Regardless of who we are and where we come from, we all have something in common as women in faith. We are truly united in our belief, and sharing our connection under Christ can strengthen our bonds and help us invite others into our community. On Sunday, October 5, we will honor this connection and opportunity in faith during World Communion Sunday.

World Communion Sunday offers a space specifically to focus on our bonds as women in faith and build our connections with others in this community.

For background, Rev. Dr. Kiboko is the lead pastor of Forest Chapel UMC in the West Ohio Conference and the president of the African Clergywomen Association. She is also an author and holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). We know you will leave the conversation feeling connected and ready to open your arms.

To say that our children are our future is more than a cliché. It is the truth. Children are our most valuable resource, deserving of love, care, and support. That’s why we are excited that United Women in Faith – and The United Methodist Church – will soon participate in a Children’s Sabbath. Launched by the Children’s Defense Fund, these observances are an opportunity to center children, focus on how we can serve children, and renew our commitment to them.
 
On this episode of Faith Talks will welcome the Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, Rev. Dr. Yvette R. Blair-Lavallais, and Rev. Vahisha Hasan as guests on the live recording of the Faith Talks podcast. Our very own Sally Vonner, general secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith, will also join, which is exciting. 
 
Rev. Dr. Wilson is the president & CEO of the Children's Defense Fund; Rev. Dr. Arroyo is the general secretary and CEO of The General Commission on Religion and Race; Rev. Dr. Blair-Lavallais is the co-founder and curator of Every Body Needs Food, and a 2024-25 Feeding America Equity Research Fellow; and Rev. Hasan is the founder and executive director of Movement in Faith.
 
With such powerful voices, we know you will leave the conversation feeling inspired and reflective.

Each September, the National Association of Mental Illness recognizes Suicide Prevention Month, and Faith Talks wants to talk about it. Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.
  
We are talking about this on Faith Talks not only because we know that many hide topics such as this, but because we could all use more information around suicide prevention. We are delighted to interview Pastor Mya Miller, founder of Chosen Ministries. Her goal is to save souls, build disciples, and passionately teach others about God’s love and grace. 

Our intention is for this to be a hope and information-filled segment that will help listeners and people of faith access critical tools, resources, and support. We also hope this conversation contributes to the de-stigmatization of suicide and mental health challenges broadly. 

Faith communities have always been institutions for refuge and restoration. In addition to a source of spiritual guidance, they may serve to help us heal from the long-standing harms we face. As our understanding of sexual, racial, and generational trauma expands, we must consider the role of the Church as a sanctuary where healing and wholeness can take root.

With our churches, our communities, and our loved ones – or even ourselves – affected, there is much to learn about how trauma impacts us, and how we can start to heal from it. On this episode of Faith Talks we will welcome Julia Matallana Freedman as a guest on the live recording of the Faith Talks podcast. 

Matallana Freedman is the author of the forthcoming book, “Sanctuary of Healing Transforming Churches into Trauma-Informed Spaces.” With so much to learn from her expertise in faith, healing, and trauma, you will leave this conversation ready to listen, understand, and get involved.

The summer can be an amazing period of relaxation, travel, and renewal. But for young people, it can also come with an unexpected loss of learning and gains made during the prior school year. Two and a half months may seem like a drop in the bucket, but it can bolster or sideline students depending on how it’s used. Please join us for a conversation with Erica Clark, director of student success at the Wellington School, for a conversation around preventing summer learning loss. She’ll offer suggestions on what we can do to keep our children on track while anticipating the new school year.

Because the school year is bound to be filled with ups and downs, we also want to ensure our students, and the people who care for them, are prepared from a social and emotional standpoint. As such, we will also interview Ruth Ifakemi Jeannoel to discuss her new book, Restorative Justice Practices: Circle Keeping for Community Healing.

When we are faced with anger, stress, frustration, and division, it can be difficult to remember the good things. Life can be overwhelming and hard. How do we stay kind and compassionate when things are so tense?

The book Appreciate These Things: Eight Ways of Cultivating Compassion finds an answer in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” On this episode we will welcome author Jill Duffield as a guest on the live recording of the Faith Talks podcast to discuss her book, Appreciate These Things, and the importance of this scripture.

By way of background, Duffield is a senior minister and an author of several other books, and she formerly served as the editor of The Presbyterian Outlook. She holds an M.Div. from Union Presbyterian Seminary and a D.Min. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

You will leave this conversation feeling fulfilled and grateful for the good things in life. 

For years, we have been discussing the climate crisis and the need to shift to just energy. Now, with the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, many are processing the impact this shift will have on frontline communities.  
 
As women of faith, we are clear about the mandate to care for all of God’s creation. In scripture, we are called to be stewards of the earth. However, humanity has not kept up with this task. On this episode we will welcome Roishetta Sibley Ozane and Gavriela Reiter as guests on the live recording of the Faith Talks podcast. Will you join me? 
 
By way of background, Ozane is the founder, director, and CEO of The Vessel Project of Louisiana, and Reiter is the fossil fuel phaseout campaign coordinator at the Institute for Policy Studies. We may also have a cameo from our own Ilka Vega, the executive for economic and environmental justice at United Women in Faith!
 
You will leave this conversation inspired and determined.

Grief is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s losing a loved one, watching tragedies around the world, or anything else that creates difficulties, it is important to acknowledge and process it. Without processing grief, it will weigh heavy on your shoulders and affect your mental health.

With Mental Health Awareness Month starting in May, it’s a great time to reflect on the impact of grief on our wellbeing. On this episode of Faith Talks we will welcome Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye to discuss grief and mental health.

We will discuss different types of grieving and productive ways to process grief for the benefit of our mental health. For background, Dr. N’Diaye holds a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University, and acts as an integrative therapist, author, and peace-builder.

This conversation will leave you feeling healed and prepared to tackle the difficult feelings that arise throughout life. 

//

Faith Talks is produced by United Women in Faith and hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer.

We always have more to learn as we find our own paths. Oftentimes, we forget that the experiences of those in generations older than ours can be valuable in finding our way. Moreover, we forget that we are an important source of guidance for the children and young people in our lives who are just starting out—and that they can teach us something too. Intergenerational learning is meaningful at every age, and it can bring you closer to your community and to God. 

We all benefit from intergenerational learning, but we sometimes need guidance on how to initiate it. Join us as we welcome Rev. Dr. Tanya Marie Eustace Campen and Dr. Faye Wilson as guests on the live recording of the Faith Talks podcast. We hope you will join us and invite a friend as they guide us on this learning journey. 

For background, Campen is an ordained deacon and the director of Intergenerational Discipleship for the Rio Texas Conference Office, and her specialization is in children’s spirituality. Wilson is a writer, educator, and musician who has worked across the globe, and who co-authored the 2025 resource book Carrying Our Faith Forward for United Women in Faith. 

With so much to learn and so much to say, you will leave this conversation ready to listen and share wisdom with people at all points of their lives.

We are delighted to invite you to join us as we talk with preacher, pastor, author, coach, and soul care minister, Rev. Dr. Kymberley Clemons-Jones. She is a Biblical scholar, a coach, and a leading voice at the intersection of spirituality, Scripture, and social justice.

Rev. Dr. Kymberley Clemons-Jones will be leading an interactive two-part Bible Study on Rizpah for United Women in Faith members in May 2025, diving deep into a powerful and under-studied Biblical story that inspires and informs our work to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. She will be joining us on Faith Talks to share more about Rizpah's story and her own.

//

Faith Talks is hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer and produced by United Women in Faith.