United Women in Faith - Western North Carolina Conference

Greeting from our 2025 Conference President, Joanie Strohm

2024 seemed like two different years.  It started quite normal for the members of United Women in Faith in Western North Carolina.  Several of us attended the SEJ event in Chattanooga, Tennessee and were thrilled to witness our own Renee Hayes elected as one of the Directors.  General Conference had wonderful, joyous, and productive meetings in Charlotte. We were chugging along and wham! Hurricane Helene hit the beautiful mountains of North Carolina!

That began the second part of that surreal year.  People were without power for days and some for weeks.  Our families didn’t know if we had survived because many lost their lives. Our lives changed, the landscape changed, never to be the same.  Some of you called to check on me and asked if there was anything you could do to help. Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of the National Office contacted me to ask about my wellbeing. It proved to be an outpouring of love and care for one another.

2025 has already presented challenges, so Where Do We Go from Here?

Remember who we are.  From the Wesley Study Bible “Life application Topic—Faithful Living” Faithful living is edgy, unpredictable, adventuresome and scary. Wesley established faith communities with mentors, peers, friends and fellow journeyers to help people move forward daily.

Why don’t we do those “edgy, unpredictable, adventuresome and scary things?”  Are we not BOLD?  Have we lost that boldness?  Are we really inclusive, inviting, daring to do something different, agree to disagree and most importantly truly listen to one another’s ideas and concerns?

Remember whose we are.  In the passage of scripture Micah 6:8b “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  Do we care about justice for all? Are we always kind? Are we truly humble and quietly serving our Lord through faith, hope and love?

Are we really concerned about “the other?” Do we welcome the stranger, the less and least.  Do we remember our PURPOSE as we travel this road?  Do we ask the Lord’s guidance before we jump into something that might offend, embarrass or truly hurt someone?

Forward in faith, hope, and love in action—that is where we go from here!

Joanie Strohm, 2025 Conference President
Western North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Women

Find out what Soul Care means to United Women in Faith at
https://uwfaith.org/events/soul-care-retreats/.

Photo taken at Lake Junaluska, October 1, 2017, at Annual Celebration.

From left to right:  Tonya Lanier – Conference President (2014 – 2017), Shannon Priddy – National United Methodist Women President (2016 – 2020), Julia Willis – Conference President (2018 –  2021)