Virtual Summer Book Discussion - UWFaith

 

Letters from the Farm, by Becca Stevens is a reflective, spiritually grounded collection of writings by Episcopal priest Becca Stevens that blends personal stories, lessons from nature, and experiences from her work with Thistle Farms, a community supporting women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. The book uses farming as both a real practice and a metaphor for healing, justice, and cultivating a compassionate life. Each “letter” (more like an essay) is paired with scripture and reflection questions, making it suitable for devotional reading.

  

You will need to purchase or borrow a copy of the book and read the chapters before each session. The book can be purchased new on Walmart, Amazon, or look for used copies through Thriftbooks.com; BetterWorldBooks.com; AbeBooks.com, eBay, or WorldofBooks.com, or try your local bookstore.

  

This is an easy read! Join the sessions when you can. Make sure to sign up soon! Please invite others!

 

Book Study Facilitator: Jill Michael

Cost: No cost-Free 🤍

How to Register: Email Connie Scott that you want to participate. Her email address is connielulu55@msn.com. The Zoom link will be emailed to you. Connie Scott is the Reading Program Coordinator for United Women in Faith Minnesota.

Note: All times are in the Central Time Zone.

Monday, July 13

7-8 p.m. Living in Community: Begin with Dirt (3); It’s Not What You Believe (7); Old Ways (91); Traveling Light (99); You Can Forget How (106) 

Monday, July 20 

7-8 p.m. Self-Care & Sabbath:  Cultivate Peace (55); Wild Fruit (64); Don’t Wait (67); Nurture Silence (130); Fast from Everything (132); Loneliness of Community (134); Ending Full Circle (141) 

Monday, July 27 

7-8 p.m. Prayer: Pray to Get Out of the Way (12); Remember the World Is Our Farm (47); The Labyrinth of Farming (78); You Are What You Grow (80); Whispered Prayers (85); Pray without Ceasing (104) 

Monday, August 3 

7-8 p.m. Leadership: Fellowship of Farming (39): Be Bold (42); Grow Tree Roots (58); Imagining (114) 

Monday, August 10 

7-8 p.m. Living Your Call: Let the Mission (26); Go to Prison (124); Preach Love (128) Diversity & Inclusion: Beggars (33); Weep at Injustice (61) 

Monday, August 17 

7-8 p.m. Potpourri!  Discuss your favorite essays that weren’t covered above.

Commissioning New Deaconesses

 

L-R: New Deaconesses Connie Scott and Chrisana Tripodi, Bishop Plambeck

Our new Deaconesses, Connie Scott and Chrisana Tripodi, were commissioned at the Minnesota Annual Conference on June 18, 2026. Congratulations and God’s blessings to both of them!

Women Clergy at 2026 Minnesota Annual Conference

 

Women Clergy at 2026 Minnesota Annual Conference

To recognize the milestone of the 70th anniversary of the ordination of women in The United Methodist Church, clergy women attending this year's Annual Conference gathered for a photo. Thanks was given for each and every one of our clergy women, past, present, and future. 

Day Apart – June 9, 2026 - Part One

 

Retreat Theme: "Finding & Building Peace in an Anxious World"

Registration Table - Melody Sanders (Area Treasurer)

Traveling Reading Program Library

L-R: Rev. Judy Clark (Area Communications Coordinator), Melody Sanders (Area Treasurer)

Reading Program Coordinator - Connie Scott - Ready to Share Books

Day Apart – June 9, 2026 - Part Two

 

Pat Hansen, Deb Anderson (Area Secretary), Karen Frick, Alice Johansen: Having fun putting a puzzle together and coloring

L-R: Audrey Benjamin, Mary Smith, Cynthia Jung: Great time visiting and marveling at building block "creations"

L-R: Sylvia Farrells (Area Membership, Nurture, and Outreach (MNO) Coordinator), Janet Rieke 

L-R: Beryl Perry, Connie Rollings

L-R: Rev. Judy Clark (Area Communications Coordinator), Belinda Alkula (Presenter, Day Apart/Area Spiritual Growth Mission Coordinator)

L-R: Rev. Judy Clark (Area Communications Coordinator), Helen Eslinger

Prairie Winds Area (District) Day Apart – June 9, 2026

Theme: "Finding & Building Peace in an Anxious World"

Location: Normandale Hylands UMC, Bloomington

Schedule:
9:00 a.m. – Emma Norton’s Tea

9:30 a.m. – Program Begins
2:30 p.m. – Program Concludes

Registration Deadline: May 24, 2026

How to Register:

Online registration is preferred. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGyydLEQfE-Jpx7hVFELo72CnmPGxKch2zCS70YkZ9265qVg/viewform?pli=1

-        Pay $20 registration fee at door or online.

 OR … Complete registration by providing information below and mail it with $20.

-          Checks to be made out to Prairie Winds UWFaith.

-          Mail registration details to Sandy Meyer, 8724 Valley View Pl, Chanhassen, MN 55317.

-          QUESTIONS: Contact Sandy Meyer.

-          Email: regumumw@gmail.com / Cell: 952-270-1157

  

Registration information:

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

E-mail Address: ______________________________

Phone: __________________________

Church: ____________________________________

Previous District (if applicable) _________________

First time attendee at a Prairie Winds District event? Yes_____ No______ 

Mark if Local/District Officer: ______

Office Held: ________________________________

Food Allergies or dietary concerns: ______________

June 9, 2026 - Day Apart - "Finding & Building Peace in an Anxious World"

Prairie Winds Day Apart June 9, 2026   Normandale Hylands UMC 9920 Normandale Blvd Bloomington, Minnesota

     

Don’t you love summer road trips? There is nothing like hitting the road, getting out of town, blowing out the cobwebs, turning up the radio, singing your favorite songs as you beep-bop down the highway! You never know who you will meet or what you will learn along the journey!

Well, this year’s Day Apart will be like that. It will be time to hit the road, get out of town, blow out the cobwebs, and join other United Women in Faith as we take a trip together – a trip of fellowship, celebration, renewal of mind and body – time to do some soul care.

Our tour guide will be the District Spiritual Growth Coordinator, Belinda Alkula.

These times – they can be overwhelming. Point of fact, we live in an anxious world. During our Day Apart, we will explore how to build and sustain peace within ourselves and our circles of influence. We will focus on spiritual tools and actions we can take to calm anxieties and to explore our faith, enabling us to serve as peacemakers in these anxious times.

Decide to give yourself a Day Apart. Take that road trip! Head for Normandale Hylands UMC in Bloomington. You will be glad you did! – See you there! 🤍

9:00 am: Emma Norton’s Tea
9:30 am: Program begins
2:30 pm: Program concludes