Latest News
March/April response: Responsively Yours
Celebrate and Give
by Sally Vonner
Greetings in faith, hope, and love. March is one of my favorite months. Do you know why? It is the month that the contributions of women are acknowledged and celebrated—although United Women in Faith members celebrate the contributions of women every day, not just in March.
General Secretary and CEO
United Women in Faith
Photo: Janet Joyner
We are a legacy of trailblazing women, who for generations now have put our love in action to change the world.
Can you think of the women who have influenced your life? Like me, you can name many. Let’s make sure that we call them by name this month and thank God for how they poured love, grace, and courage into us. May their witness inspire us to do likewise and together work toward a brighter and more just and equitable future for all, especially women, children, and youth.
I also enjoy March because we get to celebrate our United Women in Faith birthday on March 23. Happy Birthday United Women in Faith! Join me and all the members of our great sisterhood as we celebrate 156 years of mission and lay the path to the future through the Day of Giving as we move closer to exceeding our $60 million Legacy Endowment Fund goal. Surely, there will be a celebration near you. Keep your eyes and ears open for how to participate. This is our opportunity to leave a legacy like all the women who came before us. I appreciate a great birthday party, and March 23 can’t get here soon enough. Get ready to celebrate and give with thanksgiving to God for blessing us that we might continue to be a blessing to others.
March and April are also a time of reflection, preparation, and repentance as we journey through Lent to Easter. I don’t know about you, but when it seems that our human condition is beyond living the commandments that Jesus said were the most important, “loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself,” I catch a glimpse of the best of humanity. In recent months it has been visible through the outpouring of compassion and support after natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, winter/arctic storms, droughts, and devastating fires where the loss of life, homes, and possessions is devastating. Our prayers continue for those impacted.
As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, join in the forthcoming opportunities with which United Women in Faith has planned for us to engage. Stay tuned for e-mails and updates on our website at uwfaith.org. Together with allies and partners locally and globally, we must continue to advocate for climate justice as a commitment to loving God and all of God’s creation. The increased occurrence of natural disasters will continue unless we take action to decrease carbon emissions.
Women continue to be at the forefront of seeking justice for all because our faith and hope in God demands that we, as God’s co-creators, be advocates of policies that support gender equity, social justice, human rights, and creation care. I thank God for each of you and how you put your faith, hope, and love into action every day. You make a difference.
SALLY VONNER
General Secretary and CEO
United Women in Faith
