HORIZONS WHAT S INSIDE: From the President Guests & Worship Leaders Program Resources 2019 Proposed Budget District Giving Our Pledge Committee on Nominations Report Appointed Positions From the Vice President 2019 Calendar 150 Legacy Report An Assembly Experience Annual Meeting Registration 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 Go therefore and make disciples. S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 Matthew 28:19 In 1869, there were 8 women in Boston. Today, there are 800,000 members around the world! Just as those 8 women in 1869, todays United Methodist Women s organization focus is mission with women, children and youth. Our theme for this year s Annual meeting is United Methodist Women Around the World. We celebrate with our sisters around the world, and we celebrate the North Alabama Conference s outreach locally, nationally and worldwide. At Annual meeting, we recognize and celebrate: Opportunities to grow spiritually Equipping women & girls to be leaders NORTH ALABAMA CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Annual Meeting October 6, 2018 Registration: 9:00 am Meeting Begins at 10:00 am Sumatanga Camp & Conference Center Transformative educational experiences through Mission u and the Reading Program Working for justice through service & advocacy Our local units and Districts do all of this and more every year! Local units please select two members to serve as delegates during the business meeting. This is an important responsibility and mandated in the Standing Rules. Bring everyone in your unit for a day of recognition, connection and celebration. Let s all rejoice for United Methodist Women Around the World because each of us are one of them! Sometimes it is hard to get excited about a business meeting, but this is so important to our organization. Soooo- this year we are going to do a little business and do a little singing. Bob Palmer (from the Doo-wop s) will lead us in our hymns, plus take us on a little trip back to the 50 s and 60 s. I am so excited and hope to see you there. Ruth Brooks Vice President
HORIZONS From the President PAGE 2 PAGE 2 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted, and Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28: 17-20 LOCAL UNITS Make sure to select your TWO delegates for Annual Meeting now! It is a privilege and honor to represent an organization that stands out front and not on the back row for women, children and youth, an organization of women who speak out for justice, an organization of women with others! whose Purpose is to know God! Together we inspire one another to take the passion in our hearts and share it with others. We motivate one another to live our Purpose. We encourage others far and near to join us on this Christian journey. The 2018 Assembly was truly awesome and left me with a spirit of joy, hope and enthusiasm for a bright future for United Methodist Women. It was rewarding to see women from all generations and from all over the world coming together to celebrate the Legacy of our foremothers. I felt blessed to be a part of a daring, bold and compassionate 150-year old movement of women committed to turning faith, hope and love into action for women, children and youth around the world. Forty-two women from North Alabama Conference including Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett traveled by bus to Columbia, Ohio to attend the Assembly. Many of them were first timers to Assembly and all said it was a rewarding and exciting experience. United Methodist Women is the right place for women seeking to discover, develop and use their talents and gifts to help others and build the kingdom of God, so yes you are in the right place for God to use your talents and gifts. To the ladies who have accepted the call to work on the Conference Team for 2019-2020, you are opening the door for God to move in your life. Thank you for accepting the Call to serve. As we prepare for Annual Meeting, I want to bring to your attention that the registration will begin at 9:00 A.M. the meeting will begin at 10:00 A.M. The Business session will be held in the morning instead of the afternoon. As always at Annual Meeting, we will celebrate Holy Communion, recognize Mission Today Units, Charter Clubs, Five Star Units and Reading Program participants for 2017. We will be voting on the slate of officers for 2019-2020, a list of which is printed in this issue of the Horizon. Please carefully review the list and be prepared to vote if you are a voting member. Every unit may have two delegates to represent them, please be sure to mark on your registration form if you are a delegate. I look forward to seeing and welcoming each of you to Annual Meeting on October 6, 2018. Olene H. McGowen President North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women
HORIZONS PAGE 3 Annual Meeting Guest Speaker & Music Leaders Guest Speaker Teresa Wynn Teresa Wynn is a member of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Leadership Team serving on the Committee on Nominations. Teresa was born in Jacksonville FL, and at the age of 5 the family moved to Griffin GA. Teresa graduated from Griffin High School in 1987 and from Griffin Technical College in 1989, with a degree in Radiologic Technology. She is currently employed with Emory Healthcare at Emory University Hospital Clifton Road Campus as an Interventional Radiologic technologist, and is currently serving as the President of the Atlanta Chapter of The Association of Vascular Interventional Radiographers. Teresa grew up in the Baptist church but began her UMW story in 2006 when she joined the United Methodist Church. Teresa has served in many roles in UMW. She began with Spiritual Growth Coordinator in her local unit where she also served as the Social Action coordinator. Her other roles include, Secretary of the North Georgia Conference for four years, as well as President of the Griffin District for four years. After a two-year break because of Life she was elected to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Leadership team. Teresa and her husband Tommy have been married for 21 years and live in Hampton GA which is a suburb of Atlanta. They are members of Harvest Point UMC where Teresa is a member of the Praise Team, and is President elect of the new UMW Chapter that will start in January of 2019. She is also a lay speaker for the Griffin District as well as a member of the Griffin District Church Nominations Committee. Teresa and Tommy have two fur babies, Their dog Mae, and cat Maximus. Teresa is also active in her community where she is a member of the McDonough Junior Women s Club a civic club that focuses on helping those in need in their community. She also volunteers with Home Again in Henry County, an organization that helps the working homeless get on their feet. Guest Musician & Music Leader Margaret Parker Margaret Parker has lived in the greater Birmingham area her entire life. She attended Birmingham Public schools. Her degree in Music Education was earned at the University of Montevallo and her Masters in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She taught school for 37 years, 30 with Jefferson County and 7 with Trussville City schools. She was a school media specialist for the last 27 years of her career. Margaret has worked in the area of church music for over 40 years. She has taught children s choir as well as directed adult church choirs. She has served as pianist or organist in a variety of churches, but has been working at Huffman United Methodist for the past 20 years. She is a member of the UMW and has taught studies for Mission U Mini Schools and her local unit. She currently is the accompanist for the Warblers Club men s chorus. Margaret has been married to Bob Parker for the past 40 years. They have one son, Seth. Bob Parker Bob Parker grew up in the Woodlawn area of Birmingham, graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1971. His roots are staunchly Baptist, having been a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church during his childhood. He has always been involved with music both in church, and in school. He was in the Warbler s Club men s chorus at Woodlawn and played in the band for four years, serving as drum major his senior year. Bob has had a varied background of which music has always been a part. For 27 of his 29 years of teaching, Bob taught art at Homewood Middle School. Though his primary job involved art, his avocation all these years has been music. Bob currently is the director of the Warblers Club in its present form as a local chorus and sings in the Sam Banana and the Bunch doo wop group. He also currently attends Huffman United Methodist Church where he sings in the choir. Married to the former Margaret Reynolds, a graduate in Music Education from the University of Montevallo, he and his family currently reside in Trussville.
PAGE 4 HORIZONS GREETINGS TO ALL PROGRAM RESOURCE SECRETARIES I hope that all of you have had a wonderful summer and are now ready to really start working on your units for the Reading Program for 2018. I have received several reports for 2017 but still do not have all of districts. Even if you have already sent me a report, please check with ALL of your units again as there may be some that turned in reports after you mailed those you had to me. All reports are needed no later than September 15th in order to have all certificates ready for Conference Annual meeting. Please remember that if I do not these reports then you will not receive a certificate. I will have Program books for 2018-2019 as well as Prayer Calendars at Conference Annual meeting. There will also be 2019 Reading program books available so that the units can purchase these for their church. This is a less expensive alternative then ordering them and having to pay shipping charges. You are welcome to send me an email but if I do not answer you within 24 hours that means I did not receive the email and you need to call me. If any of you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, 256-509-9575. A big thank you to all of you for your hard work this past two years. Kay West Conference Secretary of Program Resources United Methodist Women kaygeoffwest@bellsouth.net Leadership Training is going online! Members will have easy access to understand roles and responsibilities of officers and mission coordinators. Look for more information in the coming weeks! North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women 2019 Budget Recommendations (to be approved at Annual Meeting) 2019 Proposed Budget: $57,980 2019 Pledge to Mission: $115,000
PAGE 5 HORIZONS This chart is a quick glance of giving per District vs. their 2018 Pledge. The top, lighter line, is giving through August. The bottom, darker line, is each District s 2018 annual pledge. Local Unit Treasurers make sure you complete your 2018 reports and send them to your District Treasurer no later than the first of December. And don t forget your 5 Star Giving! Pledge to Mission Gift in Honor Gift in Memory Special Mission Recognition Pins & Certificates World Thank Offering
HORIZONS PAGE 6 United Methodist Women members prayerfully make pledges to their local organization. Their Mission Giving contributes to local mission, spiritual formation, programs for membership development and outreach in the community. The pledge journeys from the LOCAL to the DISTRICT and then to the CONFERENCE United Methodist Women. The pledged amount designated for mission is sent to the national body and budgeted for ministries with women, children and youth in the United States and all around the world. Women are involved in mission at each step of the way. United Methodist Women mission giving is in compliance with The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2016, Paragraph 256, Section 5, Article 6. Read pages 72-97 THE HANDBOOK 2017-2020 - Funding the Mission Adopted by the United Methodist Women National Office, April 1996 For nearly 150 years, members of United Methodist Women have taken the risk of being in the middle of mission action. They have joined the ministry of Jesus in God s mission, like the women in Luke 8:1 3: Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. As an organization, United Methodist Women has not merely sent money from a distance. Members have been active in ministry with Jesus; they have understood giving as an expression of God s grace. Their faith has led them to follow the gospel and to support the mission and ministry of Jesus. United Methodist Women has taken very seriously the ethical mandate summarized in Micah 6:8: He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? God is a God of justice, the One who loves the poor and hears the cries of the oppressed, the One who protects the victim and welcomes the stranger. It is God s will that all people share in the feast of God. And by God s grace, all shall. Women, children and youth are most often the ones who are left out of God s feast. Too often they are the poorest of the poor. They are systematically marginalized without access to education, health care and decision making. The barriers of discrimination around sex, class and race make our efforts for a just world extremely difficult. All resources, natural and financial, are from God, and it is the responsibility of people of faith to see that these resources are made available to meet the needs of all, especially those who do not now share in God s feast. North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women and our eight District are at the half way point of 2018. All of the Districts are struggling at this point to make their 2018 Pledge. We encourage all members to look at your pledge for 2018, and if possible consider increasing at this time. Myrna Wood North Alabama Conference Treasurer
PAGE 7 HORIZONS COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS The Committee on Nominations, United Methodist Women of North Alabama present the following for nomination, If you are considering nominating from the floor for these positions please remember the nominee must have been notified in advance and agree to hold the position for which you are nominating. The following are nominees to be presented at the 2018 NACUMW Annual Meeting for vacant or vacating positions: Treasurer Sherry Cushing (Northeast District) Secretary Shae Lindsey (Northwest District) Mission Coordinator Education & Interpretation Cel Bailey (South Central District) Mission Coordinator Spiritual Growth Nora Gibson (Northwest District) Secretary of Program Resources Hilda Moody (Mtn. Lakes District) Dean, Mission u Judy Engelhart Mission Coordinator Membership Nurture & Outreach Virginia Francis (Southeast District) Committee on Nominations (2022) Margaret House (Southwest District) The following are current officers returning to their positions to be presented at the 2018 NACUMW Annual Meeting: President Olene McGowen (Northeast District) Vice President Ruth Brooks (South Central District) Mission Coordinator Social Action Lesa London (South Central District) Communications Coordinator Debra Payne (South Central District) Members, Committee on Nominations 2021 Dorothy Cook (Southeast District) 2021 Linda Sue Hill (Mt. Lakes District) 2019 Karen Fite (Northeast District) 2020 Elsie Brown (Northeast District)
PAGE 8 HORIZONS APPOINTED POSITIONS Olene McGowen, President of the North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women, appoints the following positions to be presented at the 2018 NACUMW Annual Meeting: Charter for Racial Justice Sara M. Bradley, Denise DeRamus Doris Hale Lee Registrar Myrna Wood Parliamentarian Genie Thompson Historian Susan Minton Assistant Dean, Mission u Rev. Josh Howard In Leviticus God says: If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands, I will send the seasonal rains. The land will yield it crops, and the trees will produce their fruit. Lev. 26: 3. I know it is still August, but I seem to feel the change of Fall coming. Maybe it is just that school and football have started but I think it is more than that. I love that we have seasons in Alabama. It seems to give purpose and a place for things beauty of the leaves in the fall, winter fires, spring flowers and summer outdoors in the water. My husband (who hates change of any kind) says I like the seasons because I love change. He may have a point. As United Methodist Women, we know changes are happening not only in UMW but in the church. While I love change, we need to prayerfully look inward and outward to make sure that the change brings us closer to God s plan not further away. We need to make sure that we are passing down our legacy to those younger, so they can continue the work we have started. But most important, we need to choose how and why we make changes to our organization and embrace those changes with humility, joy, love and action. As individual units, as districts and as a conference, we need to look at our history to see where we have been and then look forward at where we want to go. To that end, look at how your meetings are conducted. Are they held at the best time for everyone? Are you excited about what you are doing? Do you communicate that excitement with the rest of your church and circle of friends? Are people being invited to meetings? Should childcare be available? Does everyone in your circle have opportunities to participate? You get the idea. Maybe we just need an old fashion revival in UMW!! Ruth Brooks Vice President NAC United Methodist Women
PAGE 9 HORIZONS 2019 Calendar Year Date Event Location January 5 Committee on Programs Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham January 20 Committee on Programs Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham January 26 Executive Committee Meeting Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham March 23 April Refresh & Retreat, A Spiritual Experience Event United Methodist Women Day (to be held during the month of April) Bolded Items are United Methodist Women Conference events. Sumatanga Camp and Conference Center Gallant, AL May 18 Executive Committee Meeting Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham June North Alabama Conference July 25 27 Mission u Sumatanga Camp and Conference Center Gallant, AL August 17 Executive Committee Meeting Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham October 5 Annual Meeting Sumatanga Camp and Conference Center Gallant, AL December 7 Executive Committee Meeting & Christmas Party Methodist Center BSU, Birmingham All unit and district officer lists are due no later than November 1, 2018. Please send all officer lists to: Linda Claunch 118 Whitt Haven Drive Toney, AL 3577 lcjclaunch@att.net
HORIZONS PAGE 10 150 Legacy Report Can you believe that we are only 6 short months away from the BIG DAY? The day we have been eagerly awaiting and preparing for is almost here! On March 23, 2019 we will be 150 years young and we are going to PARTY! Our conference spring event will be held on that day and our guest speaker is Clara Ester, Vice-President of our Board of Directors. We want everyone to come prepared to tell their story and their unit s story. How old is your unit, what have you done and what you are doing, decorate a table or make a poster to tell your story and let your light shine! It s time to get out from under that bushel United Methodist Women! But wait, we have another event next month. We can t forget Annual Meeting. At Annual Meeting on October 6th, we will again display our beautiful Legacy Quilt and you can make a $5 donation for a chance to own it. But you don t have to wait until then simply cut out or copy the attached slip and send it to me along with $5 (checks to NACUMW) and your name will be in the pot for the quilt. If the quilt didn t get displayed at your district s Mission u you will have it at your Annual Meeting. Another exciting thing we are doing at Annual Meeting is a Rock-a-thon. Remember the rocking chairs around the fireplace? Each district will have one and we will see who can rock the most and raise the most for the Legacy Fund. How long does it take to rock 150 times? Have you ever counted your rocks? Let s find out who s a fast rocker, who s slow and who can rock the longest. I ll bet we have some excellent rockers in our districts. The rocking will start when registration starts. Be the first to get in your 150! See you in October! I ll be in the Rocking Chair, how about you? Jacque Clay For any questions regarding the Legacy go to Unitedmethodistwomen.org/Legacy or call Jacque Clay, Olene McGowen, Carol Toney, Carol Ruth DeVore or your district president. We are also available to come to your unit and visit. LEGACY FUND QUILT RAFFLE Name Address Phone E-mail Mail to: Jacque Clay 303 Barksdale Lane, Boaz, AL 35956 All forms must be accompanied by $5 donation. Make checks payable to NAC UMW.
HORIZONS PAGE 11 AN ASSEMBLY EXPERIENCE Cel Bailey South Central District Some of us sang hymns while others engaged in warm conversation & naps during our bus drive home. My first Women s Assembly was now a memory! In the midst of this special sisterhood of North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women traveling back to Alabama, I reflected on ALL that happened to get us to this point. First of all, I journeyed to Columbus, Ohio with a few friends, several familiar faces, but more North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women strangers at that point. Next, the Assembly exceeded any preconceived idea I ever had! Its enormity was overwhelming! I quickly realized how very small and narrow in view my UMW world was in my local, district, and North Alabama Conference UMW. Imagine 6,000 women from all over the world, some in very beautiful and unusual native dress, gathered under one roof, in one room connecting through song & music, moving worship, cutting edge and world known speakers, engaging exhibits, timely workshops, town hall style meetings..all with one common goal of equipping attendees with knowledge, courage, and determination to continue the Power of Bold begun 150 years ago when our foremothers responded to God s call with turning faith, hope, and love in action through service and advocacy on behalf of women, children, youth, and marginalized communities. United Methodist Women events at all levels are so vitally important for each of us!! They allow us to better connect with the whole world through worship, fellowship and study. My understanding and scope of 1) what our mission is as United Methodist Women, 2) what faith, hope and love in action really looks like; and 3) what a strong bond can be formed in this Christian sisterhood came to fruition at Women s Assembly 2018. If you are looking for a way to expand or deepen your Christian sisterhood, recharge your battery, and strengthen your local leadership and mission partnerships, I highly recommend getting involved on the local, district, and conference level all while marking your calendar for Women s Assembly 2022!!
United Methodist Women North Alabama Conference Attn: Debra Payne 2172 Highway 26 Alabaster, AL 35007 NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. BIRMINGHAM, AL North Alabama Conference United Methodist Women s Annual Meeting October 6, 2018 Sumatanga Camp and Conference Center Gallant, Alabama 2018-2019 Calendar Annual Meeting October 6 Executive Committee Meeting November 30 - December 1 Refresh & Retreat 2019 March 23 Children s One Day 2019 July 24 Mission u 2019 July 25 27 Annual Meeting 2019 October 5 PURPOSE OF UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.