"Love Boldly" Webinar on Theology Today

Vision Statement -- The United Methodist Church

 

The vision encourages United Methodists to embody the following principles:

 

• Love Boldly: Passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life.
  • Inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35
     
• Serve Joyfully: With a Christ-like heart, journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
  • Inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10
     
• Lead Courageously: Follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation.
  • Inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10

The Gift of Prayer

 

Call for 2026 Volunteer Evaluators for Reading Program

Apply to Serve as a Reading Program Volunteer Evaluator

Dear United Women in Faith Members and Friends,  Did you ever wonder what goes into shaping the United Women in Faith Reading Program each year? At the heart of the Reading Program is the work of numerous volunteer evaluators. Volunteer evaluators read and review assigned books, offering careful and candid feedback regarding the books' overall quality and alignment with our mission. Last year, 175+ volunteer evaluators read and reviewed a total of about 150 books. In 2026, we will be evaluating potential books for the 2028 Reading Program.  Are you interested in serving as a volunteer evaluator for the Reading Program? If so, please take 10 minutes to complete the 2026 interest form. Both new and returning volunteers should use this form. We will consider interest forms on a rolling basis throughout the year, but completion by February 1 is preferred, as it allows us to plan appropriately for the spring cycle book assignments.  Peace,  Emily  Emily Jones Executive for Racial Justice United Women in Faith

"Minnesota Doxology"

We are experiencing extreme cold weather in southern Minnesota today through the weekend!

Here is an offering of the "Minnesota Doxology."

An Update on the Appointive Cabinet and District Leadership

An Update on the Appointive Cabinet and District Leadership As part of our ongoing work to steward leadership well and to respond faithfully to the realities of ministry in this season, I want to share an update regarding the composition of the appointive cabinet and district superintendent oversight. Beginning in the coming appointment year, the appointive cabinet will be served by three full-time and two half-time district superintendents (aka conference superintendents). This configuration reflects both careful planning and a spirit of holy experimentation as we seek leadership models that are relational, sustainable, and close to the life of local congregations. With gratitude, we honor Rev. Laurie Kantonen, who will be rotating off the cabinet after completing a seven-year term of faithful and steady service. Laurie’s leadership has shaped clergy care, congregational vitality, and cabinet collaboration in profound ways. We give thanks for her wisdom, dedication, and deep love for the Church. As part of this transition, we will welcome two leaders rotating onto the appointive cabinet in half-time roles. Rev. Gordon Deuel and Rev. Kirkland Reynolds will serve as half-time superintendents while also continuing half-time appointments in their respective local church settings. Together, they will share oversight of the River Bluffs District, bringing collaborative leadership, complementary gifts, and strong grounding in congregational life to this shared role. A few reflections from Kirkland and Gordon follow this letter. Several additional district transitions will also take place: -Rev. Michelle Hargrave will move to oversight of the Prairie Winds District, continuing her strong commitment to clergy support, missional alignment, and adaptive leadership. -Rev. Woojae Im will assume oversight of the Aurora Sky District, bringing thoughtful leadership and deep attentiveness to the diverse contexts of that district. -Rev. Becky Jo Messenbrink will continue her faithful service as superintendent of the Headwaters District, providing continuity, stability, and trusted leadership. This cabinet configuration reflects our belief that leadership in this season must be both collaborative and contextual. By blending full-time and co-vocational superintendency, we are intentionally keeping district leadership close to congregational realities—while ensuring strong connectional oversight and shared discernment at the cabinet table. These changes are made with prayer, care, and confidence in the gifted leaders who are serving the Church in this moment. As always, we trust the Holy Spirit to guide our shared work, strengthening our capacity to love boldly, serve faithfully, and lead with courage in the days ahead. In faithful service,   Bishop Lanette Plambeck Resident Bishop Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church

Freerice Game

CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE FREERICE GAME.

Freerice is an educational trivia game that helps you get smarter while making a difference for people around the world. Every question you answer correctly raises 10 grains of rice for the World Food Programme (WFP) to support its work saving and changing lives around the world.

Playing Freerice sends an important message: community matters, and only by coming together can we help solve global problems like food insecurity and poverty. By using your knowledge to do good, you’re advocating for positive change and supporting our mission to achieve a world of Zero Hunger.

We Will Not Be Silent: United Women in Faith Responds to ICE Shooting

NEW YORK – The nation’s largest denominational organization for women today mourned the death of a Minneapolis woman shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on Jan. 7. The organization issued the following statement, which can be attributed to Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of UWFaith.

“As women of faith, we have a responsibility to raise our voices when we see the rights of innocent people being trampled. In Minneapolis yesterday, we witnessed a grave injustice as an ICE officer shot and killed a woman inside her vehicle. We are heartbroken and angered at this senseless murder. 

We are called to put God’s faith, hope, and love in action. This violence and circumvention of due process is unacceptable. No one should be afraid to live in their own communities. Law enforcement should never be weaponized against the very people its officers are sworn to protect. Renee Nicole Good did not deserve the fatal treatment she received.

Such excessive use of force is alarming, and we know that such situations are uniquely dangerous for people of color, persons who are unhoused, immigrants, and those with mental health conditions. Our prayers are with the people of Minnesota and all those around the world in fear of the weaponization of law enforcement."

Read more at this link.

New Year's Day Prayer