The Call. Inside This Issue

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1 The Call Volume 3, Issue 2 May 2015 Pg. 1 Pg. 1 Pg.2 Pg.3-5 Pg. 6 Inside This Issue A word from the President Book Highlight from Reading Program Work Day at UMCOR Mission u Spiritual Life Retreat Pg. 6 Save the Date 2015 No Longer Silent Imagine, along with Susan Dehn Matthews, that you hear the voices of the women in the Gospels, many of whom have been overlooked, ignored, misrepresented or misunderstood. Listen as they reveal the stories behind their words and actions in the Scriptures. They are no longer silent but speak the truth about themselves as it was revealed to them by their encounter with the one they called teacher, prophet, brother, beloved and son. May is the month we celebrate Mother s Day, graduations, proms, and honor our fallen and those who have gone on to be with our Heavenly Father. I know that everyone is busy and do hope all are keeping up with everything in their personal lives and also continuing to serve others through the United Methodist Women and taking our gifts and talents and sowing seeds for faith, hope and love in action. I am so happy that we had so many from the TN Conference go to UMCOR in Decatur, AL with Beverly Duke as the organizer, in ministry to so many all over the world. United Methodist Women members are on a journey to Make It Happen for women, children and youth around the world. What a wondrous joy to know our commitment turns right side up lives that are upside down. Our responsibilities are great but God has equipped us to make changes happen and make a difference. I hope all of you have had a chance to view the United Methodist Women U Tube or Video regarding founder of Mother s Day Anna Jarvis during the U.S. Civil War. It is about imploring society not to take the call to war quietly because it will mean death and destruction for some people s (and thus all our) children. It is about seeking the attributes of motherhood, like the gift of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. It is about seeking a society in which everyone is nurtured in a compassionate and thoughtful way so that they experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ no matter who they are. Mother s Day is a day to celebrate all women who mother and what I remember about my mother unconditional love, unstoppable love, faithful and ferocious love. (Continued on pg.2) The Call 1

2 A word from the President continued: If you plan to attend the TN Annual Conference at Brentwood in June, stop by the TN Conference UMW table and show your support. We do hope many of you are planning to attend the Mission u event in Murfreesboro at St. Mark s in July so get your registration forms turned in and invite a friend. The United Methodist Women have the best training and materials for these studies and our deans have selected some of the best teachers to lead and pass on the information each year to all of you. You will come away with many blessings and ready to make changes because we are engaged in something larger than ourselves. Our foremothers left us a legacy of doing the mission needed for its time, and we continue their legacy today. Until poverty, violence, inequality, racism and preventable deaths cease, until women and children are no longer marginalized and we live in a world in which all thrive, women need to be organized for mission. In the 21 st century, we need United Methodist Women. Margaret Fisher, TN Conference UMW President *************************************************************************************** TENNESSEE CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN WORK DAY DECATUR, ALABAMA UMCOR DEPOT UMCOR to people in need all over the world. When you serve at Sager-Brown, you are serving the WORLD. The UMCOR depot now located in Decatur, Alabama, is a whole lot closer than the one in Baldwin, Louisiana, but it serves the world in the same ways. On Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, United Methodist Women of the Tennessee Conference hosted an event at the Depot in Decatur. UMW members came from all over the Tennessee Conference--from Fairfield Glade to Waynesboro, from Clarksville to Winchester, and from every district in between. Ages were from young people to older adults. There were jobs for everyone who came. Over 55 volunteers on Friday and over 65 volunteers on Saturday processed health kits, school kits, birthing kits, layette kits, and sewing kits. These will be sent to areas of disaster all over the world. Bed sheets of various sizes were cut to size and hemmed for a hospital in a developing country in Africa that has need of them. In addition, sheets, pillow cases, and towels donated by hotels were categorized to be given locally to persons in need because of tornadoes, floods, or other disasters. The fellowship and camaraderie added to a day of joy that came from knowing we were in ministry to so many all over the world. It is hoped that each church in the Tennessee Conference will become a supporting member of the Depot. It is also hoped that we will spread the word about the Depot and conduct work trips there to help them with their mission. When you serve at the Decatur Disaster Warehouse of UMCOR, you are serving the WORLD. Beverly Duke Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation The Call 2

3 Mission u Welcomed By God Welcoming All Joyce Clark, Dean Nita Wright, Assistant Dean 2015 Mission u staff and teachers want to invite YOU to attend. The night classes will be held at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee on July 15-18, The day classes will be held at St. Mark s United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on July 16-18, New this year Day Classes - if you are coming on Wednesday night, the cost of the hotel room is $ Please indicate this on your registration form. The Spiritual Growth study will be: Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God. The early Methodist tradition used the language of happiness often. Not only did John Wesley preach and teach about happiness but his brother Charles wrote hymns about happiness that the early Methodists sang. The happiness they sought was happiness in God. This study examines the understanding of happiness and how to live the life that God calls us to. The study leaders will be Lila Beasley and Rev. Cynthia Bond Hopson for the day classes and Rev. Bettye Shelton will be the study leader for the evening class. Latin America: People and Faith is an overview of the richness of Latin America and its people for readers on the North American continent. The study examines the history of the region from pre-colombian times until colonization and the struggle for independence. It also explores the current challenges of the nations, along with their rich art, culture and the ongoing contributions of women. The role of religion is woven throughout the pages and will help the reader understand how Latin America has been influenced by various religions and faith traditions. The study leaders will be Rev. Jim Clardy and Rev. Joaquin Garcia. For the second year, the Social Issue study is: The Church and People with Disabilities. The study text Disabilities and the Church: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy by Bishop Peggy A. Johnson is meant to touch the reader s heart as well as inform and prompt the reader to action. Thirteen chapters cover topics ranging from Biblical perspectives to overviews of living with and adapting to varying disabilities. The text increases awareness of issues around disability awareness by discussing attitudinal and architectural barriers encountered by individuals with disabilities. The study leader will be Rev. Tom Binford. The Call 3

4 The study provides a wealth of information on Latin American life, customs, culture, young people, geography and liturgical practices that will help United Methodist youth increase their understanding of what life is like for Latin American youth. Margaret Fisher, the study leader. LaSonia Scantling and Jerlean Bass will guide the children in their study of Latin America. A comprehensive leader s guide to four sessions using four biblical studies for children to gain a deeper awareness and understanding of Latin America and its people, promoting sharing opportunities, growth and transformation. The registration fee for a full time participant is $ per adult, youth is $80.00, and a child is $ This includes two lunches and two dinners and your hotel room for two nights. The commuters registration fee is adult $75.00 (includes two lunches and dinners), youth $50.00 and child $ The evening class registration fee is $75.00 and includes three dinners. Full time day participants will be lodging at Comfort Inn. The hotel is located approximately 6 miles from St. Mark s and is near I-24. Rooms are double occupancy. Please indicate on your registration form if you have special rooming needs. If your intended roommate does not have these needs, you could be in separate rooms. Please list special dietary needs on the registration form. All children and youth must be accompanied by and room with an adult. A continental breakfast will be provided at the hotel daily. If you have any questions, contact Joyce Clark at or Nita Wright Ask a friend to join you as you participate in learning at Mission u. The Call 4

5 July 15-18, 2015 TENNESSEE CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Mission u Welcomed By God - Welcoming All" St. Mark s UMC FILL OUT COMPLETELY PLEASE PRINT 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Name of Church: District Conference: UMW Office(s) you currently hold: Local Unit: District/Conference Male Laity Missionary Do you need CEU credit? attending a college/university? Female Clergy Deaconess Employed outside the home? Newly retired? First time to attend a Mission u? Are you a member of United Methodist Women? FEES: (Check all that apply) July Day Classes FULL TIME (Includes room Thurs/Fri, meals lunch & dinner for Thurs/Fri.) Breakfasts are at motel $ Adult (2 IN Room) $ Adult (Room Alone) ($215.00) Youth (with chaperone) ($80.00) Child (staying with chaperone) $50.00 Adult (Wednesday Night Lodging) ($45.00) COMMUTERS.. $ Registration includes Lunch/Dinner on Thurs and Lunch/Dinner on Friday: Adult ($75.00 ) Youth ($50.00) Child ($30.00) EVENING CLASS (Gordon Memorial UMC) July $ Registration Fee: Adult ($75.00) (Includes Dinner on Wed/Thurs/Friday) LATE REGISTRATION: (ADD $15.00) for registrations POSTMARKED after June 30, 2015) $ TOTAL COST..$ Choice of Roommate: Allergy, Dietary Needs: Physical Disability Housing Needs: IMPORTANT: In case of Emergency notify: Contact # STUDIES: Choose either Regular Schedule OR- Evening Schedule: All classes are limited to 30 per leader. ***REGULAR SCHEDULE (Registration is Thursday 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. AT CHURCH: Opening Thursday 10:00 a.m.; Concluding Noon Saturday) Adult participants indicate 1 st and 2 nd choice for regular schedule/class/leader Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God The Church and People with Disabilities Latin America Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson Rev. Dr. Tom Binford Rev. Jim Clardy Lila Beasley Did you take this Study in 2014 Rev. Joaquin Garcia Yes No YOUTH AND CHILDREN Participants: Youth Study: Latin America (Margaret Fisher) (Specify Age) Children s Study: Latin America (LaSonia Scantling and Jerlean Bass) 6-11 (Specify Age) EVENING SCHEDULE: July Check in Wednesday 5:00 to 6:00; Classes Wednesday-Thursday-Friday 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday 8:30 11:00 a.m. (Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, 2334 Herman Street, Nashville, TN Dinner will be provided at 5:00 p.m.) Bettye Shelton (Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God) REGISTRATION DEADLINE to guarantee a room and pay 50% deposit is JUNE 30. After this date rooms will be booked on an if available basis and a late fee will apply. All registrations are to be received by July 6. Cancellations after July 6 will be refunded one-half the fee. Mail your registration early to get the study leader you requested. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: TENNESSEE CONFERENCE UMW Total Paid $ Ck No. Balance Due $ Amount Paid by scholarship $ Scholarship provided by MAIL TO: Eileen Horton, Registrar, 366 Duckbranch Rd., Fayetteville, TN eileen@cafes.net Questions: Joyce Clark, Dean: cell # joyceasc@aol.com Additional Contact: Nita Wright, Assistant Dean: cell # Nita_wright@bellsouth.net PLEASE NOTE ROOMS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE COMFORT INN SUITES, 226 North Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES FROM CHURCH. FOR CONFERENCE USE: Room Class Leader Date Received: Amount Received: Due: The Call 5

6 Spiritual Life Retreat Beersheba Sept 11 th -13 th, 2015 Angels We will gather in Beersheba to experience God s abundant beauty of nature, fellowship with friends across the conference. We have chosen the topic of Angels for our study. The registration form and information will be available at Mission u. ************************************************************************** Follow the Tennessee Conference on Facebook at Mission u July 15 th -18 th and National Seminar July 29th-August 2 nd. It s not too late to us on Facebook. You can find us at Tennessee Conference United Methodist Women. Don t miss out!!!! ************************************************************************* Save the Dates 2015 THEME: Welcomed by God Welcoming All June 7-10: TN Annual Conference June 14-17: Mission u training at St. Louis June7-10: TN. Annual Conference- Brentwood, TN. July 15-18: Mission u Day Class - St. Marks United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro Night Class- Gordon Memorial, Nashville, TN. August 8: Executive Team Meeting Chapel Hill UMC August 15: Living the Visions, Mission Study Records and Reading Reports are due. Sept 11-13: Spiritual Life Retreat Beersheba October 17: UMW Conference Meeting Chapel Hill UMC Columbia Dist. *** Dates and locations are subject to change. The Call 6

7 Our Purpose The organized unit of United Methodist Women is 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. We re on the Web!!! See us at: Look for us on Facebook: Tennessee Conference United Methodist Women 440 Lilly Lane Murfreesboro, TN BULK RATE US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED The Call 7

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