Blog
The Spirit of Advent at NMIs
It would have been reasonable to expect a somber mood at a recent virtual gathering of National Mission Institution leaders.
The first portion of the meeting, after all, centered on the significant ways that changes in federal and state policies this year have disrupted NMI programs, the majority of which receive government funding. Leaders described budget cuts that arrived without warning, reimbursements they had counted on but never received, and new regulations that made it harder for them to serve the people who rely on their ministries.
Yet despair was not what emerged over the course of the conversation. People spoke candidly about their struggles and sorrows, but they also affirmed each other’s efforts and pointed to ways their own organizations are refusing to give up hope. The gathering wasn’t holiday-themed, yet there was a clear undercurrent of Advent: waiting for light to break through, not passively but expectantly.
One director serving seniors in the Midwest shared how sudden federal reductions forced their meals program down to a fraction of its original size, leaving older adults at risk not only of going hungry but also of losing housing stability. In this region, poverty among seniors is particularly high, and more than half of the organization’s budget typically comes from government contracts. “We’re really concerned,” the leader said plainly. And yet, even in this uncertainty, they spoke of digging deeper into local partnerships, strengthening community networks, and advocating persistently for those they serve.
Vulnerable Funding
Another leader whose organization supports early childhood education explained how the recent federal shutdown revealed just how vulnerable pass-through funding can be at the local level. With hurricane recovery still affecting the organization’s budgeting cycle, it could not plan for its full need, but noted how quickly local churches responded when asked for help. People were eager to provide what they could.
Directors serving along the Texas–Mexico border described the compounded pressures of serving asylum seekers amid raids, fear, and at times “nonexistent” federal support. A 2025 migrant program was eliminated outright, and even previously approved expenses were not reimbursed by the federal government. Still, these directors shared with their colleagues words of encouragement on clarity of mission, on remembering that this work is ministry, and on the spiritual challenge of learning not only to give help but also to ask for it when needed.
Other leaders spoke of steep drops in donations, the potential for staff furloughs, and the closure of longstanding children’s programs because of state-level funding cuts. There was plenty of unhappy news to go around.
Stories of Hope
Yet nearly every story of struggle was paired with one of hope.
Boards stepped in to help raise funds. Local residents showed up unexpectedly. After a frightening plane crash near one site, neighbors helped clean up debris so meal distribution could continue uninterrupted. Small-dollar donors increased in some regions. Community groups volunteered to serve dinners, stretching limited budgets.
And repeatedly, leaders lifted up the growing importance of relationships with United Women in Faith members.
Several directors shared how connecting personally with local UWFaith units — visiting meetings, offering to speak at Mission u, inviting women to visit their local NMIs to see the work firsthand — has strengthened both sides. Many noted that members are looking for meaningful, tangible ways to serve, and NMIs offer exactly that. These connections, leaders said, are helping rebuild bridges, rekindle purpose, and infuse weary communities with renewed sisterhood.
In a year marked by scarcity, what filled the virtual gathering was not defeat but determination. The spirit of Advent — hope that glows brightest when night is longest — is unmistakably alive in these ministries. NMIs are walking into 2026 with grace, courage, and the steadfast belief that light will find a path forward.
National Mission Institutions (NMIs) are community-based organizations and social service agencies supported by United Women in Faith. We invite UWFaith members to support the work of our National Mission Institutions by giving online here or by writing a check to your local treasurer with memo “National Missions #3001152.” To learn more about National Mission Institutions, contact NMI@uwfaith.org.
