As I have shared at various times in sermons, teaching, conversations, and writing, one of the gifts that I am most thankful for in The United Methodist Church is that we are a connectional church! Our local congregation is connected to every other United Methodist congregation in our state through the Arkansas Conference and around the world through the General Conference. This is a gift to us, because it means that no single congregation does ministry alone. We are stronger because of the diverse wisdom, gifts, and resources of the General Conference, the Arkansas Conference, and the agencies of both!
One connectional ministry of The United Methodist Church which we have long been a part of is United Women in Faith (UWF), formerly known as United Methodist Women. This vital ministry creates spaces of fellowship, formation, and service for women in our congregation. United Women in Faith leads the church into greater ministry with the world: through ongoing relationships with change-making non-profits, providing food for families in times of loss and grief, a recent fundraiser for underwear and clothing for Monitor Elementary School, and so much more, United Women in Faith seeks to equip and empower women for ministry with the vulnerable in our community.
Following the example and leadership of United Women in Faith, we are chartering a new chapter of United Methodist Men (UMMen) here at the church. This ministry "exists to declare the centrality of Christ in every man's life. Men's ministry leads to the spiritual growth of men and effective discipleship. This purpose is served as men are called to model the servant leadership of Jesus Christ" (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024, ¶2302.1) at home, within the church, and throughout the whole community. This process takes place by cultivating spaces for men to grow personally and communally through study, worship, accountability, prayer, and service.
On the next two Sundays, 27 September and 4 October 2026, we will have a United Methodist Men table in the atrium next to the cafe. We invite you to stop by, learn more, and sign up as we begin this new journey in men's ministry together. We will hold our first meetings in the coming months, building community and expanding our vision for ministry as we move forward.
There is much to be excited about with this launch! Our chapters of United Women in Faith and United Methodist Men will further equip and empower us as a congregation for even more fruitful ministry in the season ahead!
