Soul Care
Led by Jana Jones, Deaconess Heidi Careaga, and Dr Melba McCallum
Life can be overwhelming. This is why it’s important to slow down and take time to nurture your whole self: mind, body, and spirit. This workshop will explore ways women can engage in soul care experiences including personal time, small groups and in a retreat experience. Soul care retreats are designed to bring people together to experience rest, rejuvenation, and spiritual nourishment. Join this workshop to learn more. Soul care is sacred.
Jana Jones currently lives south of Denver, Colorado and is a member of the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. As a retired registered nurse, she spent the majority of her career as a School Nurse Consultant, working to enable students with health issues full access to educational services. Her life objective is to understand individuals as holistic persons, each deserving of respect, love, and compassion as a beloved child of God. As a long-time member of United Women in Faith, she has served on many levels and committees, including as a Director to the General Board of Global Ministries, Chair of the UWFaith Reading Program, and currently is serving as the National President of the Board of Directors and Program Advisory Group.
Deaconess Heidi J. Careaga, a native of Guatemala, came to the United States at age eleven. Her early experiences as an immigrant and the kindness she received shaped her lifelong call to “love the stranger.” Her ministry focuses on social justice and advocacy, especially around immigration. Heidi serves as District Administrator for the Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church, finding deep joy in supporting clergy and lay leaders. For more than twenty-six years, she has served in ministry alongside her husband, Rev. Carlos Careaga. They are the proud parents of Deidre, a college student, and Ewan, a high school senior—her greatest source of strength and wholeness. A lifelong member of United Women in Faith, Heidi has served at every level and now serves as National Board Vice President. In 2024, she was consecrated as a Deaconess. She credits God’s grace and the women who mentored her for shaping her journey of service and compassion.
Dr. Melba McCallum is a Deaconess in the NC Conference UMC. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Partners In Ministry National Mission Institution (NMI). McCallum has been instrumental in leading the Ministry in becoming the first and only NMI in the NCC. The Ministry is dedicated to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, nurturing, equipping, and unlocking the potential of our children and youth, and empowering and strengthening families living in blighted neighborhoods and communities. McCallum holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from N.C. State University, retired as Vice President from Bladen Community College after 30 years of service, served on the National Association of Deaconess, Home Missionary, and Home Missioner Leadership team for eight years and served as Chairperson for four years. She is a Community Developer under GBGM; serves on the SEJ Leadership team, NCCUWF Leadership team, and as a National Director of the National UWF Board.