Charitable Project for April

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1 Church Women United in Austin P O Box Austin, Texas April 2018 Newsletter VOL. 78 NO. 3 DSC_ President: Johnnie Overton, 1701 East 21 st Street; Austin, TX st Vice President: June Murphy, Audane Drive; Austin, TX nd Vice President: Danita Nelson, 4008 Brookview Road; Austin, TX rd Vice President: Brenda (BJ) Johnson, 5700 Burnhill Drive; Austin, TX Secretary: Johnnie Harris, 8413 Foxhound Trail; Austin, TX Finance Co-Chair: Carole Hatfield, 6709 LaSalle Drive; Austin, TX Finance Co-Chair: Barbara Alexander, 3304 Merri Lynn; Austin, TX Treasurer: Pat Hochstetler, 2405 Emmett Parkway; Austin, TX Newsletter Staff: Annye Jones, 2420 Lakehurst Drive; Austin, TX Geographic Co-Chairs Lois Holck Trenna Pickett Florence Smythe-Macaulay Pat Thomas Charitable Project for April We have chosen Casa Marianella as our recipient for April. Casa Marianella opened its doors January 1986 as a project initiated by the Austin Interfaith Task Force in response to refugees fleeing violence in Central America. The house was named for Marianella Garcia Villas, a Salvadoran attorney who fought against human rights violations until her assassination by government troops in The original home was donated by Ed Wendler to the Diocese of Austin for use as a shelter for recently arrived immigrants and asylum seekers--men, women and children from around the world. In 2003, Posada Esperanza was opened for women and children escaping domestic and cultural violence. Thankfully, generous community support has grown along with the needs, and Casa Marianella currently consists of three neighboring houses for men and women without children, while the Casa Posada Esperanza branch occupies four houses. The agency shelters an average of 325 individuals a year as well as providing legal and medical help, food, clothing, and English classes. Their mission is embodied in their motto, LIVE INTO HOPE. Donations Request Please help Casa Marianella by donating the most desperately needed items, which include, gently used: blankets, pillows, suitcases, backpacks; plates, cups and silverware; and new: toothpaste and toothbrushes; men s disposable razors. Space will be provided at Westminster Presbyterian Church for your donations. Thank you. Reaching for Wholeness Helping Others Reach for Wholeness Together Monthly Meeting Date: Friday April 06, 2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. (refreshments) 10:00 a.m. (Program) Westminster Presbyterian Church on the map : Directions: Westminster Presbyterian Church is located on Exposition Boulevard. Turn west on Carlton from Exposition Boulevard and promptly turn left into the parking lot. CWU-Austin will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall, on the north side of the church. Place: Westminster Presbyterian Church 3208 Exposition Boulevard Austin, TX Look for the CWU Signs!! Safe Travels, See You There!!! Page 1 of 16

2 Greetings to the BEST CWU Unit in Texas, MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Each Day is a Gift from God and Friday, March 2, 2018, was no exception. It was a beautiful day and we were blessed with your presence at our World Day of Prayer Celebration at Berkeley United Memorial Methodist Church. The courtesy extended by the women at Berkeley was just what we needed to further confirm that All of God s Creation is Very Good! A giant thanks is extended to B. J. Johnson and our sisters at Berkeley. We were enlightened by the worship service planned and executed by our Celebrations Team Cheryl Banks, Pat Hochstetler, and Mary Terrell. The stories from the women of Suriname were eloquently expressed by participants dressed in colorful attire (see names listed in this newsletter), who came with gifts representing the cultural and ethnic diversity of Suriname and the nature that God put in our hands to care for. Through WORLD DAY OF PRAYER, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. Thank you for an inspiring presentation. Just a few Reminders: Review your 2018 CWU Yearbook and report any needed corrections. Mark your calendar for our April 6 th Forum at Westminster Presbyterian Church. March 31 st is deadline date for Valiant Woman nominees. Read contents of this newsletter for other deadline dates. As we continue Searching for Wholeness, we solicit your prayers for peace in our City and Nation as we struggle to face the challenges of each day. May you be blessed with God s Grace and Mercy, Johnnie Overton, CWU-Austin President P.S. You really don t have to wait to be asked to serve, just volunteer. You will be blessed! Ecumenical Development Forum Rachel Alvarez and Miranda Roberts from Refugee Services of Texas will be our program speakers for April 6 th. Rachel is the supervisor of the Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program at RST and Miranda is the Volunteer Coordinator of Refugee Services. Rachel has much experience and knowledge to share about working with survivors of human trafficking in Austin and Houston and also from her work in other countries. Miranda will give us an understanding of the range of services RST provides and the opportunities for volunteers to help in this vital work. The mission of RST is guided by the principles of compassion and dignity in supporting refugees, immigrants, and displaced people in integrating and thriving in their new communities. Dorothy Kraemer - Ecumenical Development Page 2 of 16

3 YOUNG CHURCH WOMEN UNITED AWARD Yes, it s that time again! The time has come for selecting recipients for The Young Church Women United Award Nomination forms (in English and Spanish) will be available at the March 2, 2018 CWU meeting. Please begin to think of young women you can nominate between the ages of The Young Church Women United Award recognizes a young woman or women in the community who gives and lives a life of outstanding service to church and community. This award will be presented at our September CWU-Austin meeting. The deadline to submit names of nominees and their biographical information is April 30, June Murphy 1 st Vice President, CWU-Austin Seeking Host ChurchES for 2019 If your church would like to host a 2019 meeting, please contact 2 nd Vice President, Danita Nelson, who can be reached at or danitamnelson@gmail.com. Danita Nelson 2 nd Vice President, CWU-Austin Looking Ahead! May Friendship Day Celebration Friday, May 4 th United Christian Church 3500 West Palmer Lane Austin, Texas VALIANT WOMAN AWARD to be awarded in May Contact Vernell Moncure for additional information. Wellspring Bible Study Friday, June 1 st Wesley United Methodist Church 1164 San Bernard Austin, Texas We hope you can join us for these celebrations! The Human Rights Award honors a woman who has done extraordinary work and made significant contributions for the cause of human rights. It recognizes one who works on behalf of the lease of these and who has made an impact in furthering the work of justice, peace, and human dignity. This award will be presented at our Annual CWU-Austin Human Rights Celebration Day on Friday October 5, It comes with a donation the recipient s charity of choice. The criteria to nominate persons for the Human Rights Award will be distributed at our upcoming CWU-Austin meeting on Friday April 6, The deadline for submitting this information will be Wednesday May 10, June Murphy 1 st Vice President, CWU-Austin HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 2018 Page 3 of 16

4 March Charitable Action Donation Report As always, the CWU-Austin membership continues to be generous with their donations. Thank you for your generosity, bringing almost 20 bags of items for the Montopolis Community Friendship Center (MCFC) at the last meeting. Vernell Moncure, Director of MCFC, happily filled her SUV with goods to be sold at their thrift store or given away as Bingo prizes. Again, Thank you for your generosity! Susan Holman - Ecumenical Action The Finance Committee of CWU Austin presents the following March 2018 Finance Report: Income: Individual Members (14): $ Fair Shares (3 churches) $90.00 Love Offering: $41.00 Ecumenical Celebrations (WDP): $ (Total Collected Funds for WDP = $240.00) (CWU-Austin sent $80/CWU-Austin will keep $160) Expenses: Shared World Day of Prayer $80.00 Postage (March Newsletter mailing) $40.00 CWU-Austin Yearbook Printing) $ Thank you for your generosity! At the 2018 March Meeting: CWU-Austin greeted 3 first-timers and 8 new members. Stop by the Membership Renewal Table: At the April meeting, your finance committee members will be available to take your individual membership and church fair share renewals for Renewal memberships received in September, October and November are included in the 2018 CWU Yearbook. Individual memberships are $10 ($25 Angel). Fair Shares for Member Churches are due November 30 th of each year ($25, $40, $60). Membership forms will be available at the meeting. Get Well Cards were sent to: Sympathy is extended to: Thinking of You Card was sent to: Prayer Request(s): Remember the Courtesies We are depending on you to help us acknowledge and support our sisters when they are sick or bereaved. Please call Mary Terrell, (home) or (cell), if you know of any courtesies to be extended. If you know of members who are no longer able to attend CWU meetings, but would like a copy of our program booklet, please contact Dorothy Kraemer ( ). Courtesies sent/extended since last newsletter O.R. Schmidt, Brenda Johnson, Virginia Franke Continue prayers for the healing of Carole Hatfield s son and grandsons. We ask that you pause at Noon each day to whisper prayers for healing and peace. Prayer changes things! Page 4 of 16

5 We, the members of CWU-Austin, extend to B.J. Johnson and the women of Berkeley United Methodist Church, our sincere thanks and appreciation for hosting our CWU- Austin World Day of Prayer Celebration on Friday March 2, First Time Visitors: Peggy Campbell, Ria Gaiffin, and Sharon Hudspeth-Holmes Our Newest Member to CWU Austin! Jeffrey Archer Carolyn Blackwood 1705 Elmhurst Drive Sundown Trail Austin, TX Austin, TX Ebenezer Baptist Church Oak Hill United Methodist Church Pamela Brubaker Harvey Nell Cline Alana Mallard 6000 Shepherd Mountain Cove #607 No information provided 3310 Hancock Drive Austin, TX Austin, TX Austin, Austin Presbyterian Seminary Highland Park Baptist Church Dorothy Metting Olivia Neal Nell Peterson 307 Dry Creek Road Unknown Address 2001 Tillotson Avenue Austin, TX Austin, TX Austin, TX Ebenezer Baptist Church Wesley United Methodist Church SAVE THE DATE National April 7, 2018 CWU National Newsletter (electronic subscription) $10.00 Church Women United 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 243 New York, NY cwu Checks should be made payable to: Church Women United SPECIAL NOTICE The 2018 CWU South Central Event will be held June 8-10 at Heartland Spirituality Center in Great Bend, Kansas. If you would like to attend, registration forms are available. Registration forms should be sent to: Thelma Ward LaVentana San Santonio, TX Phone: The registration fee is $80.00; form and fee should be submitted to Thelma by March 30, 2018 (Good Friday). Should you desire additional information, please contact our CWU member, Liz Sanders, who is Area 6 Coordinator for the State CWU. Page 5 of 16

6 NAME BADGE: GETTING TO KNOW YOU We want to know who you are so, we are asking you to wear your name tag to each meeting. Be creative and design your own. WHY? You will love it and so will we. You will get to know your SISTERS IN CHRIST and you can call them by name. It will open the door to many new friendships. DO YOU NEED A RIDE? To assist members who may need transportation, individual churches are asked to provide transportation for CWU members in their congregation. Each church selects a contact person to receive requests for transportation from those requesting transportation. Once these requests are received, the church contact person will make carpooling suggestions based on the geographical locations of the driver/rider. The church contact person is not expected to provide the transportation, unless she chooses to help in that way. The driver(s) and rider(s) need to make arrangements for carpooling to the meeting. CWU Austin Jail Ministry Team May 7, 2018 May Friendship Day The JAIL MINISTRY TEAM will meet at the Jail at 1:30PM, to be ready to go into the Jail at 2:00PM for Ministry TEAM MEMBERS: PLEASE tell Trenna Pickett before February 25 th and April 25 th, if they plan to attend or not so that she can let the sheriff know and can approve their presence: 8917 Trone Circle #A; Austin, TX tpickett@austin.rr.com If you renew your driver s license, please take a picture of the new license and or text it to me. If you would like to join this ministry team, please contact me. I will need your driver s license (digital copy works best) and a signed form about abuse prevention in the jail. These items are sent to the sheriff for approval before you can be admitted with the team (takes about a month to get this all done). We d love to have you join we find this ministry extremely rewarding. Excited to continue with this ministry, Sue Sidney 1606 MacKenzie Lane suesidney@aceweb.com Cedar Park, TX (cell #) CWU-Austin has had a facebook page for several years, but it has not been used. In an effort to connect with the current generation and give our organization more visibility, members of our CWU-Austin board (Cheryl Banks, Annye Jones, Johnnie Harris, Pat Hochstetler, Mary Terrell, and B.J. Johnson) have agreed to pursue possibilities for future use. Stay tuned for more information. New Mailing Address! In the future, please send all correspondence to: Church Woman United in Austin Attention: (the name of the person to receive mail) P. O. Box Austin, Texas COMMUNICATIONS NOTE A link to this newsletter edition has been sent out via . If you didn t receive the , please contact Annye Jones, using either of the forms of information listed below. Likewise, if you do not use , please let Annye know that you still need to receive a paper copy in the mail sippiangelvoice@yahoo.com Page 6 of 16

7 CWU Austin World Day of Prayer Celebration Berkeley United Methodist Church The Charitable Donation for March Montopolis Friendship Center All Photos in Gallery courtesy of Ruth Godine Page 7 of 16

8 Treasured Memories of March 2018 (Left to Right) Dr. BJ Johnson (CWU Austin 3 rd Vice President, Berkeley UMC Women); Susan Holman CWU Austin Ecumenical Action; Cheryl Banks CWU Austin Celebrations; Judy Skaggs Musician; Dorothy Kraemer CWU Austin Ecumenical Development Expressions of Love with Morning Refreshments for the Soul! Page 8 of 16

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