This week in Worship, we celebrate our United Women in Faith; they will serve as liturgists, worship hosts, ushers and communion servers. Our thanks to the Rev. Kate Smith as staff liaison and Mary Wheeler as our UWF President here at Hyde Park Community UMC.
The United Women in Faith (UWF) is a global organization within the United Methodist Church (UMC) that traces its roots back to the early 19th century. It began as a group of women in the Methodist Episcopal Church who organized for mission, ministry, and fellowship. The organization has evolved through various names and structures over the years.
In 1869, the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society (WFMS) was established, followed by the formation of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society in 1878. These two societies were key in advancing missions both abroad and in the U.S., empowering women to play a central role in the church’s outreach. In 1939, these organizations merged to form the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) within the newly united Methodist Church.
In 1972, the organization was renamed the United Methodist Women (UMW) to reflect the unification of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The UMW was dedicated to supporting missions, providing education, and advocating for social justice, often focusing on issues like poverty, gender equality, and racial reconciliation.
In 2021, the UMW adopted a new name, United Women in Faith, to better reflect its evolving mission and global focus, emphasizing faith, leadership, and service. Today, UWF continues to support women’s spiritual growth, mission efforts, and advocacy within and beyond the UMC.
In addition to those serving this week from our UWF, I will be preaching from our sermon series, “Intuition and Trusting Faith: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty” from Proverbs 3: 3-10.
Pastor Todd