President’s Letter: Abundance, Audacious Dreams, Healing a Broken World

By Cindy Saufferer, Conference President

Abundance. This word has been on my heart as of late. Just yesterday, I was in my garden and realized that I had an abundance of weeds! As I was rescuing my begonias from this abundance, I remembered an article talking about edible weeds. I promised myself to learn more about this. I may not buy greens at the grocer’s next summer! Abundance.

 

I have been a member of the Emma Norton Services board for approximately 12 years now. When I began, things were not easy, and we often wondered where the money was going to come from to keep the doors open. Two years in, the board spent a weekend dreaming and strategizing. No dream was too large, dream it and put it on paper. 

 

We dreamt of a new building. A building that not only housed women, one that was home and promoted healing in a world held by trauma. We nervously laughed at our audaciousness. This was too big…or was it? The board stopped focusing on the things we didn’t have and took a serious look at all we did have. A committed and talented staff, a supportive board, and a group of United Women in Faith wrapping it all in Love. A dream of a home for women, Restoring Waters, is now half complete. Abundance.

 

Our climate within our denomination and organization makes it a bit more challenging to live into our abundance. I continue to receive emails about units that are choosing to be inactive and questions of how we can continue without new members. Like my early years at Emma Norton, it is difficult. So, I ask you, what is your audacious dream? How do you envision United Women in Faith? None of it is too big! 

 

You were awarded the Jean Audrey Powers Award for Healing a Broken World at Annual Conference in May. This was achieved with an Abundance of Love from the perfect number of Minnesota United Women in Faith. 

 

The Minnesota United Women in Faith Finance team met this month to create a budget and set our 2024 Pledge. In October at our Annual Gathering, you will be voting to accept an increase in our Pledge. Abundance. 

 

Your Conference Team spent a day, dreaming on your behalf. I can tell you there was an Abundance of creativity, joy, and love as we dreamt of ways to connect to all of you. Mission u revitalized and expanded, Soul Care Retreats to nurture you and friends who currently are not members imagined, all possible because of God’s Abundance.

 

I have been blessed to be a member of this organization. I have witnessed and experienced the generosity of spirit, love, and gifts that have made the world a better place. I am eternally grateful for the Abundance you continue to bring to the table in the most unselfish of ways. I know in my heart it is because We believe that Love in Action can change the world!