Page 1 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014

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1 Page 1 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2014 [March 2014] New York Conference, United Methodist Women, 20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY Editor: Cynthia M. Plater - nycumwcommunications@gmail.com President s Message Greetings of peace and love to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! It has been unusually long white winter this year but it didn t stop 10 conference and district officers from traveling to Lake Junalaska, North Carolina in January for the Leadership Development Days (LDD). It was held at United Methodist Conference and Retreat Center in a mountain valley overlooking the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Besides the inspiration from the Bible study of Mary and Martha, knowledge of our responsibilities and focus of our social issues, the fellowship and connection with other conference/district officers and national office staff were blessings. Before the LDD, I was able to stay at Brooks- Howell Home, one of our mission institutions. It is a retirement home for the deaconesses and home missioners located in downtown Asheville, about 30 minutes from Lake Junalaska. They have some rooms for guests to stay and serve them with true hospitality. It was a blessing to have meals with some of the residents and to hear their stories of mission in the US and abroad. It is another exciting year of our journey in putting our faith, hope and love in action with a full slate. Legislative Day in Albany focusing on combat Human Trafficking issue with Upper New York Conference next year is on the way while working closely with the New York Annual Conference as we ap- (Continued on page 2) IN THIS ISSUE President s Message 1 VP s Message 3 Program Resources 3 Treasurer s Report 4 MNO 5 Communications 6 Spiritual Growth 7 PAGE Nominations 7-9 Mission u Event Flyers News From the Districts UMW Calendar of Events THE 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.

2 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) proved the resolution on this issue at the last year s Annual Conference. District visitations by the conference team are planned for better communication and support for each other. I hope you take a full advantage of these opportunities to meet your conference officers and share your stories and concerns with them if you have any. Please remember that we are here to serve you better. I had opportunities of visiting several local units and sharing my stories with them. I am grateful for the opportunities and also to see how dedicated they are and thrive to serve better. Leadership Development Days Attendees More than 200 women from our conference registered for the Assembly and the deadline for the registration is open till April 1 st. Let us truly Make It Happen by encouraging more women to join us! Our conference is committed in reaching out to young women by providing scholarship for 10 women under 25 years old. We are looking forward to hearing from them about their experience and commitment. May God bless you and your family as we await the season of Lent. Love in Christ, Susan S Kim

3 Page 3 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Vice President s Message "Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers". Romans 12:12-13 I look forward to working with each district to ensure that the programs for the New York Conference will be a great experience. As we go into this year with our theme "Call to Mission in Our Time", this is the time for Mission. We will be looking at the programs from different perspectives with various ideas from the program committee. The objective of the theme "Call to Mission in Our Time" is to call all women to join in God's mission of engaging with women, children, and youth. We will be working on increasing our attendance to Annual Meetings/ Celebration in which we would like more participation from the local units through our district s counterparts. In exploring new ideas Elaine Mackay, Spiritual Growth Coordinator, has started a focus prayer encouraging daily meditation. Let us enjoy what God is saying to us through these focus prayers - Thank you Elaine. All of the coordinators will have some wonderful things to share with us, so get ready to embrace the change that is coming in this year, the year of Make it Happen. In His Grip, Judith E. McRae FROM THE DESK OF THE RESOURCE SECRETARY Greetings and blessings, Yesterday I saw a robin sitting on top of a dirty, icy snow bank. There are buds on the magnolia tree near my office. This gives me hope that spring is not far behind. This has been a rough winter with the frigid temperatures and frequent snowfalls. It has isolated people from their usual routines because it is too cold, the snow is too deep or it is icy and dangerous out. Let s hope that March is more stable and we can slide into spring without another storm. The season of Lent is upon us. We have a forty day season to prepare ourselves for Easter and the Resurrection. Like Jesus, we have had wilderness seasons in our lives. We have had hardships, suffered losses and deaths of loved ones. We have been sad, sick, depressed, in despair and have grieved. But one day, like spring, we start to wake up and our hope is rising out of our despair and we find our way to resurrection. Memorial UMC has been challenged by our pastor to pick a Lenten Discipline to deepen our spiritual walk with God. The congregation was given numerous choices where we can participate through prayer, worship, study, service sacrificial acts, Creative stewardship, relationships, Your body as a Temple and Be Green. Some of these disciplines will follow us after Lent. Let us look into ourselves to find and share spiritual comfort to others. I hope you have been reading during these cold days towards your goals in the reading program. A good book can change your frame of mind and make the day look differently. Let s not let the winter blah s get us down. Spring is coming!!! Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control: against such there is no law. Peace and love, Debra DeMerritt

4 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 4 From the Conference Treasurer Happy New Year Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your Requests to God. Phillippians 4:6-7 The New Year is already two months old was a good year for the United Methodist Women of the New York Conference. Congratulations to all of you as most Districts met or exceeded their budgeted Pledge to Mission. Thanks to your hard work and generous giving we submitted a total of $159,941 to the United Methodist Women National Office. $141,458 of this amount represented our Pledge to Mission. Funds contributed for Special Mission Recognition, Gift to Mission, Gift in Memory and World Thank Offering become part of the regular Pledge to Mission. The Conference 2013 Pledge to Mission Budget was $120,000. To God be the Glory Great things he has done will present some challenges in meeting our budget as some of our Districts have reduced their Pledge. The Conference Team pledges to work closely with each District to find new and innovative ways to strengthen units, increase membership and giving so we can continue to focus on the mission set for us by Jesus Christ. Your First Quarter Remittances are due to the Conference by March 31, Let us try as Treasurers to send in remittances received each quarter no matter how small. Please ensure your 2013 records are ready for audit no later than March 15, I will advise each District Treasurer where to send your records. I would appreciate your cooperation as my goal is to ensure all District financial records are audited. Hazel McIntosh, Conference Treasurer, hemlock 59@aol.com District Treasurers Catskill Hudson Connecticut Long Island East Long Island West Metropolitan New York/Connecticut Margaret Howe Janet Keyes Mary Munkenbeck Angela Depass Laureen Goodridge-Smith Beverly Anderson

5 Page 5 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Report from Membership, Nuture and Outreach Coordinator I can do all things through Him who strengthens. Philippians 4:13 NRSV Peace and Joy to you from the Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator. This year has begun with a bang! The Census forms are being worked on by our district Membership Nurture and Outreach coordinators. With great appreciation we should make our deadline to National. I am hearing from some districts that we will be chartering new local units and reactivating others. This is who we are, as we nurture our communities and continue to be in mission. The Call for young women to attend to Assembly 2014 for the first time has been successful for us. The New York Conference will be sending ten (10) young women to Assembly on a scholarship. We are proud of them. Thank you for being a part of us. Thanks to all that made this happen! In addition to this we have a few young ladies that went to Limitless in August 2012, attending the Assembly as part of a Limitless Reunion. We are so proud to have these young women in our Conference who are willing to serve! We also would like to thank the mentor of this group who is also in our Conference for her time and great effort. Ms. Deborah C. Jenkins, on behalf of the New York Conference I thank you for going the extra mile with your work with these young ladies. As a membership piece we are asking each district to look at the young women in your local units and invite and encourage them to be a part of this great organization. This will be an act of changing our lives with hospitality. I am excited! Let us catch this excitement and grow our conference to be second to none! We are now calling all districts to promote the increase of the Josephine Gibson Scholarship Fund from $25 to a minimum of at least $50. With this promotion we can offer more first timers a scholarship to attend Mission u. The application can be found in this issue of the Spectrum, as well as on the United Methodist Women s website. Please pay close attention to the deadline. Remember, No applications will be considered after the deadline, June 10, All Scholarships will be based on a first come, first serve basis. My thanks to all district Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinators for all you are doing. I am here to connect with you 100% as we increase, nurture, and reach out to all women to be a part of this great organization. Let us stay connected! Blessings Joann McClam Districts Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinators Catskill Hudson-Carol Savery Connecticut-Kim Boissonneault Long Island East-Dorothy Kim Long Island West-Sandra Griffith Metropolitan-Inez A. Grant New York/Connecticut-Fran Backofen& Kayla Gray

6 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 6 Message from Your Communications Coordinator We are a group of women spread out across hundreds of miles from the Catskills to Montauk and from mid Connecticut to Staten Island. Communication is always a challenge! How do we let each other know what we are doing and getting others to join us? Last month we added another vehicle for publicizing UMW. We started a Facebook page Take a look, like the page so that you will get notified of future posts. As I write this, 64 people have already liked the page! Post on the page. List an event. Upload pictures of a UMW event. Or if you would rather, just send the info [pictures, flyers, ] to me for posting. Let s use it as another way to publicize what might interest other UM women. In addition to UMW sponsored events, it may be a bible study, special speaker, a fun trip, a tag sale, Reminder Also check out the UMW pages on the New York Annual Conference site at Scroll down the right panel for: 1) Mission u info, 2) UMW Leadership team, 3) Picture Gallery, 4) Events Calendar and 5) District Newsletters. Enjoy! Cynthia Plater, Communications Coordinator, nycumwcommunications@gmail.com Response Magazine Do you have a subscription? If not, check it out on the Web. The current issue s lead stories are published on the web as well as many of the features, articles, live, and Responsively Yours columns. from prior issues.

7 Page 7 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Report from Nominations Committee Chair Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior! I think by now we are all a little tired of the SNOW. However, it does remind us that we live in an area of 4 seasons and each is a gift! Also, it helps us to look forward to the Spring and new beginnings. This committee has not met in the New Year yet but we will be doing so soon. Our main focus for 2014 is to present a slate of officers for I am including a talent bank form [see next page] with this report and would like everyone to fill it out and send it in. Right now, we have a full slate but you never know what the future holds and we would love to have you on the conference team. We are a Great group of women and we work hard to keep the Purpose alive. We ask that you prayerfully consider working with us. My committee is a good place to start. You get a chance to learn how things work. So let me know if you want to join us. The United Methodist Women of the New York Conference want YOU!! Blessings Dianne Adone Message from Spiritual Growth Coordinator, Elaine MacKay Christ Church United Methodist Women s program on February 11 was Anchor House Today presented by Rev. John H Cole, former President and still active in his retirement on the Board of Anchor House - a drug treatment program in Brooklyn as Board Secretary & Chair of the Personnel Committee. Prior to his retirement in June 2012 and since 2003, Rev. John H. Cole had been senior pastor of Grace Methodist Church Valley Stream, an active multi-generational, multi-cultural family of faith serving western Nassau County. He chaired several denominational committees for the New York Conference of the Methodist Church and, in retirement also chairs the Brooklyn United Methodist Home Board. The program was very interesting to see how far Anchor House has grown since we first learned of the program more than 30 years ago and now with both a Men s and Women s facility. A large portion of the treatment each day is spent in worship and prayer and many of the counselors working with the addicts are former addicts themselves. The program is usually a year s commitment for each person who needs help. The time we set aside for Q & A flew quickly by as we had all been so inspired by what we learned and we extended the time. Anchor House is one of the missions that CCUMW supports through our annual pledge drive.

8 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 8 TALENT BANK INFORMATION ON PROSPECTIVE LEADERSHIP Type or Print (attach additional sheets as necessary) Date Name Address Telephone: Home Cell Local Church District Age: 20 s 30 s 40 s 50 s 60 s 70 s 80 s+ Languages Spoken Racial/Ethnic Group Employed: Yes No Full-Time Part-Time Professional skills, job experience Office(s) held in United Methodist Women Local District Conference Jurisdiction Additional experience on the local, district, conference or general church level (other than United Methodist Women) or in the community Special Talent or Skills:

9 Page 9 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 TALENT BANK INFORMATION ON PROSPECTIVE LEADERSHIP [pg 2 of 2] Areas of Special Interest or Concern: Check as many as you would like! secretarial recruiting members publicity communication social issues workshops computer creativity newsletters accounting/bookkeeping recording minutes retreats organization of details public policy music nominations public relations youth program planning community building children administration inclusiveness/pluralism other (specify) Which office(s) on the Conference United Methodist Women s Team would you most like to hold given the opportunity to serve? President Membership Nurture & Outreach Vice President Social Action Secretary Spiritual Growth Treasurer Program Resources Chair of Nominations Communications Education & Interpretation Why are you interested in this position and what qualifications do you feel you have for your office(s) of choice? Would you be able to use your gifts and talents to uphold and strengthen United Methodist Women through the PURPOSE of the organization? Is it possible for you to be away from your home or employment for: Full day Weekend Extended Time I am sorry but I am unable to accept an office this year. Please keep my name on file and contact me in [year] Please provide any additional information that you feel is pertinent: Please send completed form by to: adonedm@optonline.net or mail to: Dianne Adone, th Avenue, Holtsville, NY Feel free to call me if you have any questions:

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15 Page 15 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 United Methodist City Society Honors United Methodist Women On Thursday, May 1 st United Methodist City Society will be having a benefit reception to raise funds for camper scholarships at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Manhattan. Our honorees this year are the United Methodist Women of the New York Annual Conference and Mr. Spencer C. Disher, President of the Board of Five Points Mission. New York Conference United Methodist Women is being recognized for its long standing support of ministries for children and youth, like Five Points Mission. Women were the driving forces behind the formation of both Five Points Mission and its parent organization the United Methodist City Society, which recently celebrated its 175 th anniversary. Members of the United Methodist Women have and continue to serve on the boards of both organizations and have been invaluable in supporting our programs through the recruitment of children and providing scholarship funds. We look forward to expanding on this relationship in the coming years. Camp Olmsted is located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York and has been serving children and families from New York City s neediest communities for over 100 years. Our program serves boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 13 years and often provides the first opportunity these children have to venture outside New York City and experience a rural environment. Almost half of the children who attended Olmsted last year were first time campers. During our program campers enjoy swimming, hiking, art, reading and ropes challenge course activities. These activities are designed to build their self-esteem and enhance their social skills. Over 300 children participated in Olmsted s programs last year. Our fee is $395 per camper per session, while our actual costs are over $900 per child. Even with this highly subsidized fee, the cost of a camping experience is still far above the means of many of the families we serve. Last year, over 70% of the children attending the Camp Olmsted received financial assistance. Donations from local churches, agencies and individuals help Five Points Mission provide the necessary scholarship support to these campers and allow them the opportunity to experience Camp Olmsted. For more information about our camp program or the event you can visit our website at or contact April Callender, Associate Executive Director at acallender@umcitysociety.org or (212) If you are interested in attending this event or providing scholarship support to Camp Olmsted please send your check to: Five Points Mission, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1922, New York, NY 10115, Attn: Scholarship Appeal.

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18 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 18 Catskill-Hudson United Methodist Women Invite you to Spiritual Day Apart Saturday, May 3 9 am- 3 pm Trinity United Methodist Church, Hudson, NY Guest Speaker: Sandy Soroka, Director, Utica Neighborhood Center, A UMW National Missions Center Registration: 9-9:30 Continental Breakfast provided Please bring: your lunch The list of missions that your UMW unit and your church support, help with, raise funds for food pantries, children, shelters An offering for Mission Giving and the Utica Neighborhood Center Your prayers Directions: 555 Joslen Blvd, Hudson, NY Name Address City State Zip Local Church Fee: $10. Checks to: Catskill Hudson District UMW Mail Registration Form and check to: Rita Ford 11 W. Bridge St., Saugerties, NY ritaford614@yahoo.com

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20 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 20 Hunger Workshop at The Church Center for the United Nations: On this winter s first warm sunny Saturday morning, 18 United Methodist Women and friends boarded Metro North at several different stations bound for Church Center for the United Nations (owned by United Methodist Women National Organization). Jennifer McCallum, Seminar designer UMW National, greeted us in the Tillman Chapel for welcome, introduction and worship. The day included discussion on The Growing Economic Divide led by Jeannette Huezo, Education Coordinator, United for a Fair Economy. The group was involved and engaged in exercised to heighten the awareness of all participants. Christine Ashley, Domestic Policy Analyst, from Bread for the World made a presentation on the topic, Ending Hunger in the United States. In small groups we were given two different scenarios and asked to create a Simulated Budget for the family structure given. We were joined by Susan Kim, NYC UMW President and Claris Skerritt, Conference Social Action Chair and from NY/CT, Carol Osgood, VP and Linda Nicholson, Program Resource Secretary. The workshop ended with small groups deciding on an action plan to implement, upon completion, the group will report back on the status of completion. We invited women to share their reflections below. It was so helpful to look at hunger as part of the bigger picture: Poverty is not the problem -- It is the effect of inequality -- and hunger is a symptom. Pat Knebel My most interesting experience is to learn just how much the poor is burden in taxes. Which forces them to live below the poverty level. While the rich pays so little even when they want to pay more. And that to me is an atrocity. But I also learned that there is something more I can do. By calling our local officials and sending s so that they can help to stop the cutting of programs that are so needed to help them. Submitted by Phyllis Jackson At Golden Hill we re justly proud of our missions that help alleviate hunger. One thing that hit me hard in the information shared last Saturday, though, was the graphic comparing Federal nutrition programs impact on hunger to the impact of charitable programs. I couldn t believe that out of twenty bags of groceries provided to hungry people, only one of those comes from programs like ours. Government programs like the SNAP program (Food Stamps) affect millions of people, and any cuts in those benefits can have devastating consequences. Private organizations, willing as we are to help, can t come close to meeting all the needs. So while we continue to do what we are able to do directly for our neighbors, we also need to keep letting elected representatives know the local impact of decisions made at state and federal levels. As voters we also need to make our wishes known. We elect our leaders in all branches of government to represent us! Right now 49 million people are living in a state of food insecurity. This translates into life challenging, and sometimes life threatening, choices: Do we pay the rent or do we buy groceries for the month? Food or medicines needed to manage chronic and/or acute illness, or food for a week? I realize how fortunate I am that these choices haven t yet been part of my life; but no one should have to have them as part of life. Some changes in the system are needed. Mary Agostino Respectfully submitted, Roena Littlejohn, President, CT District UMW

21 Page 21 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Catskill-Hudson District By Barbara Sanborn, President Dear Sisters in Christ, Thanks be to God for everything, but most especially the fellowship of Christ that we share with each other and the world. Your sisters in the Catskill-Hudson District continue to strengthen our fellowship bonds within the District and within the Conference. Our Spring Day Apart on Saturday, May 3, will be in the eastern part of our District, at Trinity UMC in Hudson, NY. Our guest speaker will be Sandy Soroka, Director of the Utica Neighborhood Center, our close UMW National Mission center. This summer, we will be trying something new: an afternoon covered dish picnic and ice cream social at North Lake State Park, on Saturday, July 19. We will be using the pavilion. The Park is popular for swimming, hiking, and the extensive view of the Hudson River valley. Our fall meeting on September 27 will be at Margaretville UMC, in the western area of the District. Our guest speaker is not yet confirmed, but will hopefully be in the area of rural and migrant ministries. We pray that each of these gatherings reflect our Purpose and help each of us to grow in our daily walk. Blessings and Peace, Barbara Sanborn. Metropolitan District By Sister Helena Cooks, President My Sisters In Christ, This winter season has been very challenging for all of us, but we thank God for the different seasons. The Metropolitan District UMW has weathered the storms, and continues to move forward in ministry and mission. Our theme for 2014 '' INTERPRETING THE PURPOSE OF THE UNITED METHODIST WOM- EN'',is a welcoming challenge for all of us, to put into ''action'' who we represent and what we are all about. We held our Spiritual Retreat at Church of the Village UMC on Saturday, January 11, Our facilitator Andrea Smith, Pastor of Roosevelt UMC opened up with the question, "Who Are We As A People Of God?" We are his children, disciples, change agents, servants, and etc. We are God's willing vessels. As United Methodist Women, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, because we said ''yes'' to Jesus ( 1Peter 2: 9-10). Keeping this in mind, and focusing on our 2014 theme we begin to experience freedom as whole persons. Letting go of things that hold us back. Conforming ourselves, by the renewing our minds through studying the word of God and prayer for successful mission work. Our supportive fellowship is developed everyday. It causes us to take "action." As UMW in order to fulfill the mission that God has given us, we must take action. It is also, our responsibility to do this in love, be of the same mind, united in spirit, for a given purpose (PHILIPPIANS 2: 1-2). We need to be mission minded. Prayer is our first step. We are to make ourselves available first for Christ, and then we can help others by sharing our ideas, projects, or gifts to bring about positive change. Our witnessing should be to all nations, according to Matthew 24: 14. What a refreshing retreat! Our February 15, 2014 UMW Local Officers Training at Wakefield Grace UMC was well attended. Our sisters of Wakefield prepared a wonderful continental plus breakfast and their hospitality was greatly appreciated. All officers and potential officers are encouraged to be a part of this learning experience

22 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 22 yearly. The purpose of the training is to help us do a better job as leaders in the capacity for which we serve. So, thanks to all participants and share the knowledge. Lastly, the Metropolitan District UMW is having it's 34th COMMUNION BRUNCH at First Spanish UMC, 163 E. 111th St. (Lexington Ave. in Manhattan) on Saturday March 15, 2014 from 9am - 3pm. The cost is $ Our speaker is our own District Superintendent, Rev. Dr.Denise Smartt Sears. Come out for a spirit filled and joyous day in the Lord. Don't miss your blessing!!! Long Island East District By Grace Bryant, President As you probably already know, Long Island East mourns the loss of one of our most faithful and active, long time members, Joan Raynor. She had been an active member of Trinity Coram United Methodist Church, and held various positions in the local and district United Methodist Women until she relocated to Pennsylvania for health reasons. When our Jurisdictional Meeting was held in Hershey, PA, year before last, two of our members, Gail Ross and Terry Smith visited her at her home in Pennsylvania. They took her out to lunch and to tea. What a happy surprise for Joan that was. Although we will all miss her, I will especially miss seeing her at Mission u, formerly known as the School of Mission when Joan was attending. Continue to keep her family and her UMW unit in your prayers. As one of our goals Long Island East is attempting to have a District officer attend any local unit programs of which we are aware. Garydianne Morrison, our Spiritual Growth Coordinator attended the Bayport, Wonderful Women s Conference. She reported at our team meeting how truly wonderful it was. And, Bayport answered the request to send us an article about the event. Thank you, Bayport UMW and your President, Jann Sanicola. Long Island West District By Patricia Newton, President Our 2014 Local Unit Officer s Training was held at Grace St Alban s United Methodist Church, Queens. There were about one hundred thirty seven persons in attendance including those from Long Island East District, our Executive Advisory committee, Conference Team and the North Eastern Jurisdiction. The entire day was uplifted by the praise and worship by Bro. Jerome from Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church, Brooklyn. We would like to thank Sis. Joann McClam and the Executive Advisory board for assisting where possible with facilitating workshops and being assistants to some facilitators. To those facilitators we say a special thank you for a job well done. In our initial meeting in January we the team began to look at our goals to make them simple yet precise for the outcome. The President of the teen/ college circle and the Advisor is planning their program for September. They are planning to produce a play. Funds from this event will go to the Far Rockaway Mission. As a district we are planning other events that you will hear about at a later date. Time Apart will be held on May 17, Date, time and place will follow. We as a team will continue with our visitation to the various units that need our help. We will continue to speak out on the need for help from the Pastors of these churches. Our goal for the year is to use our collective gifts to draw more young people and adults thirty five and older to join with us through our action on the many causes on mission. As we answer the call let us stay connected. Peace and love, Patricia Newton, President

23 Page 23 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 REPORT OF GHANA UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 2014 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires Psalm 37:4 We thank God for His love, protection and guidance in the year By His Grace we have come to see Our sincere thanks to UMW especially at New York Conference for all the teachings, especially about mission work all over the world. Ghanaian net (group) consists of women who belong to United Methodist Church and those who belong to Methodist Church from Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey.We hold conferences and meetings to talk about the welfare of each unit and mission work. How we can help and give to the poor in Ghana. Individuals help back home a lot with clothes, food, money and even housing. The group has been involved in a big project at Kumasi- Ashanti, Ghana. The project is in progress. ( Kwadaso Vocational center for women and young girls, especially Pastors wives.) The Ghanaian net is presently focusing on renovating the entire center.years ago the focus at the center was to train Pastors wives, but not anymore nowadays, the role of the minister s wife has changed in Ghana, where it continues to change rapidly. Variations of the preacher s wife-role have often moved from caring companion to spiritual sustainer, to energetic helpmate, to institutional church leader and more recently to a mother.. But whatever direction the minister s wife s role tilts at any moment of human history, it always involves a position of trusted support for the work of the ministry. And it is always an invaluable asset in the service of the church. One of the great trends of the current century is undoubtedly the rise of the alpha female that highly educated and motivated new breed of women. As wives to prominent pastors, no more are they rarely seen and never heard. Today, they have become more visible, more assertive and fashionable too. The dawn of the 90s, no doubt, triggered a new awakening for these women in the Lord s vineyard. Some of the mummies on the pulpit are young and fashionable. They also adorn beautiful jewelries and top designers wears, and have evolved into role models to young worshippers who also want to attain similar heights on the ladder of high street fashion, writes LANRE ALFRED The vocational center provides skill knowledge, attitude and values needed for the place of work; however, in contrast to general education, learning vocational talents is centered on applied knowledge, practical and skills like cooking, sewing, farming, hair styling etc. Skills training are critical for sustainable industrialization and poverty reduction, in terms of the ability of technical and entrepreneurial qualified people to stimulate investment opportunities, create jobs and increase productivity.our goal is to renovate the entire Vocational institution. The Ghanaian net have started with the kitchen. Besides helping our country, Our unit which is Ghana United Methodist Women Fellowship helps our entire church with fun raisings, prepare the communion, pay visit to the sick and the convalescent. It is our prayer that the entire UMW NYAC gets involved with this project. Thank You. Compiled by Sister Rebecca Adjei Ofori &Sister Victoria Kusi

24 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 Page 24 March 1 March 8 March 15 March 19 March 22 April 5 April 12 April 16 April 19 April May 3 May 10 May 14 May 17 May 31 June 7 June 11 June 14 June 18 June 21 June 28 July 19 July CT District Team Meeting Calendar of Events 2014 Conference Team Meeting with District Treasurers & Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinators Metropolitan District 34 th Annual Communion Brunch, First Spanish UMC, CT District UBUNTU Day of Service- Prudence Crandall Center LIE District Team Meeting LIW District Team Meeting Mujeres MU Celebrating Women CT District Spring Day Apart & Luncheon LIE Spring Meeting NY/CT Spring Day Apart, Red Hook UMC Conference Team Meeting with District Communications Coordinators & Social Action Coordinators Metropolitan District Team Meeting LIW District Team Meeting Mujeres MU spiritual Retreat Assembly, Louisville, Kentucky (4/24 Ubuntu Mission Day) CH District Day Apart in Hudson, Trinity UMC Korean Network Walk for Mission Mission u Meeting Metropolitan District Team Meeting LIW District Time Apart CT District Team Meeting CT District Team Meeting Metropolitan District Team Meeting Metropolitan District & Conference Team Mission & Legislative Day Project, St. Stephen s UMC LIE District Team Meeting LIW District Team Meeting Conference Team Meeting with District Program Resources Secretaries CH Covered dish picnic & Ice Cream Social, North Lake State Park Haines Falls, NY Mission u Western Connecticut University, Danbury, CT

25 Page 25 The Spectrum Quarterly Newsletter March 2014 August 2 August 9 August 20 August 23 September 6 September 17 September 20 September 21 September 27 September 28 October 4 October 15 October 25 November 8 November 15 November 19 November December 6 December 13 December 17 LIW District Membership Event Ubuntu Mission Day of Service/Youth In Mission (location TBA) LIE District Team Meeting NY/CT District Team Meeting Mission u Meeting CT District Team Meeting LIW District Team Meeting Metropolitan District Team Meeting Conference Team Meeting with District Treasurers & Spiritual Growth Coordinators Mujeres MU Annual Meeting LIW Rise Up Young Women For Christ Event (4PM-7PM) CH District Annual Meeting, Margaretville UMC NY/CT District Annual Meeting Date missing KUMW Korean Network Praise Night Metropolitan District Annual Meeting, New Rochelle UMC LIW District Annual Meeting LIE District Annual Meeting CT District Fall Gathering & Luncheon Metropolitan District Team Meeting Conference Annual Meeting/Celebration: LIE District Bible United Methodist Church, Dix Hills, NY Conference Team Leadership Development/Training Day NY/CT District Team Meeting LIW District Team Meeting Mujeres MU Planning Meeting Metropolitan District Team Meeting National Leadership Development Day, Tempe, Arizona CT District Team Meeting Mujeres MU Holiday Gathering LIW District Team Retreat Metropolitan District Holiday Gathering Faith UMC, Staten Island Metropolitan District Team Meeting