Purposeful Purchase
Dream It! Believe It! Do It!
This weekend we will celebrate the ministry of the United Women of Faith (UWF) and feature special presentations by Dr. Kit Evans-Ford and Ms. Mary Land, the incoming president of the local unit of the UWF at Christ UMC. The historic witness of women in the church and throughout the community it has been a distinguishing hallmark of the Methodist church since its inception. From the leadership of Susanna Wesley, the mother of John & Charles Wesley; the fortitude of Isabella Bomefree (who changed her name to Sojourner Truth) and
became an abolitionist; the encouragement of Barbara Heck who is known as the mother of American Methodism; the evangelism of Phoebe Palmer who is known as the mother of the American holiness movement; the lyricism of Fannie Crosby who wrote over 9,000 hymns including Blessed Assurance; the tenacity of Francis Willard who led the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement; the courage of Julia Torres Fernandez the first Hispanic woman to be ordained an elder; and the tenacity of Lydia Istomina who became the first woman pastor in the former Soviet Union to Ms. Alice Haben the current president of the local unit of the UWF at Christ UMC countless women, named and unnamed have anchored the church through leadership and service.
The national theme of the UWF is Dream It! Believe It! Do It! These words provide inspiration and motivation to each of us to explore the ways that we can support the mission of the UWF. For over 8 years, Dr. Ford has led Argrow’s House—a special agency that provides housing, counseling, entrepreneurial opportunities through strategic partnerships, employment, skill-development and growth leading to home-ownership and self-sufficiency for women who have been victims of domestic violence. Ms. Land has been a member of Christ UMC over 30 years and she has served in a variety of roles as a layperson and an administrative assistant. Both Dr. Ford and Ms. Land have Methodist foundations within their families.
Following the services at the East Moline campus, we will have the opportunity to provide additional support to Argrow’s House by purchasing some of her many soaps, lotions and other products that the women of Argrow’s House have learned to make. Additionally, Dr. Ford also provides employment opportunities for the ladies through the coffee and sandwich shop that was recently opened.
It is easy to overlook the pervasiveness of domestic violence around the world and within our local community. However, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says 42% of women and 26% of men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetime. In a report by Family Resources, it was noted that nearly 50% of U.S. women and men report experiencing psychological aggression by an intimate partner, and the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%. To help address this rising issue, the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church has developed a Bible Study entitled “Hidden in Plain Sight: a call to end domestic violence.” Because October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, Shelby Kluver recently penned an article “Everyone Knows Someone” to honor survivors, raise awareness and to remind the community that help and support are available.
For years, there are many ways that the women of the church have provided strategic leadership in the community. As we are inspired by the words and the witness of our special speakers this Sunday, prayerfully consider how you feel called to serve and support the efforts of the UWF and the impactful efforts of organizations and agencies in our community.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
