Call to the Twenty-Ninth Annual Meeting

Transcription

1 No. 4 A Publication of the Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women August 2017 Call to the Twenty-Ninth Annual Meeting United Methodist Women of the Mississippi Conference are called to gather Friday, October 6 th, at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church in Natchez, MS. Our annual meeting is coming up quickly. We are excited to have Mollie Vickery, our staff executive for Children, Youth and Family Advocacy at the national office to be our keynote speaker. She is originally from Mississippi. We hope to see you in Natchez! God Bless, Teresa Bankston, Conference Vice President UMW Purpose of United Methodist Women The 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 MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NECROLOGY REPORT FORM August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018 District Name of Church Unit or Circle In Memory of (Print Name) Date of Death Please write a short biography of the woman listed above. List positions held, contributions and achievements made in the organization of United Methodist Women. Make copies of this form if you have more than one woman who passed away during this time period. DO NOT USE MORE THAN THIS SPACE. SPACE IS LIMITED IN THE IN MEMORY SECTION OF THE ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM BOOK. RETURN THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: Linda Stepko, Conference MNO, 185 Anderson Rd., Hattiesburg, MS OR to lindastepko@aol.com Information from this form is used to compile the IN MEMORY section listed in the program book for the Annual Meeting in October. Any forms received after August 1, 2017 may not be included in the program book. THIS FORM CAN BE SENT TO ME AT ANY TIME. Do not wait until the last minute. Name of person submitting form: Phone # address 2

3 MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NECROLOGY REPORT FORM August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018 District Name of Church Unit or Circle In Memory of (Print Name) Date of Death Please write a short biography of the woman listed above. List positions held, contributions and achievements made in the organization of United Methodist Women. Make copies of this form if you have more than one woman who passed away during this time period. DO NOT USE MORE THAN THIS SPACE. SPACE IS LIMITED IN THE IN MEMORY SECTION OF THE ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM BOOK. RETURN THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: Linda Stepko, Conference MNO, 185 Anderson Rd., Hattiesburg, MS OR to lindastepko@aol.com Information from this form is used to compile the IN MEMORY section listed in the program book for the Annual Meeting in October. Any forms received after August 1, 2017 may not be included in the program book. THIS FORM CAN BE SENT TO ME AT ANY TIME. Do not wait until the last minute. Name of person submitting form: Phone # address 3

4 Frances Perry Scholarship A Brief History The Frances Perry Scholarship is a scholarship fund of the United Methodist Women in Mississippi. The fund was set up in 1978 by Mr. E.V. Perry to honor his late wife, Mrs. Frances Perry of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, a past president of the former Mississippi Conference. It was originally set up for women going into the mission field of the Methodist Church. The program has evolved through the years with donations from United Methodist Women across the state. Scholarships up to $1,500 are now available for women and men in the junior, senior and graduate years of college who are interested in working in projects or institutions of the United Methodist Church. It is renewable for three additional years if a grade point average of 3.0 is maintained at an approved institution. The chair- person and members of the Frances Perry Scholarship Committee are appointed by the UMW Conference President. The United Methodist Women of Mississippi are asked to donate at least $4 per member to keep the scholarship program going beyond the original amount donated. Your donations are relied upon to keep the scholarship fund going. God s blessings have abounded and the fund has been able to keep up with the need because of the generosity of UMW. Please continue to send in your donations to help up provide scholarships to pastors in the Mississippi Conference. Thanks for your support, Mary Dalton, 2017 Chairperson Frances Perry Scholarship Committee 2017 Dorothy Carter (2) Conference President Annie Cassidy (3) Conference Treasurer Marilyn Rowland (4) Maudie Benton(3) Elaine Tinsley (2) Cindy Long (2) Kathleen Smith(2) Diane Reynolds(3) Conference Secretary 4

5 Frances Perry Scholarship Recipients for FRANCES PERRY SCHOLARSHIP RECEIPIENTS FOR Haven Boyd University of Mississippi 1012 CR 362 S Home Church New Albany, Calvary UMC New Albany, MS Katherine Giedd Asbury Theological Seminary 1210 Marie Street Home Church Hattiesburg Parkway Heights UMC Hattiesburg, MS Mae Grace Arrington Memphis Theological Seminary 612 Coy Street Home Church Amory St. James UMC Amory, MS To Subscribe to the Beacon, send $5.00 to Conference Treasurer by January 15 of 2018 and indicate in memo space that you would like to subscribe to the Beacon. This a yearly subscription that has to be renewed. 5

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7 Assembly Registration opens Sept. 1, 2017 and closes April 9, Early Online Registration 9/1/17-11/30/17 (Midnight PST) $ Paper mail-in form* Early rate does not apply to mail-in forms due to their associated added costs. 9/1/17-4/9/18 $ Ubuntu Day of Service (optional) Filled until capacity) $60.00 Service day will be Thursday May 17, :00 a.m. Listed below are hotels that have reserved blocks for Assembly. you must make your own reservation at the hotel *+Crowne Plaza Rome Rate $158 ( Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center $159 Standard and $179 Suite ( ) *Hampton Inn & Suites $154 standard, $169 suite ( ) +Hilton Columbus Downtown $154 ( or ) *Holiday Inn Columbus Downtown Capitol Square $154 ( ) +Hyatt Regency Columbus $159 ( ) *Red Roof In $123 ( ) *Sheraton Columbus at Capitol $139 ( ) * Shuttle service will be provided between the hotel and the convention center. +Enclosed always are available to the convention center. Please go to if you need more information. 7

8 From the Conference Secretary-Diane Reynolds Names submitted by the district will be printed in the Conference Directory. If names are not submitted by the deadline the names we have will be used. The District Secretaries shall submit to the conference the names, address, and phone numbers of all district officers; sub-district chairpersons, local organization president, vice president, secretary, and treasure; all district organization officers and any individual who is not affiliated with local or district organization but remits a pledge to the district treasurer. The deadline to get this information to me is November 1st. The Committee on Nominations is looking for someone to except the position of Communication Coordinator. If you are willing to serve in this position or know someone that would, please contact the chairperson ASAP: Chairperson, Cindy Mason 100 Overlook Drive Brandon, MS (601) cndygm2@aol.com 8

9 UMW Tee Shirts still available! Our pink UMW tee shirts turned out so well, we are offering them for sale again at Annual Meeting. The cost is $12. You may pre-order to reserve your shirt or shirts by sending your check to Mary Dalton by September 15. You may pick them up at Annual Meeting in Natchez -October 6th and 7th Please indicate size and quantity. Small Med Large Extra Large 2x Large 3x Large Your Name Your Your Address Amount enclosed Make checks payable to MS Conference UMW Send check to: Mary Dalton Securing The Mississippi UMW Legacy -Scrapbooking 101 Celebrating 150 years of United Methodist Women Guidelines We are asking that each District have their cover page done for this Annual Meeting, you will also need to provide an easel to display your board. Each District is asked to do 2 Poster boards (for the front and back of the book), highlighting District Activities. Each Local Organization is asked to do a Poster board (1 side only to highlight local activities Please leave a 3 inch space on the left or right side of poster board for binding area. Coordinators will tell local organizations which side to leave the 3 inch margin on. Each district will purchase the poster boards for the local organizations. District Scrapbook Coordinators are asked to make sure that churches complete pages by providing materials needed. Please remember to use copies only of pictures, documents, etc. because we cannot ensure that they will be returned. Each District is asked to have their book completed and brought to the Annual Meeting (2017) in Natchez. Your district is also asked to bring an easel to display your book. Remember that all pages should be portrait style. Contact Person: Mary Simpson 9

10 Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women District Officer s Training/Update Saturday, November, 2017 Marvin UMC in Florence Saturday, November 11, 2017 Holly Springs UMC in Holly Springs Two opportunities for training and updating the work of each UMW officer will be offered again this year. You may attend either one of these training sites. When your Conference counterpart contacts you, let her know which you will attend. These sessions are VERY important as we begin to put new ideas into place to update the work of United Methodist Women. Those who are continuing in their positions should make an extra effort to attend to update the work they are already doing. ALL District Officer s, whether new or continuing, should take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the responsibilities of your position, to receive information to use in training your local organization officers, and to interact with your District counterparts. Your Conference officers will be prepared to assist you in any way they can. They will share information with you about the responsibilities of your office. You will have an opportunity to tell what you are doing in your District and to share your successes and concerns. Registration is at 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. with training beginning at 10:00 a.m. NO LUNCH WILL BE SERVED! DISTRICT OFFICERS WE WILL SEE YOU EITHER IN 10

11 SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT 2018 MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN FRIDAY, MARCH 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 3 CAMP WESLEY PINES, GALLMAN, MS THEME: CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE Taste and see that the Lord is good. LEADER: Elizabeth Wilkinson Elizabeth Wilkinson has been a part of United Methodist Women for over 30 years, having served as an officer in local organizations, Sub-Districts and the Meridian District. She has been married to the Reverend Davey Wilkinson, retired Methodist Pastor for 50 years. Elizabeth has been actively involved in volunteer efforts and has also served as a nurse, church secretary, and interpreter for the deaf. Elizabeth has conducted numerous retreats and looks forward to leading us in The Chocolate Boutique. Friday -- Registration 3 6 p.m. Meals: Friday, March 2 Dinner 5: :45 Saturday, March 3 Breakfast 7: :15 Lunch 12:15 The first 96 persons who register will be housed in Durr Wise. Others will be in cabins. Note: Bring Bible, towels, sheets, pillow, blanket, jackets, personal items, and snacks to share. PREREGISTRATIONS ONLY: NO REGISTRATION ON SITE PREREGISTRATION 2018 SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT MARCH 2 3, 2018 CAMP WESLEY PINES DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS FEBRUARY 12, 2018 NAME ADDRESS PHONE CHURCH - DISTRICT ROOMMATE CHOICES (UP TO 3): PLEASE CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AND MAKE CHECK PAYABLE FOR OPTION CHECKED: I Plan to attend the Spiritual Growth Retreat Enclose check for $60 I Plan to attend the Saturday sessions and eat lunch Enclose check for $25 I Plan to attend the sessions only (no meals) -- Enclose check for $20 Make check payable to Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women and mail to: Peggy Peterson, 604 Abbots Lane, Ridgeland, MS ( ) Other inquiries: Janice Stenmark, , jansten20@gmail.com SPECIAL NEEDS 11

12 Retreat Leader's Bio Hi! I am Elizabeth Wilkinson from Meridian Mississippi. I am always amazed at god s Grace and Provision when I look back at where I have come from and all I have experienced and what God has done with me and through me. I have been married to the Reverend Davey Wilkinson, retro Methodist Pastor, for to years. We married while I was a senior in high school, so we grew up together. I graduated from the RN nursing program at Meridian Community College and worked at St. Josep Hospital where the Nuns of the Order of St. Joseph ran the hospital. From then I learned about dedication, commitment and a degree of compassion that still seems remarkable. After my son Larry was born with severe Cerebral Palsy, I stayed home to care for him. Just when I thought this was what God had for met to do, He added more! I had the opportunity to work as a VISTA Volunteer, establishing parent groups for families with children with disabilities and helping to find services for those children. When my term was up, I went to work for our church, Marion UMC, as their church secretary where I learned the intricate details of the business of the church. At this time, God renewed His call on my husband to Pastoral Ministry. I became the Preachers Wife and partnered with Davey for 26 years of Church leadership. In 1997, my son died and I felt like I was used up and had no more to offer. God arranged for me to be called by the local school system to use my Sign Language skills, learned from Davey s parents. I went to work interpreting for deaf students in regular classrooms. From there I moved into Self Contained Developmental Disability Classrooms. I retired after more than 17 years of service. One experience has built on another and each made the next adventure easier. I have been a part of United Methodist Women for over 30 years. I have served as an officer in local organizations, Sub-Districts and the Meridian District. I have really enjoyed sharing in and leading Retreats and Mission Studies. I am so excited to see where God will lead me next, and am especially looking forward to sharing with you The Chocolate Boutique! Come and, Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8 12

13 Mission u 2017 Mission u was GREAT! We had super study leaders and a great facility for the 2017 event. Wednesday morning started with smiles greeting everyone as the signed in and picked up their packets. The meals were served on time and enjoyed by all. We were assigned to classes and had very interactive sessions. L to R Tela Collins, Mary Dalton, Jackie Pennington and Cecelia Davis Rev. Eric Pridmore, PH.D- Study Leader for : Living as a Covenant Community Rev. Bruce Case- Study Leader for: Missionary Conferences of the UMC in USA Rachel HarveySpaingard, UM Deasoness Study Leader for : Living as a Covenant Community Rev. French Magee- Study Leader for: Missionary Conferences of the UMC in USA 13

14 We were so honored to have Bishop Swanson with us for the closing communion service on Friday. The Bishop gave us words of encouragement and conducted the communion service with the help of some of the clergy in attendance. Worship Table for Closing/Communion Service Janice Stenmark, Spiritual Growth Coordinator Bishop James Swanson Mission u particpants at the Closing/Communion service. Bishop Swanson giving communion to helpers 14 Fellowship at the end of the closing service

15 Special thanks to all that were a part of the 2017 Mission u Event. We also want to thank you for your input and comments made on the evaluation forms. Each one was read and taken to heart. We will continue working and improving the Mission u Experience. We look forward to seeing you in 2018 and bring someone with you next year! 15

16 5-Star Giving makes mission possible. Here are the five channels of Giving your unit can do to receive a 5-Star Award. Explore five ways you can donate to the ministry and mission of United Methodist Women. 1. Pledge to Mission An individual member's Pledge to Mission is the amount a woman gives to her local unit to help fulfill the Purpose of United Methodist Women. The Yellowstone Conference United Methodist Women paid just over $43,000 in pledges to United Methodist Women's national office for mission with women, children and youth and retains a designated percent to be used for district and conference administration and membership development expenses. We are counting on your unit to help us! 2. World Thank Offering Spontaneous additional gifts can be given out of gratitude for God's abundance and in celebration of the joys of life. The World Thank Offering is an opportunity for individuals to respond to God's abundance and grace with spontaneous gifts of gratitude. The funds collected are used in the total program of mission carried on through United Methodist Women's national office in the United States and around the world. 3. Special Mission Recognition These pins offer a meaningful way to honor members who have dedicated so much time and effort to service. Gift amounts range from $40 to $2,000. Special Mission Recognition certificates and pins are ordered by the local treasurer through the district's treasurer, using the spaces provided on the treasurer's remittance form. The district treasurer sends the order to the conference treasurer, who sends it to United Methodist Women's national office. The Special Mission Recognition is sent from the national office to the honoree or to the person whose name and address were given on the original order. Allow plenty of time to receive the pin. 16

17 4. Gift to Mission Make a gift of $5 or more in honor of someone and send a card to the honoree. The following cards are available: Congratulations, Thank You, A Baby, In the Service of Christ, A Special Day, Thinking of You, Happy Birthday and assortment of Christmas cards. 5. Gift in Memory Give a gift in memory of a member, a friend or anyone, in any amount of $5 or more. Gift in Memory cards, available free, may be sent to the family of the deceased. Thank You! Mission Giving is the foundation for mission work through United Methodist Women. Your contribution enables a full and consistent response to human need, especially the needs of women, children and youth. It affirms the wholeness the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a commitment to its proclamation in word and deed. Mission giving strengthens basic programs and projects. It also makes emergency response and exploration of new and evolving areas of mission possible. "...their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving... " II Corinthians 8:2 17

18 History & Legacy 1869: 8 women Today: 800,000 members United Methodist Women inherits the vision and toil of women s missionary societies of eight denominations since Its 140-year legacy started when the Woman s Foreign Missionary Society first organized in Boston in response to a lack of women s health in India.Women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions organized about the same time in history ( ) when women and children were legally classified as chattel, legally dead, nonpersons. There was little service to women because of prejudice and limitations of cultural attitudes in the church and in society. Living the Legacy: A Historical Timeline, depicts the continuing journey of women in mission from In 1869, Mrs. William Butler and Mrs. Edwin Parker, wives of missionaries to India, were home on furlough. They spoke to a group of eight women in Boston. Mrs. Butler told about the desperate spiritual and physical needs of women in India. A male doctor could not treat women. Schooling for girls was almost non-existent. Single, trained and dedicated women were needed for medical and educational work. The women who were present called another meeting of women, wrote a constitution, and organized the Methodist Woman s Foreign Missionary Society (WFMS). By November 1869, the newly formed organization raised funds and sent Isabella Thoburn, an educator, and Dr. Clara Swain, a doctor, to India. Ms. Thoburn began a school with six young girls in Lucknow. This school expanded to include Isabella Thoburn College, the first women s college in Asia. Dr. Swain began her medical work, resulting in the establishment of the first women s hospital in Asia. Both of these institutions are still serving the people of India. In 1875, Lizzie Hoffman was instrumental in forming the Woman s Missionary Association of the United Brethren Church. After spending one night praying, she was convinced that the women of the church should be organized for special mission work. Sierra Leone, in Africa, was the first country to which missionaries were sent. Strong Woman s Home Missionary Societies were founded in 1880 (Methodist Episcopal Church) and 1890 (Methodist Episcopal Church, South) In 1879, the Woman s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Protestant Church was founded; and in 1884, the Woman s Missionary Society was organized in the Evangelical Association. These groups became powerful, independent women s organizations, sending hundreds of missionaries all over the world and supporting many projects. The Ladies Aid Societies, which had existed for many years, were incorporated into the missionary societies in the 1940s. Through reorganization and denominational mergers, these various groups were brought together. In 1973, United Methodist Women became the women s mission organization of The United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church General Conference 2012 voted to make United Methodist Women s national policymaking body autonomous. The transition began Oct. 1, Harriett Jane Olson in her chief executive report at the organization s annual meeting in New York City, October 2013 reported, Our work is not just about service, it s about worship, it s about standing up, stepping up making our voices heard, she said. We try to help governments see the world the way we see the world because it will positively impact the lives of women, children and youth." 18

19 Mississippi Conference of United Methodist Women 2016 Officers President-Dorothy Carter th St. Amory, MS (662) or Vice President-Teresa Bankston 1717 Stillwater Dr. Gautier, MS (228) Secretary-Diane Reynolds 3248 Mountainview Place Meridian, MS (601) Treasurer-Annie Cassidy 3163 Love Road Lexington, MS (601) Secretary of Program Resources- Tela Collins P.O. box 445 Winona, MS (662) Communications Coordinator- Cynthia Diann Willis 206 Joseph St. Meridian, MS (601) Mission Coordinators Education and Interpretation- Suzanne Guthrie P.O. Box 1313 Wiggins, MS (601) Membership Nurture and Outreach Linda Stepko 185 Anderson Rd. Hattiesburg, MS (601) Social Action-Dot Portis 786 Jasmine Court Jackson, MS (601) Spiritual Growth-Janice Stenmark 112 Devereaux Dr. Madison, MS (601) Chairperson, Committee on Nomination Cindy Mason 100 Overlook Drive Brandon, MS (601) Mission u Dean- Jackie Pennington 707 Tenth Avenue Cleveland, MS (662)

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