SOUTH WEST DISTRICT SOJOURNER

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1 1 JANUARY 2018 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT OFFICERS SOUTH WEST DISTRICT SOJOURNER PRESIDENT Mary Van Tol Maryvantol.umw.com VICE PRESIDENT Pamela Freeland Pamelafreeland.umw.com SECRETARY/MN&O Roberta Swords TREASURER Phyllis Jackman NOMINATIONS Gloria Heston PROGRAM RESOURCES Sandy Segur (c) (h) SPIRITUAL GROWTH Sandra Barton E&I Pat McShane SOCIAL ACTION Joyce Shelso COMMUNCIATION Ruth Hollandsworth WEBSITE Southwestdistrictumw.com UMW Publication Florida Conference Happy New Year to My Sisters in Christ! Thank the Lord for opening another chapter in our lives. May we live each page with more meaning by touching people's lives each day. As your new District President, this will indeed be a new chapter in my life! Some of you are continuing in your leadership roles and many of you are beginning new ones! This year over half the District Team are serving for the first time. We also have new Units joining us from the disbanded District of the United Methodist Conference. All are from Bradenton and it s surrounding area. Let us welcome our new Sisters in Christ! We will have a period of adjusting and learning our new jobs and we ask for your patience and understanding as we host our events this year. While I will be writing an article every month, this will be the last Sojourner that I will edit. Our new Communication Coordinator is Ruth Hollandsworth. Her contact information is located on the last page of this newsletter. You should send her your articles by the 20th of the month as you have sent them to me in the past. Remember this newsletter highlights events around our District and some articles may even get into the response magazine. Finally, I would like to invite you all to our Local Unit Officer s Training on January 27th at Sebring First United Methodist Church. Registration begins at 9:00 am, and the program starts at 10 am. It will be a long day, but we hope to get you all the training you need to be the best leaders you can be for your Units! See the flyer and registration letter and be sure to register by January 20th! The theme that Pamela, our new Vice President selected is Leading from the Heart which recognizes that each of us can be influential leaders in our own way. Blessings, May the Lord light your path of life towards right direction and fill it with joy for the New Year! Mary Van Tol, President South West District PURPOSE of United Methodist Women 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 2 First Sarasota s Historic Co u ity The unit of First United Methodist Church Sarasota took a Step Back in Time when about 50 members and friends visited Pioneer Park in downtown Sarasota. They enjoyed pastries and coffee and heard about the Bidwell-Wood House, the oldest residence in Sarasota County built in 1882 and lived in until 1936, and the Crocker Memorial Church, established by Peter Crocker in 1901 and used by several congregations in several locations in the city until While in the church, which is used in many ways today, including weddings, they had a visit from Bertha Palmer of Chicago and Palmer House ownership there. Bertha developed much of the area in the county from her magnificent home in what is now Spanish Point to the sprawling ranch in the Myakka area. October 4th was a beautiful fall day on the porch of the preserved home with friends and glorious memories of the Sarasota community. Submitted by Leah Pittard, Unit President. Welcome to six units from the Gulf Central District to our South West District! First Bradenton Ellenton Family of God, Palmetto Manatee Oneco Rogers Community, Bradenton

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5 5 Florida s Children s Week Florida s Children s Week is the only annual event held in the state of Florida that celebrates and honors its commitment to children and advocates. This legendary event began more than 20 years ago during the tenure of Governor Lawton Chiles.

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7 SOUTH WEST DISTRICT 2018 CALENDAR 7

8 8 January 12 13, 2018 District Officers Training Life Enrichment Center, Leesburg Registration: 5:00 pm Training: 7:00 pm January 27, 2018 Local Officers/Coordinators Training Sebring First UMC Registration: 9:00am -9:45 pm Training: 10:00 am 3:00 pm See Flyer & Registration Form pages 3-5 January 21 26, 2018 Florida Children s Week Many events to attend every day Register at: register-now/ See Information page 8 February 17, 2018 Mission Team Meeting District Officers only Clewiston First UMC Please submit articles for our next Sojourner issue by the 25th of the month. Send them to our new Communications Coordinator listed below. All Unit activities are welcome for submission. Digital photos are preferred. Ruth Hollandsworth Communications Coordinator 1327 Deer Park Court Sebring, FL Phone: ruthhollandsworth.umw@gmail.com As the new year begins all Units in our District are required to send a list of officers and coordinators to our District Secretary, Roberta Swords. If your Unit makes a directory, you should send a copy to her and the District President. A copy of your budget should be given to the District Treasurer. These may be brought to the Local Unit Officers/Coordinators Training on January 27th. Roberta Swords ladyswrds@msn.com Phone: Address: PO Box Cape Coral, FL Be sure to visit our websites to get updated news and find information about our District.