Western Reserve Connection Spring 2017

Western Reserve Connection Spring 2017 Where can I find...? President s note - p. 1 Vice President s note - p. 2 Save the Date p. 2 WRD UMW team contact - p. 2 New Treasurer Info. - p. 3 Thank You, Katie! p. 3 Officers Needed p. 4 Program Resources p. 4 Spiritual Growth p. 4 Fall Retreats p. 5 Annual Celebration p. 5 Candle Burning Form - p. 6 Fall Gathering forms - pp. 7 & 8 Mission u pp. 9-16 More resources and news available at: - www.unitedmethodistwomen.org - www.westernreservedistrictumw.com - www.eocumc.com -- click the Laity tab then select United Methodist Women SPRING IS HERE! I am not a person that complains about the weather. The main reason is I know I do not have control in it. I only have control of my reaction to it. But I sure am glad when spring comes and we see all the new that God has created and blessed us with. HE has given us a new beginning. A new outlook. A new direction. It is up to us to use that blessing of newness and change ourselves and our surroundings. I was so happy at the Spring Gathering that we had some new faces, and I am always excited to see my UMW friends that I have not seen in several months. I enjoyed our speaker and as always was inspired. I hope you were also inspired. But in looking forward we have some very exciting events coming up. Mission u is looking to be an exciting adventure with the new studies and I hope that we can again have the most represented in our district. We have been having a really good turnout for the 3 day and seeing so many young people there warms my heart. Turn in your reservations now. Then in the fall I am so excited that we will be having 2 retreats that are looking to be so different. I hope you can attend one or both and remember to spread the word to other women and youth to attend. Then in October we will be having our Fall Gathering in Painesville. Again the agenda is shaping up to be a good event. There is some heaviness in my heart as the district team will need new members. We have many positions to be filled and I ask each of you to pray about the team and the leadership it needs. God will fill the positions and I know He is reaching out to some of you. If you are interested at all or want to know more, just let me know. I will be glad to help you. Joining the team 12 years ago was on my bucket list and that bucket has been filled and overflowed with the love and support of each and every one of you. Blessings! Margaret Harvey, President Page 1

Western Reserve District UMW Team President Margaret Harvey PO Box 309, Andover 44003 C: 814-282-5719 E: margaret.k.harvey@gmail.com Vice President Shirley Barbe-DiVencenzo 3300 Trappers Trail, Cortland 44410 C: 330-720-3147 E: sbwrdvp1@gmail.com Honorary Vice President Rev. Tom Snode Secretary Barbara Hively 6500 Creek Road, Andover 44003 H: 330-506-9017 E: bgws12@icloud.com Treasurer Marlene Graban 4840 Bushnell-Campbell Road, Kinsman 44428 H: 330-772-2528 E: mmgraban@aol.com Education & Interpretation Connie Johnson 3300 S. Maple Lane, Ashtabula 44004 H: 440-536-4092 E: cjohnson_rn@yahoo.com Membership, Nurture & Outreach position open Program Resources Marian King 234 W. 50th Street, Ashtabula 44004 C: 440-813-6925 E: navybrat930@yahoo.com Spiritual Growth Melissa Cunningham 5102 Chestnut Avenue, Ashtabula 44004 C: 440-536-6618 E: tupperfun23@yahoo.com Social Action position open Nominations-chair Jo Wilson 729 Bristol-Champion Townline Road, Bristolville 44402 H: 330-889-3466 E: umwlady@aol.com Newsletter Editor Carole Ring 9313 Wyant Drive, Mentor 44060 H: 440-255-7213 E: c.j.ring@sbcglobal.net Young Women's Rep: Katie Stevenson 5102 Chestnut Avenue, Ashtabula 44004 H: 440-855-9003 E: tupperfun23@yahoo.com FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT Thanks so much for those of you [all 76] that attended the Spring Gathering on March 26, 2017. An exciting and inspirational day was spent together. Sister Patricia of the Youngstown Beatitude House was a powerful speaker. She shared many stories and noted many needs of those at Beatitude House as well as those affected by the topic Poverty Justice. Special thanks also go out to the United Methodist Women at the Plymouth United Methodist Church and to the many people who contributed to the Plymouth Food Pantry and Blessing Box. We are hopeful that even more can attending our Fall Gathering at the Painesville United Methodist Church on October 14, 2017. Get ready for an exciting mission program, Building Community on the Border with Kevin Schaner. Kevin recently participated in the United Methodist Women Ubuntu Journey to the US- Mexico border. (Ubuntu is an African word and proverb meaning "I am human because you are human.") She will explore the needs and some of the work being done there. This is a hot topic which I am sure will be presented by the sharing of exciting news in the area. Should any of you need help in building your units for Christian Growth or need a speaker, please feel free to call me. Since this is the last year I am permitted to serve the W.R.D. U.M.W. per the rules, I am looking for someone who would like to serve as vice president. Please search your heart and offer to be God's servant. In God's Service, Shirley M. Barbe-DiVencenzo SAVE THE DATE July 21 - Mission u One-Day Sampler at the University of Mount Union July 21-23 - Mission u Three-Day Event at the University of Mount Union September 21 - District UMW Retreat at Big Creek Park in Chardon September 23 - District UMW Retreat at Garrettsville UMC October 14 - Fall Gathering at Painesville UMC October 27-28 - Annual Celebration at Bucyrus UMC April 14, 2018 (tentative) Spring Gathering at Portage Faith UMC May 18-20 - National Assembly in Columbus Page 2

WELCOME, MARLENE! Marlene Graban is our new Treasurer! She is an active member of Hartford United Methodist Church. She is currently Co-President of their UMW unit and has previously served as Secretary. Marlene enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. Please send ALL Mission Giving remittances to: MARLENE GRABAN 4840 BUSHNELL-CAMPBELL RD KINSMAN OH 44428 H: 330-772-2528 E: mmgraban@aol.com PLEASE be sure your unit treasurer is aware of this new address, and PLEASE use the correct form for EACH remittance you send: Treasurer s Remittance Form: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/about/financialdocumentation/remittance-form.pdf Special Mission Recognition Pin Order: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/about/financial-documentation/smrlocaldistrict.pdf (this form is to be sent in with a remittance form both forms are needed for pin orders) More forms and resources available here: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/treasurers THANK YOU, KATIE! Young Women s Representative Katie Stevenson was recognized during the Spring Gathering at Plymouth UMC. Katie graduates from Lakeside High School and A-tech later this month and will be attending the University of Toledo next fall where she will be majoring in Visual Art. Katie s input and helpful hands have been a blessing, and we wish her all the best in her new adventures! 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. Page 3

Officers Needed for 2018 Hi all! Let me introduce myself. I am Jo Wilson, Chairman of the Nomination committee. I also am a past president of the Western Reserve District United Methodist Women. We will need to fill the offices of President, Vice President, Social Action, Nomination Chair and Nominations Committee. Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to share your talents and gifts with other sisters of the Western Reserve District United Methodist Women. Please contact me or any member to ask any questions you might have about the positions that we need to fill at the Fall Gathering. May God's blessing be upon you, Jo Wilson, Nominations Chair H: 330-889-3466 or C: 330-647-2285 or Email: umwlady@aol.com A Note from the Program Resources Coordinator Spiritual Growth Fall Retreats At the Spring Gathering I was so glad to see so many women there. I was able to order and receive more books this time then last Fall. I have Reading Lists of all the books on the 2017 Reading Program by color; so it is easy to follow the books in each area. If you do not have a list and would like one just let me know. I also have the brochures to record the books you are reading. I hope everyone is reading and will be able to receive an award at the 2018 Spring Gathering. There are many ways to find the books you would like to read. You can order them from the Resource Center, buy them at the Spring or Fall Gathering, look for them at the Public Library, or order them from Amazon. The main thing is that you READ, READ, READ!! This is the best way to learn about the issues of the United Methodist Women and their stories. We all have stories to tell! If I can help in any way please let me know. I am available to visit your Unit Meetings to talk about the books and the other materials I have. I hope you are using the Prayer Calendar and Program Book for your programs. Looking forward to seeing you at Mission u in July and at the Fall Gathering. Have a wonderful Spring and Summer! Happy Reading, Marian King, Program Resources Coordinator Spring has sprung, and I am so happy to be able to get out and plant some lovely flowers. Just as spring brings new life, we have new life in Christ because he has given his life for us, and now he lives so we can also live. This fall we will be having two daytime retreats. September 21 we will meet at Big Creek Park in Chardon, and September 23 we will gather at the Garrettsville UMC. More information will be coming closer to fall, so be on the lookout for that. The retreat theme this year is Living as a Covenant Community. What does it mean to be in covenant with God? What does it mean to be in covenant with the community? God calls us into a covenant or a relationship with him, just like we are to be in relationship with the community. Romans 9:4 says, They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God s special children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave his law to them. They have the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. I hope to see everyone and to meet and fellowship with each of you! May God bless you and keep you in God s love. Melissa Cunningham, Spiritual Growth Coordinator Page 4

TWO SPIRITUAL GROWTH FALL RETREAT OPTIONS! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 9:00 A.M. 2:30 P.M. BIG CREEK PARK 9160 Robinson Road Chardon, OH 44024 We will meet in the Cherry Room of the Myer s Center. A continental breakfast will be served, and beverages will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch and a Bible. Our theme this year is LIVING AS A COVENANT COMMUNITY. We will learn about the covenant between GOD and US. We will have a time of sharing ideas and thoughts as well as fellowship with other Christian women. There will be a time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the park. Please dress comfortably and be ready to soak up all that God has for you. Be ready to fellowship, laugh, praise God, learn together, and of course, participate in a craft. If you have questions, please call or text Melissa Cunningham at 440-536-6618. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 9:00 A.M. 2:30 P.M. GARRETTSVILLE UMC 8223 Park Avenue Garrettsville, OH 44231 A continental breakfast will be served, and beverages will be provided. Please bring a bag lunch and a Bible. Our theme this year is LIVING AS A COVENANT COMMUNITY. We will learn about the covenant between GOD and US, between the church and the community. NEW THIS YEAR! We will be participating in a handson service project this day as well as sharing in learning and fellowship. Please dress comfortably and be ready to learn fellowship, laugh, praise God, and soak up all that God has for you. If you have questions, please call or text Melissa Cunningham at 440-536-6618. SAVE THE DATE: Annual Celebration October 27-28 Bucyrus United Methodist Church 277 South Walnut Street Bucyrus, OH 44820 Worship Praise Singing Communion Special Speakers Missions and Social Concerns EOC UMW Conference Business Page 5

Western Reserve District UMW Candle Burning Service 2017 Spreading the light of mission is an important part of UMW. We can participate in the sharing of that light through the Candle Burning Service at our Fall District Meeting. Through this occasion to give above and beyond our pledge, we have the opportunity to be in mission with women, youth and children who need help in the United States and around the world AND the opportunity to honor or remember special persons in our lives. Money in any amount is given - by units, executive committees, or individuals - in honor of someone: a relative, friend, minister, unit, officers, etc. or in memory of a deceased relative or friend. The money collected is used to fund UMW s total mission program. It costs about $30.00 to support the total mission program for one minute, based on information from the Women s Division. During the Candle Burning service, we will burn a Mission Candle for a period of time to represent the total amount of mission work funded through this additional giving. There is also an opportunity to honor or remember specific people or groups by name, as we will once again be publishing a Candle Burning booklet to be distributed at the Fall District Meeting. October 1 is the closing date if you wish to have names published in the booklet. If your unit wishes to participate, you will also have the opportunity to have a representative come forward during the Candle Burning service to read the names and light a candle to honor or remember those persons. Please designate this representative before the service begins so they will be prepared to participate. We hope you will join us in this opportunity to keep the light of Christ shining through mission, remembrance and honor, lifting up the work of UMW and our dear ones to the glory of God. Please send checks made payable to Western Reserve District UMW with this completed form by October 1, 2017, for inclusion in the booklet to: Marlene Graban, WRD UMW Treasurer 4840 Bushnell-Campbell Rd Kinsman, OH 44428 Questions? Contact Marlene at 330-772-2528 or mmgraban@aol.com 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. PLEASE CLEARLY PRINT OR TYPE INFORMATION GIVEN BY (unit or individual) IN MEMORY OF (print name) IN HONOR OF (print name) Please continue on the back of the form if more space is needed. DEADLINE FOR CANDLE BURNING BOOKLET IS OCTOBER 1, 2017 Unit Treasurer Name Phone Number Unit Name Amount Check Number

Presented by Kevin Schaner Kevin Schaner is a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission and United Methodist Women member at Church of the Saviour United Methodist in Cleveland Heights. She recently participated in the United Methodist Women Ubuntu Journey to the US-Mexico border. Please join us as Kevin shares a firsthand account of her travels on the border. ************************************************************************************************************************* DUE: October 6, 2017 UNIT REGISTRATION FORM DUE: October 6, 2017 Name of UMW Unit and Church Contact phone number: WRD UMW Fall Gathering Saturday, October 14, 2017 Painesville United Methodist Church 71 North Park Place Painesville, OH 44077 (440) 354-3642 Please see the list of items on the back of this form we will be collecting for the mission project. Please note: Registration 9:30 am... Program 10:00 am... Lunch follows program Contact email: Number of women attending Please print names of those attending on the back of this form so that we may have name tags ready. Cost per person: $7.00 - covers continental breakfast, lunch & unit information/forms Number for coffee & lunch (Information and forms will be available to all) Please Note: Your registration is a commitment to pay for those attending.. should you find you are unable to attend, the money for the reservations still needs to be paid!! Bringing children? Number Ages You will need to bring lunch for each child, beverage will be provided. Please make checks payable to: Western Reserve District UMW and send check with this form to: Barbara Hively, 6500 Creek Rd., Andover, OH 44003 Questions? Call Barbara at 330-506-9017 OR email Barbara at bgws12@icloud.com

We look forward to greeting you at Painesville UMC! The following donations will be gratefully received for Painesville UMC mission outreach: new or gently used winter clothing for children or dry goods for weekly food pantry (no large boxes, please) Names of women attending from our unit with their special dietary needs noted: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Mission u Drive-In Day and Three Day Events Registration 2017 Adult Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at http://tinyurl.com/missionu2017 Or by US Mail (Using one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/17 Received 6/2/17 or later Mission u Sampler (Fri. 7/21) $70.00 $90.00 Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Double Room $170.00 $190.00 (Persons who require a double room and no roomate must pay DOUBLE) Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Single Room $250.00 $270.00 Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Commuter* $75.00 $95.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/17 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2017 Name: Church: Address: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Roommate's Name (if applicable) Cell: Email: The Missionary Conferences of the UMC (1st year) Climate Justice (2nd year) The Sampler is an overview of all three studies. In the three-day event, attendees will take the Spiritual Growth Study (A Covenantal Community (Part I) plus the choice of the other two areas of study. If attending the three-day event, please indicate your first choice you would prefer of the other two studies. Each study is on for a two-year term. Therefore the first-year study will be offered again next year but the second-year study is in its last year at Mission u. First-time Attendee Scholarship Recipient District Officer Missionary Deaconess Conference Officer Pastor Young Women Age 18-21 Please note any special needs (Dietary/Physical) For US Mail: Mail Completed form to Registrar: Regina McAlister, 5479 Cadwallader Sonk Road, Fowler, OH 44418-9714 Phone 330-637-9586 E-mail: mcalisterregina@yahoo.com AMOUNT ENCLOSED Make check or money order payable to East Ohio Conference United Methodist Women (EOC UMW) You will receive registration confirmation and Mission u attendee information either by postal mail or email.

Mission u Three Day Event Registration 2017 Youth Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at http://tinyurl.com/missionu2017 Or by US Mail (Use one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/17 Received 6/2/17 or later Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Double Room $170.00 $190.00 Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Commuter* $75.00 $95.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/17 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2017 Name: Church: Address: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Cell: Email: Age: Roommate's Name First-time Attendee Scholarship Recipient District Officer Conference Officer Please note any special needs (Dietary/Physical) For US Mail: Mail Completed form to Registrar: Regina McAlister, 5479 Cadwallader Sonk Road, Fowler, OH 44418-9714 Phone 330-637-9586 E-mail: mcalisterregina@yahoo.com AMOUNT ENCLOSED Make check or money order payable to East Ohio Conference United Methodist Women (EOC UMW) You will receive registration confirmation and Mission u attendee information either by postal mail or email.

Mission u Drive-In Day and Three Day Event Registration 2017 Child Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at http://tinyurl.com/missionu2017 Or by US Mail (Use one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/17 Received 6/2/17 or later Mission u Sampler (Fri. 7/21) $60.00 $80.00 Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Double Room $80.00 $100.00 Mission u Three-Day Event (7/21-23) Commuter* $65.00 $85.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/17 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2017 Name: Address: Church: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Cell: Email: Age: Sponsor/Roommate's Name: First-time Attendee Scholarship Recipient Please note any special needs (Dietary/Physical) For US Mail: Mail Completed form to Registrar: Regina McAlister, 5479 Cadwallader Sonk Road, Fowler, OH 44418-9714 Phone 330-637-9586 E-mail: mcalisterregina@yahoo.com AMOUNT ENCLOSED Make check or money order payable to East Ohio Conference United Methodist Women (EOC UMW) Please send with sponsor s registration You will receive registration confirmation and Mission u attendee information either by postal mail or email.

Mission u 2016 Adult/Youth/Child Scholarship Application University of Mount Union (Use one form perperson; duplicate as needed) Must be Received by June 1, 2017 I WISH TO ATTEND: Mission u Three-Day Event Name: Address: Church: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Cell: Email: First-time Attendee Pastor Missionary Deaconess I am a child I am a woman in my Teens Twenties Thirties Forties PLEASE INCLUDE A PARAGRAPH STATING WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND MISSION u. Mail Completed form to: Mission Coordinator for Education & Interpretation Carol Nelson Burn P O Box 376, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438. Questions? Please email cnbkelleys@yahoo.com You will receive registration confirmation and Mission u attendee information either by postal mail or email.