From Nancy Walsh, Virginia Conference President of United Methodist Women “doing business as United Women in Faith”
March is the month for celebrating Women’s History and the 1869 founding of the women’s organization of what is now the United Methodist Church. Over the years, the name of the organization has changed quite a few times. While our predecessors lived through it and were better for it, this is the perfect time for us to honor our history by boldly moving into our future with a new name. We are now known as Women United in Faith. We continue to prioritize women, children, and youth. The local, district, and conference structures and operations will continue as they are, including with new tools and programs to nurture current members and reach out to new members. We will continue to move beyond ourselves to support those who need us most. We will continue to be a community which knows God, develops fellowship, and expands mission. Together, we will continue to love the Lord.
From National News:
After five years of research, United Methodist Women launched a new name – United Women in Faith – and a new identity March 3 that seeks to engage newer, younger members and adapt to the changeable circumstances of today’s world while maintaining connections despite the threat of impending schism in The United Methodist Church.
In a Facebook video and subsequent “Faith Talks” online program, leaders and staff announced the name change, a new website, new programs and encouraged current members to embrace the changes as a natural evolution of the 150-year-plus mission organization. The announcement came on the third day of Women’s History Month, which the spokeswomen said was an intentional link to the organization’s legacy.
‘Ainise ‘Isama’u, United Women in Faith board president, announced the name change in a Facebook video. (UM Insight Screenshot)
‘Ainise ‘Isama’u, United Women in Faith board president, noted that over its history, the women’s organization had undergone 25 name changes along with continuous adaptation of its programs and operations to meet changing times. While the timing of the announcement took some by surprise, a press release issued the day prior to the official launch said the mission agency had conducted research, focus groups and interviews across the denomination since 2016. Online panelists said that research included some 24,000 women.
During the online panel, UMW transition officer Sally Vonner said the organization’s board of directors decided to go ahead with the rebranding despite two delays of General Conference, the church-wide legislative assembly. Ms. Vonner said that the corporate name of the organization will continue to be United Methodist Women “doing business as United Women in Faith.” She likened UMW’s change to a similar move some years ago by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, which now operates under the name Wespath Benefits and Investments.
In addition to updating its programs and operations, Ms. Vonner said UMW directors were motivated by a strong desire for women’s mission efforts to remain connected “whatever may happen” with a possible division of The United Methodist Church. United Methodist Women, the parent agency of United Women in Faith, will continue to be governed by the denomination’s Book of Discipline, which mandates that each local United Methodist congregation must have a UMW unit, although not all of them do.
