The Lantern. Living The Heart of God. Be a part of our exciting future. Were you there for the Uplifting?... ORANGEBURG DISTRICT UMW DECEMBER 2013

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1 ORANGEBURG DISTRICT UMW DECEMBER 2013 Deborah Edwards President Sonya Benjamin Vice President Judy Dudley Secretary Ginger Risher Treasurer Patricia Walker Program Resources The Lantern Deborah Edwards, President Were you there for the Uplifting?... Living The Heart of God Orangeburg District UMW Annual Meeting St. Andrew s United Methodist Church September 21, 2013 Julie Kistler Communications Coordinator Doris Hope Murray Spiritual Growth Theresa Davis Social Action Sylvia Robinson Education & Interpretation Dannie Mays Membership, Nurture & Outreach Anne Weathers, Chair 2014 Nominations Praising Remembering Worshipping For UMW Information: Be a part of our exciting future Look for information in this Lantern regarding the Officer s Training on January 12, 2014 and other upcoming events.

2 Greetings to you, my sisters, The leaves have turned beautiful shades of yellows and reds and have scattered our lawns. The days are shorter and the wind blows cooler. As you read this, you will have already celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends. I know that you took time to pause and say thanks for the many blessings you have received. Now, we prepare our hearts and homes for Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Savior. It has been a wonderful year. Please know that I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve you and to represent you as a district. The dedication of the district executive team is awesome. Their work makes my job an easy one. Thank you!! Thank you!! A special thank you also goes out to St. Andrew s UMW for hosting our District Annual Meeting. We had a great morning celebrating our accomplishments as United Methodist Women. The conference annual meeting was held in Spartanburg in October. As a district, you were well represented. Our past district President, Evelyn Pauling, was elected to the conference executive team. Congratulations, Evelyn. You have the support and prayers of the district. Evelyn is now the Spiritual Growth Coordinator and is working with her committee to plan the Spiritual Growth Retreat at Lake Junaluska in the spring. Other upcoming events include: District Officers Training January 12, 2014 at Providence UMC details in this issue Legislative Day February 18, 2014 Epworth Children s Home Assembly April 25-27, 2014 Louisville, KY Come Together Be Together May 17, 2014 Christ Church in Bennettsville, SC For details about specific events: www. umcsc.org/umw click on Mission Echo May God grant you peace this holiday season, Deborah Edwards President, Orangeburg District UMW 2

3 South Carolina Conference Orangeburg District United Methodist Women Education and Interpretation Greetings Everyone! Thank you for your generosity! Thank you for your faith in action! Thank you for all you are doing to make a difference in the lives of women, children, and youth. As the year is coming to a close, I would like to share some information with you. It s All About Missions. Thank you for the Second Mile Special Gift of $1.00 per member for the Celebration Day on behalf of our Mission Directors which was held at the Conference Annual meeting in October. Some of you gave a dollar ($1.00) or more, to this project. We have over 16,000 members in our Conference. With each member contributing at least the minimum amount requested, the impact was enormous. Special thanks to those of you whom donated items for the Craft Room at Mission U (Formerly School of Christian Mission) in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The donations were great. To those persons whom attended Mission U, thank you for shopping and making various purchases. The grand total raised was $2, So, whatever part you played, all of your efforts paid off and you are to be commended. At Mission U, I had an opportunity to speak with the Directors and other representatives of the five mission centers and they would like for you to know the following: Bethlehem Center, Spartanburg (Patrena Mims-Executive Director) Ms. Mims has been on the job for almost two (2) years and says she is still learning. However, they continue to serve low-income families (students, adults and seniors). A variety of services include the After School Program year round along with a new project just for at-risk males (Construction Apprenticeship). There facility is sixty-three (63) years old and has had no major renovations. Presently, they are looking at restorations for the near future. Bethlehem Center, Columbia (Bessie Geiger-Executive Director and Carolyn Lucas-Board Chair) They had an excellent three week summer camp in June. Wonderful presenters came in to help the children build bird houses, create beautiful garden art and make jewelry. They are getting stronger every year because of the continued support of United Methodist Women (UMW). The director asks that you keep believing in them and keep praying with them for success. Killingsworth, Columbia (Becky Roberts, Representative) Ms. Roberts said they continue to admit diverse women whom are intent on changing their lives and how they affect their families. Currently, they are trying to work on replacing all the windows (50+) before they fall out! Note: Please be in prayer for the women of Killingsworth as they grieve the loss of one of the ladies whom recently left the center. Wallace Family Life Center (Corine Esaw, Director) According to Ms. Esaw, repairs required for damages to the building caused by roof leaks are complete. They anticipate having 45 children in their After School Program. Backpacks are needed for fifteen (15) children. 3

4 Rural Mission, Johns Island (Linda Gadson, Director) First of all, Ms. Gadson said she would like to express gratitude to everyone for their support over the past 30+ years. She further stated, we are asking and encouraging UMW to continue to support the Gift Card Drive for needy families. Of course, they can always use help with utilities and gas bills for transporting families. Their doors are open to visitors with advanced notice. Also, I would like to thank you for not only supporting the gift card drive but the new and used stamps. These items were received for distribution at the Annual Conference in October. The used postage stamps are sent to the Marion Mission Storehouse in Marion, Indiana to help defray the cost of sending large shipments to Africa for needy children. Thank you again for helping. I enjoyed seeing everyone at the Orangeburg District Annual Meeting which was held Saturday, September 21, 2013 at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Orangeburg, South Carolina. I look forward to seeing all of you at Officer s Training on Sunday, January 12, This is a great opportunity to learn even more about the responsibilities for the various positions you are presently holding. Lastly, May the beauty of the season bring you peace and happiness. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! May God Bless You! Sincerely, Sylvia B. Robinson, Coordinator Orangeburg District Education and Interpretation Greeting Ladies, As the busy holiday season approaches we all need to have some down time. What better way to relax than to read a good book from our five categories? You will be able to travel from your home to many different places. If you have not started your reading program there is no time like the present. I would like to double the certificates next year at our District Annual meeting. You can make it happen today so lets read! I look forward to seeing each of you at the Officers' Training on January 12, Patricia Walker Secretary of Programs 4

5 Happy Holidays United Methodist Women! It is my prayer that this holiday season will find each of you in good health and with happy spirits. In this season of thankfulness, what are you thankful for? I am thankful for each of you and all the hard work you all do to make life better for others. You all have done an excellent job of supporting our missions, hosting events, attending conferences, annual meetings and trainings. This year (2013) was busy! We accomplished a lot. Well, as you all know, we are women busy doing the work of the Lord. So let us continue what we have started. On January 12, 2014, The Orangeburg District United Methodist Women will have Officers Training. This great event will be held at Providence United Methodist, Holly Hill, SC Theme: Learning Together for the Transformation of the World Registration will begin at 2:00 P.M. with refreshments being served. 3:00 P.M. Program and Officers Training will begin. Providence United Methodist Church 4833 Old State Road Holly Hill, SC (803) You may use MAPQUEST to get your directions. Please refer to your 2014 District Calendar or UMW Website for additional dates and events, and govern yourselves accordingly. Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. -Ralph Waldo Emerson ( ) May God bless each of you and your families this holiday! Sonya S. Benjamin Vice President 5

6 Show your pride in United Methodist Women. Orders for Embroidered Polo Shirts are currently being taken. Shirts are 100% cotton pique (preshrunk), in a bright turquoise color, with the United Methodist Women logo embroidered on the upper chest area. Sizes S-XL $20 each 2X-$22 each 3X- 4X $24 each Deadline for orders is February 1, To purchase your shirts, send your orders to: Deborah Edwards, 165 Fate Street, Williston, SC But the Christmas bells keep ringing. Joyous angel choirs are singing, And the message that they re bringing Speaks of kindness, love, and cheer. If you look beyond the trappings, All the tinsel, toys, and wrappings, You will find a core of happiness To last throughout the year. Janice Lewis Clark, Christmas Preparation, 1996 Hi, I am the new District Secretary. Officers Training is on January 12, 2014 at Providence UMC. I hope to be able to meet a lot of the secretaries at this event. In this issue of The LANTERN is a form for all unit secretaries (or presidents) to fill out and return to me by December 30, My contact information is on the form. You may either mail or the form to me. Thank you all so much. District Secretary Judy Dudley 310 Talatha Church Rd Aiken SC Judysacre@aol.com /

7 Orangeburg District United Methodist Women Local Unit Officers for 2014 / Return Form by December 30, 2013 Church President Phone Vice-President Phone Secretary Phone Treasurer Phone Social Action Phone Education and Interpretation Phone Nomination Chairperson Phone Membership, Nurture & Outreach Phone Secretary of Program Resources Phone Communications Coordinator Phone Historian Phone Return to: Judy Dudley, District Secretary 310 Talatha Church Rd, Aiken SC

8 UMW TREASURER'S REPORT "The earth is the LORD' S and all that is in the world, and those who live in it." Psalm 24: Your generosity of giving has been so bountiful this year. Thank you for contributing to our UMW mission projects and ministries. And thank you for doing a great job reporting your unit's information. Remember UMW treasurers, if you have questions, I 'm only a phone call away. (803) Important information to all unit treasurers include the final date of remittance for 2013: December 5 is the final day that pledges and contributions can be counted for PLEASE SEND ME YOUR REMITTANCE SHEETS AND DONATIONS BY THAT DATE. Included in THE LANTERN are copies of 3rd quarter financial reports to the Conference and South Carolina quarterly project donations. On the financial report (at the bottom of the page) is our total 2013 pledge ($34,500), contributions ($26,111.19), and remaining balance ($8,388.81). Since then we have collected $1, for the 4 th quarter, leaving a remaining balance needed of $7, Please be generous in your 4 th quarter giving. If you have any questions concerning your unit, please call me. Officer Training for all UMW officers will be held on January 12, Please remind 2014 unit treasurers to attend this meeting. If your treasurer is unable to attend, please appoint someone to pick up their "financial information" packet that day. If you have a new treasurer for 2014, please her name, address, phone number, and address to me as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your support of the missions of the UMW. Ginger Risher Phone: (803) address: grisher60@hotmail.com Address: 1091 Huntington Drive, Orangeburg, SC

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11 Let us rejoice with the shepherds, with the angels, with the wise men. The kings of this earth delight in wealth and power, but the King of the world brings peace and joy to the meek and lowly. All He asks in return is that we love Him And share that love with our neighbors. Membership Nurture and Outreach Committee The end of the year is the time to complete the 2013 Local Membership Census Form. The form is on the next page. Be sure the president of your local unit completes the form. All census forms are collected by our District Membership Nurture and Outreach Mission Coordinator, Mrs. Dannie Mays, whose address and is on the form. Forms are due on January 31, Please work diligently to be sure everyone is included in our count. This is very important for our future planning and resource allocation. Thanks you for your participation! Come Soar with us Remember to mark your calendar now for the next Come Together Be Together. On May 17, 2014, we will gather at Christ Church in Bennettsville, Marion District. Our keynote speaker will be Corina Esaw, Executive Director of Wallace Family Life Center. The Membership Nurture and Outreach Committee is making plans for our time together to be purposeful, joyful, and memorable! We hope you will be part of this fun day.

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13 Mark your calendars now time flies! Orangeburg District UMW Calendar 2014 January 12 Officers' Training: Providence UMC, Providence February Special Emphasis Month - Wallace Family Life Center February 15 Deadline for Articles for March Lantern February 16 District Executive Committee Meeting; St. John's UMC, Norway February 18 Legislative Advocacy Day ~ Epworth Children's Home, Columbia March 1 Lantern published April Special Emphasis Month - Columbia Bethlehem Center April 5 Day Apart New Covenant UMC, Bowman District Executive Committee Meeting April Assembly 2014; Louisville, Kentucky May 2-4 Spiritual Growth Retreat (Sessions 1 & 2); Lake Junaluska May 15 Deadline for Articles for June Lantern May 17 Come Together/Be Together (Conference); Christ Church, Bennettsville June 1 Lantern published July Special Emphasis Month Rural Mission July Mission u (Formerly School of Mission) Spartanburg Methodist College August 9 Mission u Youth Event -TBA August 15 Deadline for Articles for September Lantern August 17 District Executive Committee Meeting; St. Paul's UMC, Orangeburg September Special Emphasis Month - Killingsworth September 1 Lantern published September 20 District Annual Meeting; St. Paul's UMC, Orangeburg October SCCUMW Annual Meeting; Bethel UMC, Spartenberg November 8 SCCUMW Officers' Training (District Officers); TBA District Executive Committee Meeting November 15 Deadline for Articles for December Lantern December Special Emphasis Month - Spartanburg Bethlehem Center December 1 Lantern published 13

14 U United Methodist Women FAITH* HOPE* LOVE IN ACTION The Organized Units 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. THE LANTERN is mailed to each local president and each circle leader. If you are a president or circle leader, please copy THE LANTERN and share with your members. You may also make it available in your church to those who are members of the UMW. If you do not receive a copy of THE LANTERN under the conditions presented above, you may subscribe for the quarterly copies for only $5 per year. Simply complete the form below and mail it with your check or money order, made payable to Orangeburg District UMW and mail to: Julie Kistler, 15 Ashbrook Court, Aiken, SC Name Address I wish to receive the quarterly copies of THE LANTERN. ************************************************************************************************************************************* In an effort to Go Green, you may opt to receive the digital copy of THE LANTERN. If you would prefer the digital copy, please contact me at juliek29@gmail.com to confirm your request, and I will add you to our Green list. Thanks, Julie Kistler Orangeburg District UMW Communications Coordinator 14