Member nominee: Mary Stamper-Murray

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 Mary Stamper-Murray, member of United Women in Faith at Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta Georgia. She is the United Women in Faith conference secretary and Mission u study leader. She’s served in United Women in Faith leadership positions at the local, district, and conference level and reads more than 20 books per year as part of the United Women in Faith Reading Program.

In The United Methodist Church Mary is a Certified Lay Servant and Certified Lay Servant trainer. For her church she’s been the finance committee secretary, safe sanctuaries coordinator, usher board member, communion stewards co-chair, and on the committee on nominations and leadership.

And she is a candidate for the North Georgia Conference General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation.

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

What I like most about being a member of United women in Faith is the connection we have. I love how United Women in Faith has helped me grow and has enhanced my leadership skills. It provides learning, growing, and involvement with so many other ministries in the church on the local, district, and conference levels. Being a member has opened up new friendships and relationships and has helped me “to spread my wings” to be more and to do more to help our denomination grow.

Why are you running for General Conference delegate?

I love The United Methodist Church and want to help it grow, help it spread the word so that others will see the good work and want to be part of this great church. I am open to listening and learning about the denomination, how it works, and how it can work for others. I want to be a delegate to help invite others into leadership as well.

What are your hopes for the church?

My hope is that we realize how truly blessed we are and how we can open more doors to all people. My hope is for us not to hide our lamps under baskets but instead let them shine brightly so that others can see the efficacy of what and how we do. My hope is that we become more tolerant of others and expand our visions of our church to see far beyond the immediate picture and prepare us for a more challenging future in the church. My hope is that we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our church and the world.

The North Georgia Conference elects its delegates June 18-20. Keep Mary in your prayers!

Cover image courtesy Mary Stamper-Murray.