INFORMER. United Methodist Women FAITH ~ HOPE ~ LOVE IN ACTION PURPOSE OF UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Transcription

1 INFORMER February 2018 United Methodist Women FAITH ~ HOPE ~ LOVE IN ACTION UPCOMING EVENTS PRAYER FASTING GATHERING Date: March 3 Location: South Covington UMC Time: Registration 9:30, Service 10:00 DAY APART Date: April 28 Location: Augusta Street UMC (Staunton) Time: Registration 9:30, Service 10:00 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; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

2 Libby Keyser President Greetings and Happy New Year! What a wonderful time we had at Main Street UMC for our Advent Breakfast in December. Thank you to Judy von Bernuth and the wonderful United Methodist Women at Main Street for the wonderful hospitality. We also thank Mary Jane Rawley, our Conference UMW President for coming and sharing an Advent message with us. We have some wonderful events to look forward to this year that you will read more about in individual articles in this newsletter. On March 3 we will be hosted by South Covington UMW for our Fasting Prayer Breakfast. (1911 S. Kadel Ave., Covington) As this is actually a fasting, we will not be having breakfast and please note the time change. This meeting will begin with registration (no charge) at 9:30 and our service will begin at 10:00 a.m. This will give those traveling extra time in the morning. Please read Gayle Urban s article for more details. (No need for reservations at this one as we will not be having a meal.) On April 28, our Day Apart will be held at Augusta Street UMC in Staunton. (325 North Augusta Street, Staunton) Registration will begin at 9:30 and the service at 12:00. The ladies of Augusta Street will serve lunch around 12:00 noon. (Cost $6) Please call your area leader or Zone Leader by Monday before to let them know how many from your unit will attend. A copy of Living Into Our Purpose form was included with our December Informer. Please use it through the year to plan your events and work toward fulfilling our purpose in United Methodist Women. I will have more copies available at our March 3 meeting. At our District Annual Meeting in October, it was approved to raise the A&MD Fund (Administration & Membership Development) from $1.50 to $2.00 per member to cover the rising cost incurred by the district which includes the newsletter mailings, our District Handbook and other items which were all included in the approved A&MD Budget in October. That did become effective January 1, Please be sure to share this newsletter with your UMW members and encourage as many as possible to attend our district events. Our District Goals are listed on Page 2 of our District Directory. Please review these with your units, Goal 4 is as follows: As partners of God, it is our joy and responsibility to build a community of women who want to grow spiritually and serve one another. We will encourage our members to practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible Study, worship and fasting. Units are to encourage participation in the Reading Program and the Mission Encounter while The District Mission Team, by request, will also make mission studies available at the unit and/or district level. I look forward to the year ahead as we work together to fulfill the Purpose of United Methodist Women through our United Methodist Women Mission Initiatives. Providing opportunities to grow spiritually; Equipping women & girls to be leaders; Providing transformative educational experiences; Organizing for growth and flexibility; working for justice through service and advocacy. Working together for Christ, Libby Keyser, President

3 STAUNTON DISTRICT UMW OFFICERS 2018 President Libby Keyser 2107 Evergreen Rd, Covington Vice President Betsy Daughtrey 209 N Randolph St, Lexington merdey@comcast.net Secretary Ellen DeLong 503 Woodmont Dr., Staunton ejdelong50@gmail.com Treasurer Concepcion Tisdale PO Box 658, Stuarts Draft, VA audilopez_coa@yahoo.com MISSION COORDINATORS FOR Spiritual Growth Gayle Urban 453 E. Scottland Road, Covington, VA urbanrg@gmail.com Social Action Luz de Tablan 122 Madison Place, Staunton ldetablan@gmail.com Education & Interpretation Joyce Emerson 1216 N. Pocahontas Ave, Covington jeme660976@ntelos.net Membership Nurture & Outreach Mary Perkins 3909 Shutterlee Mill Rd, Staunton Secretary of Program Resources Anna Zapotoczny 73 Chandelle Blvd, Waynesboro anna_zapotoczny@yahoo.com Communication Coordinator Betty Brown PO Box 41, Brownsburg elizabethpbrown@outlook.com Chair, Committee on Nominations Carolyn Manspile 119 Walker St, Lexington, VA cmanspile@embarqmail.com Nominating Committee: Pat Carter 1706 W Jackson St, Covington carterpat74@yahoo.com Sandy Anderson P.O.Box 602 Hot Springs sandy.anderson@yahoo.com Becky Isles P.O.Box 591 Monterey Cathy Matherly 961 Hawthorne Ln, Waynesboro cathymatherly@hotmail.com Betty Brossy 199 Brookwood Rd. Staunton, VA bbrossy@verizon.net Sherry Shafer 325 Possum Hollow Rd., Lexington sherry.h.shafer@gmail.com Overlook Representative Betty Hairfield 325 Winthrop St, Staunton bhairfie@gmail.com Augusta-Highland Zone Leader Mary Perkins 3909 Shutterlee Mill Rd, Staunton Homie Clark Zone Leader Darlene Williams th St. Buena Vista Augusta Area Leader Elaine Barr 68 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Staunton Highland Area Leader Marilyn Blagg 780 Little Mountain Trail, Doe Hill marilynblagg@hotmail.com Bath Area Leader Sandy Anderson PO Box 602 Hot Springs Covington Area Leader Pat Carter 1706 W Jackson St, Covington carterpat74@yahoo.com

4 STAUNTON DISTRICT ~ UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 2018 CALENDAR Hosting units, please refer to Just the Facts, Ma am for responsibilities. Unit Presidents, please notify Zone Leaders with number of members attending events. EVENT DATE/TIME LOCATION MISSION TEAM MEETING January 20 People United in Christ 10:00 a.m. PRAYER FASTING March 3 South Covington UMC Registration 9:30 a.m.; Service at 10:00 a.m. DAY APART April 28 Augusta Street UMC Registration 9:30 a.m.; Service at 10:00 a.m. MISSION TEAM MEETING August 4 Collierstown UMC 10:00 a.m. ANNUAL MEETING October 6 Glovier Memorial UMC Registration 9:30 a.m.; Service at 10:00 a.m. ADVENT BREAKFAST December 1 Christ UMC (Staunton) Registration 8:30 a.m.; Service at 9:00 a.m. INFORMER DEADLINES: WINTER INFORMER DEADLINE JANUARY 26 Topics: Prayer Breakfast/Day Apart SPRING INFORMER DEADLINE APRIL 7 Topics: Spiritual Life Retreat/Mission Encounter SUMMER INFORMER DEADLINE AUGUST 11 Topics: Annual Meeting/Mission Projects FALL INFORMER DEADLINE OCTOBER 16 Topics: Advent Breakfast/Membership Report/2018 Calendar and Officers February 1 May June 2 June June 16 July September October 27 Virginia Conference UMW Events 2018 UM Day at General Assembly Spiritual Life Retreat, Eagle Eyrie Ferrum Day Virginia Annual Conference, Hampton UMW Breakfast at Annual Conference Mission Encounter, at 4-H Camp at Smith Mountain Lake Young Women s Event, Camp Overlook 46 th Annual Meeting, Location to be announced

5 Betsy Daughtrey Vice President Happy New Year! I pray that all of you have a healthy and happy I praise God for the ability and will to serve as your vice president for the second year. I am truly excited to see where God leads me this year. Last year, I went to numerous units which was a blessing to me in so many ways. I have already scheduled several units to visit or present a program for this year. Again I am looking forward to serving you in any way I can. I hope your unit will make it a priority to attend the district events. Your Mission Team works together to bring programs that are spiritual, informative and with fellowship and FUN! Our first district event will be at South Covington on March 3 rd. The next is our Day Apart on April 28 th. We already have Nancy Yarborough, from the VA conference UMW, who will tell us about her mission trip to Cambodia at Annual Meeting October 6 th. Jennifer Strother, Director of Casa de Amistad, will be our speaker for Advent Breakfast on December 1 st. As partners with God, It is our joy and responsibility to build a community of women who want to grow spiritually and serve one another. Your District Mission Team members are also available to visit your unit and are willing to provide a program, if you desire. Betsy Daughtrey merdey@comcast.net

6 Staunton District UMW Mission Team, hosted by People United in Christ, Buena Vista. (L to R) Betty Brown, Communications; Gail Urban, Spiritual Growth; Libby Keyser, President; Pat Carter, Covington Area Leader, Nominating Committee; Mary Perkins, Membership Nurture & Outreach; Betty Brossy, Nominating Committee; Betsy Daughtrey, Vice-President. (L to R) Sherry Shafer, Nominating Committee; Carolyn Manspile, Chair, Nominating Committee; Luz detablan Social Action; Marilyn Blagg, Highland Area Leader; Ellen DeLong, Secretary; Not Pictured: Concepcion Tisdale, Treasurer; Anna Zapotoczny, Program Resources; Sandy Anderson, Nominating Committee; Becky Isles, Nominating Committee; Betty Hairfield, Overlook Representative; Darlene Williams, Homie Clark Zone Leader; Elaine Barr, Augusta area leader.

7 Anna Zapotoczny Secretary of Program Resources (Reading Program) These Winter months are a GREAT TIME FOR READING! Encourage the women of your church to participate in the UMW Reading Program. I can supply the necessary Lists and Forms that you need: - the UMW READING PROGRAM BOOK LIST - the 2018 READING PROGRAM FORM for each participant to record the books read - a list of Reading Program Books available at each of our local libraries: Alleghany-Highlands Regional Library (Covington) Augusta County/Staunton/Waynesboro Libraries Clifton Forge Public Library Highland County Public Library Rockbridge Regional Library System TO GET COPIES OF ANY OF THESE LISTS AND FORMS, or for other Reading Program info, CONTACT ME (ANNA ZAPOTOCZNY) at anna_zapotoczny@yahoo.com or or 73 Chandelle Blvd, Waynesboro, VA ******************************************************************************************************** CHECK OUT THESE READING PROGRAM BOOKS FROM YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY: (Share this list with your unit!) Spiritual Growth (last year to qualify list) : Signs of Life by David Jeremiah Nurturing for Community (last year to qualify list): Plain Wisdom: an Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women) Social Action (2016 List): Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption (BONUS BOOK) Leadership Development (2016 List): I Am Malala: the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban HAPPY READING! In Christ, Anna Zapotoczny

8 SOCIAL ACTION By Luz M. de Tablan Happy NEW YEAR to all! Yes indeed, the year 2017 is gone and 2018 is here. To most of us we consider this as a New Day and a New Beginning of whatever we plan and venture to do for this New Year for ourselves and especially for others, which is the most exciting part! Most of us made new resolutions to begin this New Year anew and awesome. We plan to keep and cherish the sweet memories of the year 2017 which we considered our successful and fruitful adventure of the year. But for those who did not have good turned out of the past year, promised to turn their mistakes or failure into Stepping Stones for Success, as mentioned by Dr. John C. Maxwell in his book FAILING FORWARD. Our Staunton District United Methodist Women is continuing this year 2018 into our mission of making a difference in the life of our children, youth and women. They believed that the different Social Action issues that our district is engaged will be the Stepping Stones that bring sure help to change our respective communities and even the world. Getting involved with what is good for our community can recover the MESSAGE AND MISSION of JESUS: Change the World. Our SOCIAL ACTION GOALS for our district last year has not been changed. We are still working on them this year: Day s for Girls; King sway, Henry Fork and Casa de Amistad. On February 1, 2018 is the United Methodist Day at the Assembly to be held at Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Rd. North Chesterfield, Virginia. Our United Methodist Women members are greatly involved with this event. This event that teach and guide us to create real change in our government and know more of real social issues facing our legislative. This is also our opportunity to help faith communities become empowered to serve as missionaries of justice, as well as the more traditional missionaries of mercy.

9 Become a UMW Rainbow Giver The Virginia Conference United Methodist Women started the Rainbow Giver Program in This is an opportunity for you, as an individual, to personally give to the 5 Channels of Mission Giving in addition to your regular pledge to mission. Your gift of $ will make you a Rainbow Woman/Giver: $ to give someone special a Special Mission Recognition Pin $ 5.00 to give a Pledge to Mission (this is in addition to your regular pledge) $ 5.00 for a Gift to Mission Card $ 5.00 for a Gift in Memory Card $ 5.00 for a gift to World Thank Offering It is so easy to become a Rainbow Giver; just fill out the form below and give the form to your unit treasurer with a check for $ On the form please specify which Gift to Mission Card you want and the name of the recipient for the Special Mission Recognition pin. Anyone can become a Rainbow Giver; this is an opportunity for church members, spouses, or friends to participate in UMW Mission Giving. This program does not replace your Pledge and World Thank Offering, but is another opportunity, as an individual, to contribute to five areas of Mission Giving. If your church does not have an active UMW unit and you choose to be counted as a UMW, you may activate your membership via this Rainbow Giver Program. Complete the form and mail it directly to the Staunton District Treasurer: Concepcion Tisdale, Treasurer, PO Box 658, Stuarts Draft, VA Rainbow Giver Form To be recognized at the Annual Meeting, submit not later than August 1st Your $ gift and this form is to be given to your Unit Treasurer. Submit all components to your Unit Treasurer at one time. The Rainbow Giver gift is in addition to your regular Pledge and World Thank Offering. RAINBOW GIVER S NAME: RAINBOW GIVER S ADDRESS: RAINBOW GIVER S PHONE: Special Mission Recognition Pin in Honor of: (recipient s name): Pin will be mailed to the Rainbow Giver s (your) address Print name Which Gift to Mission Card? (In the Service of Christ, Thank You, Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Congratulations, On Your Special Day, or Christmas card) This form is to be kept by the Unit Treasurer.

10 Joyce Emerson Education & Interpretation Henry Fork They held their annual Christmas Party on December 22nd. Students were working on their gifts to Jesus. The students performed skits and Christmas music for their families and visitors. Santa also made his visit. He gave out gifts provided by local churches, which were school supplies, hats, gloves, scarves, candy and a special gift for each child. The afterschool program is close to capacity with 59 students registered and most are there every day. Classes spend some time on help with homework, Christian education, crafts and recreation each day and snacks are provided by Feeding American of Southwest Virginia. Henry Fork hopes to celebrate the paying off of the mortgage on the Pennel and Activity Buildings in early $36,000 is still owned and with a special Christmas offering in at least three area churches and in hopes that will be a gracious offering to pay this off. If your unit or church would like to take a special offering, every little bit helps! Thanks for all your support of HFC in so many ways. Please continue to support us through your prayers and gifts that we might continue to made God s love visible in the HF community. Thanks Be To God Joyce Emerson Betty Hairfield Camp Overlook Representative The Life Of Christ - Living Out the Gospels! The ground at camp is frozen solid and even the rushing stream is slowed by ice, but we're already preparing for our summer camp program! This year, the most familiar stories of the New Testament come to life as we follow Christ from his humble birth to his kingly ascension. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John will be presented in true Overlook fashion - thru drama, music, simulation games, and creative worship. Campers will encounter angels, find a young family in a stable, dance at the wedding at Cana, be present for Christ's first miracle, see Jesus walk on water, be in the crowd when Lazarus is raised from.the dead, _gather with the disciples in the upper room, witness the arrest of Jesus in the garden, and watch helplessly as Christ pays the ultimate price for our sins. But, after "three days" Mary Magdalene will take them to the empty tomb and-they'll celebrate the resurrection of Christ with other believers. All of this will be coupled with the care of skilled counselors and the joy of living in Christian community with their peers. New Program: Be sure to take note of the new Mega Quest program for those who have completed 9th through 11th grade. This now includes rock climbing, all-day caving, an overnight camping experience, and horseback riding in Fort Valley.

11 Gayle Urban Spiritual Growth As we seek to live out our purpose as United Methodist Women in 2018, we will have many opportunities to come together in supportive fellowship with our sisters in Christ. When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Registration at 9:30 a.m. Program from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. UMW Prayer Event Where: South Covington UMC (1911 S. Kadel Avenue, Covington, VA 24426) This event will not include a breakfast, but you will be spiritually nourished by a time of music, message, and Holy Communion as we gather together in fellowship and love. Event coordinator: Gayle Urban, Staunton District UMW spiritual growth coordinator. UMW Day Apart Theme: Set Free, Be Made Whole! Gather for a meaningful program with awareness on the issue of human trafficking. United Methodist Women across the country are seeking to be part of the solution, have helped pass anti-trafficking legislation, and have supported global partners working to end human trafficking. During our Day Apart, we will interact on this topic with our speaker, and group activities, prayer, and discussion. Lunch provided. Event coordinators: Gayle Urban and Luz M. de Tablan (Staunton District UMW Social Action Coordinator). When: Saturday, April 28 Registration: 9:30 am ($6 for lunch) Program: 10 am-1:30 pm Where: Augusta Street UMC (325 N. Augusta Street, Staunton, VA 24401) Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 (NRSV) You can learn helpful information, and find out about various events through the Virginia Conference UMW at Gayle Urban (bridge.gu@gmail.com)

12

13 FIVE STAR UNIT Congratulations to Iron Gate United Methodist Women who also achieved Five Star Status for 2017 and was not listed in our Annual Meeting Program. You will receive your certificate soon. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO STANDING RULES OF THE STAUNTON DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The following Additions/Changes to Standing Rules of the Staunton District United Methodist Women was approved at our Annual Meeting October 7, Please make these corrections to your JUST THE FACTS, MAM booklet. (A Handbook for Staunton District United Methodist Women a light lavender booklet that all unit presidents should have.) Article 1 Finance; Section A. A&MD Fund District Administration and Membership Fund. Each local unit shall contribute $2.00 per member to the District A&MD Fund per year. An in-remembrance gift of $10 will be made from the A&MD Funds in the event of the death of a member of the Executive Committee or of her immediate family. Immediate family shall be considered to be parents, child, or spouse. An inremembrance gift of $10 will also be made in memory of a past member of the Staunton District UMW Executive Committee. VIRGINIA CONFERENCE UMW SPIRITUAL LIFE RETREAT APRIL 20-22, 2018 Finding Peace Through the Psalms Retreat Leader: Rev. Dr. Teresa Smith Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center 1 Eagle Drive Lynchburg, VA Although the Registration Forms are not yet available, we do expect to have them by our Fasting Breakfast to be held at South Covington UMC on March 3. They will also be available on line soon.

14 Staunton District UMW P O Box 1048 Fishersville, VA Return Service Requested NONPROFIT ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID FISHERSVILLE, VA PERMIT NO 178 Ellen DeLong Secretary Greetings and Happy New Year! CANDLE BURNING I invite your units to continue and or start the tradition of Candle Burning. This is an effective way United Methodist Women use to acquire additional funds for mission giving over and above the pledge. Honorees may be anyone living or deceased whom donor wishes to recognize. You determine the amount to give. The amount received will be divided into minutes that the candle burns to keep our missions alive based on the total Women s Division Budget. This is an excellent opportunity to be in MISSION. Units send Candle Burning money to: Concepcion Tisdale, District Treasurer P.O. Box 658, Stuarts Draft, VA Send the names of recipient as you wish them to appear in District Annual meeting program indicating if in memory or in honor and who is the contributor to: Ellen DeLong 503 Woodmont Drive, Staunton, VA ejdelong50@gmail.com Blessings and Peace, Ellen