Member nominee: Kathy Schock

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 Kathy Schock, member of United Women in Faith at Tempe First United Methodist Church in Tempe, Arizona. She’s serving her second term as a member of the United Women in Faith Program Advisory Group and is president of United Women in Faith at her local church, where she has also been the spiritual growth coordinator, secretary, and communications coordinator. She has also been the district secretary and vice president and conference spiritual growth coordinator.

Kathy is also her church’s lay member to annual conference and has been involved with the youth and children’s choir, handbell director, church council secretary, Sunday school coordinator and teacher, Bible study leader, spiritual gifts guide and leader of small groups and retreats. She is a board member for Wesley Campus Ministry and has served on her conference Committee for Unity and Interfaith Relations, Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Bishop’s Act of Repentance Task Group, and Spiritual Formation Committee.

She is a nominee for General Conference delegate in the Desert Southwest Conference.

What do you like most about being a member of United Women in Faith?

I love the fellowship of United Women in Faith and initially joined because I was far from home and needed connection with older women as I missed my mom and grandma terribly. One of the greatest parts of United Women in Faith is being part of a network that works together to have an influence in the lives of others through promoting and creating change where there is wrong. One of the greatest examples of this early on was realizing that Hershey changed their fair-trade practices because of the campaign promoted by then-United Methodist Women. Another piece that especially touches me is the Charter for Racial Justice. Learning that we have developed a pathway for others to learn about racial, social, and economic injustices and that we have led the conscience of the United Methodist Church means a lot to me.

Why are you running for General Conference delegate?

I believe that God has given me gifts to help me discern principal issues and to act as liaison between differing groups to help with communication. We need strong voices of understanding in the Church today. As a General Conference delegate, I believe I can look at the issues presented from different perspectives and help everyone to be heard and valued. I would like to effect positive change as The United Methodist Church goes forward.

What are your hopes for the church?

My hopes for the church are in the young adults and children being given a voice. Having been involved with campus ministry and with youth for decades, I see the missed potential when we don’t involve the young people in the life of the church as early as possible, to truly involve them—not wait for them to come to us but for us to turn to them. I became involved in church life early because my minister let me know that my thoughts and presence mattered. We need to be the light for those coming into leadership now. We don’t need to wait for the younger generations to come; they are already here. Let’s let them know that their thoughts and presence matter.

The Desert Southwest Conference elects its delegates June 18-21. Keep Kathy in your prayers!

Cover photo by Mike DuBose/UMNews.