February Volume United Methodist Women Alexandria District, Virginia Conference

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1 UMW Purpose: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. February Volume United Methodist Women Alexandria District, Virginia Conference Nancy West - District President NEW YEAR WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Greetings From the President A belated Happy New Year to all our UMW sisters across the Alexandria District. The beginning of 2014 with all the snow and cold temperatures is one we will long remember. Several unit meetings, including the District Executive Meeting, have had to be cancelled or re-scheduled. But our spirit moves forward and, as the English poet Percy Shelley once proclaimed, If Winter comes, can spring be far behind? And we know the spring is near because Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season is less than a month away. As we think about the New Year and other things that are new, I would like to draw your attention to our United Methodist Women Handbook Each local unit should purchase a handbook for the unit. Handbooks, $12.50 each, can be ordered from the United Methodist Women Mission Resource Center, or by calling The UMW Handbook is full of interesting and useful information which is meant for all members of United Methodist 1 women at the local, district, and conference levels. It is organized to provide UMW members with guidelines and policies while equipping groups to organize in ways that make the mist sense for them. The basic thing that has not changed --- and will never change --- is that United Methodist Women is organized to live out the PURPOSE. According to the handbook, This may mean that different groups are organized differently and that they may need to change their structure from time to time to encourage ministry and mission. Flexible structures give us the freedom to organize in ways that best fit our groups and best allow us to participate in God s mission. (page 18 Handbook) What does flexibility mean to the local unit? In the past we have been organized with a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, chairman of nominations committee. In addition, each unit was encouraged to have the four mission coordinators: spiritual growth, social action, education and interpretation, membership nurture and outreach plus a secretary of program resources. Each of these positions has had a counterpart at the district and conference levels. In the new structure, a local UMW unit can organize according to the group s needs and size. However, at a minimum, each unit should have a

2 leadership team consisting of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and the chair of nominations. Additional committees and/or task groups are formed as needed. The UMW Handbook contains useful and interesting information about the history of United Methodist Women. Remember the story of the women who met at a church on Tremont Street in Boston in 1869 and displayed the courage to raise enough money to send the first women missionaries to India Isabella Thoburn, a teacher, and Dr. Clara Swain. Find this in the Handbook. Does your treasurer need information and forms? Find this in the Handbook. Do you need a reproducible United Methodist Women emblem? Find it in the Handbook along with an explanation of how and how not it is to be used. Yes, we are in a time of change --- but what will not change is that we are a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of missions through participation in the global ministries of the church. Mission is and has been at the heart of our organization for more than 140 years ---mission with women, children and youth as we live out our vision of turning faith, hope and love into action. Happy New Year, Nancy West, President rhggwest@verizon.net Secretary Myrna Meling We are always asked to think outside the box.what s new?? A secretary is a great position for a new member to your unit to join the leadership ranks. As in the office of old, a great business had a great secretary keeping watch. She was the keeper of the 2 door and the resource that everyone relied on. So the Unit Secretary of today is the keeper of the gate to the past, the present and the future. What a great position for a young woman in your church who wants to be active in the life of the church via mission and via our organized group! Technically the secretary position is not just a record keeper and a thank you note writer! She is probably the best any unit has to a historian. She is the record keeper of future dreams and ideas. This position lends itself to growth and creativity. A great place to learn how UMW works! Most, though not all of us, have computers, internet connections, tablets, and our trusty phones. Now with our units needing to reach out to members efficiently and quickly (no more phone trees!), this woman is the keeper of everyone s . She is your communications specialist! She can be the media guru of your unit. She can open a Yahoo group page or a Facebook page or be the Tweeter of you unit! She can send out request via an internet contact list. A young woman with little experience in UMW can be your greatest asset as a member to your Mission Team serving as your secretary and learning first-hand about the operations of United Methodist Women. But in today s olympic venue she will need to be fearless. New technology is not for the faint of heart. She will need help. So you will all need to be there for her when the system goes down! I know! Every member of the leadership team is very important and in today s world where we are all in the race, let s take a better look on how we can all have Secretaries - Communications Specialist in your units. Myrna Meling Alexandria District Secretary click on Alexandria District and them AxUMW Virginia Conference United Methodist Women - UMW, General Board of Global Ministries

3 Spiritual Growth May your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? Amen I Thessalonians 5:23 Mary Wright. Spiritual Vitamins People spend a lot of time these days worrying about eating the foods, getting the proper amount of fiber in their diet, taking the right vitamins and herbal supplements. What about our spiritual nutrition? Vitamin A --- Adoration. Come before God daily with adoration and praise. As soon as you open your eyes, praise Him for another day of life to serve Him. This helps to start your day off right and relieve the daily stress of life. For extra measure, take another dose before bedtime. Vitamin B ---- Belief. Believe God s promises. Trust that God will do what God says, and will provide for all your needs. Another great stress reducer. listen to Him. Live as close to Jesus Christ and learn as much from His teachings as possible. Fantastic for opening your heart and mind. Vitamin K --- Kiss. Not literally, of course, but treat all people with love. Show kindness to everyone, even those you may not like so much this has a magical way of multiplying the more it is used. True health and wholeness requires a sound spirit as well as sound body. In fact, spiritual health is more important, for it leads to eternal life with God. Father give us the discipline dedication, and faith to stay spiritually fit. Help us to make prayer, Bible study, and acts of Christian service essential parts of our daily life. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man gives you. John 6:27 Submitted by: Mary V. Wright - Spiritual Growth Coordinator Joyful Devotions for Every Season / David Hauk Vitamin C ---- Confession. Confess your sins before God and ask for forgiveness. This has the wonderful effect of cleansing the guilt from the arteries of your soul. Vitamin D --- Dance. Our faith should make us want to dance with joy and skip with delight, not make us dull and somber; a wonderful cardiovascular supplement. Vitamin E --- Enlightenment and Education. Read God s word daily to be enlightened and edified in your faith. This will help develop a strong spiritual body and promote growth from infancy to maturity. Vitamin B Be like one of the Twelve. Follow Jesus footsteps every day. Walk with Jesus. Talk with Jesus. Sit at His feet and 3

4 Treasurer s Note Rhona Alexander Thank you for your continued commitment and support towards mission work of United Methodist Women. Though our total designated and undesignated giving was over $100,000. We unfortunately only met 83% of our pledge of $92,000 for The details are below: Out of 16 districts who reported income to the Virginia Conference, only seven districts met and or exceeded their pledge. I realize the economy is still tough; but I want to encourage and challenge you to help us meet our pledge of $90,000 for FY Reminder, only undesignated giving is credited to our pledge. Your first quarter Remittances is due by March 10, 2014 and as a point of reference, all remittance are due on the 10 th of the last month of every quarter. You can continue to forward your remittance to me until my replacement is found. If you do not have my mailing address or a Remittance form, please me at alexrhona@aol.com Financial Recap Both designated and undesignated giving totaled $115, Here is a quick breakdown of all Giving. Mission Giving (undesignated) Pledge to Mission $65, Special Mission Recognition (Pins) 2, Gift to Mission (Cards) Gift in Memory 1, World Thank Offering 2, Candle Burning 3, Total $76, (Pledge was $92,000; short $15,058.21) Designated Giving Call to Prayer 3, Other (Nat l/umcor) 18, VA Projects 8, Other VA/church Projects 8, Total $38, GRAND TOTAL $115, We look forward to reaching our 2014 Mission Giving Pledge of $90,000 with your help. May we suggest that you review your 2014 Budget? Remember that only UMW units support UMW Missions. Church missions are supported by their membership and Conference missions are supported by all the churches/membership in the Conference. 4

5 Social Action Brenda Romenius What Does the Lord Require of You? Happy New Year! What s new you ask? The call to advocacy for social justice is not new to United Methodist Women. The UMW has long been in the forefront of groups speaking out against systems and practices that marginalize the rights of others: from civil rights, to rights for women, to economic justice in fair trade, to health concerns caused by environmental practices. Stepping out to give voice on behalf of those that do not have one is part of the proud heritage of UMW and it continues today. This year, the UMW Alexandria District has chosen 3 social action areas for action: Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Poverty. Standing alone, these issues are of significant concern for women and children in our society frequently, they intersect each other. Attending UM General Assembly Day in Richmond can be an eye-opening learning experience for finding about issues before the state legislature. This year, Human Trafficking is being addressed by various bills introduced by delegates from Northern Virginia. Human Trafficking knows no community boundaries children and adults from all levels of social and economic class are victims. Did you know - 100,000 children are trafficked each year in the US? - the average age of children entering prostitution in the US is 13 years old? - Virginia, with its interstate highways, hotels and shopping malls is one of the most prolific regions for human trafficking in the country? - Virginia is also one of the few states left that does not have Human Trafficking defined within state law, making it difficult to prosecute the perpetrators. - currently, when a trafficker is sent to jail, upon release the state is 5 mandated to return all the money earned by trafficking to the trafficker. - in Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Police identify an average of 2 new potential teen victims per week; this number may be as high as 100 victims, if all were identified. What may be new this year is that YOU can choose to get involved. Learn about this modern day form of human slavery that is committed every day in our communities and what YOU can do to help protect adults and children. Contact your federal and state representative. Check out the following websites for up-dates and resources: This year, be an advocate for those who cannot speak out. What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8 God Bless Brenda Romenius, Deaconess Social Action Coordinator

6 NEW YEAR WHAT ELSE IS NEW? PROGRAM RESOURCES I reported in the last Bridge Builder on the new program resources for 2014, including the Prayer Calendar, Program Book, Reading Program books. However, I want to repeat a couple and add a couple brand NEW resources. NEW READING PROGRAM SORTABLE BOOK LIST: Every time I go to a book or yard sale or the library or wherever there are books I wish I had the Reading Program book list for the five current years in one alphabetical list, or by author, or by category, or by books for children. Never having found one, I created one myself in an Excel spreadsheet. Now I and YOU can sort the Reading Program books anyway I want. You ll find it at listed as UMW Reading Program Books (sortable). NEW SPIRITUAL GROWTH STUDY: How Is It with Your Soul? brings into balance the inner and outer dimensions of the Christian life. Organized around four verbs: pray, learn, mentor, and transform, the book will challenge us to become more vibrant disciples of Christ. The $10 English version is available Feb. 20 from the Resource Center. There are so many other resources to move us along in our calling. Please let me know if I can help you find what you need. Marlene Dakita Secretary of Program Resources or mdakita@comcast.net org NEW UNITED METHODIST WOMEN E-HANDBOOK now includes the updated UMW bylaws and is available as a free download. NEW 2014 PRAYER CALENDAR has daily lectionary readings, holidays and special days, daily lists to focus your prayers on mission projects, advocacy issues and birthdays of people in mission as well as photos, stories, meditations and celebrations of global partnerships to inspire you. Using the Prayer Calendar at each unit meeting will fulfill one goal toward being a Mission Today Unit. I still have two copies if you d like to purchase for $6 each if you pick up from me, or $11 if I mail it to you. Cost at Mission Resources is $11 plus shipping. 6

7 EDUCATION and INTERPRETATION Mission is a gift, not a task, given to us by God United Methodist Women of Alexandria District, thank you in the name of all the women, children, and youth you helped in The Mission Today 2013 Reports have shown that you are focused on our mission. Jeanne Pounds was so happy to give Mission Today certificates to 13 units at District Day, October 5, The participating Mission Today award units for 2013: MISSION TODAY - Lincolnia, Orlean SILVER Cameron, Cranford, Sydenstricker GOLD Aldersgate, Annandale, Cokesbury, Good Shepherd, Old Bridge, St. John s, St. Paul, St. Stephen s Mission Today Report a copy is included in this Bridge Builder to assist you in recording your 2014 activities. March 16 12:15 pm Mozambique Speaker at Lincolnia UMC POC mdakita@comcast.net. March 22, Mini-Mission Event, St. Thomas UMC, Manassas. The studies will be Roma of Europe and Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly. Flyer & Bio Info provided here. April 25-27, UMW Assembly, Louisville, KY - Registration now until April 1. Rates: Online registration $260, paper mail-in forms $270. Check website vaumw.org April 29 visitors from Mozambique will speak at Annandale. For details contact - Sue Boltz, VA Cf Mission Coordinator for Education & Interpretation at sboltzmno@gmail.com May 8-10 VA Conference Initiatives of Hope, Cambodia, Aldersgate to host Mission Encounter Blackstone Conference and Retreat Center. Three areas of study will be: Spiritual Growth: How is it with Your Soul?; The Church and People with Disabilities; The Roma People. Registration Form will be posted at vaumw.org mid-february. -- Weekend (July 25th-27th) Session Begins Friday 10 AM registration, 11 AM facility tour, 12 noon lunch, concludes with lunch on Sunday. -- Week (July 28th-30th) Session Begins Monday 10 AM registration, 11 AM facility tour, 12 noon lunch, concludes with lunch on Wednesday. Bring your family, friends - they don t have to be a United Methodist Woman to attend! Joy and Contentment, Cozetta D. Johnson. Coordinator Women in mission are communicators of love in action 7

8 VIRGINIA CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The Purpose of MISSION TODAY is to fulfill the PURPOSE UMW by: by: Energizing Energizing United Methodist Women to be more involved in mission through through prayer, study and action; Increasing contacts between units and mission personnel and projects Encouraging use of mission resources; and Expanding concepts of mission including social justice as mission Becoming a Mission Today Unit is a way to increase emphasis on what United Methodist Women have been doing for more than a century: turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women children and youth around the world. Period covered in this report SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 AUGUST 31, 2014 How to become a Mission Today Unit: All units must complete item #1. The number of additional items depends on the size of your unit. ( ) Mission Today units Units OVER 15 members: Must complete 8 additional items including at least 4(*) items....units with 15 or fewer members: Must complete 4 additional items including at least 2(*) items. ( ) Silver Mission Today Unit: Units OVER 15 members: 13 additional items including at least 6(*) items. Units with 15 or fewer members: 8 additional items including at least 4(*) items. ( ) Gold Mission Today Unit: Units OVER 15 members: 20 additional items including at least 12(*) items....units with 15 or fewer members: 13 additional items including at least 6(*) items. Items: (* ) 1. The unit will MAKE and MEET its Pledge to Mission Giving. (Must be completed). (* ) 2. At least 2 members, other than a District or Conference Officer, attend the District or Conference Annual Meeting. (* ) 3. At least 1 member, other than a District or Conference officer (that has their way paid by District or Conference), attend the Conference Spiritual Life Retreat or the District Spiritual Life Event. (If a District or Conference Officer, attends the Spiritual Life retreat paying their own way, they may count themselves as going representing their unit.) (* ) 4. Have at least 1 member, other than a District or Conference officer, attend Mission Encounter 2014/a Mission u 2014 in another conference or a District Mission Celebration/Mission School event. (* ) 5. Sponsor a young woman to attend the Conference or a District Young Women s Event. Name of the event attendee: (* ) 6. Use the Prayer Calendar at each Unit Meeting to pray for mission workers and mission projects for women, children, and youth. (* ) 7. Use at least 2 programs from the UMW Program Book during the year. Which ones: (* ) 8. Each Unit, Circle, or Subgroup includes a response Moment where an item from response magazine is lifted up as a way to tell a mission story. (* ) 9. The Unit, Circle, Subgroup, have at least 1 current mission study during the year. Which one: (* ) 10. Include having the UMW Purpose at every meeting. (* ) 11. Qualify as a Five- or Six-Star Unit by contributing to five or six Channels of Mission Giving. (* ) 12. Increase the local unit Pledge to Mission for the coming year. (* ) 13. Invite a District of Conference Officer, other than a unit member, to one of your Unit Meetings during the year and/or United Methodist Women s Sunday. (* ) 14. Select a mission project which is supported by fund from United Methodist Women New York (Wesley Community Service Center), or the 2014 Ministry Grants of VA (listed in the conference yearbook) and visit and/or contribute needed resources. Name of the Project: (* ) 15. Add at least 2 new members to the roll (1) new member for Units with 15 or fewer members. (* ) 16. Have at least 2 members who subscribe to response magazine. 8

9 (* ) 17. Have at least 2 members participate in the Reading Program and complete Plan I. (* ) 18. Implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in one way during the year. Some ideas include: Have 2 or more members attend a District Charter for Racial Justice Program/Workshop Have members read books and articles about other races and cultures; give report to unit Plan a joint unit meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic background. Encourage your church to support a refugee family Write to elected representatives to support legislation affecting issues such as immigration, affirmative action, programs serving a low-income population, civil rights, etc. Describe what you did: ( ) 19. Have 1 or more participate in hands-on mission such as gleaning, working a food pantry or Clothes closet, bagging potatoes, etc. Describe what you did: ( ) 20. Have green meetings or make some other special effort toward saving God s earth (i.e. recycling, using glasses instead of disposable cups, etc.) Describe what you did: ( ) 21. Participate in the Campaign for Children (Children s Sabbath Service, support public education, etc.) Some ideas for action include: Help sponsor a church or community program for children or youth needs Get involved with children in mentoring or tutoring programs Visit and show support to your local schools (attend school board meetings, sponsor a class, and provide funds or items of special need) Write congressional representatives regarding children s issues Describe what you did: ( ) 22. Have at least 1 member attend the United Methodist Day at the Virginia General Assembly ( ) 23. Have at least 1 member attend UMW Day at Ferrum College. ( ) 24. Provide at least 10 UMCOR kits and funds for shipping for the VA Annual Conference. ( ) 25. Members shall write at least once a year to 5 mission workers listed in the Prayer Calendar ( ) 26. Have at least 1 person join the UMW s Action Network to receive and respond to legislative information. The on-line registration can be found at UNIT /CHURCH and DISTRICT Number of members in your unit President/Contact Person Phone Mail to: Cozetta Johnson 3102 Landover St. Alexandria, VA Or to: cozettaj@verizon.net Due Date: September 10,

10 March 22 Mini Mission at St. Thomas Brief Intro to our Speakers You might wonder What called Linda Carty and her husband Ken to serve in mission to the Roma of Europe? Roma of Europe My husband Ken and I worked as English language teachers and missionaries at the Nove Mesto (New Town) UMC in Prague, Czech Republic We were exposed to the Roma and saw first-hand how they were treated. Upon returning to the States, we accepted the opportunity to work as volunteers as Advocates for the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) in their In Mission Together program which promotes partnerships between churches in the USA and the countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Over 70% of all Roma reside in these countries. The District Superintendent for the Petersburg District (now the James River District) asked me to lead a small group to look at partnership opportunities in the Czech Republic - I asked if we could go via Hungary to look at the work of the Methodist church with the Roma. The rest is history. The James River District is in their fourth year covenant with the Methodist Hungary District. A mission team has been sent to Hungary for the last three years and will be going again August 7-17, 2014 to Alsozolca. Linda Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly Rev. Jung Pyo Hong asks: the road to heaven, the road of life - a connecting highway? Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly bathroom at my elementary school because I couldn't read the sign yet. My parents hoped that once I graduated from Harvard, my life would be all cake and eating it too. But somehow I found myself teaching in impoverished urban schools in Washington, DC and inner-city Baltimore. My seminary years at Yale Divinity School stretched my thinking on faith, but left me woefully unprepared for pastoring a congregation of some twenty nationalities. All this is to say that the distance between the faith we profess and the lives we live can at times seem immeasurably vast. So again, how does living sacramentally (on the road towards heaven) connect with living justly (on the road of life)? I hope you'll join the conversation. Look forward to spending meaningful time with you all. Pastor JP NEW YEAR WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Do you have the answer? What can you do to make it new? How does living sacramentally connect with living justly? What about communion speaks to fairness? And how does baptism reflect a just and loving God? Growing up in Colorado, I recall feeling just a tad different. A recent immigrant, I walked into the girl's 10

11 Sponsored by Alexandria District United Methodist Women March 22, :00 AM 3:00 PM St. Thomas United Methodist Church 8899 Sudley Rd. Manassas, VA Cost: $15.00 including Lunch 1.Roma of Europe History of Eastern European Roma culture, lifestyle & spirituality MISSION STUDIES: 2.Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly Discover in new ways, insights into scriptural & church heritage about God and His relationship to the world Leader: Linda Carty Olive Branch UMC Leader: Rev. Jung Pyo Hong, Culmore UMC Registration Deadline: March 15, 2014 Make check payable to: Alexandria District UMW Send to: Cozetta Johnson, 3102 Landover Street, Alexandria, VA You may register by at and pay at the door. Name: Church: Phone: Amount Enclosed: Pay at door Choice of Study:

12 Upcoming Events of Local Units on the Alexandria District (Note: UMW units may submit event information for the next BRIDGE BUILDER. This is a listing of events which the editor knew about at the time of publication. Events being held from to, which are open to other UMWs or the general public must be sent to the editor by, for the next edition. to donnajosapp@hotmail.com or mail to Church/Unit Event Date & Time Other Info Contact Aldersgate Prayer breakfast; speaker Drema McAllister-Wilson Sat., March 8 9:00 11:00 a.m. RSVP Centreville St.Thomas Lincolnia Faith Woodlawn (Woodlawn Campus) Annandale Visit from Mozambique missionary Dieudonne Karihano Visit from Mozambique missionary Dieudonne Karihano Visit from Mozambique missionary Dieudonne Karihano Monday, March 10 Evening Wed., March 11 Evening Sunday, March 16 12:15 2:00 p.m. Prayer breakfast Sat., April 12 9:00 11:00 a.m. Delegation from Tues., April 29 Mozambique Sharing how mission giving is empowering lives in Mozambique. See above See above; all-church lunch & UMW meeting Speaker TBA Laura Derby skierlaura@cox.net or Deborah Chusmir chusmir@verizon.net Marlene Dakita mdakita@comcast.net or Sue Boltz 12

13 Church Women United Alexandria Unit #001 **/ Meeting Schedule for 2014 Meet at Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 East Windsor Ave, Alexandria, at 10 AM, in Room 207, the Parlor - unless otherwise noted: January 3 cancelled because of weather February 7 March 7 Mt. Vernon Presbyterian 11 AM World Day of Prayer Program and Potluck 2001 State Route 626/ Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria April 4 May 2 First Agape Baptist 11 AM May Friendship Day Program and Potluck (2423 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria) June 6 JULY and AUGUST - do not meet September 5 October 3 November 7 - Del Ray, 11 AM World Community Day Program and Potluck (meet in Lunceford Hall, Social Hall) December 5 **/ Point of Contact: UMW POC is Cozetta D. Johnson cozettaj@verizon.net, FYI: Hazel Anderson, President, CWU Alexandria Unit # 001 (Mt. Vernon Presbyterian) H: C: HazelA9842@aol.com 13

14 Donna Sapp ALEXANDRIA In the global DISTRICT ministries UMW of the COMMUNICATIONS church. COORDINATOR Alabama Ave. Woodbridge, VA On the web at: Your Newsletter of the United Methodist Women Alexandria District Of the Virginia Conference 14