United Methodist Women

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1 United Methodist Women Iowa Conference C O N N E C T I O N Volume XXIII Number 1 February 2015 United Methodist Women National United Methodist Women Mission Resource Center Iowa UMW Website President Rita Vallery, 2818 Eisenhower, Ames, IA , This month s scripture is the feeding of the 5000 from the book of Mark. In the scripture we know that Jesus told his disciples to feed those who were hungry. This was the scripture emphasis from Assembly and our state meeting, so we've touched on this in the past few months. A couple of Sunday's ago our pastor touched on the scripture of Jesus baptism. Was it the time when Jesus really got the message from the Spirit as to what his ministry was all about, or did he know all along in his life that there was something special for which he was sent? When was it that each one of us really felt God calling us to ministry? I know you were called or you would not be a United Methodist Woman. Were you called by name as Samuel was in last Sunday's scripture reading? Whether you were called by name or not, I know each of you has a heart for what God calls us to do and that God also knows your name. We have a huge task ahead of us. When we listen to the news we know there is not enough love and respect shown to others. In United Methodist Women we meet in fellowship with other women as we pray together for ourselves and others. We study together, the Bible and a variety of topics, to inform ourselves of what is going on in the world and what God might be calling us to do. United Methodist Women have some priorities each year that we give special emphasis. Domestic abuse has been one of our priorities and we are happy to announce that National has chosen Iowa to be one of two states where there will be special training in the months ahead, and an effort to spread that training around each district where we will work with United Methodist Men, youth and others to be aware of this issue and make an attempt to find what we can do to stop abuse and also find how we can minister to those who have undergone , larry.vallery@hotmail.com emotional, sexual or physical abuse. We will be asking everyone to be involved in turning our state around. Please watch for special announcements about upcoming events. Another emphasis has been Human Trafficking. We are now aware of what it is, how we need to be watchful, how to report suspicious activity and now we turn to what we can do. Our Leadership team has decided to ask that kits be made, much like in-gathering kits, to give to young women who have left home and are on their own. The kits would include health kit items, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, towels, washcloth, soap, fingernail file, comb and feminine products and we are considering making a mat to sleep on or blanket as well as a brochure educating young people as to what trafficking is and how to keep from getting involved. More information will be put out later on items needed, when to bring items and how they will be distributed. In four weeks we move into lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday. A number of years ago, one of the churches my husband served made a Lenten devotional booklet where members wrote the devotions. One circle member of United Methodist Women contributed this. We need to reflect on our Christian faith and exercise our faith in our daily living. It's not the big, showy deeds, but the steady practice of dedicated living that has the lasting impact. A phone call or visit or maybe just listening to a friend is showing love to one another. Something as simple as a smile or a hug can make someone's day better. Let's try to do the simple expressions of love each day. For you medals! Medals for the times you cared when no one else did. Medals for the times you helped and no one knew. Prizes for you! Prizes for always hearing with your heart... Prizes for warming those who need you near.

2 CONNECTION page 2 FEBRUARY 2015 Roses for you! Roses for your laughter that lightens ture. She says this, Who'd sign up for something like someone s heart! Gail, The Miriam Circle. You are that? Well, since risk is the world we live in, the biggest called as Samuel was, you are called as the disciples were, and we are called to be in Mission with women, youth and children around the world. Please say, here I am Lord. In Bishop Sally Dyck's book, A Faithful Heart on risk is not to sign up for the adventure in following Jesus where we experience God's love and grace along the way. Following Jesus is a lifelong adventure of learning what it means to be his disciple. Rita Vallery page 188 she talks about following Jesus being an adven- Vice President Gladys Alvarez, th Street, Des Moines, IA , home, work, GKNA2001@aol.com Where Are We Going? What Are We Doing? How Do We Get There? Have you ever asked yourself these questions, or had others ask them to you? I find myself asking these questions at work, home, church and realize that having a roadmap is the best answer. Of course, the Bible is our primary roadmap, then our UMW Purpose. However it is a good idea each year for us to set some specific goals to direct our path for the year. Your United Methodist Women s Conference Officers met in late January to discuss and establish our 2015 goals. I hope that each district and each local unit has done, or will do the same. I have listed the 3 goals we established below with some ideas on how do we get there underneath each one. Please notice how each one starts.pray.. (using our primary roadmap, the Bible). 1. Pray, Learn, Mentor and Take Action to involve others and overcome violence: Domestic, Racial, Human Trafficking, Gender. Attend an educational event Show a video at unit meeting, invite the whole church or community, and discuss Take your Sunday School class or Bible Study group to see Selma 2. Pray, Learn, Mentor and Take Action to Seek and Celebrate Diversity in membership and leadership: Age, Ability, Language, Ethnicity. Attend Welcome the Stranger event Host a diversity festival with your neighbors (food, song and praise in various forms) Seek out Wesley Foundations and adopt them 3. Pray, Learn, Mentor and Take Action to nurture and build relationships: Ecumenical, Multicultural, Intergenerational, Pastoral. Show interest in someone younger or from a different background than you and make a friend Attend Church Women United event Bridge building event for Pastors May you be still, listen and hear the answers to: Where are we going? What are we doing? How do we get there? God has an answer for each of us and he will show us the way! Blessings, Gladys Alvarez CELEBRATION AND CHALLENGE THE IOWA CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS ONE OF TWO CONFERENCES TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM NATIONAL UNITED METHODIST WOMEN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHURCH TRAINING. IT IS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION TO BE CHOSEN. IT IS A CHALLENGE TO BE CHOSEN. WE NEED TO FORM TWO TEAMS FROM EACH DISTRICT FOR THE TRAINING. THE TEAMS WILL CONSIST OF ONE MAN, ONE WOMAN, ONE YOUTH WORKER, AND ONE YOUTH. THESE TEAMS WILL BE TRAINED TO GO INTO LO- CAL CHURCHES TO DO MORE TRAINING. THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR THIS. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOES HAPPEN TO PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH. AS FAITH COMMUNITIES WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND. PLEASE OFFER A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR WISDOM AS WE PROCEED TO FORM THE TEAMS. LYNN CALVERT, LYKSMC@AOL.COM

3 CONNECTION page 3 FEBRUARY 2015 Secretary Becky Heeren, 610 East Ross Street, Toledo, IA , (H), (C), becky@alumni.iastate.edu A New Heart Greetings from your new Conference Secretary. As I transition from Dean of Mission u to this new position, I must admit I have felt a bit out of place. Many of you reading this have considerably more experience than I do in serving your District or local UMW as Secretaries. To make up for my lack of secretarial expertise, I offer a willing spirit and a humble heart. God calls His children to share their (sometimes limited) gifts to further His kingdom. I am excited to begin this new journey, with all of you, as together we strive to fulfill the PURPOSE of the United Methodist Women in Iowa. Thou who art over us, Thou who art one of us, Thou who art: Give me a pure heart, that I may see thee; a humble heart, that I may hear thee; a heart of love, that I may serve thee; a heart of faith, that I may abide in thee. Amen "Prayer for a New Heart" UMH # Dag Hammarskjöld Shalom, Becky Heeren Treasurer Ritzanna Seaton, th St., Batavia, IA 52533, Greetings to All Iowa United Methodist Women, , rdseaton37@gmail.com One of my goals for this year is to distribute this newsletter to a majority of United Methodist Women via ; I need you to send me your for that to happen. Both the District and Conference newsletters are excellent ways to learn about the activities of our organization. Currently, the President and Secretary receive copies of the Connection. As treasurer, one of my duties is to find a way to do more with the money we have to work with. Each year treasurers receive less to forward on to National for the many missions the United Method Women support. As our membership declines, less is contributed, thus the less money to meet our pledge and finance activities. Our pledge in 2014 for Iowa was $600,000. Our conference was $43, short of meeting that goal. Please pray and think of a way, you personally could give more. Some suggestions are, give $1 or $2 more a week, and match the amount you spend on one meal a month at a restaurant, or purchase a Gift to Mission card each month for $5 to send. A reminder, your treasurer books are to be audited each year. If you use your Church EIN (Employer Identification Number) your church audit committee can do it. For those of you who have and are fairly proficient with , send me an and I can send you a Remittance Form for you to use. It is nice because it will do the adding and when completed ready to print and send to your District treasurer. Many units remit money for the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. Mary Morris, who is active in United Methodist Women, spent several years as a missionary with her pastor spouse at Red Bird. Were you aware there are several projects at the mission. They are Red Bird Clinic, Red Bird Mission, Red Bird Mission School and Red Bird Missionary Conference. If you do not specify, it will be sent to Red Bird Mission. Remember one of our PURPOSES as United Methodist Women is to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Please pray for all the women, youth and children in the world and give to help make life better for them. In closing, this was part of a litany taken from a book of Worship by Nancy R. McMaster in our opening prayer at church this past Sunday, In the spirit of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve, we now must walk in the world. We must reach out our hands with help and open our hearts in love. Awake in us the desire to seek your way of serving you in the world. Amen. United Methodist Women are AWESOME! Ritzanna Seaton

4 Pam Milbrandt: 804 Emerald Drive, Storm Lake, IA Make Checks Payable to: Storm Lake UMW Day concludes around 2:30. CONNECTION page 4 FEBRUARY 2015

5 CONNECTION page 5 FEBRUARY 2015 Membership Nurture and Outreach Arlene Fleming, 5300 South Main Street #13, Cedar Falls, IA , , lwfleming@aol.com I have spent many of our cold winter days reading several of our 2015 Reading Program books. My favorite so far is Tough Cookies: Leadership Lessons From 100 Years of the Girl Scouts by Kathy Cloninger. I was drawn to this book because I was a Girl Scout leader for many years and my two daughters and four granddaughters were Girl Scouts. Now two great granddaughters are Daisy Girl Scouts. When I served as a leader in the 50's, 60's and early 70's the program was going great. Girl Scouts everywhere! No problems getting new troops started. I compare it to United Methodist Women at that time we started new circles and membership was steady with growth. The book told about the drop in Girl Scout membership in recent years. Girls were not joining. Troop numbers were dropping. As I read through the book I found I could substitute the words United Methodist Women for Girl Scouts on most pages. They were facing many of the same problems as we are. The book told about the changes they have made in their programs in recent years to survive. They combined some campgrounds, combined office locations and redid office staffing. They changed their programming to interest girls of today. They are moving in a different direction, but they are moving. I believe the United Methodist Women will move ahead just as the Girl Scouts are doing. Our program will be adjusted to meet the needs of the women of today. That's why I am asking you to share your ideas that you have used in your local units to keep the United Methodist Women active. I am gathering some very useful ideas to share with you this year. Please take a few minutes to mail, or phone me with anything you have done to interest new and former members. Success or not, we need to share ideas between units. I will compile ideas I receive and make them available. P.S. Be sure to read the book! Arlene Fleming Mission Education and Interpretation Shirley Pfeifer, 2471 Hwy 92, Washington, IA , , sapfeifer@iowatelecom.net Matthew Welcome to a new year of mission opportunities. This cold weather encourages one to stay inside and read UMW books, including the Study Books. It is also a good time to have a study, perhaps on the Roma if there has not been a time for this study. The gypsies are still facing persecution and discrimination, and not just in Europe. The Spiritual Growth Study, How is it With Your Soul? is timeless but would make a good Lenten study. The Social Action study on Disabilities will be continued this year as there is so much to learn about this topic. Looking forward to Mission u, the new Mission study is on Latin America. How do they do it? The Mission Studies are always right on target even though they are selected several years in advance. A good introduction to Mission u is Welcoming the Stranger. This day is sponsored by the Iowa Conference United Methodist Women and will be held in the Storm Lake United Methodist Church in Storm Lake on Saturday, April 11, There will be a panel of local leaders and break-out sessions. The luncheon cost will be $7.50 and reservations made to Pam Milbrandt ( ) by April 6, Flyers will be sent to each district. Shirley Pfeifer Mission for Social Action Rita Carter, 7218 El Rancho Ave., Windsor Heights, IA 50324, , ritaac@mchsi.com USING THE RESOURCES WE HAVE In the Biblical theme scripture from UMW Assembly, summer and fall Mission u, and through September of 2015 (Mark 6:30-44/Feeding of the 5000), an emphasis I ve heard over and over is Jesus instruction in verse 37 that You give them something to eat. And though the disciples seemed doubtful, the small amount of food they found became more than enough to feed all! One thing this says to me is that if we look around at what we already have and use these resources, some amazing things can happen. We especially remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy in January. One of my favorite of his quotes is True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. He used all the resources he had to inspire others and work for changes that led to justice in civil rights, where there had been

6 CONNECTION page 6 FEBRUARY 2015 none, later to voting rights, justice for disenfranchised people, and, in the words of Hamden Rice ending 200 years of racial terrorism all things that are truly amazing! I hope you have seen the movie Selma, which reminds us of the courage and sacrifices of King and so many others made to achieve these goals. Excellent guides are available from the General Commission on Religion and Race (Gil Caldwell) and from the General Board of Church and Society (Bill Mefford) to assist in opening important conversations about how the movie relates to today. Our own Bishop Julius Trimble has noted that slavery, sex trafficking, mass incarceration and discrimination based on race and economic status are realities that impact many parts of the globe. Racism is not a figment of the imagination of African-Americans and other peoples of color. He has personally experienced racial profiling, as have so many others, and calls us to a world without hatred and racism that is not only conceivable but well worth our pursuit. (12/6/2014- Hope Dictates We Must Still Fight Racism ) Janis Rosheuvel and the Rev. Dionne P. Boissiere have challenged United Methodist Women in an article on the website ( What Are We Willing to Sacrifice for Justice? ) to consider whether we have become too adjusted to injustice or unable to act for justice given what we know to be the real and risky sacrifices that might be necessary. They note that UMW will launch an effort for racial equity through a renewed focus on racial justice during Lent using prayerful meditation and action. Use this resource and take part! How are you? Human trafficking has been a focus during January, and the state legislature has begun considering new bills. As one of six members of the Legislative Advocacy Team of the Iowa United Methodist Church, I will try to keep you informed about important human trafficking bills that need your influence with legislators. Please sign up to receive Legislative Action Alerts (follow this link for this priority as well as others (inclusive community, environmental justice, criminal justice/restorative justice, poverty & economic justice, and mental health) during the Jan-May session. Constituents are the best advocates! You are also invited to attend the following advocacy event, sponsored by the UMC Team: Advocacy Day for United Methodists, Tuesday - February 17 th, at Wesley UMC, 800 E. 12 th St., Des Moines, beginning with a light breakfast with legislators and the Bishop at 8:00-8:50 a.m., followed by several speakers and advocacy training from 9:00-10:50 a.m. and visits with legislators at the Capitol from 11-1 p.m. (lunch on your own, but you may want to pre-arrange lunch with one of your legislators). From 1:15-2:00 p.m. will be a reporting/evaluation/closing worship time. Contact Brian Carter (briancar@dwx.com). Also, I have the 15-minute DVD Any Kid, Anywhere from Braking Traffik that features three trafficking survivors from Iowa. It is a resource for programming let me know if you would like to use it! Rita Carter Spiritual Growth Rita Thatcher, PO Box 255, West Bend, IA , , ritat@ncn.net This question was put to us at Mission u. Do you remember how we are to answer? I am as well as you are. Last year, I suggested we answer this question with I am thankful. Or, I am blessed. So, let s use one of these responses when asked, How are you? and see how the conversation goes from there. How Is It With Your Soul? This study is great to use for your Retreat or Day Apart. Pray; Learn; Mentor; Transform. Pray: Spend time with Jesus every day. A close intimate relationship with the Lord will.you know?... why don t you try it and find out for yourself just what happens Amazing! Awesome! Bewildering! Surprises! Peace! Joy! Love! Strength! Power! Don t miss this. It is all yours. Grace. And For Your Information: Our theme for 2015 is: Seeking Justice and Joy-For All Scripture: John 15:10-11 Hymn: For Everyone Born A Place at the Table April Storm Lake UMC, 9 am-2 ish, will be a program entitled Welcome the Stranger. Don t miss this opportunity to learn. Are you using the Bible verses for your devotions?? God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be Just Like Jesus Max Lucado Loving Jesus, Rita Thatcher

7 CONNECTION page 7 FEBRUARY 2015 Secretary of Program Resources Judy Beckler, PO Box 229, Tiffin, IA , Hello to all from sunny Arizona! [As I think about how fast time goes, but I know for some of you, winter hit hard.] What a great time to catch up on your reading. Every year I think the reading program books get better and better. I have already heard , pamab@southslope.net that some have read several books... Keep up the good work! I asked for our conference team to consider giving honorable mention to anyone that reads the books, even if they are past the five year program. This can be done for local recognition as well as district and conference. On the conference level, I don't need names, just numbers. So, program resource folks, give it some thought. I will be anxious to hear from you. Happy reading! Judy Beckler Mission u Linda Peters, Dean, th Avenue SW, Mt. Vernon, IA , Greetings from your 2015 Mission u Dean! , Lpeters8714@msn.com Each year our Iowa Conference United Methodist Women give you the opportunity to grow spiritually, to study issues facing us all, and to learn about people in other cultures through our Mission u classes. The topics come to us from the National UMW, Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God, Latin America: People and Faith, and The Church and People with Disabilities. Look for the included flyer for more details. The Iowa Conference UMW has chosen as our theme for all of 2015 Seeking Justice and Joy For All. Our theme hymn will once again be For Everyone Born, a Place at the Table. We felt that this hymn fit the theme so well and applies to each of our studies. The theme scripture that we picked is John 15:10-11, If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. As we all prepare for Mission u and this year s work as United Methodist Women, let us keep our theme in mind and try to seek justice and joy for all. Peace, Linda Peters, Dean What is the Diversity Fund? Why is it needed? In 2012 the Diversity Fund was started by the Iowa Conference United Methodist Women to enable us to reach out to ethnic groups and younger women to promote and nurture their participation in United Methodist Women s organization and events. This fund is meant to help defray the cost of registration fees and expenses, enabling them to participate at either Summer or Fall Mission u. We have used the fund to help young women attend Mission u by paying for child care. We have used the fund to enable Korean and Hispanic adults, children, and youth to attend our Fall Mission u. Their presence has enriched our entire program and blessed all attendees by having a diverse group learning together. In 2014 the fund helped someone with a disability attend the classes. One of our goals for the Iowa Conference UMW this year speaks of seeking and celebrating diversity. (See Gladys Alverez s article.) We are hoping to revive this fund, so that we can continue to offer help to those who need it so that we can become more diverse in our membership and leadership. What can I do? You can donate to this fund by giving it to your local UMW treasurer, who will send it to the district treasurer, who will send it on to the conference treasurer, who will put it into the Diversity Fund. Perhaps your unit would like to make a donation to the fund each year after you have met your Pledge to Mission. Some women, who have their registration fee paid to Mission u, might donate some or that entire amount to the Diversity Fund. Hopefully, you ll talk up the importance of the Diversity Fund with other UMW members, and we can have the funds to continue offering help to all who need it.

8 CONNECTION page 8 FEBRUARY 2015 Save the Date Mission u 2015 Summer Mission u: July Fall Mission u: October Iowa Valley Continuing Education Center, Marshalltown Spiritual Growth Study Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God Geographic Study Latin America: People and Faith Issue Study The Church and People with Disabilities Registration Forms and Brochures will be published in March. Watch your mail or your inbox. Local and District Scholarships/CEU s Available Spanish, Korean, Youth and Children s classes at Fall Mission u Contact your Dean for information on the Diversity Fund Linda Peters th Ave S.W. Mount Vernon, IA Lpeters8714@msn.com Like us on Facebook Mission u Iowa

9 CONNECTION page 9 FEBRUARY 2015 Nominations Doris Howard, 5339 Filmore Road, Elgin, IA 52141, Greetings from Doris Howard, your Conference Committee on Nominations Chair: There are events and programs that require knowledge of where our women of color live and go to church in order to effectively participate. The National Seminar, the Charter for Racial Justice committee, leadership and outreach programs, and Mission u are some of these programs. If we build a diverse community, we all benefit from each other s experiences. I have been thinking about this because we want to elect a language coordinator to help our conference improve our understanding and help us build relationships with sisters with different cultural backgrounds. The Committee on Nominations is required to search out and know our members in order that we might have representative and knowledgeable leadership. While these thoughts were going around in my head, I experienced an aha moment while working a jigsaw puzzle. Do you like to do this for a winter diversion? Have you experienced the fun of finding the piece that has the forest scene on one side and the sky on the other; finding that edge piece that closes a gap and begins to bring it all together? My puzzle lies on my table as separate pieces of color, but with this piece it now begins to take shape. A transition piece I call it Yea! A transition piece , dorishoward@alpinecom.net That same excitement will happen for Iowa United Methodist Women if we open our hearts to communication with our sisters of color and build new relationships. So how do we find that transition piece that brings us together? First we need to know: Where are our ethnic churches & do they have UMW units? Where are Iowa women of color going to church? What work excites them? What studies shake their interests? How can we partner with them? My experience at Mission u was uplifting and one reason was because I attended Mike Orthel s Roma class. I attended these classes with men and women from a Hispanic church in Iowa. I look forward to hearing from them about their experiences at Mission u and hearing how we can do it better. I look forward to hearing from you on your experiences in different cultural settings. Look up the Charter for Racial Justice and make plans in your district to actively implement it. In the words of the Charter: We will create opportunities in our churches to deal honestly with the existing racist attitudes and social distance between members, deepening the Christian commitment to be the church where all racial groups and economic classes come together. Send me your thoughts. Doris Howard United Methodist Women PURPOSE 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. Matthew 25:40 And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. NRSV Please SHARE this newsletter with others.

10 Communications Kathy Pettinger, 1027 South J Avenue, Nevada, IA 50201, A big thank you to the District Secretaries who sent me the 2015 address list for their local units. If I did not receive a list, the Connection will be going to the same people it went to last year. To all District Communications Coordinators please send me your District Newsletters so I can have them posted on the United Methodist Women s website. Also, if you have address changes, please let me know so I can change them for the Iowa Conference as well. Please share the newsletter with the women in your units. If your or postal address changes please let , mkpettin@midiowa.net me know so I can get it changed in my database; then you will not miss an issue. If you are receiving the Connection through postal mail, but would be okay receiving it through , please send me your address so we can save on postage. The brochure and registration for Mission u will be mailed the first week of March. Look for it in your inbox or mailbox. It will also be posted on the United Methodist Women s website ( I am looking forward to another great year. Blessings, Kathy Pettinger 2015 United Methodist Women Calendar March 6 March 8 World Day of Prayer International Bell Ringing for Women s Rights April 11 April April 25 Welcome the Stranger, Storm Lake UMC, Storm Lake, IA Spiritual Growth Retreat, Wesley Woods Laity Day with Bishop Trimble, June 6-9 Iowa Annual Conference of United Methodist Church, Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines July 19 July District Officer Training Event (DOTE), 1-3 pm, Iowa Valley Conference Center, Marshalltown Summer Mission u, Iowa Valley Conference Center, Marshalltown September District Annual Meetings October 10 October Iowa Conference United Methodist Women Annual Meeting, Broadway UMC, Council Bluffs Fall Mission u, Iowa Valley Conference Center, Marshalltown