United Women in Faith: Faith Talks

On this episode of Faith Talks we will focus on Native American Heritage Month. While the contributions of indigenous people cannot be constrained to one month, we will use this moment to celebrate the culture and heritage of First Nations people. We will also highlight some of the challenges facing tribal communities, including environmental injustice and preservation of sacred land, water, and air. As an organization dedicated to putting faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women and girls across the world, we will also discuss the far too many indigenous women and girls who are missing and murdered. Our intention for this conversation is that we'll leave inspired to continue our work on behalf of women, children, and youth.

Faith Talks is hosted by Jennifer Farmer. Visit https://uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts/ to learn more.

What does it mean to care for the soul? How do we learn self-care through United Women in Faith? What are best practices to nurture body, spirit, and soul within a shared community of loving faith?

To share the questions and answers to these and so many more questions about finding peace and love in the soul, please join us as we discuss strategies with Nora Asedillo Cunningham, Spiritual Growth and Formation Specialist, United Women in Faith; Katie Pryor, Executive for Membership Nurture & Development, United Women in Faith; and Marsha Benovengo, Local United Women in Faith President and Soul Care Advocate for the Northeastern Jurisdiction.

As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the leaders who build communities, churches and society. Embrace the beautifully diverse cultures and histories of Hispanic peoples, sisters and brother who create a kin-dom on earth.

Find your inspiration for the journey as you join us for a lively discussion with IIka Vega, United Women in Faith’s executive for economic and environmental justice; Abby Gutierrez, program advisory group, Rio Texas Conference; and Mark Magaña, founding President and CEO, GreenLatinos.

The Bible shares with us in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” This is so clear and yet, leading with prayer is not always our first instinct. Prayer is a tool and resource for women and people of faith in general.

Please join us for a moving discussion on prayer with Sophia Kristina Agtarap, deaconess, equity and inclusion champion, and Rev. Dionne P. Boissière, first African American chaplain of the Church Center for the United Nations.

Faith Talks is hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer. Please support the continuation of programs like this and the vital work of United Women in Faith at home and around the world by making a gift today. https://uwfaith.org/?form=FaithTalksUWFaith

There is no denying the fact that movement boosts our emotional and physical health. When we move, we increase our mobility but also strengthen our minds and bodies. Now we have an opportunity to use our movement to support United Women in Faith.

Join us as we learn about a new initiative called Move 4 Mission. We will talk with Kenya Roberts, United Women in Faith executive for development management, and Heidi Careaga, United Women in Faith finance committee chair.

There are many ways United Women in Faith can Move for Mission. We’ll discuss several options for United Women in Faith members or groups to move mission forward by hosting a Move 4 Mission fundraiser.

Faith Talks is hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer. Please support the continuation of programs like this and the vital work of United Women in Faith at home and around the world by making a gift today. https://uwfaith.org/?form=FaithTalksUWFaith

Join United Women in Faith members as we celebrate summer learning, advocate for children and prepare for the back-to-school season — with justice for all. Let’s end learning loss.

Guests include:

• Frances Torres, director of programs, and Lily Robbins, early childhood specialist, United Community Centers, Fort Worth, Texas, one of our beloved National Mission Institutions, where summer literacy is fun and effective.
• Tikeila Rucker, political director, Memphis for All, who shares the policy challenges in Tenn. where third-graders are required to take proficiency tests.

Faith Talks is hosted by Jennifer R. Farmer. Please support the continuation of programs like this and the vital work of United Women in Faith at home and around the world by making a gift today. https://uwfaith.org/?form=FaithTalksUWFaith

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ashley Boggan. Dr. Boggan is the first woman to lead the office of General Secretary for the General Commission of Archives and History of The United Methodist Church. She is the author of Nevertheless: American Methodists and Women’s Rights.

Join Faith Talks for our inaugural interview with Sally Vonner, newly elected General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of United Women in Faith. We’ll talk about the future of women’s faith-based organizing and more.

Ms. Vonner is no novice to women’s faith-based organizing or to United Women in Faith. She joined the organization’s national staff in 2010 as Assistant General Secretary of Membership and Leadership Development. With reorganization in 2018, she became the Transformation Officer, coordinating the organization’s visioning and strategic development to positively impact the lives of women, children, and youth. She oversaw an organizational rebranding that opened new ways for women to join, introduced program innovations and initiatives, and rolled out United Women in Faith as the new public-facing name.

The Texas native also has served in many capacities as an organizer for The United Methodist Church’s work on immigration assistance, community development initiatives, women’s retreats, dismantling racism, and so much more.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Please join us as we talk with Dr. Cari L. Jackson, author of Sisters in Mourning, and countless other titles, to discuss ways we can care for ourselves and loved ones.

In this edition of Faith Talks, we will also give an update on Mission u 2023. For this segment, my guests will include DeLyn Celec, Chaplain in the Office of Spiritual Life at Shenandoah University in Virginia, and Jay Godfrey, Transformative Education and Training Specialist for United Women in Faith, and lead developer of the Mission u curricula and training events.