Mission Tapestry. District President s Message. Arlington District United Methodist Women. PURPOSE of the United Methodist Women

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1 Mission Tapestry Arlington District United Methodist Women Vol. XXXIV, No. 1V PURPOSE of the 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. The Mission Tapestry is a publication of the Arlington District United Methodist Women. Its goal is to keep units at the local/ congregation level informed about opportunities for living out our PURPOSE. It is published quarterly and mailed to all unit leaders, pastors, former Arlington District Presidents, and Virginia Conference UMW leaders. All articles for publication should be directed to I love going to UMW events! Especially at Blackstone! I love seeing friends from all over the state, sharing ideas and enthusiasm, getting excited for UMW. The recent Conference Annual Meeting was no exception. We heard from representatives from each district, celebrated what we had done this past year, and listened to speakers encourage us to do more. What a joy it is to participate. And a responsibility! One of the speakers was Dr. Betty Whitehurst, who challenged us to look at who is the least among us, and what are we doing for them to give them hope and relieve their pain. Rev. Walt Whitehurst gave us a to do list: continue to support the work of United Methodist Women, follow where God is calling us, and support those who are going into all the world. Rev. Lynn Litchfield shared her work in prison ministry and reminded us to heed Jesus command in Matthew 25, to visit those in prison. Who are the least among us? The homeless? Ex-convicts? Illegal immigrants? Single mothers on welfare? Children in foster care? Our neighbors? What are we doing for them? Food? Clothing? Shelter? Visits? Welcome? November 2013 District President s Message As we approach the New Year, what are we about? What is our mission this coming year? Who are we serving? What is God calling us to do? As we set our goals as UMW for this coming year, let us be mindful of who among us is least, and what God is calling us to do to bring hope and relieve pain. Put Faith, Hope and Love in Action! Karen McElfish President, Arlington District United Methodist Women

2 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V Vice President MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 2 Marci Schiller No report this quarter. Looking forward to seeing you all at Training Day in January. Marci B. Schiller, VP umwdirectory@aol.com We Make It Happen: A Living Timeline United Methodist Women members are our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godmothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, and goddaughters. So, in the spirit of sisterhood, we want to know how members bring about change in their communities and around the world. How does a United Methodist Women member in your life inspire you? How is she an inspiration to others? What does she do to show unwavering support of women, children, and youth? We want to know, because we want to share with the world how our members rely on their faith, hope, and love in action to Make It Happen for those deemed the least, Christ s kin. Even with all of our accomplishments globally and at home, we never expect pat-on-the-back public recognition. But we should celebrate our work! In honor of our members journeys as United Methodist Women, we are sharing our stories in a new project: We Make It Happen: A Living Timeline. Visit to view stories and add your own. Encourage young women to come to Make It Happen at Assembly Young women have definite ideas of how they want to shape the future. Help them realize their potential and leadership skills so that they can effectively shape the lives of women, children, and youth by bringing them to United Methodist Women s Assembly, April 25-27, They may not yet be United Methodist Women members, but Assembly 2014 will give them opportunity to be the change they are looking for. The more young women you bring, the more you save on registration. Visit Assembly2014.org for the group registration incentive rates.

3 V OL. XXX I V, NO. 1V Secretary janet_keener@cox.net MI S S I ON T APE ST RY PAGE 3 Janet Keener

4 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 4 Treasurer Frances Ellis Fellow Treasurers, According to our new handbook, there is now flexibility in how we can organize our local units. However, there are still very specific instructions regarding how we handle our finances. Some of the units on the Arlington district have been in place for a long time and have a history of how they raise and spend money. Some of the units are new and trying to find their way. All of our units are doing many good things. We heard about a number of them at our annual meeting. For United Methodist Women, decisions about budgets and giving are based on a strong belief in mission education, leadership development, and the centrality of the needs of women, children, and youth. Membership in United Methodist Women is voluntary and based on each individual woman s commitment to the PURPOSE of the organization. For most members, making a pledge to her group s Pledge to Mission is a way of supporting the organization and expressing her commitment to mission. It is member giving that funds the total mission of United Methodist Women. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church gives instructions and authority for United Methodist Women to secure funds for mission with women, children, and youth. The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall secure funds for the fulfillment of its PURPOSE All funds secured by the unit of United Methodist Women belong to the organization and shall be disbursed only in accordance with its constitution and by its order. The total budget secured and administered by the organized unit in the local church shall include Pledges and other money for the program and responsibilities of the national office to be directed through regular channels of finance of United Methodist Women and Funds to be used in mission locally, which shall include amounts for administration and membership development. The organized unit in the local church shall make an annual pledge to the total budget of the district/ conference organization of United Methodist Women. All Mission Giving funds channeled to the United Methodist Women National Office shall be appropriated by the board of directors, elected from the membership. United Methodist Women s funds are sent to the national office. All gifts are to be sent by local or district treasurers through district and conference treasurers to the national office for use in the collective mission work of all United Methodist Women here and around the world. The first and most important financial responsibility of United Methodist Women is basic support of all mission programs through Mission Giving. United Methodist Women members may also direct gifts to any program or project that receives United Methodist Women funds. This includes more than 97 National Mission Institutions, projects overseas in more than 130 countries, and special gifts for current United Methodist Women areas of focus. As individual local church members, women contribute to World Service through their local church tithes and offerings. These funds help church tithes and offerings support all the general program agencies of the United Methodist Church through apportionments. Members of United Methodist Women give to Pledge to Mission and other Mission Giving funds. These funds are used for mission with a focus on women, children, and youth through the national office, except for the administration and membership development funds kept at the district and conference levels. United Methodist Women s funds should not be given to the local church to help with its apportionment for World Service. Women have already contributed to World Service appeals through their local church tithes and offerings. United Methodist Women have long been proud to support the specific ministries with women, children, and youth that are funded only through their United Methodist Women giving.

5 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 5 Treasurer Frances Ellis There should be one local unit treasurer. There should be one checking account per local unit in the name of United Methodist Women. Do not deposit United Methodist Women funds in a personal account or a local church account. Keep all United Methodist Women funds separate. Keep a record of all pledges and all contributions received. At the end of each year, create a giving statement for each member who has given $250 or more. The fiscal year for The United Methodist Church is the calendar year. All funds to be sent to the United Methodist Women National Office must be forwarded through district and conference treasurers in time to reach the New York office on or before December 31. The most important source of funds for the local budget is the pledges and mission gifts of individual members. But in many local groups it is necessary to organize fundraising endeavors to supplement individual pledges and to fulfill the group s financial commitments. Fundraising events can also be good community-building times. The ideal fundraising event will expand concepts of mission as well as provide fellowship and income. All money earned from fundraising events is to be budgeted in the same way as other income. The local budget consists of three main categories: Pledge to Mission, administration and membership development, and mission locally. Traditionally, 60 percent of the budget is for the Pledge to Mission. Administration and membership development are items that enrich the educational experiences and leadership capabilities of local members and that are necessary for the organization s functioning. Appropriate expenditures include child care for meetings, postage and printing, program materials, program expenses, attendance at Mission Encounter and other conference and district meetings, ecumenical mission programs, and other items relating to United Methodist Women. Mission locally is the budget category that enables the local group to be in mission in its own area. Items such as contributions to local mission programs are appropriate. Items that are the responsibility of the total church are not appropriate, such as the church budget or building fund, parsonage upkeep, or groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the United Fund, which have community-wide sources of support. Where custom and tradition have included inappropriate items under mission locally, careful interpretation will help United Methodist Women members prepare budgets that more closely reflect the PURPOSE of the organization. The budget of United Methodist Women must support mission programs and projects that depend on the organization for basic support. The monies given for United Methodist Women are given for mission. However, a local group may discover toward the end of a given year that it has more money than it needs to carry it into the first few months of the new year. A local group should keep in its treasury only the minimum amount necessary to carry it into the first few months of the next year until members Mission Giving pledges and gifts begin coming in. Send the extra funds as an addition to your Pledge to Mission or present one or more Special Mission Recognitions or Gifts to Mission to members or friends of the unit. Funds given in these ways to empty the treasury should be sent to the district treasurer. The act of emptying the treasury is important because the funds were given to be used for mission, not to build up a bank account for the unit. Saving for a later rainy day is not good stewardship since today is a rainy day for thousands of women, children, and youth for whom our mission money offers hope. As a matter of spiritual and practical discipline, members of United Methodist Women give and raise all of the organization s funding, including funds for mission education, projects, grants, relationships, scholarships and all the action of United Methodist Women. Each member determines the amounts and forms of her giving on the basis of her understanding of and commitment to the PURPOSE. Her giving may take the form of pledges, gifts and special donations, commitment to various projects for fundraising, and planned giving, such as through her will.

6 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 6 Treasurer Frances Ellis I know this is a lot of information. Basically, money raised on behalf of UMW belongs to UMW. In order to be a United Methodist Women unit, you are responsible to support The UMW and its projects. Please send your remittances for the 4 th quarter in to me by December 14. Wishing you Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Frances Frances Ellis 2933 Fox Mill Road Oak Hill, VA

7 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 7 Spiritual Growth Marjorie Long-Brown Take time to be holy, The world rushes on; Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, Like Him thou shall be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Isn t it strange how we learn so much from our children even though we re supposed to be the wiser parent? I remember the struggles my son and I had as he tried to learn to tie his shoelaces. No amount of practice or how-to books seemed to help. Every effort ended in a mass of knotted strings and tears of frustration. He was a bright kid but I could picture myself sending him off to Harvard with his shoes untied. On one such tense occasion we found that we were in danger of being late for the Cub Scouts award banquet. I shrieked, Will you PLEASE hurry up? Get those shoes tied and hurry! He patiently admonished me, Mommy, some things can t be hurried if we want to do it right. This is great advice, not just for tying shoes, but also for ordering our prayer life. Our lives are cluttered with the snarls and knots of daily living. Our bosses, our families, and our friends are shouting, Hurry up! In the midst of the din and confusion we must set aside time to make that crucial encounter with God which we call prayer. The conversations that you have with God are personal and extremely private. No one can hack in or intrude. There is no form or style manual; the words don t matter. It s just the two of you, you and God. Just slow down and do it right. Yours in Christ, Marjorie Long-Brown, Spiritual Growth Coordinator Remember to save March 21 and 22 for the Arlington District Spiritual Life Retreat to be held again this year at Richmond Hill Retreat Center. Also, mark your calendars for the 2014 Virginia Conference Spiritual Life Retreat which will be held May at Blackstone. This date is a little later than usual due to the Assembly. The retreat leader will be the Rev. Sara Pugh. Her topic will be Hearing Your True Name Beloved Child of God.

8 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 8 Membership Nurture & Outreach Angela Sokolowski This past September our District had a wonderful Annual Day where we had the honor and joy of celebrating the lives and service of 22 of our sisters. Please lift these following ladies and their families in prayer this season: Norma Austin Madgel Boom Beryl Bowen Evelyn Breth Marguerite Buckley Welbe Deskins Carole Dysart Sally Ebbs Anne Green Gwendolyn Griffin Gene Herrmann Coletta Hudson Mary Ann Johnson Hylton Lawler Francis Louer Louise Murray Evelyn Points Esther Rollison Barbara Ross Marilea Steidel Linda Svienssen Alice Thompson If you have not already, I would like to ask all of the units to send me what your membership numbers were January 1, 2013 and also the number of new members you have gained this year. Thank you all so much in advance for recognizing the importance of our membership. Psalm 107:1 Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Angela Sokolowski District Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator thesokos@mac.com

9 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 9 Social Action Susan Chung Social Action Priorities for 2014 *International: Human Trafficking *National: Poverty *Virginia: Environmental Justice Resources: Human Trafficking Environmental Justice Please see the new 2014 Social Action Award form included in this newsletter. Susan Chung 851 N. Glebe Road, Apt Arlington, VA SusanChung1122@gmail.com.

10 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 10 Mission Education & Interpretation Doris Douglass Season s Greetings Everyone The Holidays are here and Christmas is fast approaching. We will start receiving Christmas cards as well as sending them. What a great opportunity to collect stamps for UMCOR! So, don t toss those envelopes in the trash until you tear off the stamp. If you can t tear off the stamp, then put the envelopes in a bag and bring them to the District Training Day on January 25th, at Sterling UMC. Hope to see you there. The new Mission Today forms for are on the Conference Web Site and are included in this newsletter. I will have them at the Training Day in January as well. The good news is that they have adjusted the number of items for smaller units, to include Silver and Gold. What a great idea! Now any size unit can be a Silver or Gold Mission Today Unit. So have a look at the form. We do a lot of mission over the Holidays that can get you off to a good start. Mission Highlight: GRACE Ministries of the UMC is a faith-based organization that addresses the most pressing material and spiritual needs of low-income immigrants in the region. They provide emergency food, clothing, household items, diapers, healthcare information and screenings at seven United Methodist Churches in Northern Virginia. They also provide job training to become personal care aids and certified nurse aids. Grace Ministries receives a sustaining grant from the Virginia Conference United Methodist Women. Visit their web site at, graceministriesumc.org to find which location is close to you and how your unit can help. Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season! Blessings, Doris Doris Douglass 7213 Vellex Lane Annandale, VA dorisdouglass@msn.com Topics for 2014 Mission Encounter (formerly School of Missions) Roma of Europe How Is It With Your Soul Disabilities

11 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 11 Program Resources Gladys Packett During our Annual Meeting, we recognized the following units for completing the Reading Program: Arlington Temple, Clarendon, Dulin, Graham Road, Mount Olivet, Pleasant Valley and Wesley. Congratulations to the eighty readers for reading a total of 417 books. No churches reported that any children had read books by themselves. However, there were thirty-two children who enjoyed books read to them by adults. This year, I challenge all of you to encourage children and young adults to join you in reading some of the wonderful books that have been added to the 2014 Reading Program. Some examples are: Traveler: A Story of Trust, Faith and Hope Encircled by Love. The Nativity Story is the backdrop for a dog named Traveler s journey to Bethlehem, where he finds friendship and love from his new friends at the inn and the stable where Jesus is born. This book introduces children to the many gifts in life that come from friendship. (Children) A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations. Discover more than 70 items and ideas that were crucial to the native survival and celebrate the resourcefulness of North American s native inhabitants. This book explores how native people s creativity and ingenuity combined to make the most of woodlands, prairies, deserts and ocean coasts. (Youth) In addition, the Program Book and the Prayer Calendar are recommended to be used as a resource for the units monthly meetings. The Program Book invites you to explore the callings of women from the Bible and present you with many opportunities to engage in mission with women, children and youth. Features such as titles and objectives; prayers, scripture readings and meditations; activities and discussions; opportunities for advocacy and service in your communities and globally will grow your understanding of mission. Discover God s calling for the community of United Methodist Women today! The Prayer Calendar: Within this calendar, you will find daily lectionary readings, holidays and special days, daily lists to focus your prayers on mission projects, advocacy issues and birthdays of people in mission as well as photos, stories, meditations and celebrations of global partnerships to inspire you. Use this as a valuable resource for meditation, daily planning and for sharing insight and information about the mission work of the church. As your Resource coordinator I would like to thank you for all of your support and understanding during my first year in this position. Your love for books makes my job a lot easier. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. And now, may I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. Let us remember that God gave His greatest gift to us on that first Christmas Day and may the wonder of it always guide and light your way. Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things to me. Luke 1: Gladys Packett Secretary of Program Resources 879 N. Jacksonville St, Arlington, VA gpackett@verizon.net

12 Arlington District United Methodist Women 2014 Calendar PURPOSE of the 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. Event Date Arlington District UMW Training Day January 25, 2014 (Feb. 1 snow date) United Methodist the General Assembly February 6, 2014 Arlington District UMW Spiritual Life Richmond Hill Arlington District UMW Spring Prayer Breakfast March 21-22, 2014 April 12, 2014 UMW Assembly Louisville, KY April 25-27, 2014 Virginia Conference UMW Spiritual Life VUMAC May 16-18, 2014 UMW Ferrum College June 7, 2014 Virginia Annual Conference June 20-22, 2014 Arlington/Alexandria Bi-District Day Rising Hope UMMC July 12, 2014 Mission VUMAC July and 28-30, 2014

13 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY Arlington District United Methodist Women Officers for 2013 PAGE 13 ELECTED OFFICERS President Karen McElfish 721 N. Emerson Street Arlington, VA Vice President Marci Schiller 816 N. Oakland Street, #609 Arlington, VA Secretary Janet Keener 1803 Midlothian Court Vienna, VA Treasurer Frances Ellis 2933 Fox Mill Road Herndon, VA MISSION COORDINATORS Education and Interpretation Doris Douglass 7213 Vellex Lane Annandale, VA Membership Nurture and Outreach Angela Sokolowski 808 Potomac Ridge Court Sterling, VA Spiritual Growth Marjorie Long-Brown 5575 Seminary Road #313 Falls Church, VA Secretary for Program Resources Gladys Packett 879 N. Jacksonville Street Arlington, VA NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Vacant at this time APPOINTED OFFICERS VUMAC Representative Vacant at this time Editor of the Tapestry Frances Ellis 2933 Fox Mill Road Herndon, VA Social Action Susan Chung 851 N. Glebe Road, Apt Arlington, VA For general information about Arlington District UMW,

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15 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE SOCIAL ACTION AWARD (continued)

16 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 16 VIRGINIA CONFERENCE UMW MISSION TODAY The Purpose of MISSION TODAY is to fulfill the PURPOSE of UMW by: Energizing United Methodist Women to be more involved in mission through prayer, study and action; Increasing contacts between units and mission personnel and projects Encouraging use of mission resources; and Expanding concepts of mission including social justice as mission Becoming a Mission Today Unit is a way to increase emphasis on what United Methodist Women have been doing for more than a century: turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women children and youth around the world. Period covered in this report SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 AUGUST 31, 2014 How to become a Mission Today Unit: All units must complete item #1. The number of additional items depends on the size of your unit. ( ) Mission Today units Units OVER 15 members: Must complete 8 additional items including at least 4(*) items....units with 15 or fewer members: Must complete 4 additional items including at least 2(*) items. ( ) Silver Mission Today Unit: Units OVER 15 members: 13 additional items including at least 6(*) items. Units with 15 or fewer members: 8 additional items including at least 4(*) items. ( ) Gold Mission Today Unit: Units OVER 15 members: 20 additional items including at least 12(*) items....units with 15 or fewer members: 13 additional items including at least 6(*) items. Items: (* ) 1. The unit will MAKE and MEET its Pledge to Mission Giving. (Must be completed). (* ) 2. At least 2 members, other than a District or Conference Officer, attend the District or Conference Annual Meeting. (* ) 3. At least 1 member, other than a District or Conference officer (that has their way paid by District or Conference), attend the Conference Spiritual Life Retreat or the District Spiritual Life Event. (If a District or Conference Officer, attend the Spiritual Life retreat paying their own way, they may count themselves as going representing their unit.) (* ) 4. Have at least 1 member, other than a District or Conference officer, attend Mission Encounter 2014/a Mission u 2014 in another conference or a District Mission Celebration/Mission School event. (* ) 5. Sponsor a young woman to attend the Conference or a District Young Women s Event. Name of the event attendee: (* ) 6. Use the Prayer Calendar at each Unit Meeting to pray for mission workers and mission projects for women, children, and youth. (* ) 7. Use at least 2 programs from the UMW Program Book during the year. Which ones: (* ) 8. Each Unit, Circle, or Subgroup include a response Moment where an item from response magazine is lifted up as a way to tell a mission story. (* ) 9. The Unit, Circle, Subgroup, have at least 1 current mission study during the year. Which one: (* ) 10. Include having the UMW Purpose at every meeting. (* ) 11. Qualify as a Five- or Six-Star Unit by contributing to five or six Channels of Mission Giving.

17 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 17 (* ) 12. Increase the local unit Pledge to Mission for the coming year. (* ) 13. Invite a District of Conference Officer, other than a unit member, to one of your Unit Meetings during the year and/or United Methodist Women s Sunday. (* ) 14. Select a mission project which is supported by fund from United Methodist Women New York (Wesley Community Service Center), or the 2014 Ministry Grants of VA (listed in the conference yearbook) and visit and/or contribute needed resources. Name of the Project: (* ) 15. Add at least 2 new members to the roll (1) new member for Units with 15 or fewer members. (* ) 16. Have at least 2 members who subscribe to response magazine. (* ) 17. Have at least 2 members participate in the Reading Program and complete Plan I. (* ) 18. Implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in one way during the year. Some ideas include: Have 2 or more members attend a District Charter for Racial Justice Program/Workshop Have members read books and articles about other races and cultures; give report to unit Plan a joint unit meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic background. Encourage your church to support a refugee family Write to elected representatives to support legislation affecting issues such as immigration, affirmative action, programs serving a low-income population, civil rights, etc. Describe what you did: ( ) 19. Have 1 or more participate in hands-on mission such as gleaning, working a food pantry or clothes closet, bagging potatoes, etc. Describe what you did: ( ) 20. Have green meetings or make some other special effort toward saving God s earth (i.e. recycling, using glasses instead of disposable cups, etc.) Describe what you did: ( ) 21. Participate in the Campaign for Children (Children s Sabbath Service, support public education, etc.) Some ideas for action include: Help sponsor a church or community program for children or youth needs Get involved with children in mentoring or tutoring programs Visit and show support to your local schools (attend school board meetings, sponsor a class, provide funds or items of special need) Write congressional representatives regarding children s issues Describe what you did: ( ) 22. Have at least 1 member attend the United Methodist Day at the Virginia General Assembly ( ) 23. Have at least 1 member attend UMW Day at Ferrum College. ( ) 24. Provide at least 10 UMCOR kits and funds for shipping for the VA Annual Conference. ( ) 25. Members shall write at least once a year to 5 mission workers listed in the Prayer Calendar ( ) 26. Have at least 1 person join the UMW s Action Network to receive and respond to legislative information. The on-line registration can be found at UNIT /CHURCH and DISTRICT Number of members in your unit President/Contact Person Phone MAIL TO YOUR DISTRICT UMW E&I by September 1, 2014.

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19 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 19 TRAINING DAY 2014 WHEN: Saturday, January 25, 2014 (Snow date Feb. 1) 9 a.m. to noon WHERE: Sterling UMC 304 E. Church Road Sterling, VA WHO: YOU WHY: - Come and get updates - Meet your district officers and other local officers - Learn new ideas - Share your knowledge and challenges - Get the training you need to help your unit thrive - Have a delicious breakfast - Review the 2014 Reading Program books

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22 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 22 YOUR DONATION OF TWO HOURS CAN SAVE A CHILD S LIFE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014 WHO: EVERYONE 16 YEARS AND OLDER INVITE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, TOO! * WHAT: VOLUNTEERS HELP PREPARE 20,000+ ORAL REHYDRATION PACKETS WHERE: CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4201 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA (across the street from Ballston Metro) WHEN: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2014 SHIFTS: 9 am-11am 11am 1pm 1:15 pm 3:15 pm WHY: The World Health Organization (WHO) says, ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) use is the simplest, most effective and cheapest way to keep children alive during severe episodes of diarrhea. The packets consist of the WHO approved mix of sugar, non-iodized salt, potassium chloride, and baking soda. The packets are sent to where they are needed, mixed with water and administered to the sick child. Volunteers: Do not need experience and all supplies are provided. Fill packets in assembly line fashion, while seated at tables. Sign up in two hour segments of time. Volunteers may stay longer than their original sign-up time if they wish. Will have light refreshments provided throughout the day. Register by January 27 for the shift(s) you are interested in working! To Register: Contact Joyce Wright wrightejc@gmail.com Phone: *People ages are welcome to help in the testing/packing area!

23 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 23 Arlington District UMW Spiritual Life Retreat March 21 22, 2013 Richmond Hill Retreat Center 2209 E. Grace Street Richmond, VA SAVE THE DATE More information and registration forms coming.

24 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 24 Announcing Assembly 2014: Make it Happen! April 25-27, 2014, in Louisville, KY We are excited to announce Assembly 2014: Make it Happen! Assembly is a time for study, worship and fellowship as United Methodist Women members and partners come together from all over the United States and the world. Event Details When: April 25-27, 2014 Where: Louisville, KY, at the Kentucky International Convention Center There is an optional, pre-event Ubuntu Day of Service Thursday April 24. Assembly officially begins the morning of April 25 and ends with closing worship at noon Sunday April 27. Theme & Vision The theme of the 2014 Assembly is: MAKE IT HAPPEN! Turning Faith, Hope and Love into Action The 2014 Assembly will focus on: Giving Voice to the Individual Assembly will honor and equip the individual woman to lead, excel and find her own voice. Connecting for Action Assembly will help women connect with one another and with partners in mission to further the PURPOSE. Practicing Radical Welcome Assembly will help women expand their vision and their capacity to welcome new and unnoticed women to participate, join and shape our work. Supporting United Methodist Women Strategically Assembly will inspire women to support this vital mission movement through engagement and giving. This vision statement offers building blocks that build from the individual to connecting with our partners and one another to welcoming women from different ages, races, languages and cultures. It also challenges us to consider how we support the work of United Methodist Women now and into the future. Scripture The biblical foundation for Assembly 2014 is the feeding of the 5,000 found in Mark 6: Registration Information: Assembly registration is online. Visit Type or print clearly information in all required fields. You will receive a confirmation .

25 VOL. XXXIV, NO. 1V MISSION TAPESTRY PAGE 25 Virginia United Methodist Women Assembly 2014 Louisville 8 Day Package April 23-30, 2014 Roundtrip Motorcoach Transportation 1 Night Lodging Barboursville, WV at Holiday Inn 5 Nights Lodging Louisville, KY at Galt House Hotel 1 Night Lodging Huntington, WV at Pullman Plaza Hotel 2 Hot Breakfasts 5 $10 Meal Vouchers for use towards breakfast (or other meal) at Galt House Hotel 1 Boxed Lunch 3 Dinners 1 Dinner/Show: Singing In The Rain at Derby Dinner Playhouse Narrated Driving Tour of Louisville Sightseeing including Blenko Glass Factory in Milton, WV, Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs Walking Tour, Louisville Slugger Museum, Glassworks and Cathedral of the Assumption/Archdiocesan History Center in Louisville, KY, Visit to Kentucky Horse Park/Museum of the Horse in Lexington, KY Round Trip Baggage Handling, Taxes and Gratuities on Hotels and Planned Meals, Pickups in Hampton, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Others TBD Price per person: $1,639 single $1,239 double $1,109 triple $1,039 quad Interested? Please or call the VA Conference UMW President, Joyce Winston, at buckrow@aol.com or