Dec. 2019 Prayer List -English

FOCUS: GRATITUDE

I believe in Jesus, son of God, of one substance with the Father, born of a woman, Mary, who with utmost attention listened to women and held them in high esteem, and sat in Martha and Mary’s house and spoke with them about the Kingdom. Moreover, he had women disciples who followed him and helped him in all of his ministry. (Luke 10:38-41) Verse 2 from A Unity Creed

I believe in Jesus, who considered pregnancy and birth to be something marvelous, not a punishment, but rather a heartrending event, a metaphor of transformation, a new birth from agony to joy. Verse 7 from A Unity Creed

In this season of Advent, as we celebrate God’s great gift through the birth of Jesus Christ, we also, celebrate all the ways God has blessed our ministry in the past year.

The UWD mission remains unchanged: to improve the lives of women and girls globally, focusing on pressing issues of education health, economics, and violence against women. The UWD works to raise awareness, support innovative solutions, and harness energy of Moravians around the globe to make a difference for women. The UWD is here to share, encourage, support, and connect. The Lord blessed this ministry richly in 2019 and we are grateful.

The UWD works to increase visibility of the Lord’s work through Moravian women globally. A network of prayer, support, and sharing can amplify good works already being done in response to Christ’s call to love our neighbors.
-Cuban Pastors shared a creed they wrote affirming Christ’s loving, respectful
interactions with women, and the UWD network translated it into 9 languages to share.
-Sisters in Nicaragua, South Africa, and Tanzania took to the streets to raise awareness of violence against women. We encourage American congregations to join our voices to theirs.
-The Monthly Prayer List, available by email with pictures, shares information about focus issues and invites you to join us in prayer as you learn more about our Sisters.
-In the Southern Province, we have started a monthly book discussion group meeting at the UWD office to discuss books that raise issues important to women. Many of you may have similar discussion groups already – please share with us as an inspiration to others!

Pray for those who received scholarships in 2019 and those who made this possible: -59 girls in primary and secondary school girls received scholarships in 2019 – in Jamaica, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.
-44 women received scholarships in 2019 to attend diploma or university courses. These women are from the East West Indies, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Nicaragua, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa, 6 different provinces in Tanzania and Uganda.

Give thanks for the impact of UWD Project Funds in 2019. We supported entrepreneurial training in partnership with the Moravian Church in Malawi and mission agencies, and a conference for female pastors/evangelists, partnering with the Tanzanian Moravian Church.

The UWD is sending birthing kits and layettes to Peru and Honduras. More than 300 were packed this year by groups in both Northern and Southern Provinces of the U.S.

Applications are currently being accepted for university scholarships in the Northern and Southern Provinces. Please check our website for details.
-Pray for those receiving loans through the Leinbach Fund. The UWD helped start 3 new businesses in Tanzania: widows starting a piggery, a taxi business, and a farm expansion.

Pray for future impact of the Patty Garner Legacy Fund, established to honor founding UWD Coordinator. At Rev. Garner’s request, these funds will be used to fight violence against women, an urgent priority for Sisters in all four regions of the Unity. Globally, we work with UN- Women, Mission 21, and the World Council of Churches to connect our Sisters to resources in their countries. In the Southern Province, we are in discussions with 2 local agencies about engaging congregations in this issue.

Pray for our efforts to build our Hinge Fund to ensure the UWD remains a sustainable ministry, able respond to God’s call to serve women, and through them to bless the church and the communities they serve.

-Pray for comfort for those afflicted by natural disasters like the recent earthquakes in Albania.
-Pray for peace for areas torn by war and gang violence.
-Pray for all those hurt by domestic violence.
-Pray for parents as they seek to raise children who treat others with respect and love.

The UWD Network – Modern Day Moravian Hinges!
24 Provincial Coordinators (we TRY to have one coordinator in every province)
7 Sub-Desk Coordinators (charged with training and assisting Provincial Coordinators and advising the Advisory Board. 2 from Tanzania, 1 from South Africa, 1 from Latin America and 1 from the Caribbean. 4 Advisory Board Members –appointed by the Unity Board, they make all decisions about applications, plan the Unity Women’s Consultation and supervise the UWD Coordinator (me!)
UWD Secretary/Treasurer -Liz Venable, Education Committee Chair Janet Doub Volunteers and interns– in the Winston-Salem office who help with mailings, our new almost- online store, event-planning, leading book discussions, and organizing birthing kit materials.

WE ARE GRATEFUL!
UWD Coordinator, Julie Tomberlin