Paducah District United Methodist Women Newsletter

Transcription

1 August 2015 United Methodist Women Newsletter PRESIDENTIAL PEN Summer is winding down and before we know it, the beauty of fall will be with us. That is a busy time for UMW. This month features conference Social Action Day and district Mission u. September hosts both the district and conference Annual meetings. We hope there will be folks from across our new Purchase District attending the district Annual Meeting. Registration forms for the district Mission u and Conference Annual Meeting are included in this newsletter. November will feature our one time only Sister Day (see next article for details). Officer Training is planned for the benefit of your unit and its leaders. This November event prepares you for the new year. Watch for deadlines to submit your unit officers and your membership report. Let us continue to emphasize the Purpose of UMW. We are an important part of United Methodist mission work in the name of Christ. Our support is critical. Let us keep our focus on the overall mission. May God bless you and sustain you as you continue your work for building the kingdom of God. Sandra Burnett District President SISTER ACT Maybe you have a biological sister. Maybe you have a friend from childhood who is like a sister. Maybe you have a sister in faith. Most of us have someone who is like a sister to us. The UMW officers would like to give you the opportunity to meet some new sisters. Soon we will be a part of the Purchase District UMW. Planning is occurring to have a Sister Day on November 1st. It will be from 2-4 p.m. at the District office. UMW members from the 8 counties of the new Purchase District will have a day of fun, fellowship, getting to know each other, and meeting some new UMW sisters. Come with your sisters and enjoy this "one-ofa-kind" event DISTRICT MISSION U Saturday, August 29, 9:30 a.m. Social Issue Study Topic: The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility and Advocacy Study leader: Rev. Gregory Waldrop (see flyer page 9 for or more details) For those who did not attend our Conference Mission u at Milan First UMC, you missed some very interesting studies by some fantastic leaders. This year s Mission u was plagued with unusual circumstances and roadblocks, but we carried it off with the help of a hard working team and many prayers. Whew, now it s time to plan for 2016 in Jackson. Pencil in July 22 nd & 23 rd for next year so you will have the date saved. Speaking of save the date, I do hope your unit plans to attend the District Mission u on Saturday, August 29 th at the District Office Campus. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the study at 9:30 a.m. with a light lunch at noon. We ll most likely be completed by 3:00 p.m. Rev. Gregory Waldrop will present The Church & People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy. The intent of this study is to build awareness in the church regarding issues around disability, to call the church to provide full accessibility to services and opportunities, and to promote advocacy for justice for people with disabilities. Please remember your unit will receive credit toward approved mission studies for by attending District Mission u. Mission Today Unit completed forms are trickling in and I thank all of you for that. Be sure and send your Candle Burning forms and money to Gina Adams early, early, so we will get them in to our Conference E & I to be ready as well for Annual Day September 20 th at Mayfield First UMC. The days are passing quickly and I look forward to seeing everyone August 29 th at Mission u. Kendra Capps District Education & Interpretation Coordinator Page 1

2 NOMINATIONS With the advent of our new Purchase District opportunities, we welcome four women from Calloway and Fulton counties to join the new leadership team next year. Their willingness to serve is true testament to the spirit of United Methodist Women, and we are excited by that response from all these sisters in faith as we begin our work as a new district together. We also give thanks for the faithful service of Janice Overstreet, Tammi Scarbrough, and Alice Day who will be going off the leadership team and will continue in our greater fellowship of United Methodist Women. And there is the beauty of the spirit of United Methodist Women, being an active, joyful member of the work of Christ in the world through this strong organization, whether in Sister Day on Sunday, November 1 at the District office. a membership or leadership role on the local, district, or conference level. On page one of this newsletter you ll see an invitation to our Sister Day on Sunday, November 1, at the District office. It will be a celebration of the joining of all women of this new Purchase District in praise, service, and fellowship as we move into a new era with a united spirit. Please watch for more information and mark your calendar today! Cherry Pyron District Nominations 2016 LOCAL SLATE OF OFFICERS REPORT DUE NOV. 1 So many dates and deadlines in the next few months! November 1, is the date for secretaries to send in your slate of officers for That form was in the information handed out last November at our officers training event and a copy is included in this newsletter (on page 12) with my address included also. Please make sure to include addresses, phone numbers, and addresses so our 2016 Purchase District UMW directory will be complete and accurate. Thanks so much for your assistance. Grace and Peace, Ann Boone District Secretary GEMS FROM OUR TREASURER In Mark 12, one of the religious leaders asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus replied, "The one that says, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength'. The second is: 'You must love others as much as yourself'. No other commandments are greater than these." United Methodist Women are making a difference in our county and around the world to love God and others! We support Rev. Franck Aguilh's ministry in Haiti. He discovered on a return trip to that after the 2010 earthquake that many of the children were not going to school. Farm families in Haiti make $1 a day. In 2011 Haiti, Hope House in partnership with Haitian Artisan for Peace International with its support from United Methodist Women identified 25 children whose parents could not afford school-related expenses and began providing scholarships to cover the cost. In 2012, 52 children were able to go to primary school, and in 2013, 60 children attended primary school with the help of the program. United Methodist Women helps fund this program and many like it through pledges and gifts given to United Methodist Women. Prayerfully submitted, Gina Adams District Treasurer 2016 PROPOSED PURCHASE DISTRICT SLATE OF OFFICERS: President Sandra Burnett Vice President Secretary Ann Boone Treasurer Gina Adams Spiritual Growth Linda Kaletch Membership Nurture & Outreach Donna Whitfield Social Action Effie Kemp Education & Interpretation Kendra Capps Program Resources Amanda Jetton Communications Nominations Chair Cherry Pyron Nominations Cathy Burkhead Nominations Dianne Dickey Nominations Jana White Nominations Leslie Whitesell Nominations Jackie Beauchamp Historian (to be appointed) Parliamentarian (to be appointed) Page 2

3 A PEEP FROM THE VEEP Planning is under way for our District Annual Day. We are going to be at Mayfield First United Methodist Church, located at 214 South 8th. Street, Mayfield, KY on Sunday afternoon September 20, Registration is at 1:30 p.m. and program starts at 2:00 p.m. Our District Superintendent Rev. Sky McCracken is going to be our speaker and install our new officers. Remember, there will a silent auction so come early and check it out so you can place your bids. All proceeds go to our Pledge to Mission. I haven't received any feedback from the new forum from Officer Training event last year. It was just a test run so I would like your thoughts on it. Let me know --you can me at tammiflag23@aol.com or mail to 2401A Olivet Church Road, Paducah, KY It is perfectly fine if you did not like it, but I do need your input. We just wanted to try something different for the ones who had told us it was the same every year. I am also open to any suggestions you might have. Looking forward to hearing from you. See you at Annual Day! Blessings, Tammi Scarbrough District Vice President MEMBERSHIP NURTURE AND OUTREACH Plan to attend Mission Outreach Retreat (MOR), November 7 & 8 at Lakeshore. Mission projects are the focus of MOR. Bring your mission projects to work on and each person attending is asked to bring canned goods and plastic shopping bags for Reelfoot. Sunday morning worship will be with Eva United Methodist Church. We encourage at least one person from each unit to attend. It will be a spiritual and fun work day. Look for the registration form on page 13 in this newsletter. Two scholarships are available per district. Please help us spread the word. To apply, contact the President Sandra Burnett. Love, Janice Overstreet District Membership Nurture & Outreach HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN WESTERN KY Human trafficking is a very serious problem facing the world today; yes, even in western Kentucky! Concord UMW hosted Kellie Russell, founder of Victory through Grace Ministries at our August General Meeting. Over 30 people from 6 churches attended. Victory through Grace Ministries is empowering young women who are survivors of human trafficking by providing a free-of-charge counseling restoration home that will equip each woman with self worth and wholeness in Christ and become a productive citizen who will impact future generations. Victory through Grace is a new 501c3 ministry in our area. For more information on Victory House contact Kellie at or Carol at Submitted by Mary Lou Wurth Concord UMW President Southeastern Jurisdiction Vice President THE PURPOSE OF UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 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. To expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. The Purpose is adopted by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church as the official mission statement of United Methodist Women. Out of the Purpose are four mission foci: To be a community of women To know God To develop a creative and supportive fellowship To expand concepts of mission Each foci relates to the mission initiatives and priorities of United Methodist Women and the Women s Division. UMW PURPOSE POSTERS Full size posters of the UMW Purpose are available online for $ Page 3

4 MISSION OUTREACH RETREAT LET S DO MOR! Hands in Mission Nov. 7-8 at Lakeshore Mission Outreach Retreat (MOR) plans are almost complete. We are really excited about this year s retreat. Mission projects will be our goal; we will have inside and outside projects. The retreat will be held at Lakeshore on November 7-8, The theme for this year is Hands in Mission. Our scripture is Isaiah 1:17. We will have three (3) speakers. When registering for the retreat, please circle on your registration form (see page 13) inside or outside projects If you are planning to work outside please bring gloves, black garbage bags, a yard rake and wear your work clothes. Ladies, please bring any mission projects that you would like for us to work on (if you have a sewing machine please bring it). If you have school kits, health kits, cleaning buckets or We are also in need of more cancer caps and pew babies. sewing kits that need to be packed and shipped to UMCOR please bring them and we will get them ready to be sent to UMCOR. We are also in need of more cancer caps and pew babies. We are asking each district to bring a display of Mission work that you have done in your district this year. We will worship with Eva United Methodist Church on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. The MNO committee is encouraging each local unit to sponsor 1-2 young women to attend. Please make a point to encourage all ages to attend. Remember there are scholarships available. To apply, fill out a registration form and mail it to your district UMW president. We are very excited about our MOR Retreat and pray that you will share this excitement with us! Ladies, if you are under 40, United Methodist Women need your creativity; if you are over 40, United Methodist Women need your wisdom and God can use all of us! Grace & Peace, Melba Mitchell Membership Nurture & Outreach Memphis Conference NOT EVERYONE KNOWS If the word isn t getting out, United Methodist Women are missing out. Please be sure to share the information in this newsletter with members in your unit. There are a variety of ways to share. Some options include, but are not limited to the following: At Church Make copies of the newsletter to distribute. Use the church bulletin board, newsletter, Sunday bulletin, announcement time during service, website or social media to share what is going on with United Methodist Women. In the Community To share the work of United Methodist Women with your neighborhood, town or community, you can use a website or social media like Facebook or Twitter, flyers, banners, local press announcements, community bulletin boards or displays at local events. Penny Story Communications Coordinator CAN YOU SEE THE RAINBOW - IN COLOR? If not, you can. View and/or print this newsletter in color online at Scholarships are available to MOR! For MOR information, contact District President Sandra Burnett at sandyburn@rocketmail.com scroll down the page to Paducah Pulse, Paducah District UMW click on August 2015 newsletter Page 4

5 SUPPLIES FOR GRACE PLACE (A PRISON-BASED UM CHURCH) Grace Place UMC in Memphis, Tenn., has many and varied supply needs. Can you or your church or small group help? Located inside the Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center (part of the Tennessee Department of Correction), Grace Place UMC is a mission congregation of the Memphis Conference that ministers to others inside and outside the prison. The church s pastor, Rev. Diane Harrison, made a request on her Facebook page on July 23 for the following items for the women of Grace Place: birthday cards stamps yarn (especially Christmas colors) embroidery thread and Aida cloth subscription(s) to Upper Room black and white back-to-school line journals (can t accept wire binding "spiral" notebooks) Grace Place UMC has its office at Highland Heights UMC, as does the Metro Asbury District, where these items may be delivered or mailed: 3476 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN All items should be marked as being for Grace Place. For more information about other needs of Grace Place, Harrison at rnmdiv@aol.com or call the district office at (901) (Source: Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church website) Read more about Grace Place UMC on the Memphis Conference website: Mission and ministry of Grace Place UMC in newsdetail/ How to support Grace Place UMC through its GPConnect program OUR FAITH JOURNEY What s the bedrock of life for Christians? Is it Bible reading? Church participation? Prayer? Is it a belief that Jesus is God s Son? The foundation of Christian living is faith in Christ. Faith is the central loyalty that gives purpose and direction to our lives. Christian faith is grounding our lives in the living God as revealed especially in Jesus the Christ. This faith does not happen overnight. It s a journey. From birth to death we re growing in faith. There are ups and downs and sometimes long flat stretches where we seem to be stalled in our journey. But little by little, most of us deepen our relationship with God. In part, this growth in faith is a gift. Through our participation in the community of faith, through our openness to God s love, we receive this marvelous treasure. But faith is also a choice we make, an often difficult decision to put God and God s reign first in our lives, no matter what the cost. We cannot say that some people are ahead in the journey of faith and others behind. Faith is not something we possess by degrees. The journey is complex, different for each traveler and involving at least four intertwined pathways: Trusting, Believing, Following, Hoping Excerpted from The United Methodist Member s Handbook, Revised and Expanded by George E. Koehler, pp From WhatWeBelieve/OurFaithJourney Shared in part by, Linda Kaletch District Spiritual Growth Coordinator Page 5

6 PROGRAM RESOURCES Read any good books lately? I'm reading Americanah, a novel about a Nigerian immigrant who experiences culture shock in America (Social Action, 2015). Parts of it are a bit provocative, but so far it's a great read! If you have read something from our list that you really enjoyed, and you would like to tell us about it at Annual Day, please let me know! Thank you to everyone who submitted a Reading Program report! I encourage you to participate, even if you don't feel that you can complete a plan. Each book is carefully selected, so whether you read one book or twenty, you're working to fulfill our purpose as United Methodist Women. You can find many of the books on our reading list at our local libraries or even share books with another UMW group. Of course, you can also get them from me at our district events. I love visiting with you and hearing about the books you like (and even the ones you don't!). I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Come and find me in the Book Corner! Peace, Amanda Jetton District Program Resources WKUMFS RECEIVES GRANT FROM ALLSTATE Western Kentucky United Methodist Family Services (WKUMFS) is pleased to receive $1,000 from The Allstate Foundation in honor of Allstate Agent Gary Eckelkamp's volunteerism. WKUMFS is pleased to partner with Allstate and their commitment to making our hometowns better, safer places to live. Learn more about The Allstate Foundation grants at WKUMFS HAS A NEW MAILING ADDRESS Please mail all correspondence and donations to: West Kentucky United Methodist Family Services P.O. Box 3204 Paducah, KY AN INVITATION TO JOIN US To the Woman who finds meaning in her church and is drawn to its fellowship whose life is packed full of activity and obligations who struggles with loneliness or a sense of failure who juggles jobs and family, and tries to be faithful to both who wants to combine classroom study with significant fellowship and outreach opportunities who seems overburdened with the traditional woman s role of care-giver who feels she has gifts which are wasted or undeveloped who wants to be accepted for who she is who needs a supportive community to affirm her own sense of purpose and commitment to God...we invite you to participate in United Methodist Women. All women of any age, interest, or character flaw are welcome to join at any time. Participation in the of the United Methodist Women gives each of us an opportunity for growth in our individual spiritual experiences, as well as experiencing friendships that enhance each of our lives. It is an opportunity to give of our individual spiritual gifts while receiving invaluable insight and gifts from others of different ages and strengths. Mission is our program. We take seriously the command from Jesus to Feed my sheep. United Methodist Women hear the cries of women, children and youth and constantly look for ways in which we can support them. Through the global ministries of the church, UMW programs help people become as great as they can be. Please join us it s an exciting relationship! Focus on Racial Justice Join us in our commitment to equality for EVERY member of God s diverse and beautiful family. Page 6

7 EMPTYING THE TREASURY AT YEAR S END The monies given for United Methodist Women are given for mission. However, a local group may discover, toward the end of a given year, that it has more money than it needs to carry it into the first few months of the new year. This may have happened because: The budgeted amount for the Pledge to Mission was too low. Sources of income were underestimated. Income from a fundraising event may not have been budgeted. A local group should keep in its treasury only the minimum amount necessary to carry it into the first few months of the next year, until members Mission Giving pledges and gifts begin coming in. The committee on finance recommends how to use these extra funds. The committee could choose one of the following options: 1. Send the extra funds as additional mission funds (added to your Pledge to Mission). 2. Present one or more Special Mission Recognitions or Gifts to Mission to members or friends of the unit. 3. Make a supplementary gift to A Brighter Future for Children and Youth, a mission program that receives United Methodist Women National Office funding. Funds given in these ways to Empty the Treasury should be sent to the district treasurer. The act of emptying the treasury is important because the funds were given to be used for mission, not to build up a bank account for the unit. Saving for a later rainy day is not good stewardship since today is a rainy day for thousands of women, children and youth for whom our mission money offers hope. YOUR STORY! The national office wants to hear and share what you do every day for women, children and youth. Share a story or resource at Page 7 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN DOES NOT FUND: Projects and programs that don't benefit women, children or youth Projects and programs that do not comply with the Social Principles and Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church Programs administered by organizations that discriminate based on faith, ethnicity, race, or gender GIFT TO MISSION CHRISTMAS CARDS Christmas is the largest card-sending occasion in the United States. There are 1.9 billion Christmas cards sent to friends and loved ones every year. With only eight weeks away, Christmas will be here before you know it. Did you know you can send Christmas cards and support United Methodist Women missions? Christmas cards can be ordered in packs of five, a minimum of $25 per pack. Contact your local UMW treasurer for cards and receive blessings of giving two-fold. Message inside: Let us hear Christ s message of hope, Let us sing Christ s message of joy, Let us spread Christ s message of peace, Let us live Christ s message of justice. A gift of mission has been given in your honor through United Methodist Women. Other types of cards available for sale singly ($5) or packs of ten ($50) are Thank you, Baby, Congratulations, A Special Day, Birthday, In the Service of Christ, Thinking of You. Also offered is an assorted pack of ten cards for $50. Local treasurers can order Gift to Mission cards from the district treasurer. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DAYS St. Louis, Mo., November 13-15, 2015 Leadership Development Days (LDD) is a three-day weekend filled with practical, hands-on experiences, moving worship services, workshops, networking and more for United Methodist Women members newly elected to leadership positions of the organization and anyone who wants to participate. For more information: contact President Sandra Burnett at or sandyburn@rocketmail.com or visit

8 2015 DISTRICT CALENDAR Date Event Registration Event Time Location Jan. 24 District Team Meeting 9:00 AM District Office Feb. 7 Inclement Weather Team Meeting date 9:00 AM District Office Feb. 12 Paducah Pulse articles deadline Mar. 1 Treasurers Report and Pledges deadline Mar. 21 A Time of Celebration 9:30 AM 10:00 AM District Office Apr Spiritual Growth Retreat Lakeshore UMA May 17 Spiritual Day Apart 1:30 PM 2:00 PM Trinity UMC, Paducah May 31-Jun. 3 Memphis Annual Conference Jackson, TN Jun. 1 Treasurers Report and Pledges deadline Jun. 1 Mission Study Reports Due Jun. 16 Finance Committee Meeting 5:30 PM New Asia, Lone Oak Jun. 16 District Team Meeting 6:00 PM New Asia, Lone Oak Jul Conference Mission u 8:00 AM 9:15 AM Milan First UMC Jul. 17 Conference Mission Team Meeting 12:30 PM Milan First UMC Aug. 1 Candle Burning Report deadline Aug. 1 Reading Program Reports deadline Aug. 1 Mission Today and Green Report deadline Aug. 6 Paducah Pulse articles deadline Aug. 8 Conference Team and Committee meetings 10:30 AM Conf. Office, Jackson, TN Aug. 22 Conference Social Action Day 8:00 AM Medina UMC Aug. 29 District Mission u 9:00 AM 9:30 AM District Office Sept. 1 Treasurers Report and Pledges deadline Sept. 1 Memorial Service names deadline Sept. 20 District Annual Day 1:30 PM 2:00 PM Mayfield First UMC Sept. 26 Memphis Conference Annual Day 9:30 AM 11:00 AM Jackson First UMC Oct. 3 District Team Meeting 9:00 AM Lone Oak UMC Nov. 1 District Sister Day 1:30 PM 2:00 PM District Office Nov. 1 Slate of Officers deadline for local units Nov. 7-8 Mission Outreach Retreat (M.O.R. ) Lakeshore UMA Nov. 12 District Officer Training for Local Units 6:00 PM 6:30 PM Broadway UMC Nov Leadership Development Days St. Louis, MO Dec. 1 Treasurers Report and Pledges deadline Page 8

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10 Paducah Pulse August, 2015 (See registration form in this newsletter on page 11) Page 10

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12 2016 Local UMW Officers for Day and Time Local UMW Meets Please complete this form by printing, even if the officers are the same as last year. Verify with each officer that the address, 9 digit zip code, phone number and address are correct. President Social Action Vice Pres. E & I Secretary Communications Treasurer Nominations, Chair Spiritual Gr. Historian MN & O Parliamentarian Program Res. MAIL REPORT BY NOV. 1, 2015 TO: Ann Boone 847 Aspen Way Paducah, KY Cell: (270) : cbaboone@bellsouth.net Page 12

13 Paducah Pulse August, 2015 Page 13

14 2015 DISTRICT TEAM President... Sandra Burnett (Lone Oak UMC) Pershing Way, Paducah, KY Vice-President... Tammi Scarbrough (Broadway UMC) A Olivet Church Rd., Paducah, KY Secretary... Ann Boone (Broadway UMC) Aspen Way, Paducah, KY Treasurer... Gina Adams (Trinity UMC) Jenn-Ann Dr., Paducah, KY Spiritual Growth... Linda Kaletch (Trinity UMC) Wickliffe Rd., Wickliffe, KY Membership... Janice Overstreet (Massac UMC) Mayfield Metropolis Rd., Paducah, KY Social Action... Alice Day (Calvert City UMC) Elm St., Benton, KY Education and Interpretation... Kendra Capps (Calvert City UMC)... P.O. Box 4, Gilbertsville, KY Program Resources... Amanda Jetton (Burnetts Chapel UMC) St. Rt. 45 South, Wingo, KY Communications... Penny Story (Owens Chapel UMC) Calvert City Rd., Calvert City, KY Nominations Chair... Cherry Pyron (Clinton UMC) Springhill Rd., Clinton, KY Nominations... Nancy Upchurch (Broadway UMC) New Liberty Ch Rd., Kevil, KY Nominations... Cathy Burkhead (Reidland UMC) Oaks Rd., Paducah, KY Nominations... Dianne Dickey (Concord UMC) Locust Ave., Paducah, KY Nominations... Jana White (Grace UMC) Davis Rd., Kevil, KY Historian & Parliamentarian (TBA) Page 14

15 UMC 2285 Jack Treas Road Kirksey, KY NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mayfield, KY Permit No. 45 UPCOMING EVENTS: Aug. 29: District Mission u Sept. 20: District Annual Day Sept. 26: Conference Annual Day Nov. 1: Sister Day Nov. 7-8: Mission Outreach Retreat Nov. 12: Officer Training CURRENT RESIDENT OR UMW NEWSLETTER August 2015 Like us on Facebook UMW ONLINE RESOURCES UMW on Facebook... (search for UMW) District and Conference UMW Newsletters... UMW website... UMW on Facebook... UMW on Twitter... UMW on YouTube... UMW on Flickr... UMW Online Community... UMW Action Alerts... Mission Resource Center... Purchase District of the United Methodist Church... (search for Purchase District UMC) Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church...