Unstoppable Together: BWC & Pen-Del Women Experience the Power of Assembly 2026
By: Kim Marie Walker and Angela Taylor
UWFaith Presidents for BWC and Pen-Del
Assembly 2026, a once-every-four-years gathering of the United Women in Faith, was held May 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The theme was DREAM IT! BELIEVE IT! And DO IT, and what a theme it was. This was a theme that helped us to be excited and invite others, to experience the abundance of God with our sisters and for the women, children, and youth in our care, to celebrate our identity as we embrace change and lead with courage, and to expand concepts of mission where we care for our souls, grow in knowledge, and act for justice. This is a weekend that uplifts our souls, strengthens our faith, and brings us together with an unstoppable sisterhood.
On Thursday, May 14, nearly 3,000 women from across the U.S. and around the world began gathering, including our Area BWC & Pen-Del UWFaith. We had close to 150 registered attendees, of which nearly eighty braved the road as they journeyed via motorcoach/bus for the 12-hour ride, not counting rest and food stops.
Assembly 2026 was a celebration of who we, the United Women in Faith (UWFaith), are and what we can achieve together. Assembly was our chance to unite, recharge, and deepen our Faith. The BWC and Pen-Del UWFaith did just that by participating in community gatherings (worship), town halls, and workshops.
As the UWFaith Conference Presidents for BWC & Pen-Del, we focused on the Assembly 2026 vision, which reminds us that there has never been a more important time for women of faith to come together, tap into our strength, and put love in action to change the world.
Assembly 2026 was our time to TALK, to DREAM, and to BUILD because when women of faith unite, we are UNSTOPPABLE - Together. The BWC & Pen-Del UWFaith remained rooted in Christ as we focused on the scriptures Matthew 5:3-16, Jeremiah 29:11, and John 10:10 to guide us as we hosted longtime United Methodists Stacey Abrams and her mother, longtime UWFaith member and retired pastor Rev. Carolyn Abrams, in conversation as our keynote speakers, bringing words of inspiration. Both spoke of how their faith is what leads them to act, and they are committed to speaking out for racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. There were also many mother-daughter attendees for this first-time experience of a mother and daughter sharing the Assembly stage to ignite and excite all those gathered. In addition, Rev. Stephanie York Arnold the event’s theologian in residence and general secretary for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women for the United Methodist Church focused on abundance as she spoke about the Good Shepherd.
General Secretary and CEO Sally Vonner encouraged Unstoppable Growth as we move into the second year of our campaign to grow membership to 500,000.
The Assembly closing worship included the consecration of 22 new Deaconesses and Home Missioners by Bishops Tracy Smith Malone and Peggy Johnson, as well as a shared time of communion. Assembly was truly a powerful and wonderful weekend filled with the opportunity for spiritual growth and learning for all in attendance.
To experience the next scheduled UWFaith Assembly, please mark the dates May 17-19, 2030, on your calendars and plan to meet us in Richmond, Virginia.