Category Archives: News and Events

• This page has news, local events and activities sponsored by our CA/NV Conference UMW, District UMW, and local units. Let us know if you have an event you wish to invite others to!

• The Mission Link newsletter is published 4 times a year (February, May, September, December).

• [wpfa icon=”calendar” size=”2x”] See the Calendar for upcoming events.

• Quick News is emailed to our distribution list, typically once or twice a month, highlighting upcoming events and news.  Get more info and subscribe here.

March 20, 2021: “A Path Appears” Social Action event

Our CA/NV Conference United Methodist Women are offering a virtual Social Action event, “A Path Appears.”  The focus of the event is “Transforming Lives: Prison and School Reform.”  

Saturday, March 20, 2021
10:00am-noon PT
via Zoom

Presenters include:

  • Dr. Karen Gedney, Retired prison physician, catalyst for prison reform and mentor
  • Matthew D. Ochs, Social Studies teacher, Reno High School
  • Student Representatives, Students for Change, Washoe County School District, NV
  • Student Representative and Founder, Reno High School Black Student Union
  • Student Representatives, Washoe County School District Diversify our Narrative

In this exciting event, we have a retired prison doctor and change maker speaking.  In addition, perhaps as many as 10 high school students, all female, will talk about the work of 3 organizations they have founded that promote inclusion and work for change in the school district.  Because of our young speakers, we encourage making a special effort to reach out to young people in our church to register and participate. 

Get the flyer with information about the presenters and the event here. 

Register by Friday, March 19, 2021.

March 6, 2021: “Soul Care” from CA/NV Conference UMW

Soul Care retreat

Our CA/NV Conference and District United Methodist Women are offering an enriching Soul Searching Retreat to help prepare, equip and enable United Methodist Women to take on 2021 with hope and courage. A lot of work lays ahead; so we need to be buckled up with the armor of God, and above all the peace that passeth all understanding. We are fortunate to have a member from the National Office of UMW to lead our program. We are hopeful that you will take advantage of this opportunity and join us for a wonderful time of worship and spiritual enlightening.

This retreat will be Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:00am PT to Noon via Zoom.

Dr. Glory Dharmaraj
Dr. Glory Dharmaraj

Retreat Leader Dr. Glory Dharmaraj is the President of the World Association for Christian Communication-North America. She is the retired director of spiritual formation and mission theology for the United Methodist Women. Prior to that, she served as the Administrator of the United Methodist Seminar Program on National and International Affairs at the Church Center for the United Nations, New York.

Glory received her Ph.D. from Loyola University, Chicago. She has done special studies at Harvard University and joint studies on doctor of ministries at San Francisco Theological Seminary, California, and Ecumenical Theological Education at the World Council of Churches, Geneva. Her favorite hobby is listening to medieval chants and lyrics in her mother tongue, Tamil.

More information about the retreat, including the agenda and how to prepare, is provided in the retreat flyer here.  

March 5, 2021: World Day of Prayer

Our neighbors in the Los Rios District invite all to participate with them and Christian women from 140 countries around the world in prayer.  We will be praying together with, rather than for, those in the world in need of prayer support.

The 2021 program was written by the World Day of Prayer women of Vanuatu.  The theme is Build on a Strong Foundation based on Matthew 7:24–27. 

In addition, there is a short (7 minute) video on the World Day of Prayer website about Vanuatu. 

Although the designated Day of  Prayer is March 5, you may participate whenever you wish.

Vanuatu is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It was first inhabited by Melanesian people. The first Europeans were Spanish explorers in 1606. It was claimed by France and the United Kingdom in the 1880s, and became the independent Republic of  Vanuatu in 1980.  Its economy is based on agriculture (kava, copra, crop gardens, and more), tourism (especially scuba diving), offshore financial services, and raising cattle.  More info at Wikipedia…

Monthly sessions: Just Energy for All Strategy and Capacity Building

Monthly “Just Energy for All Strategy and Capacity Building” sessions are intended to provide an opportunity to network, share best practices, and support you in your work of advancing just energy for all at the local, state, and national levels. You don’t need to be a United Methodist Women member to join us. All are welcome!

Sessions take place from Noon to 1:30pm PT (3:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET) on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.  To attend, please register here!

Register for Just Energy for All Strategy and Capacity Building sessions

Previous “Just Energy for All Strategy and Capacity Building” sessions may be viewed here. They have included:

    • Casting Our Vision and Communicating Our Story
    • Just Energy for All through Solar Equity Part 1: Solar Equity and Solar Energy
    • Writing for Impact: How to write an Op-Ed and LTE
    • Just Energy for All through Solar Equity Part 2: 100% Grassroots Power: Advancing Just Energy through Solar Equity in Our Communities
    • Our Energy Landscape: Advancing Just Energy for All in Our Own Communities
    • Addressing the Climate Crisis: What is the U.S. Climate Fair Share?

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