General Conference
Member nominee: Chivi Capezio Crookes
Members of United Women in Faith put love into action every day to inspire, influence, and impact their churches and communities. Many of our members live out their faith by serving as leaders in The United Methodist Church. This year, 11 annual conferences are electing their delegates to General Conference, and members of United Women in Faith are stepping up to the call.
Meet Deaconess Chivi Capezio Crookes, a member of United Women in Faith at Sitka United Methodist Church in Sitka, Alaska. She works with the United Women in Faith Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner and has served on the program advisory group and as a Reading Program evaluator (a role she hopes to begin again after she finishes her Master of Fine Arts degree).
She is a nominee for General Conference delegate from the Alaska Conference.
What do you like most about being a member of United Women in Faith?
I really appreciate the friendships and camaraderie that comes with being a member of the United Women in Faith, and witnessing all the wonderful work done across the connection, the passion for justice that many find through different programs, and the joy that radiates form members when they realize the power they carry. But the reason I hold my membership close to my heart was finding my calling as a deaconess after a meeting in my local unit many years ago, and the women that kept me in my path to see me through it.
Why are you running for General Conference delegate?
After praying for discernment, I decided to run as a candidate for several reasons. As the parent of two young, queer persons, I can bring a unique perspective to the table. I am also an immigrant, naturalized citizen, Latine, and clergy spouse. We need to move forward the work done in the past General Conference session. I want to participate in building the church that I dream about, making it a reality for my children and for many generations to come.
What are your hopes for the church?
Ah. So many of these! I hope for a church that is truly inclusive, a church that holds itself accountable for the mistakes of the past, a church that goes out of the building to meet people where they are, a church that follows the creational mission given to us. A church that loves, above all else, to transform the world and make it a better place for many generations to come.
Alaska elects its delegates to the 2028 General Conference June 11-13. Keep Chivi in your prayers!
