. 

 

Yes, UWFaith around the world are working for women, children and youth!

 

Liberia—microeconomics training is helping women develop businesses to create economic independence. Some businesses include soap making and the making of reusable sanitary napkins to help girls stay in school. These items are sold at a price that is affordable to people in rural villages.

Zimbabwe—the teaching of sustainable farming (although climate change has also caused a need for adaptation, such as greenhouse farming). Women have learned to be poultry farmers. Scholarships help young women be trained in agribusiness. 

Kenya—support for a poultry husbandry project aids in the purchase of local grain, incubators for hatching guinea fowl and turkeys and the providing of microloans.

Sierra Leone—the rollout of unusual microfinance programs and entrepreneurship training for women. 

 

Where Does the Money Come 

From? Click here.

 

SOCIAL ACTION

Tell Congress to Choose Grace over Greed for Spending Bills

The United States Congress has until September 0, 2024, to pass 12 spending bills that will determine the federal budget for fiscal year 2025 – which starts October 1, 2024. 

 

As the House and Senate prepare to negotiate each of the 12 spending bills, our advocacy must ensure that the needs and interests of God’s people and God’s good creation are protected. 

 

Take Action Now

 

Use the action alerts below to advocate across all five of Church and Society’s legislative priorities. Let your congressional leaders know that grace must be prioritized over greed throughout the federal budgeting process. 

 

Health: Prioritize Healthcare As A Basic Human Right 

 

Currently, five of the twelve appropriations bills presented by the United States House of Representatives pose grave threat to our communities. The House is intending to cut funding for access to maternal and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention, suicide prevention, mitigating substance abuse, and addressing sexual violence. 

 

Poverty: Prioritize Social Safety Programs in FY 2025 Appropriations 

 

As United Methodists, we recognize the responsibility of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and monetary policies that provide for the flourishing of our communities (2016 The Social Principles, The Economic Community). As the United States Congress seeks to negotiate the fiscal year 2025 federal budget, we must ensure that critical social safety programs are protected. 

 

Peace: Prioritize True Human Security in FY 2025 Appropriations 

 

On peace with justice issues, the appropriations process has included effectively no oversight or debate over billions of dollars of weapons and defense services, including nuclear weapons and unfettered aid to countries committing human rights violations. The process has glaringly omitted debate on issues such as cutting the Pentagon budget, reigning in the President’s war powers, prohibiting security assistance to countries that violate human rights, oversight of nuclear forces, and much more. 

 

Climate: Advance Climate Policies That Reflect a Vision of Justice for God’s People and God’s Planet

 

With the help of consistent advocacy from United Methodists, the Fiscal Year 2024 budget package provides modest funding for climate and environmental programs. Now, Congress is turning its attention to the current budget year – Fiscal Year 2025 – and we must make the moral case for stronger support for critical climate investments. As people of faith, we must again press upon our elected officials the urgency and moral obligation to support bold climate action. 

 

Civil and Human Rights – Stop Anti-Asylum and Anti- Immigrant Negotiations in Congress and Biden Administration

 

The United States asylum system is under attack. For too long, we have watched the erosion of a staple component of our immigration system. Since the former administration, there has been an intentional and debilitating movement to strike down access for asylum seekers to the U.S. This has caused devastating effects among both people and processes.

 

To learn more CLICK HERE.

JOIN THE UWF READING PROGRAM

By Connie Scott, River Valley Lending Librarian/Resource Manager

 

Whether you read paperbacks, hard cover books, use e-readers, or listen to taped books, United Women in Faith encourages all women to join the UWF Reading Program in order to stay current in our knowledge of today’s issues and continue to be women of action.

 

Do you have books from the reading program that you are finished with? Please consider donating them to the Lending Library for UWF readers throughout Minnesota to read.

 

Information on the UWF Reading Program can be found online here or by contacting me by cell/text 507-456-3073 or email.

 

Lending Library

 

The lending library currently has over 100 books from the suggested reading list of the UWF Reading Program. You may contact me by phone/text or email to request a list of all books available and to borrow a book. Requested books will be mailed to you. 

 

When finished reading them, use Media Mail to return them to me in a mailing envelope that will be provided. The cost to you for postage is minimal. The library will also be available at most district meetings, annual conference, and Mission U. Books may be checked out or returned at those locations.

 

Library-To-Go

 

UWF meeting planners, are you looking for a program idea? Why not invite me to give a presentation on the Reading Program at one of your meetings? I would enjoy coming to see you and will bring along our lending library for you to check out books. Contact me to schedule a day to attend a monthly meeting of your local unit.

 

Zoom Book Discussions

 

Contact me if you would like to join our zoom book discussions. We discuss five books each year - one from each of the five categories from the reading program. 

We have two left for 2024 and you are welcome to join us. 

• September 9, 2024: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar (Spiritual Growth)
• November 11, 2024: Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America by Laila Lalami (Social Action).

 

Books for 2025 will be selected in late fall. Ask me what books I recommend! I look forward to meeting you!

 

 

 

 

MISSION U 2024: GLIMPSES OF THE KIN-DOM

Dwelling in the Kin-dom at Koronis

Becky Coleman and Cindy Saufferer contributed to these Mission u articles as did those who shared photos and responded to the evaluation form with comments and heart-felt thoughts.

What does it look, feel, or even smell like to “dwell” with God? And more importantly, how do we extend that invitation to others? These are just a couple of the questions explored by Mission u participants in this year’s study “Welcome Home”.

 

Led by Abigail Keckhafer, twenty-eight women gathered at Koronis Ministries in Paynesville, MN for the in-person event, July 26-28. The campground provided the perfect backdrop for study while enjoying the easy pace of a weekend retreat. 

 

Along with 8 hours of study, Discovery Room projects, and the extensive Lending Library, participants experienced self-care through a myriad of opportunities including walking, swimming, and even napping. A boat tour of Lake Koronis and the local bird life, led by Camp Director Dan Ziegler, proved to be a relaxing favorite. 

Our youngest attendees, children of our tech person extraordinaire Beth Christesen, gave a big two thumbs up.

 

Minnesotans, Iowans gather virtually for Mission u

 

For those for whom traveling wasn’t an option or those who prefer learning from the comfort of their home, a virtual event was held July 30, August 1, 6, and 8 led by Becky Coleman.

Mission u is designed for transformative education – learning and sharing ideas and insights that can shift our perspective and call us to action. That’s a tall order to accomplish in four evenings in mid-summer! 

 

Twenty-five women from Minnesota and Iowa attended the virtual Mission u offered through the Minnesota Conference United Women in Faith.

Working with Dean Cindy Saufferer and the Mission u Team, Study Leader Becky Coleman skillfully designed and facilitated a virtual experience that incorporated elements of what happens when we gather in person. 

 

Most of our time was spent with the study book Welcome Home. Participants thought about home, both in a personal way and in the broader context of God’s kin-dom. Parents and other leaders in the home shape our lives and impact our understanding of God’s nature. 

 

Virtual Mission u used recorded national UWFaith videos for worship and music, had a plenary addressing the School to Prison Pipeline.

 

And because it’s important to have fun at Mission u, participants took a break with a couple of Laughter Yoga practices.

 

“We searched scripture to find some names and attributes of God in both the Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament. The graphic above helped us remember them” (Becky Coleman, Virtual Mission u Facilitator).

 

Reflecting on their time together, the varied approach was appreciated. Participants named different concepts they learned and experiences they will remember.

 

“Church of the Common Ground video was good,” Nancy Kipp commented. ”I liked our discussion on what the organization did to connect with the unhoused and make a big difference.”

 

“Table” discussions in breakout rooms provided opportunities for small group interaction. Many expressed appreciations for the fellowship and “interacting with other participants” in the “deep discussions.” 

 

Others singled out the emotion wheel, the prayers, the videos, and the music as their take-aways. Several were pleased with the virtual option for a variety of reasons.

 

“When women shared their take-aways from our time together, it reminded me that each of us experiences the same gathering in different ways,” said Becky Coleman. “There was a range of activities/discussions that were meaningful to the participants. Including those various explorations is important, knowing that it will be meaningful to someone.”

 

Clearly, it was meaningful for Nancy Kipp who said, “I came away with ways we can build our church community. We had a good discussion on how to build diverse, inclusive environments. Helpful ideas to be sure our church uses.”

 

Mission u Journey to the Kin-dom: Continuing to Abide with God

 

Glimpses of the kin-dom created in the safety and security of abiding in God. This is what this year’s Mission u pointed us toward. 

 

Kin-dom is what we are led to create for others as we continue this journey with each other. It is a matter of transformation for us, for our neighbors, and for all of creation. Will you join us?