Volume 40 AUGUST 2015 Issue 2

Transcription

1 Blue Water District United Methodist Women Volume 40 AUGUST 2015 Issue 2 President Good afternoon to all! As I write this column it s been a warm, rainy day, good for reading, napping and thinking about United Methodist Women! I don t believe that it s the middle of June already, but time does have a way of speeding by, doesn t it? I hope that your units are finding fulfilling work to do on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ and that you have been able to enjoy your time together in fellowship with each other! I look forward to seeing a number of my shepherd churches at Marysville on September 12 at a cluster meeting. I have a program on prayer in mind, and hope to share information about what other units are doing to encourage others to attend their meetings. If you haven t heard from your shepherd, please contact her and invite her to come even if you aren t a unit that is interested in learning about district events, your shepherd cares about your unit and wants to help in any way possible. If you don t have contact information, please give me a call and I can provide that info for you. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find information on our District Annual Meeting coming on October 10. We had a great President s meeting last year with everyone sharing their thoughts, and I hope to see more of you this year! We have Diana Miller coming to share with us, and our ingathering collection will be for Rev. Faith Fowler s Dress for Success program for the school children. At the Conference UMW meeting 2 weeks ago, we learned a lot of information pertaining to the Conference Annual Meeting to be held in Ferndale on October 24. We will be staying at a Hampton Inn with the address of Stephenson Hwy., Madison Heights, Michigan. Our speaker will be Rev. Faith Timmons from Flint Bethel UMC, and hopefully you will consider driving down for this or coming the night before. There are 20 rooms reserved for us, and those of us on the leadership team will be going down for leadership training on Friday night. Kathy Freeland PO Box 195 Mayville, MI ksfdaf@sbcglobal.net Vice-President Summer greetings from me to all of you! I hope that you all made it through the long, cold winter here in Michigan. I was fortunate, as I spent six months in Florida with my 92-year-old mother, and enjoyed the warm weather there. We flew home April 30 in time to see the grass turn green, the trees bud, and the flowers bloom, God s promise of new life. May we all recognize that God provides new life and new promise for all of us. I would like to inform you of the 2015 UMW Blue Water District Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 10 at Snover Heritage United Methodist Church. Snover Heritage UMC is a fairly new church, a combination of three small rural congregations. They are very hospitable and you will enjoy their building and church family. Diana Miller, from Gladwin, Michigan, is our keynote speaker this year, with the theme Living the Vision. Diana is a Past President of the Detroit Conference UMW and wife of Rev. Duane Miller. In March 2014, she went with a UMW team to Liberia, and worked with Liberian UMWs. She will be sharing about the vision statements of United Methodist Women. Look for the flyer in this newsletter and get it on your calendar! We hope to see you at the Annual Meeting! Blessings, Doris Huntoon Lynd Rd Marlette, MI huntoondoris@gmail.com Internet Addresses Blue Water District UMW bluewaterdist@gmail.com Blue Water District Website: detroitconferenceumw.org/bwd.html Detroit Conference Website: detroitconferenceumw.org/ Newsletter Editor/ Ruth Charlton: rfc0935@gmail.com

2 Secretary Each of us have been given gifts from God. How we use these gifts is up to us. I have been blessed with the ability to Love as each of us have. One of my ways of giving love is volunteering for different occasions and/ or events. Each year I sit down and talk with God and ask Him to guide me so what I do makes a difference. Volunteering to be secretary of the Blue Water District is one of the most rewarding of all. I not only get to visit and know dear friends but keep myself informed of the wonderful opportunities that the United Methodist Women are privileged to do. Consider volunteering this year to serve on the District Team, it is an experience you will always remember and feel that the time you serve was well worth the effort. Let any of the nominations committee members know of your interest, you will never be sorry. There are many interesting jobs on the District Team and if you are contacted please give it your consideration. Also remember that I need your list of officers and members by the date listed in the back of the Thumbprints. Any information you can give us, including phone number and address, allows us to be in touch with each other as issues come up and information needs to be shared. Linda Smith Rosewood N. Mt Pleasant, MI smithl0219@gmail.com Treasurer Thanks to all the units who have sent in pledge money and those working toward becoming a five star unit. One of the things that we all have in common is we want to make a difference in the grand scheme of things. United Methodist Women working together make this happen by their mission work for women, youth and children. The District Annual Meeting will be held on October l0, 2015, at Heritage United Methodist Church in Snover. To be recognized as a 5 Star Unit or a 5 Star Person, at the annual meeting, you must have your money to me by September l5, 20l5. All pledges are due by November 30, 2015, to be counted for 20l5. Legacy funds can be sent to the District Treasurer as well. This is an awesome opportunity to pay it forward, and make it possible, in the future, for all money received to go for mission work. This is the second year we will be honoring persons who have been a Five Star person for 5, l0, or l5 years with a special pin. Please write on your Five Star Person form how many years you have been a Five Star Person. Your Five Star Person pin will be in the president s packet given out at the Annual Meeting. Make your checks payable to United Methodist Women Blue Water District and send to the District Treasurer. Judy Stambaugh Bad Axe Rd Ubly, MI goja@speednetllc.com Membership Nurture & Outreach Hope all of you are enjoying your summer and have some special events planned. If so, please share any special ideas with the district team, Thank you so much for all who helped with the prayer breakfast in May. Hope you were all blessed by the music and the message. Thank you Cass City for sharing your beautiful facility with us. Don t forget to stay in touch with your prayer partner. Any ideas for next year s prayer breakfast are welcome and will be greatly appreciated. Also included in the edition of the Thumbprints is the 2015 Local Membership Census Form. You saw this in the last issue as well, but we are requesting it earlier for 2015 so you can use the figures that you turn in for your church s annual reporting in December of If you have any questions about this, please feel free to call or me and I can direct you to the proper source for this information. You can bring the form with you when you come to the District Annual Meeting. Laura Bryce Cade Rd Brown City, MI lpbryce@greatlakes.net Important Dates: District Annual Celebration Snover Heritage UMC Saturday, October 10, 2015 Conference Annual Celebration Ferndale UMC Saturday, October 23-24, 2015

3 Spiritual Growth Awesome News: We are going to be blessed with Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton from Crossroads District United Methodist Women as our Speaker for our upcoming March 18 & 19, 2016 Spiritual Growth Retreat at Lions Bear Camp. There will be a flyer in our next publication with more details. Get ready to welcome Spring 2016 with a rejuvenating women s Spiritual Retreat! A Wonderful Spiritual Retreat was given last March 2015 with Elroy and Tammie Kosters (Living Truth 2). Their Music and Message about the 4 R s to a fuller & closer walk with our Lord Jesus Christ was well received by all 63 ladies that attended. We hope you can join us this coming March 18 & 19, Blessings to you all! Dawn Titus P.O. Box 146 Snover, MI applehil@greatlakes.net Education & Interpretation I hope as you are reading this edition of Prints from the Thumb that summer is in full swing and you are enjoying warm, sunny days. I know that many units do not meet during the summer months, but please keep in mind that UMW mission work continues to happen. I would encourage you to use your Prayer Calendar each day to remember those in the mission field with a card, or a prayer. Also keep reading response magazine to learn about your mission dollars at work. The Blue Water District Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 10, at Snover Heritage UMC. Our Ingathering Project will once again be Dress for Success which is school uniform items for Cass Community school children. Black pants, white tops, black socks and underwear for boys and girls in various sizes are needed and will be collected at the meeting. If your local unit donates to local charities, please write down your giving and turn it in at the meeting. Hopefully your local unit is working to complete some of the Mission Today Unit Objectives. Now is a good time to review the objectives and see how many you can still accomplish before the fall. Last year about 37% of the units sent in their unit objectives. I would challenge you to find the form in this newsletter, complete it and mail it to me in September. I would like to see at least 50% of the units respond this year. Even if your unit can only complete a couple of the items, let us know what you are doing. I know that many small units are very active! I would also challenge your unit and perhaps some of your members to be 5 Star persons/units. Again, I think we should see at least 50% of the local units supporting UMW mission work. May God continue to bless your mission work! Rhonda Powers Bach Rd Gagetown, MI powersdouglas@yahoo.com (Put UMW in the subject line.) Historian My topic is about leaving a legacy for those who come after us. Our foremothers left us with much wisdom and spirit. Through their stories we can find examples to follow in our own way suited to our time. A legacy is an endowment, a story handed down to impart the knowledge as they followed what Jesus taught them; to love God and their neighbors. We too can write our own stories and contribute our wisdom as a history of our relationship with United Methodist Women. Here is some of my story: I became involved in United Methodist Women through a simple invitation by a neighbor to attend the circle meeting being held at her house. She assured me that it would be alright to bring my new baby because all of the ladies will love to hold her. Soon after, my husband and I joined the Mayville United Methodist Church. Later a group of moms with young children joined together to form a new United Methodist Women s circle called Hope. I began to see how the United Methodist Women s purpose was fitting into a meaningful relationship with Jesus and how it was helping me on my journey. I hope to continue and leave a legacy of love through the mission contributions, Mission U, retreats and the other various activities supported by our church, conference, district and local unit. My story is not done yet nor is yours. Think about writing about how you got your start on your journey with United Methodist Women. Leave your story to inspire other young women to follow a path of mission, hope, faith, and justice for all through the wisdom and spirit that only you can impart. A legacy is an offering handed down and a way to celebrate the connection we have as women in mission. Write your story and send it to me and I ll include it in our district scrapbook for unit history for all to read. Lynda R. Brooks P.O. Box 282 Mayville, Mi lrbrooks@speednetllc.com

4 Program Resources Greetings to All!!! The days are getting warmer, longer, and busier. As you re planning your beach excursions, back yard get-ways, and family vacations, don t forget about what reading material you will be packing to take with you. Many of our reading program books would make great choices. Not all are ponderous and deep, those have much important information but can be left for other times. Many are inspirational easy reads, perfect for picking up and relaxing with for a few minutes (or hours). Finding God in a Bag of Groceries, How Coffee Saved My Life, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Just Another Girl, or my choice Contemplative Crochet - A Hands on Guide for Interlocking Faith and Craft are all good choices but only a few of many! Check with your unit s reading resource person to see what she has to offer or check your public libraries (many special order for you). You are also welcome to visit the district library at my house. We ll have a glass of iced tea while making a choice. Just be sure to call first ( ). Have a wonderful, relaxing, and inspirational summer. Keep Reading! Myrt Kohn P.O. Box 142 Brown City, MI mak42@frontier.com Nominations What an amazing Organization we belong to! From the beginnings of United Methodist Women nearly 146 years ago, until this day, the Mission has always been for the betterment of women, children and youth at home and all over the world. We are one in Christ, doing what we re called to do, and as a world-wide organization, we re doing it together. Visualize it! What we do here in Michigan is being done in Florida and California and Maine, in the United States and in other countries. We read the same books, share in the same spiritual growth opportunities, support the same missions Until I became involved in United Methodist Women on the District Level, I never really fully understood the depth and strength of this organization, and the true bond we share as women in a creative, supportive fellowship. My challenge to every woman is to visit our website www. unitedmethodistwomen.org and check out who we really are! My prayer is that you will be amazed and blessed, and want to grow in your commitment to and involvement in this great organization. We will soon be needing new faces on our leadership team. Please consider allowing yourself this opportunity when it arises. Attending the District Annual Meeting (October 10th at Snover Heritage UMC) and participating in the Leadership Training provided is a great way to help us grow together and stay on the same page as United Methodist Women. And remember, your District Shepherd is only a phone call away. Kathie Abke Weitzel Drive, Bad Axe, MI kabke@hotmail.com Social Action Social Action requires a passion, knowledge, and action. We can make a difference. Blue Water District United Methodist Women are active at the local churches, the District level and the Conference level and we can all learn from our neighbors. Has your unit had at least one woman receive and respond to legislative information from the United Methodist Women s Action Network? You can call or umwanet@gbgm-umc.org for the information. Has your unit or maybe at least one member participated in a workshop, seminar, or book study related to social concerns that stimulated and enriched your total community? Maybe her sharing educated the rest of your unit? Does your unit have at least two members reading Response each month? Are they sharing at your unit meetings? My goal is to challenge you and your unit to get informed and involved and hopefully take action steps to make a difference on issues that stir your passions. Joy Coyle, our Detroit Conference Social Action person, reminds us that last April s Social Action Keep Making Peace seminar in East Lansing focused on gun violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The date for next year is April 16, 2016 in East Lansing and the theme will be Who Gets Justice focusing on poverty, racism and mass incarceration. Does your unit have women planning to attend Mission U this year? Registration forms are available at You might want to start making explorations about attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days April 15-18, 2016, in Washington, D.C. The Advocacy goal is to strengthen our Christian voice and mobilize for advocacy on specific U.S. domestic and international policy issues. Your District or Local unit may be able to help with a scholarship. It is supported by our UMW. Lynn Geer Lakeshore RoadLexington, MI lynngeer@aol.com

5 Topics for 2015 Mission u studies Geographic: Latin America Study leaders- Rev. Dr. Joseph Perez & Joanne Perez Study of Latin America from pre- Colombian times until colonization. Study the influence of different religions and faith traditions had on the area.. Current challenges will be discussed as we explore art, culture, and contributions women have made. Spiritual Growth: Created for Happiness Study leader--rev Beth Librande Study to help us define happiness in sacred and secular places. We will examine what the Bible has to say about happiness,,gain a better understanding of how happiness affects us and the choices we make, and how to choose happiness in today s society. Issue: The Church and People with Disabilities Study leader--mary McCully The intent of this mission study is to promote awareness, inclusion, accessibility and advocacy for people with disabilities. There will also be studies for youth and children on Latin America. Mission u Who: You What: Mission Studies When: August 14-15, 2015 Where: Port Huron Retreat Center Why: To Keep You Informed About What Is Happening In The World Around You Contact Person: Shona Vennevy 505 Gibbs St. Caro, MI entrepreneurjs@yahoo.com

6 Reports -- Reports -- Reports This is the newsletter with all the reports. They are due at different times and are to be sent to different Mission Team members. Here is a referral list of the reports that are due, and the due dates as well as the persons responsible. Report Due Date Responsible Person Mission Objectives September 15 Rhonda Powers 7559 Bach Road Gagetown, MI Deceased Members September 15 Laura Bryce 6376 Cade Rd. Brown City, MI Reading Program September 15 Myrt Kohn P.O. Box 142 Brown City, MI * Giving Goals September 14 Judy Stambaugh 5351 S Bad Axe Rd. Ubly, MI Officers November 1 Linda Smith 2326 Rosewood N. Mt. Pleasant, MI Pledge 2015 Monies November 15 November 30 Judy Stambaugh 5351 S Bad Axe Rd. Ubly, MI Pledge Form: Please return by November 15, 2015 to: Judy Stambaugh- Blue Water District UMW Treasurer 5351 S. Bad Axe Rd., Ubly, MI Name of Unit Members Amount of 2016 Pledge Treasurer s Name Phone Address

7 2016 Blue Water District UMW Mission Team Proposed Ballot OFFICE NAME & CHURCH ADDRESS PHONE President Kathy Freeland Mayville UMC PO Box 195 Mayville Vice-President Doris Huntoon Marlette UMC 5670 Lynd Rd. Marlette Secretary Linda Smith Mayville UMC 2326 Rosewood N. Mt. Pleasant, Treasurer Judy Stambaugh Ubly UMC 5351 S. Bad Axe Rd Ubly Mission Coordinators Spiritual Growth Dawn Titus Heritage UMC PO Box 146 Snover Education & Interpretation Rhonda Powers Owendale UMC 7559 Bach Rd Gagetown Social Action Lynn Greer Lexington UMC 8359 Lakeshore Rd. Lexington, Membership Nurture & Outreach Laura Bryce Brown City UMC 6376 Cade Rd Brown City Program Resources Myrt Kohn Brown City P.O. Box 142 Brown City, Nominating Committee Chairperson Kathy Abke Bad Axe UMC 251 Weitzel Bad Axe Class of 2016 Rita Wencel Bad Axe UMC 644 W. Huron Ave. Bad Axe, Class of 2017 Marilynn Cubitt Bad Axe UMC 1045 N. Collon Bad Axe, Class of 2018 Newsletter Editor Ruth Charlton Utica UMC Cardinal Shelby Twp

8 2015 Mission Today Unit Objectives Detroit Conference United Methodist Women Please print clearly Name of Unit District Name ( ) Telephone City State Zip A Unit will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon completion of one of the following categories between September 1 and August 31. Check the numbers completed. Units completing any 8 or more objectives will be a FAITH unit. Units completing any 9 or more objectives, with 8 asterisks (*) will be a FAITH HOPE unit. Those completing 17 or more objectives,with 10 asterisks (*) will be FAITH HOPE JOY unit. Those completing 25 or more objectives,with 12 asterisks (*) will be a FAITH HOPE JOY LOVE unit. Mission Giving 1. * Made and met its Pledge to Mission. 2. * Became a 5-Star Unit by contributing to all 5 channels of undesignated giving. 3. Donated to local women s shelter or children s/youth program. 4. Offered scholarships to Mission u and/or other United Methodist Women activities. Spiritual Growth 5. Observed Call to Prayer and Self Denial. 6. Participated locally in a retreat, prayer vigil or Bible study. 7. Attended a District Retreat, Spiritual Day Apart, or Prayer Breakfast/Brunch. Membership Attendance * Added one new member from women who have joined your church in the current year. * Added one new member not included in above. Invited a District or Conference officer (other than a member of the unit) to one meeting. Had a combined meeting with another United Methodist Women s unit. Attended Church Women United or other ecumenical group activity. * At least one member (other than conference or district officer) attended a conference Mission u. * At least two members (other than conference or district officer) attended the conference or district annual meeting/celebration. * At least one member (other than conference or district officer) attended the District Elected Leadership Training.

9 Mission Education 16. * Unit or circle conducted at least one Mission Study. 17. *One member completed a Reading Program Plan and reported on one of the books. 18. Participated in but not complete the Reading Program. 19. * Used two programs from the Program Book. 20. * Used the Prayer Calendar regularly in the unit meetings. 21. * Communicated with five persons listed in the Prayer Calendar, one from Detroit Conference. 22. * Unit had two members reading Response each month. 23. * Unit included a response Moment during it s meeting using an article to tell our mission story 24. Unit had one Social Action program. Mission Action 25. * Participated in District or Conference ingathering project. 26. Had a United Methodist Women present a mission program for youth or children in the church. 27. Had at least one member visit a United Methodist Mission Project and report to the unit. 28. * Had at least one person receive and respond to legislative information from the United Methodist Women s Action Network. Call: (202) umwane@gbgm-umc.org 29. Unit or member participated in a workshop, seminar, or book study related to social concerns that stimulated and enriched the total community. 30. * Unit participated in the Campaign for Children in at least two ways. Possibilities are: Co-sponsored with the local church, a Children s Sabbath. Involved with mentoring, tutoring or big sisters programs. Communicated with representatives advocating for children issues. Attended a school board meeting. 31. Made a pledge to care for God s creation and work to become a green United Methodist Unit. 32 * Implemented the Charter for Racial Justice policies in at least one way during the year. Possibilities include: Read books and articles about another race or culture. Sponsor an inter-ethnic event between two or more units. Recruit women of color to be members and officers of the unit. Correspond with elected representatives to support legislation affecting issues such as immigration, affirmative action, civil rights and programs for lowincome persons, etc. 33. Sent this completed form to your District Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation by deadline date: September 1, This year our unit qualified as a Mission Today: FAITH HOPE JOY LOVE unit. (circle all that apply) Send by September 15, 2015 to: Rhonda Powers 7559 Bach Road Gagetown, MI 48735

10 2016 Local Elected (or Nominated) Officers Blue Water District, United Methodist Women Please Print: Name of Church UMW Membership Count Church Address City & Zip Code UMW Meeting Day & Time The first six officers are required by the Constitution. Please list all officers, print in black ink or type. Return to your district secretary immediately after your UMW election. No later than November 1, This information is needed communication with your UMW unit and church. President Telephone ( ) Address Zip Vice-President Telephone ( ) Secretary Telephone ( ) Treasurer Telephone ( ) Nominations Telephone ( ) Program Resources Telephone ( )

11 Mission Coordinators Spiritual Growth Name Telephone ( ) Membership Nurture & Outreach Name Telephone ( ) Social Action Name Telephone ( ) Education and Interpretation Name Telephone ( ) If there are other leaders in your unit who should receive mailings From the District, you may list their offices, names, addresses and telephone numbers on a separate sheet of paper. Please return by November 1, 2015 to: Linda Smith 2326 Rosewood N. Mt. Pleasant, MI Thank You for your time and cooperation!

12 Living the Vision Blue Water District United Methodist Women 2015 Annual Meeting Keynote Address by: Diana Miller Detroit Conference UMW Past President Saturday, October 10, :00 AM Doors open at 9:30 AM Snover Heritage United Methodist Church 3329 Snover Road Snover, MI Phone: Registration & Lunch: $10 Meeting Only: $3 Registration Deadline: October 1, 2015 A Freewill Offering Will Be Taken BLUE WATER DISTRICT UMW ANNUAL MEETING 2015 REGISTRATION FORM Deadline is October 1, 2015 Name: Address: City: Church: Telephone: State: Zip: Registration fee: $10- Payable to Blue Water District UMW. Please register as a local unit, if possible. No refunds. Substitutions may be made. Meal tickets will be sent in advancee (Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope) or pick up at the door. Childcare is available by preregistration. # Of children, ages: Please provide a sack lunch for your child. Milk will be provided. PLEASE MAIL THIS FORM AND REGISTRATION FEE TO: Jan Watson, 1890 Ubly Rd., Snover, MI 48472, Phone: , jwatson11@mac.com

13 I Ingathering Projects for 2015 DRESS FOR SUCCESS Uniforms for Cass Community School Children Each year they have new homeless children/youth joining the shelter and every student needs two uniforms. All sizes are needed on a recurring basis. Blue or black socks for a girl or boy Underwear for boy or girl Black pants for boy or girl White shirt, blouse, or polo type shirt for boy or girl If you choose to do any of the kits we have done in the past, either deliver them locally or bring them to District Annual Meeting. Cass will have a truck there to pick up our ingathering donations Local Membership Census Form Local Unit Name: District Name: Conference Name: Reported by: Phone: Unit President: Address: City: State/Zip: Phone: Number of Members as of Jan 1, 2015 New Members added Numbers Lost by Death or other reasons Total Members- December 31, 2015 Please bring this information to Annual Conference Name of Unit: Please indicate the number of each item given: Socks Shirts Pants Underwear Kits Given Locally Unit Type Are you a: Local, Cluster/Charge, District or Online Unit: Bring to Annual Celebration meeting or Send copies by December 31, 2015 to: District Mission Coordinator for Membership Nurture and Outreach Laura Bryce 6376 Cade Rd. Brown City, MI 48416

14 Detroit Conference UMW 2813 Gratiot Avenue Port Huron, MI United Methodist Women Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 30 Port Huron, MI or Current Resident 2015 Blue Water District Calendar August 13 August September 10 October 10 October October November 7 November January 9 Mission u Drive In Day & Hands On- Lake Huron Retreat Center Mission u Two Day Event- Lake Huron Retreat Center District Team Meeting- Snover Heritage UMC District Annual Meeting- Snover Heritage UMC Mission U Two Day North- Gaylord UMC Detroit Conference Annual Celebration- Ferndale District Team Meeting- Imlay City UMC Newsletter Articles Due District Team Meeting-