United Women in Faith
We believe that love in action can change the world.
Mission: United Women in Faith seeks to connect & nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship & education so that they can inspire, influence & impact local & global communities. www.unfaithful.org
Mission: United Women in Faith seeks to connect & nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship & education so that they can inspire, influence & impact local & global communities. www.unfaithful.org
Merry Christmas Creche display [12/08/24]: Our Nichigo chapel was the perfect setting for this church-wide Nativity display. Did you notice the delicately carved wood from Europe? Maybe the whimsical rubber ducky set brought a smile. Or did you linger to study all the many layers of blended paints. All guests were treated to this magical display of awesome artistic creations depicting a spirit of a very Holy Night.
UWF Officer Installation [1/26/25]: This annual UWF ceremony was held during Wesley UMC worship service with Senior Pastor, Rev. John Oda, officiating. This is a time of renewed commitment to the UWF mission and a re-dedication to service. Following worship service, the UWF hosted Tea Time, providing light refreshments for the Wesley UMC congregation. [9 UWF Officers/Leadership Team]
UWF Special Mission Recognition award [1/26/25]: Annually, our Wesley UWF celebrates and recognizes WUMC members for their dedicated, faithful and impactful mission contributions. Honorees were Kathy Haneda, Barbara Hiura, Warren Shimonishi and Itsuo Yokota. Each honoree received a UWF lapel pin and a certificate. Wesley UWF made a donation in their honor to the national UWF organization.
Dress A Girl Around the World [2/16/25]: We are making a difference one dress at a time! During worship service, 40 dresses were “blessed” and then displayed in the Fellowship Hall.
Since 2022, dedicated Wesley UMF members have lovingly assembled and sewn over 204 dresses for impoverished girls from under-developed countries.
Rummage Sale [6/04-6/07/25]: Our annual church-wide Rummage Sale was again met with great enthusiasm. There was fellowship, sharing and smiles during the three days of exhausting sorting, cleaning and pricing and also on Sale day. This event is much more than just a UWF fundraiser… this is a much needed and much appreciated community outreach and a time of fellowship with our community neighbors and our congregation. Wesley UMC generously donated new and gently used clothing and household goods. Many of these items were priced at a starting price of just 50 cents. With happy and grateful hearts our community neighbors came, discovered and purchased many usable items. We count the Rummage Sale as a win-win blessing.
UWF Reading Program: Read, learn and be inspired!
Five categories are offered: Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action and Spiritual Growth.
Each Sunday, the UWF book cart is displayed in the Fellowship Hall to encourage the Wesley UMC congregation to grab a book, read and participate in the UWF Reading Program. A minimum of 5 books [one from each category] earns a UWF certificate.
UWF Prayer Chain: This weekly on-line email prayer chain helps keep the Wesley UMC congregation connected in prayer along with some information sharing.
Blessing Bags [November 2025]: 60 Blessing Bags were distributed to our neighbor friends after our UWF purchased and assembled these Blessing Bags. These bags overflowed with useful household items including everything from detergent, paper towels, toothbrush/tooth paste to marker pens, invisible tape, enamel pins and sweet treats. The goal of these Blessing Bags is twofold: supporting our neighbors financially with a boost of useful items while spreading a spirit of hope and love.
Sarah Circle [9-16 participants]: This UWF group faithfully meets the first Wednesday of each month (via zoom) for book study, discussion and sisterhood bonding. Individual monetary donations support UWF missions.
Each December, the Wesley Sarah Circle members celebrate their special sisterhood with a joyful Christmas luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. This was a time to widen our circle and also show appreciation for our Wesley office staff. [21 participants]
UWF Officer Installation [1/26/25]: This annual UWF ceremony was held during Wesley UMC worship service with Senior Pastor, Rev. John Oda, officiating. This is a time of renewed commitment to the UWF mission and a re-dedication to service. Following worship service, the UWF hosted Tea Time, providing light refreshments for the Wesley UMC congregation. [9 UWF Officers/Leadership Team]
UWF Special Mission Recognition award [1/26/25]: Annually, our Wesley UWF celebrates and recognizes WUMC members for their dedicated, faithful and impactful mission contributions. Honorees were Kathy Haneda, Barbara Hiura, Warren Shimonishi and Itsuo Yokota. Each honoree received a UWF lapel pin and a certificate. Wesley UWF made a donation in their honor to the national UWF organization.
Dress A Girl Around the World [2/16/25]: We are making a difference one dress at a time! During worship service, 40 dresses were “blessed” and then displayed in the Fellowship Hall.
Since 2022, dedicated Wesley UMF members have lovingly assembled and sewn over 204 dresses for impoverished girls from under-developed countries.
Rummage Sale [6/04-6/07/25]: Our annual church-wide Rummage Sale was again met with great enthusiasm. There was fellowship, sharing and smiles during the three days of exhausting sorting, cleaning and pricing and also on Sale day. This event is much more than just a UWF fundraiser… this is a much needed and much appreciated community outreach and a time of fellowship with our community neighbors and our congregation. Wesley UMC generously donated new and gently used clothing and household goods. Many of these items were priced at a starting price of just 50 cents. With happy and grateful hearts our community neighbors came, discovered and purchased many usable items. We count the Rummage Sale as a win-win blessing.
UWF Reading Program: Read, learn and be inspired!
Five categories are offered: Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action and Spiritual Growth.
Each Sunday, the UWF book cart is displayed in the Fellowship Hall to encourage the Wesley UMC congregation to grab a book, read and participate in the UWF Reading Program. A minimum of 5 books [one from each category] earns a UWF certificate.
UWF Prayer Chain: This weekly on-line email prayer chain helps keep the Wesley UMC congregation connected in prayer along with some information sharing.
Blessing Bags [November 2025]: 60 Blessing Bags were distributed to our neighbor friends after our UWF purchased and assembled these Blessing Bags. These bags overflowed with useful household items including everything from detergent, paper towels, toothbrush/tooth paste to marker pens, invisible tape, enamel pins and sweet treats. The goal of these Blessing Bags is twofold: supporting our neighbors financially with a boost of useful items while spreading a spirit of hope and love.
Sarah Circle [9-16 participants]: This UWF group faithfully meets the first Wednesday of each month (via zoom) for book study, discussion and sisterhood bonding. Individual monetary donations support UWF missions.
Each December, the Wesley Sarah Circle members celebrate their special sisterhood with a joyful Christmas luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. This was a time to widen our circle and also show appreciation for our Wesley office staff. [21 participants]
Support for Wesley UMC & Japantown Community events:
*After worship Tea Time snacks, Fellowship luncheons and Altar flowers: our UWF participated throughout the year in these WUMC fellowship programs. The breaking of bread is an opportunity to reach out to include all of our WUMC congregation in the act of service. These fellowship times offered platforms and reminders of fellowship and service while offering praise.
*Golf Tournament fundraiser [8/04/25]: Our UWF donated two baskets of various gift cards and small items in support of the WUMC Mission committee’s live auction fundraiser.
*Trunk n Treat [10/31/25]: Annually the Japantown community comes together for a fun, safe and spirited Halloween event. Our UWF was there with decorated car trunks and folks in full costumes to greet each child with a treat and a smile.
*Scripture for Wesley UMC Good News newsletter: Beginning in March 2023, the UWF committed to submitting Bible scriptures for each monthly publication of the WUMC Good News newsletters. Our hope is that scripture will bring promise, hope, faith, joy and peace as we learn and grow closer to our creator God.
Time to Celebrate!
*UWF 156 years [3/23/25]: Our UWF served as Host for after worship Tea Time as we celebrated the hallmark of the UWF’s 156 year birthdate! Colorful posters, festive table decor, decorated snacks were all part of this celebration as we remembered and honored the UWF pioneers and visionary founders.
*Wesley UMC 130 years [9/28/25]: Our UWF joined in this special celebration by creating beautiful over-sized origami cranes and bright origami flowers that added a celebration element to each table of this catered lunch and program.
*After worship Tea Time snacks, Fellowship luncheons and Altar flowers: our UWF participated throughout the year in these WUMC fellowship programs. The breaking of bread is an opportunity to reach out to include all of our WUMC congregation in the act of service. These fellowship times offered platforms and reminders of fellowship and service while offering praise.
*Golf Tournament fundraiser [8/04/25]: Our UWF donated two baskets of various gift cards and small items in support of the WUMC Mission committee’s live auction fundraiser.
*Trunk n Treat [10/31/25]: Annually the Japantown community comes together for a fun, safe and spirited Halloween event. Our UWF was there with decorated car trunks and folks in full costumes to greet each child with a treat and a smile.
*Scripture for Wesley UMC Good News newsletter: Beginning in March 2023, the UWF committed to submitting Bible scriptures for each monthly publication of the WUMC Good News newsletters. Our hope is that scripture will bring promise, hope, faith, joy and peace as we learn and grow closer to our creator God.
Time to Celebrate!
*UWF 156 years [3/23/25]: Our UWF served as Host for after worship Tea Time as we celebrated the hallmark of the UWF’s 156 year birthdate! Colorful posters, festive table decor, decorated snacks were all part of this celebration as we remembered and honored the UWF pioneers and visionary founders.
*Wesley UMC 130 years [9/28/25]: Our UWF joined in this special celebration by creating beautiful over-sized origami cranes and bright origami flowers that added a celebration element to each table of this catered lunch and program.
UWF Connections: Wesley UWF is a local unit and also part of the El Camino Real district, California-Nevada conference and National conference. Our local unit is the beneficiary of dedicated and inspirational leaders and programs.
Each quarter, our UWF El Camino Real district presidents meet [via zoom] sharing information, offering encouragement and building bonds of sisterhood.
UWF El Camino Real district Mission u [7/19/25]: 2025 Theme: Practicing Hope Together. Wesley UWF was represented at this annual one day training session held in Sacramento, CA. This face-to-face gathering is time to enjoy new and old sisters as we experience a joyful time of learning and growing.
Funding: All Wesley UWF events/activities are 100% funded by personal donations, proceeds from UWF Cookbook and Rummage Sale. The 2025 Rummage Sale proceeds [$12,880] are distributed in the following year, Funds are disbursemented in support of United Women in Faith and Wesley UMC local and global ministries.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary K. Horio, Wesley UWF President
Wesley UWF Leadership Team:
Mary Horio (President), Kazuko Tengan (Vice President),
Beverly Acuna (Secretary), DeeDee Azuma (Treasurer),
Shizuko Adachi, Mary Chafey, Joanne Kumano, Terri Koike, Bobbie Ueunten
Each quarter, our UWF El Camino Real district presidents meet [via zoom] sharing information, offering encouragement and building bonds of sisterhood.
UWF El Camino Real district Mission u [7/19/25]: 2025 Theme: Practicing Hope Together. Wesley UWF was represented at this annual one day training session held in Sacramento, CA. This face-to-face gathering is time to enjoy new and old sisters as we experience a joyful time of learning and growing.
Funding: All Wesley UWF events/activities are 100% funded by personal donations, proceeds from UWF Cookbook and Rummage Sale. The 2025 Rummage Sale proceeds [$12,880] are distributed in the following year, Funds are disbursemented in support of United Women in Faith and Wesley UMC local and global ministries.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary K. Horio, Wesley UWF President
Wesley UWF Leadership Team:
Mary Horio (President), Kazuko Tengan (Vice President),
Beverly Acuna (Secretary), DeeDee Azuma (Treasurer),
Shizuko Adachi, Mary Chafey, Joanne Kumano, Terri Koike, Bobbie Ueunten
Posted in Charge Conference 2025