“Hope is something that we need to practice our whole lives, and especially now,” proclaimed Darlene DiDomineck, Deaconess and Executive Director of The Center Philadelphia. She was referring to the UWF study theme for this year, “Practicing Hope Together.”
Through biblical reflection, breathwork, prayer, and study, the UWF study invites us all to consider how we experience and embody hope—as individuals, as communities, and as the church—while avoiding the pitfalls of toxic positivity or hope as a kind of vague optimism.
The study traces the experiences of the disciples following Jesus’ resurrection and explores how their hopes were both disappointed in his death and expanded in his triumph over death through the resurrection.
Hope is both a feeling and an action.
Hope is necessary for human survival. Ask any nurse, and they’ll tell you, “Healing requires hope.” But the reality is that sometimes we don’t feel all that hopeful. Mercifully, we can choose to embody hope for ourselves and for others, even when we don’t feel hopeful.
John Wesley, the father of Methodism, in a moment of despair, confided to a friend that he was considering giving up preaching because he felt like he had no faith. His friend, Peter Bohler, replied, “Preach faith until you have it! Then you will preach faith because you have it!”
The same is true for hope. We can choose to embody hope, by taking hope-filled action, in faith and trust that the feelings will follow.
Deaconess Darlene DiDomineck, of EPA, is excited about the power of this study: “It’s key for such a time as this—and a really beautiful way to conceptualize how to practice embodied hope. The reality is that we always need hope; there is always injustice, there is always oppression, and there is always human suffering.”
Barbara Drake, Deaconess and current Dean of Mission U, was captivated by the course description: “’What does it mean to have hope in God when things seem to be falling apart?’ That sentence just connects with everything that is going on in the world right now. One of my goals as dean is not only to facilitate the study of this material, but also, when we are getting together in person, how can we do other things to promote hope?”
The new curriculum is designed to be used at the main in-person event and in the life of the congregation. There is a study for adults that’s written in a way that provides everything you need to lead it—including a sample covenant, materials list, scripture recommendations, and questions for consideration. They also have a program for children and youth that can be easily adapted into a Vacation Bible School program.
Hope is essential. Hope cultivates resilience. Resilience cultivates the opportunity for a new beginning. UWF’s Mission U 2025 is here to help you and your congregation explore how God might be calling you to embody hope together for yourselves, for your neighborhood, and for the global community. You can visit United Women in Faith Digital to purchase the study and access it now, or you can save the date and plan to attend Mission U, July 18-19th, at the Chester Hotel and Convention Center in Exton, PA. Registration will open in May.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash