Board of Directors Holds Spring Meeting

Vonner Urges Board to “Remain Rooted in Hope” and “Grow in Purpose”

by Audrey Stanton-Smith

“Now is the time to pick up steam and keep rolling forward,” United Women in Faith General Secretary and CEO Sally Vonner told the board of directors at their April 11 meeting.

Board members gathered on Zoom for a Saturday of devotion, business, committee reports, and prayer.

Director Zan Jones, in her opening devotion, cited Galatians 3:28.

“In Christ, the distinction that divides us loses its power,” Jones said. “ … Living from a perspective that does not focus on color means reflecting God’s creativity. When we look beyond the surface, we discover that our humanity is rich, complex, and beautifully interconnected.

“When we choose not to see color as a dividing line, we are choosing to honor a deeper truth that every person is made in the image of God,” she said. “We are choosing to see the divine fingerprints in every life. We are choosing to walk in the kind of love that builds bridges, heals wounds, and reflects the kin-dom of God.”

Transformation

Khia Shaw-Wilson, transformation officer, carried that theme through her transformation report, which mentioned new social action-based Bible studies, “How to Engage in Difficult Conversations” and “Why Engage in Social Action,” which will be featured in the July-August issue of response.

Shaw-Wilson also reported on expanded efforts on the United Women in Faith YouTube channel and social media promotions, which are showing an increase in engagement. The new visual Faith Talks podcast, also featured in the July-August issue of response, is already showing a growing number of views.

Giving

In her report, Treasurer/CFO Tamara Clark noted that even though there was a decrease in pledges from 2025, that decrease was less than the organization experienced in recent years. In fact, in 2025, United Women in Faith witnessed a 101.5 percent payout, meaning that, overall, conferences exceeded their pledges.

Pledges for 2026 showed a 2.9 percent decrease, and Clark said she remained hopeful that conferences will once again exceed their pledges.

Clark also reported that total conference giving was down by $361,000, or 6 percent, compared to the prior year. With regard to Mission Giving, she reported the largest increases in giving between 2024 and 2025 came from Western North Carolina, Upper New York, North Carolina, North Alabama, and Arkansas.

In other business, a mail ballot report showed that grants were approved for the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center in Charleston, Missouri; Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro, California; and United Methodist Neighborhood Centers — Bethlehem Center (The Beth) in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Imayam Social Welfare Association in Coimbatore, India; Ministry with Women, Children, and Youth — Zimbabwe Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church; Myrtle Social Welfare Network in Chennai, India; Pasumai Ulagam (Green World) in Erode, India; and the United Methodist Women’s Organization in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Directors also accepted a 2024 audit report from Crosslin and noted the finance committee will receive the 2025 audit in June.

They also heard an investment report from Wespath, which indicated United Women in Faith will have nearly 50 percent of its assets in Social Values Choice Funds, which do not invest in alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment, private prisons, and companies that have been targeted for human rights abuses. The diversified portfolios also reflect a commitment to restricting the use of fossil fuels.

Finance Chair Julia Paradine-Rice recommended the board approve a total spending rate of 7 percent, from which 1 percent will be allocated for administrative expenses in managing and administering the endowment fund portfolio, which they did.

Directors also ratified a property grant from United Women in Faith’s National Property Fund to United Methodist Missionary Vacation Home in Chautauqua, New York, for air conditioning. The home raised the remaining balance of the project.

Action Items

Governance Chair Mikele Haskins-Delmore brought seven action items to the board for approval from the governance committee. The board approved the 2027 Reading Program Book List; 2026 Consecration Candidates; updates to national bylaws to reflect current job responsibilities for executive staff, current practices of the organization, and common language between sections; a nominee to the Scarritt Bennett Center Board of Directors; a program advisory group nominee to fill a vacancy; working team appointments; and updated bylaws for the Brooks Howell Home.

President Jana Jones reported on the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. (You can read more about her report in the July-August issue of response.) Jones and other United Women in Faith members, including Melba McCallum, Heidi Careago, Sung-ok Lee, Hamu Chigwada, and Marilyn Reid will be attending the event in New Zealand in August.

Reach for Connections

“God is good,” Vonner said in her report before reminding directors to “remain rooted in hope, grow in purpose to expand the visibility and influence of United Women in Faith, and reach for connections.” Vonner then shared highlights of her recent visits to annual meetings and National Mission Institutions.

“Whenever I connect with members and National Mission Institutions, it is a life-giving joy,” Vonner said. “While in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, I also visited Dumas Wesley Community Center in Mobile, Alabama. They are doing amazing work.”

Vonner went on to explain that although that particular NMI began moving away from dependence on federal funding in 2019, other NMIs continue to feel the sting of federal funding cuts.

“It is always great to see our Mission Giving at work and meet the staff who love their ministry with the communities, giving their hearts, gifts, and talents to serve others with love.”

Directors also continued their planning for Assembly 2026, which took place May 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can read about Assembly and the consecration of deaconesses and home missioners in the September-October issue of response.

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Audrey Stanton-Smith is editor of response.