Early August, delegates from the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women gathered at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. The delegation, which consisted of world offices and executive committee of the 5 million member group’s executive committee, allowed for a closer look on the impact of diversity in accomplishing the groups goal: wanting to known Christ and making him known.

According to, Thelma Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio, the world treasurer, the culture and environment of the nation greatly impacts the work of the Federation in those countries.

Gender remains a critical issue for the women, particularly educating females in developing nations

“We are putting a lot of emphasis on women’s education, on empowerment,” said Khushnud Azariah, an ordained minister of the United Church of Pakistan and the federation’s president emerita. “Even rural women in Pakistan are developing confidence in themselves.”

“The more we are pushed to the margins, the more we feel called or challenged,” said Azariah, who added that she has dealt with her own marginalization by working with less fortunate women and children. “The more you relate with people who are poor and oppressed, the more energized you are.”

More information can be found at www.methodistandunitingchurchwomen.org, the federation’s Web site.