2019 Color: Blue SERVE Jesus summons us to serve the weak, the hungry, the thirsty and the sick and do so with a caring servant s heart. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10 NRSV President s Message Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year holiday. So, here we are in 2019, the 150th birthday of United Methodist Women! What an accomplishment. Since we will be celebrating all year, let s make this year a most memorable year for the United Methodist Women of the Capital District, the North Carolina Conference, and the Global United Methodist Women s organization. The quadrennial theme for this year is to Serve. Jesus summons us to serve the weak, the hungry, the thirsty and sick and do so with a caring servant s heart. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10 (NRSV) For the past 150 years, United Methodist Women have served the people of God. Those that are weak, hungry, thirsty, sick, marginalized, vulnerable, human trafficked, the stranger, and many others that have found themselves in situations that are being discriminated against. We must be re- minded in our celebration to continue to serve in the manner that our foremothers taught us. The United Methodist Women s facebook page posted this on December 29, 2018. (https:// www.facebook.com/umwomen/ posts/10156065053640886:0) To know where you're going you have to know where you've been. Before we step in to the new year, take a moment to look back and reflect on where you have seen faith, hope, and love in action in your life, your community, and our world. I would like for you to really take some time to think about this. Sometimes, we don t like to reflect on the past, but there is a lot to learn from our past. No matter if we ve made mistakes and didn t show our love of Christ to others, or if we could have done more to extend the good news of Christ to the people around us, there is something to learn from each of these situations. As we begin 2019, I challenge all of us to be more present in the moment, to love others more, to share the love of Christ, and to be active and humbled to be a part of a 150 year old organization that continues to be God s light in the world. In Christian love, Becky Brock, Capital District President president@capitalumw.com www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org
As we plan our 2019 Capital District Calendar, we have some events that need a UMW host: September 21 Capital District Officers Planning Retreat, 9:00 am-2:00 pm October 26 Capital District UMW Annual Meeting, Reg. 9:00am, 9:30 am-12:00pm November 9 Capital District UMW LOTs (Local Officer Training) Reg. 9:00am, 9:30 am-12:00pm Please check your calendars and host one of these events if possible. Thank you. Your Servant, Pat S. Thompson 2145 Strickland s Crossroads Rd. Four Oaks, NC 27524 vicepresident@capitalumw.com 919-934-8434 H Vice President Pat Thompson Happy 2019 to all! I pray that the blessings, joys and spirit of Christmas are never packed away with our decorations, but carried with us throughout the year. May we each go forth to serve the weak, the hungry, the thirsty and the sick and do so with a caring servant s heart. With God s help I will be continuing as the Vice President for Capital District. If you have any program planning problems or need help deciding on programs, please contact me by phone or email. We will work together to solve any issues. The Capital District Leadership Team is planning an exciting year for you. We have 2 new Mission Studies and conclude our 3-year spiritual growth study. New books have been added to our reading program 2015-2019. We are looking forward to accomplishing great things this year with your support. www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 2
Happy New Year! Treasurer Donna Hayes As we end 2018, I would like to congratulate thirty-five (35) Seven Star Units and seventeen (17) Seven Star Members. Even though our District fell short of our 2018 Pledge, the Conference was able to make our pledge. Let s make giving to UMW and the Seven Avenues a priority in 2019! Solicit help from your entire church congregation in addition to UMW members and circles. 2019 will be a year of celebration for United Methodist Women. We will be commemorating 150 years of United Methodist Women Missions (1869-2019). In addition to our traditional Seven Avenues of Giving, you will have the opportunity to recognize people who have worked to support United Methodist Women s missions. With a minimum gift of $10 to United Methodist Women per honoree, the names of the people you honor or memorialize will be printed in the Program Book of the 2019 North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women Annual Meeting. We will also print those names in the Capital District Annual Meeting Program Book. All of the funds received will be sent to the National Office to be used for National and International missions. Funds need to be received by August 31st, 2019 to be printed in the NCCUMW Annual Meeting Program Book. Reach out to your congregations in the first and second quarters to participate in this special offering. Please come to the 2019 Conference Annual Meeting for a very special 150th anniversary celebration. Looking forward to a great year! Donna Hayes, Capital District Treasurer SEVEN STAR MEMBER Our monies are truly about Mission. We as women are making a difference in lives when we give through each avenue of giving. Commit to being a Seven Star Member this year. Channels of Mission Giving Pledge to Mission Special Mission Recognition Minimum $40.00) Gift to Mission Minimum $5.00-card must be purchased during current year Gift in Memory Minimum $5.00-card must be purchased during current year World Thank Offering Candle Burning A Penny and A Prayer Forms may be found on our website or I will send it directly to you via computer.. www.capitalumw.com www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 3
Secretary Sally Kohls Hello My Sisters in Christ! Happy New Year! It s hard to believe that another year has passed. As we look back at our personal memories we can also look back at the accomplishments and milestones recorded in your UMW Unit s minutes. Consider reviewing those highlights at your first Circle or Unit meeting of 2019. For 2019 the Capital District is transitioning to a partial electronic version of the Directory for the Capital District. This change should result in a savings of hundreds of dollars that can be used instead for missions. We will still have modified print copies that will include contact information for the Presidents at each active Unit as well as the calendars and documents issued by the District and Conference. But don t worry the entire list of local officers will still be available on our website or I can send the list by email request. I look forward to seeing you in the new year. Blessings Sally Kohls, Capital District Secretary (919) 523-4630, secretary@capitalumw.com www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 4
THE CAPITAL LINK Social Action Barbara Thornton Hello Ladies, Hope your Christmas was Christ centered as you saw a need and fulfilled it. As we see those that are hungry, thirsty, sick, need clothes, need a place to stay, or in prison and need a visit, we are serving Jesus Christ when we help those mention above. These are all Social Concerns. Look around your neighborhoods and you will see many ways to serve God. Have a blessed New Year as we all serve God in the ways He prepares for us. Peace and Joy, Barbara Thornton District Social Concerns Coordinator Immigration Those who say, I love God, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:20-21 Of the people living in the United States today, 35.7 million were born elsewhere. Twelve million live without documents. Of the total, 1.6 million are children, half of whom live below the poverty line. This movement of people can be seen in every continent of the world. Global migration was estimated at 191 million in 2006. America, Europe and Asia. Competition for resources and displacement due to climate change in poor nations has also contributed to these patterns. In the United States, communities are being transformed. Many U.S. citizens express fears related to race, jobs and security, which has led to an antiimmigrant backlash and migrants especially women migrants and their children being endangered by the rash of state anti-immigrant legislation. The use of local police for immigration enforcement, growing criminalization of immigrants who have committed no crime and rising detentions and deportations have all contributed to family separation. Our Vision We affirm a world in which God s vision of beloved community, a world in which nationalities and borders do not divide us as the people who God loves. We affirm the human rights of every person regardless of status and affirm that these rights do not stop at borders. United Methodist Church Policy (Resolution 3281, Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S., The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2012). ( 163E United Methodist Social Principles). (Resolution 6028, Global Migration and the Quest for Justice, The Book of Resolutions). Global migration has increased dramatically in recent years due to economic policies like free trade that have eliminated jobs and pushed farmers from their land in poor nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America and pulled them into the more prosperous nations of North www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 5
Spiritual Growth Coordinator Fay Hines-New Coordinator This is the last time I will be contributing my thoughts to the UMW Capital District Newsletter because my time as Spiritual Growth Coordinator ended at the end of the 2018 calendar year. Having this office prompted me to actively pursue my own spiritual growth more than I might have otherwise, and that has been a good thing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my responsibilities for coordinating two district spiritual growth days and for providing devotionals for all the other meetings. However, my ending is also the beginning for Fay Hines, the new Capital District Spiritual Growth Coordinator. Having her join the team allows me to leave knowing the spiritual growth component is in very capable hands. Fay is a member of Asbury UMC in Smithfield and a long-time UMW member who is thoroughly familiar with UMW programs and events. She has served as the District Spiritual Growth Coordinator in the past and as chairman of the nominations committee, so she brings dedication as well as experience to this office. She is also UMW vice president at her church. spiritual start for each day. American novelist Edith Wharton said, There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. In our relationship with Jesus, He s the candle. We are the mirror that reflects His light to the world. The deeper the darkness, the brighter we shine. What beautiful imagery and what a marvelous calling to all of us to reflect the light of the world, Jesus Christ. Yours Truly, Barbara Lee Outgoing Spiritual Growth Once again, we re approaching a new year and that means new year s resolutions. I urge all of you, regardless of whatever else your new year s resolutions may be, to include one for your own personal spiritual growth. You ll be glad you did. I conclude with a quote by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry from Mornings with Jesus, a Guideposts publication and one of my favorite sources for a www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 6
Program Resources Deana Day Happy New Year Fellow Readers! either as a caregiver, neighbor, or sufferer. The authors share current research and provide updates on treatments and resources within the community for coping with this looming health challenge. It has been a pleasure serving as the Secretary of Program Resources for the wonderful women in the Capital District. As the New Year begins, I am resolving to capture that reading banner once again for the readers in our district. Last year we established two book clubs and all members in each group were able to complete Program Level 1. This year we have even more readers in each group. I invite all of you to join us at an upcoming meeting, or contact me about starting a new group that might be closer to your home. The Cary Book Club will meet again on Thursday, January 17, at 6:30 PM at La Farm Bakery, 4248 NW Cary Parkway, for dinner or dessert and discussion of On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer s. This book, which is a compelling and clearly written story about Greg O Brien s diagnosis of Alzheimer s and how he and his family confronted their changing realities, is available from Amazon and many public libraries. A loaner Kindle copy is also available if you contact me. The book is particularly timely for us since 66% of those diagnosed with this disease will be women. All of us will be affected, The Smithfield Book Club meets on Saturday, January 12, at 11:00 AM at SoDoSoPa, 146 S. 3 rd Street. Our book is Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography. Even fifty years after her death, Eleanor is still one of the most famous, highly regarded, and complex women of the 20 th century. As a First Lady, she was able to touch people from all walks of life and influence powerful people and organizations. The author argues that her beliefs and her actions were driven by her deep faith and spirituality. Regardless of your political beliefs, this book will bring to light new aspects of Eleanor s character and encourage discussion about the world she lived in and the often progressive ways she dealt with challenges and conflict. Want to start a book club? Contact me directly via email: luandwill@att.net or by phone to 251-459- 9588. I am happy to provide discussion questions, talking points I will even bring the coffee and donuts! And visit, our Capital District FB page to join a new online discussion board coming soon. Many blessings to each of you for a happy and healthy New Year. I look forward to seeing you soon! Deanna Day, Secretary of Program Resources www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 7
Membership, Nurture, and Outreach Shirley Jones Greetings and a Happy New Year Capital District Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinators It seems as you get older the years go by quickly and 2018 has been one of those years. As I begin my 4th and last year as Membership Coordinator for the District, I cherish my interaction with all the Local UMW Units. All of you are dedicated to our purpose of supporting Women, Children and Youth and to helping them have an opportunity to have a better life. These are the future of our United Methodist Women. Wishing all of you success in growing your UMW Units, especially adding young people to your membership. My contact information is: email ssjones18@aol.com, telephone home 919-782-3871, cell 919-801-6198, home address is Shirley G. Jones, 917 Northclift Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609 Our UMW Goal for 2019 is to encourage young women to become members and take an active role in our leadership. Borrowing from the theme of our Assembly held in Columbus Ohio in May 2018, "The Power of the Bold" young women of today is our hope for continuing to make the world a better place. In a few months our United Methodist Women s organization will be 150 years old. Hopefully the organization will continue to grow. Did you know that he United Methodist Women International is one of the largest organization of women in existence? We have a strong worldwide membership of nearly 800,000. Please encourage young women in your church or outside of your church to become members of this powerful union of women. Each United Methodist Women Unit should have received a packet from Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator that was either received at LOTS (Local Officers Training Session) or received in the mail. On the last page of this packet was a request for Local Unit Presidents to go online and complete a form "United Methodist Women Census 2018", the deadline for completing this form is March 30. 2019. If you need help please contact me I will assist you. The gathering of this information will inform the National Office, Conference and District leadership in order to plan for Growth, Outreach and Impact. Membership Is Its Own Reward. www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 8
Education and Interpretation Joyce Herring In 2019 We Will SERVE! Greetings to all Capital District UMW members! I look forward to meeting many of you this year as we come together to learn. The events that allow us to learn more about our UMW mission are the District Mission Study events. Capital District thanks each of the churches noted here for offering their space for our study as well as Roxie Floyd for establishing these locations for us prior to exiting her office as E & I Coordinator. Let me introduce myself a bit. I am Joyce Herring. I enter our district as E & I Coordinator after working a few years with Mission u for our Conference UMW. I have served as dean, assistant dean, and secretary of our Conference Mission u. I served as district president in the Fayetteville District for four years (2006-2009) and two years as Conference UMW Treasurer (2011-2012). I am a retired middle school teacher with 37 years experience in the classrooms of Sampson County Schools. When I began attending UMW events beyond my local unit, I was checking off the box labeled 39-Under. Now I mark the box with the highest ages we request! I have enjoyed every office and most events in which I have participated. Let me encourage you to become active in UMW beyond your local unit to learn more about what this wonderful organization accomplishes. Half of my job is to help you interpret the work of our UMW. I hope to serve you in getting answers to your most burning UMW questions. We learn by participating, through reading, through asking questions, and preparing to serve others as God s hands and feet being a United Methodist Woman wherever we are. Let s enjoy working together this year as we celebrate 150 of service this year! Contact me at: eandi@capitalumw.com or joycie4789@gmail.com or 910-249-3679 Mission Study Schedule Capital District UMW 2019 March 2, 2019 North Raleigh UMC 8501 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh March 23, 2019 St. Luke UMC 1608 East Pine Street, Goldsboro April 6, 2019 Highland UMC 1091 Ridge Road, Raleigh TIME: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm STUDIES: Spiritual Growth Embracing Wholeness (Part 2) This is not a repeat. Issue Study What About Our Money? Geographic Missionary Conferences of the UMC (March 23 rd only) www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 9
To Serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love. Dr. Martin Luther King Nomination Committee Chairperson Needed Ladies, we need you. Please consider taking a leadership role in the Capital District. Remember the adage The only thing necessary for women, youth and children not to prosper is that good women should do nothing. Please come help us do something. The Nominations Committee will be diligently seeking women interested in missions for women, children, and youth. You only have to say YES. Please consider starting your journey serving as a United Methodist District officer. We need a few good United Methodist Women for leadership in the Capital District. The only way you can serve God is by serving other people. Rick Warren www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 10
Communication communication@capitalumw.com Roxie Lee Floyd Greetings and Welcome to 2019. I am excited about the new start and the new opportunity to serve Christ through service to people. God was awesome during 2018 and I know the New Year will be fantastic because of His LOVE for us. Jennifer Rodia, director of communications and brand strategy for United Methodist Communications, stated that For too long, the voice of people of faith has been hidden, drowned out, or altogether silent in the public media. We must reclaim our Christian voices and speak faith to a world that is in need of the good news of God's love. We have to use the communication tools available to us now. Those of us who Snapchat or Instagram, who Tweet or Facebook or use other social media venues must use them to share the news of the gift of love, grace, hope and salvation given to us so freely. We are being called to Make It Happen, so let s use our time on social media to share the gift of Christ with the world. Please help us communicate the NEWS from the Capital District effectively. Update your Local Unit member s email addresses and send them to me so that I may add the ladies to our newsletter list. Also, remember those ladies in your unit that are not on email, if you are able, please print a copy and place it in your library so that the women of your church may have access to the information. If you have news that you want to share about an event from your local unit, send it along with pictures if you have them to communication@capitalumw.com. We can publicize events in the newsletter (printed four times per year) and/or we can place the events on our Capital District website. www.capitalumw.com https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/ readingprogram It is my pleasure to serve as Communications Coordinator for the next several years. Roxie Floyd - communication@capitalumw.com or 919-676-8707 www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 11
United Methodist Women Global Activities www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 12
Capital District Calendar 2019 (1/1/19) January 1 Capital Link deadline 26 Capital District Cluster Meeting, Reg. 9:00 am, Meeting 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Whitley Memorial UMC, 300 Wilsons Mills Rd, Smithfield, NC 27577 (Capital District Executive Board meeting to follow) February 9 Capital District Cluster Meeting, 9:30-12:00 pm Contingency Date for January March 2 District Mission Study, 9:00 am 1:00 pm North Raleigh UMC, 8501 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 16 Racial Justice Workshop, Speaker, Clara Ester 23 District Mission Study, 9:00 am 1:00 pm St. Luke UMC, 1608 E. Pine Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (Capital District Executive Board meeting to follow) April 1 Capital Link Deadline 6 District Mission Study, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm Highland UMC, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 May District Spiritual Enrichment Event, place to be determined June 1 Capital Link deadline 12-15 NCCUMC Annual Conference, Greenville, NC July 13 Capital District Budget & Finance Committee meeting, 9:30 am Hollands UMC, 9433 Ten-Ten Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 25-27 Mission u, Methodist University, Fayetteville August 3 Local Unit Fun Day Local Mission Project 15 All Mission Reports Due to District Officers September 1 Capital Link deadline 13-15 Mother-Child Retreat 21 Capital District Officers Planning Retreat, 9:00 am-2:00 pm October TBA NC Conference UMW Annual Meeting, Fayetteville, NC 26 Capital District UMW Annual Meeting, Reg. 9:00 am, 9:30 am 12:00 pm November 2 NC Conference Do-It-Day 9 Capital District LOTs (Local Officer Training) Reg. 9:00 am, 9:30 am-12:00 pm 30 All Financial Reports Due to Capital District Treasurer Capital District Website: www.capitalumw.com Contact Roxie Floyd (communication@capitalumw.com) for assistance with the District website. www.capitalumw.com or www.nccumw.org 13