President. February 2017

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1 February 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Mission Encounter Information Scholarship Forms Calendar 10 Spiritual Life Retreat Flyer Ferrum College UMW Day Registration Mission Team Contact Information United Methodist Women Press Releases and Action Alerts Visit UnitedMethodistWomen.org for more information. United Methodist Women Rallies Against House Bill 2 United Methodist Women CEO Joins Interfaith Opposition to Refugee Ban Based on Religion, Nationality Back to School: Public School or Charters? Do you remember how you joined United Methodist Women? It is important we remember our story and share it with others. It is a great way to start a conversation with a non-member. Tell her how important UMW is to you. When I was called and asked many, many years ago to be the secretary of the Harrisonburg District UMW, did I ever think my yes to that nominating committee person would lead the way to me being the President of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Women? I remember that call all those years ago and I remember years later when I was asked to be the Conference Spiritual Growth Coordinator. Nan Pointer said she never saw anyone s eyes get so big when she asked me that question. I thank God each and every day that I said yes to both of these opportunities because they opened doors for me to be in mission through the District UMW as well as the Conference UMW. My horizon was broadened from the local unit to the district and then to the conference. I wouldn t take back all my friendships and experiences for anything. I have told others many times, you will never regret saying yes to the Nominating Committee because it will give you many experiences and opportunities to grow. January 1 st started my term as President and I thank each and every one of you for your support. I need and covet your prayers for myself and your Mission Team. We met in January for a planning meeting and you have elected a strong Mission Team, but our success depends not only on our own strengths but on you as well. We need your assistance by your prayers, your attendance at conference events, your dedication to our purpose and mission and your endurance to keep doing what is necessary to keep United Methodist Women in your churches. Women, children and youth all over the world are depending on us all and we cannot let them down. I want to tell you a little about myself. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Dennis, for going on 42 years. We have four grown children that are all married and they have blessed us with twelve grandchildren. We are members of Bridgewater UMC on the Harrisonburg District. Our family business was sold in January 2016 after 52 years in business and I retired in March after several months of helping with the transition. Dennis recently retired in January so we are trying to find a new norm in our lives if there is such a thing. We have been blessed to be able to retire young and are excited about the additional mission trips we can take and some time to travel and spend time at Smith Mountain Lake at our cabin as well as my work at being your President. I look forward to the year ahead. May God bless each and every one as you go about His work as United Methodist Women in mission! Blessings, Mary Jane Rawley, President President

2 Vice-President Secretary I am very happy to be returning as Conference Vice President. It is truly a joy to serve you on the Mission Team! A little bit of background on me: I am married, the mother of two young adult daughters, a practicing pediatrician, and a fiber artist. My husband and I attend Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, where we have been members for almost 30 years. We enjoy singing in the church choir and participating in our Sunday School class. I joined United Methodist Women when a friend invited me! That's been over 25 years ago, and through the years I have served in my local unit as Social Action coordinator. I held the same position for the district, and then served as President, a job I really enjoyed as I got the opportunity to meet so many "sisters" in my district and throughout the state. I continue to expand that sisterhood now as a conference officer. In fact, at the most recent UM- Day at General Assembly, I took a fellow church member who had never been, and after the event he exclaimed I really did know a lot of people! That's the joy of our organization. We are connected to so many others through our work for United Methodist Women! It is a real gift! I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones as we get together at our events this coming year. I hope our programs inspire and educate, and that together we put Faith, Hope and Love into Action! Karen McElfish, Vice-President It has been my pleasure to serve as your Conference secretary since January United Methodist Women holds a special place in my life. Through it I have grown spiritually, been involved in mission, and enjoyed fellowship with many United Methodist Women throughout the Conference. In addition to this position, I served as treasurer of the Norfolk District United Methodist Women which later became part of the Elizabeth River District. Currently, I am the treasurer of Main Street UMW in Suffolk. For 34 years, I worked in administration at Virginia Wesleyan. Both my husband and I graduated from that school in In 2014, I retired to Suffolk with my husband, John, a United Methodist minister. Our three beautiful daughters gave us seven amazing grandchildren (five boys and two girls) ranging in age from ten to sixteen. Retirement has allowed us to be more present in their lives. We move from choral concerts to basketball, plays, baseball, scouts, surfing and swimming meets, etc. What a joy it is! As we move into 2017, I am excited about doing the work that God has called us to do through the Virginia Conference United Methodist Women. Grace and Peace, Ann Shappell, Secretary 2

3 Treasurer Greetings. I was elected to be your Conference Treasurer for the next two years and truly feel that it is an honor to serve on the Conference Mission Team, as well as serve you the members of United Methodist Women of the Virginia Conference. I am also aware that it is a job not to be taken lightly. As a young girl going to WSCS meetings with my mother, I always knew that this organization was important and one that I wanted to join. I attend a lovely and warm small country church with a very active unit and have held offices there as well as on the Winchester District. On the District level, I have held several offices including Treasurer, E&I Coordinator and President. I retired in 1996 from the Federal Government after 34 years of service. The last 17 years were spent in commuting to Washington, D.C. with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Together, my husband and I have four adult children and 12 grandchildren. We enjoy taking trips whenever possible, living and working on our farm and spending time with our families. Scholarships are now available for 2017 with the information and the application within this newsletter. Please look at them carefully to see if there are projects in your area that would qualify for these scholarships. Be sure to get this information to them so that they may apply by the deadline. Thank You. If I can be of assistance please let me know. My address: linda.borror1@gmail.com and phone: Blessings and Peace, Linda Borror, Conference Treasurer PAST TREASURER GERALDINE SANDERSON I have been your treasurer for the past 6 years. Thank you so much for putting your trust in me. It has been wonderful and I have learned a lot and the best part of the job is getting to know all of you. Virginia Conference gave $609, to the United Methodist Women, Inc. in New York for That was 84% of our budget. We are very thankful for all of you for your dedication to the work of women, youth and children around the world. Without you we could not have done this wonderful work. Praise God for your dedication to UMW. The following districts met and/or exceeded their pledge to missions for 2016: Arlington, Eastern Shore, Farmville, Fredericksburg, James River, Lynchburg, Richmond, and York River. Some of you were very close. Virginia Conference gave $12, for the Legacy Fund. I am looking forward to 2017 and working with our new treasurer, Linda Borror. Thank you again. Always put your trust in the United Methodist Women. Geraldine Sanderson 3

4 The Legacy Fund Mission Coordinators The Legacy Fund is alive and well! With our 150 th birthday only two years away, we are on the way to ensuring that our daughters and granddaughters have the same blessings from being a United Methodist Woman that we have had. Have you told your story to someone? How did you get into this awesome organization? Who took you or invited you to your first meeting? Have you taken someone? Remember your history and the many blessings you have received, and then share them! Have you given to the Legacy Fund that will keep this organization going for another 150 years? For only $18.69 a year for the next five years you can ensure that those who come after you still have the blessings. For only $150 a year for the next five years, your Unit can help with our future. $18.69 is less than 5.2 cents a day. We are here today because nearly 150 years ago six women pledged 2 cents a day, amazing how far that has come! Can we do any less for the next 150 years? Where else can you get such value? Join us now to fund our future! Joyce Winston Monica Sprague Membership Nurture and Outreach Education & Interpretation Spiritual Growth Nancy Walsh Mary Wright Nominations Can you believe we are well into 2017? New Conference officers and the New Year. The Committee on Nominations will be meeting on March 31 in conjunction with the Mission/Executive committees. It's up to all of you to help us with our "Talent Bank". We have so many gifted ladies that would be an asset to the Virginia Conference UMWomen. Remember God doesn't always call the equipped, he equips the called. Be a good listener and hear God calling your name to serve his people. Nancy Yarborough, Chair CON I am very excited to be the new Spiritual Growth coordinator. I am from the Alexandria district. I am working hard at putting the final touches on the Spiritual Life Retreat which will be held April at a new location for us - the 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal. We are so lucky to have Denise Honeycutt as our retreat leader! Watch for registration information coming on the UMW conference website VAUMW.com. 4

5 Mission Coordinators (continued) Marilyn Blagg Social Action Social Action Priorities Quadrennial Issue Priorities Climate Justice Criminalization of Communities of Color Economic Inequality Maternal and Child Health I am the new Social Action Coordinator for the Conference UMW. My name is Marilyn Blagg. I have served on the Executive Committee as the Staunton District President, and on the Mission Team as part of the Nominating Committee, as well as several positions on the Staunton District. I live in the far reaches of the Conference, on a working farm, in Highland County -- Doe Hill. I am active in a small church on a small 4 point charge, holding a few offices. As some of you know, I lead a team to Guatemala each summer and have spoken about it whenever the opportunity arises. I am also the Assistant Dean for Mission Encounter and my main responsibility is the mission project. We will be working on kits and/or components for Days for Girls. (See article on Mission Encounter.) website, priority issue. Keep reading and it gives an overview of the issues, what you can do to be involved. Choose one or two for your district to learn about, become involved with, work on, share the information. For the webpage: If you haven t joined already, there are several sites to sign up for, as part of our Living into Our Purpose. UMW Action Network: Action alerts from the General Board of Church and Society: Alerts from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy: These websites and alerts will keep you up to date on what is going on in the Virginia Conference. Please encourage your units to sign up for and report what they have learned to their members. I know many have asked about our priorities and here they are. If you have questions or I may be of service, please don t hesitate to ask. Blessings as you do the work of UMW in your community, district and conference. We have been working on Poverty as our priority issue for the past few years. This is a very broad topic and includes many possibilities for action. I feel certain many of you have been working on these projects and are finished with them, or there is work remaining. Please do not abandon projects just because our priorities have changed. Continue to make a difference in the lives of women, children and youth. If however, your district or unit is looking for a new issue to address, please take a look at the Priorities for this year. Below is the web address for the UMW The UMW unit at Register Chapel UMC, "Boxing out Human Trafficking 5

6 Korean Language Coordinator I began my service as the Korean Language Coordinator last year with a sense of purpose in my heart. I was born into a family with a deep history in Methodist faith. My grandmother was my first connection to Christian faith and Methodist Church. She was one of the first Korean women who were leaders in Korean Methodist movement. She went to Nashville from Korea around the turn of last century to attend a Women s Mission conference and I felt her presence there when I visited the Methodist headquarters in Nashville for the first time. It is a great honor to continue my grandmother s legacy to be serving the Methodist Women s mission. I came to the States in 1980 to study rehabilitation counseling at University of Wisconsin. My original intent was to learn as much as I can, obtain a doctorate in rehabilitation counseling and return to Korea to pioneer the field in Korea. Things didn t quite turn out that way I took a break in my education to get married, move to Washington, DC area, and to raise my children. I got back to my own education after my children grew up. This time, in theology. After my M.Div., I served as youth pastor and as a children s pastor at several local churches in local area. I recently retired as an education pastor and decided to dedicate my time to what I love to do in volunteer settings. I call it creative aging. I now enjoy my favorite hobby of calligraphy, join my lady friends on mountain hikes twice a week, and take care of my precious grandchildren. I am also an active volunteer. I serve as the president of the board of directors for the US Chapter of the Educators Without Borders (EWB), as the Korean Language Coordinator for the Virginia UMW, and as one of the officers at the UMW of Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington. I also teach Tai Chi at a local senior academy. My husband and I have been married for almost 35 years and have two sons who are married to wonderful young ladies. Between them, we have four grandchildren and another one on the way. We are also a military family. My husband is a retired Army epidemiologist. My first son was an Army Internist, and my second son was in infantry and he recently returned from a deployment in Iraq. His wife is an Army nurse! Not to be outdone, my sons gave me an honorary title of Sargent Major! I am also proud to say that I won numerous awards for Chinese calligraphy and paintings of oriental landscapes but I am most proud of the fact that I am a Korean Language Coordinator. I serve both my Korean community and Virginia UMC in multicultural settings. As such, I plan to visit as many Methodist churches in Virginia that are ethnically Korean and ask the women there to be more actively involved in the Virginia Conference and its women s mission activities. I met many of leaders of UMW during the past year and learned much from you. I feel I ve just begun my journey here and I stand before you to ask you to keep me in your daily prayers. Sarah Park, Korean Language Coordinator My name is Julianne Rosas. Spanish Language Coordinator I am the new York River District social action coordinator. I'm also the new Spanish Language Coordinator for the conference. I go to Lower UMC in York River District and my address is tulae333@gmail.com I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. 6

7 Secretary for Program Resources Mission Encounter 2017 I am your new SPR and am excited about being involved in our conference reading program. A short bio - I am from Newport News and attend Chestnut Memorial UMC. I retired from the Air Force in 1993 and have 3 children and 7 beautiful grandchildren. My husband, Ray, is also an Air Force retiree. Now to the Lending Library. It is going strong and I make a regular run to the Post Office on Wednesdays usually with several packages. For efficiency, please include the category of the book requested (EM, SA, SG, LD or NC) on your request form. Books are categorized in boxes this way. You can request a maximum of 5 books but do not have to take 5. So please only order the books you can read comfortably in a six week period. The 2016/2017 books are in high demand and are in constant rotation. So it would help if you had alternate requests on your request form. Please keep in mind that all plans (if working on a plan) can have children and youth books read. There are some excellent youth books in our library. You may (Jeanette.yoh@gmail.com) your request or mail request (961 Edgewater Drive, Newport News, VA 23602). Your request list will not be kept on file but will be returned with the books you requested (much like a packing list). You can then use that list as a guide for the books you request on your next order. Just as a reminder, you are responsible for postage both ways. When you receive your order note the postage amount on the envelope. When you send your order back, write a check in that amount and make it payable to Jeanette Yoh and include in your return package. When you receive your order, open the envelope very carefully at the top and then you should be able to use that same envelope to return your order. Some orders will require a box due to the size of the books. Again, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to be your SPR. Feel free to contact me at any time. SAVE THE DATE!! Friday, July 28 & Saturday, July 29, Mission Encounter will begin with check-in from 8am 10am on Friday, and will be completed with worship ending at 5pm Saturday. Location: Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Road, Richmond, VA Hotel Reservation information will be coming soon! The classes are: Climate Justice (Pat Watkins - instructor), Living as a Covenant Community (Nancy Robinson, Kip Robinson, Rob Vaughn, Michelle Kim instructors), and Missionary Conferences in the US: Red Bird, Oklahoma & Alaska (Stanley Hargraves, Glenn Rowley, Lisa Nichols instructors). Hoping to see you there! Gail Sutcliffe, Dean Mission Encounter Mission Project As the Assistant Dean for Mission Encounter, I am responsible for the Mission Project. We will be making kits and/or components for the kits for Days for Girls. We had a display at our Annual Meeting with handouts about what s in a kit, why they are important, how you can help. We will try to have the display at other Conference events. We are hoping your units will collect the supplies needed and bring them with you to Mission Encounter. They are as simple as gallon freezer ziplock bags, or as complicated as washed and dried flannel, no fabric softener please, in medium to dark colors, solid or prints. Please visit the Days for Girls website (daysforgirls.org) for more information. Looking forward to seeing everyone in July. Blessings, Marilyn Blagg, Assistant Dean Jeanette Yoh 7

8 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS Virginia Conference United Methodist Women (Name of Scholarship) Application Form This scholarship assistance is awarded annually (when money is available) to an applicant for school tuition, short-term mission work or other help as approved by the Executive Committee. (See attached criteria for each scholarship.) Applications forms are available from the district president or conference treasurer and must be submitted to the Conference Treasurer by either March 1 or October 1 (depending on scholarship). Date: Name: Address: Phone Number address: College/Seminary/or Project: Name and Address: Church Activities: Future Plans: Special Interest: Amount Requested: to be used for Attach separate sheet with additional information if necessary: Yes No Recommended by Phone number Return to: Linda Borror, Treasurer Virginia Conference United Methodist Women 849 Grim Road Stephens City, Virginia linda.borror1@gmail.com 8

9 SCHOLARSHIP FORMS (continued) Virginia Conference United Methodist Women Scholarships for 2017 Katherine Kyle Memorial Scholarship Fund, established 1993 This scholarship is awarded annually to a woman or youth for scholarship assistance for school tuition, shortterm mission work or other as recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by the Executive Committee preceding the Annual Meeting. Application forms are available from the district president and must be submitted to the Conference Treasurer by October 1. Carroll Palmer Estate Fund, established 1984 It is stipulated that the income shall be used ½ for needy children and that ½ be used for educational materials (scripture portions, bibles, etc. in India and elsewhere where the need is greatest.) Written applications for grants must be submitted to the Conference Treasurer by October 1, and shall include the following information: name and nature of the project, amount requested and how it shall be used, name of person or institution requesting the grant, and complete contact information. Recommendations shall be submitted by the Finance Committee to the Executive committee for approval. Jean Frances Craig/Agnes C. Burr Mission Fund, established 1998 and 2007 It is stipulated that the income shall be used for missionary projects at home and abroad. Written application for grants must be submitted to the Treasurer by March 1 and shall include the following information: name and nature of the project, amount requested and how it shall be used, name of person or institution requesting the grant, and complete contact information. Recommendations shall be submitted by the Finance Committee to the Executive Committee for approval. The Lucy Clyde Blanton Scholarship Fund, established 2006 It is stipulated by the donor that the income shall be used to assist students preparing to become nurses or missionaries. Written application for scholarship must be submitted to the Treasurer by March 1 and shall include the following information: name and nature of the request, amount requested and how it shall be used, name of person or institution requesting the scholarship and complete contact information. Recommendations shall be submitted by the Finance Committee to the Executive Committee for approval. 9

10 2017 CALENDAR January 25 February 2 March 23 March 30 March 31 April 1 April April 28 April June 3 June June 17 July September October 7 October 27 October 27 October 28 November 14 Mission Team Meeting, UMC Building, Glen Allen UM Day at the General Assembly, Richmond UMW Day of Giving to the Legacy Fund Mission Team Meeting, Staunton Executive Team Meeting, Staunton Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Doubletree Crystal City Caring for Creation Conference, Mt. Olivet UMC, Arlington Spiritual Life Retreat, Front Royal 4-H Center UMW Day, Ferrum College VA Annual Conference, Hampton UMW Breakfast at Conference, Hampton Mission Encounter, Bon Air UMC, Richmond Young Women s Event, Camp Overlook, Keezletown Budget Meeting, UMC Building, Glen Allen Mission Team Meeting, Trinity UMC, Richmond Executive Committee Meeting, Trinity UMC, Richmond 45th Annual Meeting, Trinity UMC, Richmond Wesley Learning Resource Center, Washington, DC 10

11 Save the Date Virginia Conference United Methodist Women Spiritual Life Retreat April 28 30, 2017 The Spirituality of Relationships Retreat Leader: Rev. Dr. J. Denise Honeycutt Executive Director, Center for Mission Innovations United Methodist Global Ministries Northern Virginia 4H Center Front Royal, VA 11

12 REGISTRATIONS Ferrum College UMW Day Saturday, June 3, 2017 Registration and Continental Breakfast on Vaughn Chapel Patio Music and Gathering Vaughn Chapel Program Vaughn Chapel Ferrum Now.and Forever Dr. Jody Spooner, 11 th President of Ferrum College Lunch Franklin Hall 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm UMW Day at Ferrum College 2017 will be a day to welcome Ferrum College s 11 th President, Dr. Jody Spooner and celebrate the heritage of The United Methodist Women of the Virginia Conference and Ferrum College Now and Forever. Music provided by Ferrum College s Worship Band After the program we will move to Franklin Hall where we will continue to share and celebrate over lunch. Following lunch everyone is invited to participate in self guided tours of Ferrum College campus. Come early and enjoy fellowship and continental breakfast on the patio. Name(s) [please print] Address $15 REGISTRATION Covers program and lunch DEADLINE MAY 13 Phone and contact Church District Make Checks payable to: Ferrum College Mail to: Ferrum College UMW Day PO Box 1000 Ferrum, VA Amount enclosed $ Please use back as necessary. Please note any attendees with special dietary needs such as gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose free, sugar free 12

13 Ferrum College UMW overnight registration information for lodging on campus (preliminary estimate) UMW Day will be held on the campus of Ferrum College on Saturday, June 3, Ferrum College is offering on-campus lodging for Friday night, June 2, to UMW Day attendees at a cost of $36.50 per person. This price includes bed linens The linen package is comprised of 2 sheets, 2 towels, 1 wash cloth, 1 pillow case, 1 pillow and 1 blanket per person--(continental breakfast will be provided on Saturday morning for all UMW attendees per your registration for UMW Day activities.) Name of Church: Address of Church: Primary Contact Person: Telephone # address Primary Contact Person: Telephone # address At this time, it is estimated (number) will be staying overnight on campus from our church. (This is a non-binding number and is being used for preliminary planning only.) Overnight guests will be housed in Moore or Arthur Hall (each apartment contains 4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms/common area with kitchenette). Please return this preliminary information sheet by Monday, May 1, Information can be mailed to: Chip Phillips c/o Ferrum College P O Box 1000 Ferrum, VA 24088; faxed to (540) ; or ed to cphillips@ferrum.edu. Questions, call Chip (540) Final attendance numbers and payments due by May 15,

14 CONTACT INFORMATION VIRGINIA CONFERENCE MISSION TEAM 2017 President Mary Jane Rawley (540) Vice President Karen McElfish (703) Secretary Ann Shappell (757) Treasurer Linda Borror (540) Education and Interpretation Coordinator Monica Sprague (757) Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator Nancy Walsh (540) Social Action Coordinator Marilyn Blagg (540) Spiritual Growth Coordinator Mary Wright (703) Secretary of Program Resources Jeanette Yoh (757) Communications Coordinator Frances Ellis (703) or Chair Nominations Nancy Yarborough (757) Korean Language Coordinator Sarah Park (240) Hispanic Language Coordinator Julianne Rosas (703)