Tennessee River District Newsletter, August 2017

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1 Tennessee River District Newsletter, August 2017 Upcoming Events August 26th Conference Social Action Aldersgate UMC September 17th District Annual Day Lexington 1st UMC September 30th Annual Day Murray 1st UMC October 15th TN River District Event Middleton UMC From your Treasurer Even though the year is over half gone, there is still plenty of time to do the Lord's work - giving of your time, talents and tithes. In the Tennessee River District, there are planned meetings where we can do the His work. And yes it is work. As for giving your money, the third quarter pledge is due September 1 and the fourth quarter by December 1. Even if large amounts make a bigger splash, there is no amount too small to be added to the total. Maybe we all need to evaluate our monies and give up something to be able to give more to mission. Again, thanks for all that is given. For any questions, comments or thoughts, please contact me. Gail Eubanks 335 Knox St Huntingdon, TN (leave message)

2 Jane Conero Secretary Tennessee River District Tennessee River District UMW Social Action Day Nine women from our district met on June 10th at 10:00 am at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church for our Social Action Day. The women represented UMW units from the churches of Boliver, Browns, Wesley Chapel, Decaturville, and Flatwoods. Each local unit was asked to donate ten pairs of white socks to be given to our two service centers. We collected ninety pairs of socks plus several pairs of underwear. These were donated to Laurelwood Health Care Facility and to the Regional Interfaith Association (RIFA). At Laurelwood we all sang, prayed, and read poems about fathers for Father s Day with the clients. At RIFA soup kitchen we assisted with serving the lunch meal. The mission projects were enjoyed by all. A big thank you to Carolyn Lawhorn for planning and co-ordinating this Social Action Day. Respectfully Jane Conero Matthew 25:40 (NRSV) And the King will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.

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4 Mission Study Reports We had eight units receiving certificates for Mission Studies which included: Trezevant 9 hrs, Decaturville 8hrs., Flatwoods 8 hrs., Aldersgate (Jackson) 4 hrs., Browns 8 hrs., Camden First 4 hrs., Sardis 4hrs., Wesley Chapel 4 hrs.. We appreciate everyone who attends the mission studies. Each speaker brings information and inspiration that enriches our lives. The studies may possibly motivate us to take action to make life better for others. I know that the redistricting has made traveling to the district events more difficult for many of you. However, I hope to see the attendance to our studies and other district events increase so that our fellowship will be improved and the Tennessee River District strengthened for God work. District Activities There are two district projects that I hope everyone will participate in, even involve your church. First we will collect items for foster children in our district, which is our annual district project. They need luggage so they don't have to take their clothes in garbage bags if they have to move. The luggage may be used. Look for the full list of acceptable items elsewhere in the newsletter. Please bring your item on September 17 at 2 p.m. for the District Annual Day at Lexington FUMC. Then we are having a Baby Shower to help Reelfoot Rural Ministry provide baby items to those in need. Each unit, and possibly their church, should collect items for infants from newborn to 12 months. We will assemble them into baskets for delivery as needed. Please bring or send your baby items on October 15 at Middleton UMC 2p.m. - 4p.m. The Conference Social Action Day begins on August 26 at Aldersgate. It's focusing on several problems of today: Teen Suicide, Human Trafficking and Maternal & Child Health. Conference Annual Day will be at Murray First on September 30 at 10 a.m. Those sneaky due dates are just around the corner. Be sure to get in your reports for Candle Burning, Mission Today and Reading Reports by August 27. Send them to Teresa Cuff at 185 Wilson Rd. Camden, TN or tcuff1@yahoo.com p.s Don't forget to include the 1 in the address. Teresa Cuff, Acting E & I Officer It is time to elect the unit officers for It is very important that you send a list of officers to us, even if they are the same ones. We have had trouble contacting several of the units. So please, please, please send a list of officers to the district secretary, Jane Conero at 915 Mussel Diver Lane, Bath Springs, TN or janeconero@tds.net.

5 Operation Christmas Child Save this date all shoe box packers for Operation Christmas Child! October 14, 2017 afternoon, place to be determined! Jaci, a shoe box recipient from Guatemala, will speak! Let s show our support for this ministry by being present and enjoying the fellowship of fellow packers!!! Contact Sandra Williams for information closer to time. (ddslwilliams1940@charter.net or call ) Need assistance with your Operation Christmas Child ministry, please or call Sandra Williams willing to speak, share resources, give support in any way! Sunday, September 17,2017 TN River District UMW Annual Day at First UMC, Lexington, TN. 2-4pm, candle burning, guest speaker- Sanchez Simmons and I will have more info coming out to everyone the end of this week. The First UMC UMW will be serving us a light brunch that day. God Bless, Beverly Mueller

6 Tennessee River District UMC Event We will be hosting a Baby Shower Gathering to collect items for children ages Newborn to 12 months. This event will help collect baby items for the Reelfoot Ministries for children in need. Date: Saturday, October 15, 2017 Time: 2:oopm-4:oopm Place: Middleton UMC 429 Main St. North Middleton, TN We are asking for any donations of baby items, you may bring them on October 15, or you can bring them to any of the UMW events prior to the October date. I will have a box at each event prior to our meeting. If you are unable to attend and still want to donate; call me, and we will try and make arrangements to pick up your items. My phone number is , you may leave a message, and I will call you back. Thank you, Beverly Mueller UMW District Vice-President

7 Dear Creation Care Ministry Friends-Tennessee Conference: Please join us for upcoming events as we continue to build the movement for creation care in middle Tennessee: #1: Solar Eclipse Event that the Creation Care Ministry is supporting: Love & Unity Under One Sun, Monday, August 21, 10am-3pm at Hadley Park ( th Ave. No., Nashville, 37208) Tennessee Activist Coalition, Nashville Peace & Justice, New Earth Matters TN and other community partner organizations are coming together in Hadley Park for song, dance and inspiration! With an emphasis on the multi-cultural and richly diverse city that is Nashville, we will provide entertainment, food and community from the wide array of citizens. This is a celebration of the best of who we are; shining a positive light on humankind. For more information: # 2. Fall conference: "A Sacred Calling: Faith Communities Caring for Our Earth", Saturday, Oct. 14, 9:00-3:30 at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, (across from Vanderbilt). People of all faith traditions and anyone who cares deeply about this beautiful, bountiful Earth and all living things sustained by it are invited. The conference will kick off with a keynote address by Rev. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director of GreenFaith, an international interfaith environmental organization. Three workshops will then be offered throughout the day geared toward equipping and inspiring individuals to help their faith communities be better caretakers of the Earth. Workshop tracks include: -- Practical steps to make your house of worship more Earthfriendly, including: reducing energy consumption; solar options; gardening landscaping; meals; composting; recycling; purchasing practices; etc. #1. Education and worship resources and models for all ages.-#2. How to impact public policy at all levels of government and earth care as a justice issue.-#3. How to establish a long-term commitment to Earth care in your house of worship. This will include how to have effective conversations that seek common ground. Rev. Paul Slentz, Pastor for Creation Care and Environmental Justice pslentz53@gmail.com Dr. Dan Joranko, Coordinator, Creation Care Ministry, Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church

8 United Methodist Women Condemn Hate and Violence in Charlottesville August 13, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE United Methodist Women condemns the racism, anti-semitism and bigotry that bred the violence and loss of life connected to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, today. We also lament the blindness of too many to the historical reality that the United States has from its very beginning been a multiracial country, built by a diverse population, not a white nation in need of being taken back. We decry the dog whistles of hate embedded in too much of today s public discourse, which embolden and nod to the sort of hate and violence that was openly on display in Charlottesville. Even now we are encouraged by the many people of faith who joined with an interfaith group and others of good will to counter the hate that came to Charlottesville. We are encouraged by the many political leaders from all parties who named and spoke out against the viewpoints and the actions of the racist hate groups that organized the rally. We urge United Methodist Women and the entire church to speak out and resist fear, hate and scapegoating. This is our Christian witness. The Hebrew prophets declared God is appalled at silence in the face of injustice (Isaiah 59:14-16). Speaking up, participating in responses with others, standing without fear, living out our faith as we insist on racial justice is an essential component of our identity as United Methodist Women and as United Methodist Christians. As stated in the resolution, Speaking Out for Compassion and Against Hate : At a time of rising vitriol, racism, hate, and violence in the world born of deep economic crisis and global shifts, it is time for the church to speak out. If we do not, God will be appalled. We feel compelled to raise a prophetic voice challenging the climate of distrust, distortion of truth and fear, shifting the conversation to our common future. In many places, the level of anger has crossed a line in terms of civility. Whatever the disagreement about policy or program, this behavior is unacceptable. It represents a spiritual crisis that calls for us to respond by deepening our understanding of God s call and filling our own deep yearnings for spiritual wholeness, that can empower us to love and compassion without giving up our responsibility to speak out for justice. We Urge United Methodist Women members to speak up for compassion and against hate and to organize against bigotry in their communities. Harriett Olson General Secretary/CEO United Methodist Women

9 ITEMS NEEDED FOR FOSTER CHILDREN Care Packages Toothbrush Tooth paste Deodorant Shaving cream Soap Shampoo Feminine Hygiene products Hairbrush Comb Diapers Bottles Wipes Contact Solution Lotion Floss Socks Undershirts Undergarments Hair Bows Hairstyling Products Cotton Balls Q Tips Shower Cap Vaseline Pacifiers Duffle Bags Luggage ACTIVITY PACKAGES Crayons Journals Coloring Pencils Pens & Pencils Disposable Cameras Stickers Stencils Sketch Pads Supplies for Life Books Bubbles Etch-a-sketch Toys (for all ages) Games (for all ages) Books (Ex Dr. Suess) School Supplies

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