UMW Purpose: 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. April 26, 2016 Volume 02-16 United Methodist Women Alexandria District, Virginia Conference Nancy West - District President Loving the Other - Living the Charter of Racial Justice This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also. 1 John 4:21 (CEB) Race and adversity have been part of the history of the world even before history was recorded. Racism has shaped beliefs, cultures, communities, and lives. It has played a powerful role in the past and present history of the United States. Slavery, forced migrations, segregated communities and education, mortgage lending practices, voter s rights, civil rights marches, and police shootings and riots are some of the evidence of its ugly cast. In 1952, the Woman s Division of Christian Service of the Methodist Church formed the Special Committee on Racial Practices. For the next several decades, their groundwork would lead to The Charter for Racial Justice, which was created and adopted by the Women s Division of the United Methodist General Board of Ministries in 1978. In 1980, the Women s Division (now United Methodist Women) successfully recommended adoption of the charter by the whole denomination. General Conference has consecutively readopted it every eight years since, most recently in 2012 (Resolution #3371, in The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2012). The charter continues today for its call to action in seeking Racial Justice. In an address to the Council of Bishops, May 7, 2015, Bishop Gregory Palmer stated We are a church that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. On every continent, people called United Methodist are boldly living the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Yet, the people of our world are hurting, as injustice, violence and racism abound. Our witness to the dignity of all human life and the reign of God is needed now more than ever. By acknowledging our identities, the privileges that many (whites) have versus others (people of color), by bringing all voices to the table to garner multiple perspectives, we can begin the 1
hard work of looking at ourselves and addressing our systems to create a more equitable world. Headlines, media news, community strife s, mass incarcerations, economic disparities, poverty and violence tell us that now is the time to put our love and faith into action. God Bless J Brenda Romenius, Deaconess UMW Social Action Coordinator May 21 - UMW Bi-District Day Apart Loving the Other: a program on Racial Justice On Saturday, May 21, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM, the UMW Alexandria and Arlington Districts will hold its 7th annual UMW Bi-District Day Apart. This year s program is timely for its theme of Loving the Other: a program on Racial Justice. Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell, recently retired professor of Wesley Seminary, will lead a dynamic program through Biblical scripture, conversation and reflections on our cultural identities as it relates to racism, prejudice and bigotry. She is noted for her long and distinguished career in service to the United Methodist Church, and her respected leadership position on several boards, including chair of the Commission on Religion and Race. In addition to the program s presentation, we will do a hands-on-mission activity to put together hygiene kits for incarcerated women in the Fluvanna Correctional Facility. PLEASE BRING: * An object that you feel relates to your cultural identity * Items to assemble for Hygiene Kits for incarcerated women of Fluvanna Correctional Facility: HYGIENE KITS 1 individually wrapped Toothbrush 1 tube of Toothpaste, no larger than 6 oz. 1 bottle of Shampoo, no larger than 15.oz 1 bottle of Moisture Lotion, no larger than 15.oz 1 Deodorant Stick, no larger than 2.4 oz., no spray or roll-on ADDITIONAL ITEMS Stationery paper & envelopes of any size, and envelopes either 6 ½ or 9 ½ long Forever postage stamps, wooden pencils (not sharpened) Attending this program will count as item #3g of the "Living into Our Purpose Form." "Implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies by having a Racial Justice Program, or participating in a District Racial Justice Program or attending a Conference Racial Justice event." 2
Registration is needed by May 15 in order to assure seating and meals. Cost: $15 includes breakfast and lunch. This program is not limited to United Methodist Women Men and Teens are invited, too! Register to Brenda Romenius, at brendaromenius@yahoo.com, or mail your check to Brenda Romenius, 413 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Make check out to UMW Alexandria District. A flyer for the program is attached. Message from the President Loving the Other What do you think of when you hear the phrase Loving the Other? Who is the other? There are many references in the Bible to loving others. Starting with Leviticus 19:18 we read,.. thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. And again in Leviticus 19:34 we are told to love our neighbor as ourselves. Throughout the Gospels and the New Testament, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor (s) as ourselves. For Jesus, to love your neighbor as you love yourself was to practice justice toward our fellow human beings ----- the other. To love our neighbor does not necessarily mean to love our neighbor s action. But sometimes this separation is hard. We have all heard the phrase hate the sin, but love the sinner. That is why Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. But do we always love ourselves? Are we sometimes the other? Loving ourselves does not mean to be puffed up and boastful about ourselves, but to honor and respect ourselves as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians, 6:19, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit whom you have received from God? So we are to love ourselves and, therefore, the other --- our neighbor who ever and where ever he/she may be. To love the other is to enfold them with grace and truth. We will be given an opportunity to embrace this teaching as we gather and learn at our Annual Bi-District Day Apart on May 21. We are blessed to have Rev. Dr. Youtha HardmanCromwell to share with us her rich knowledge and resources. This is a day that you won t want to miss. Invite your friends, your youth, your minister ----- but come. You will be blessed. Nancy West President VUMAC HAS CLOSED Due to the fact that VUMAC (Blackstone Assembly Center) has ceased to operate, Mission Encounter July 29-31, 2016 Will be held at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA. There will be more information on this at a later date. 3
United Methodist Women Alexandria & Arlington Bi-District 2016 DAY APART Loving the Other: a program on Racial Justice Presenter: Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell Professor (ret d), Wesley Seminary What is Racism? Prejudice? Stereotype? Join us for this Day Apart, as we are led by Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell in Biblical stories, discussions and reflections on Race in the context of our history, society and faith. Men and teens are invited! PLEASE BRING: - An object that you feel relates to your cultural identity - Items to assemble for Kits for incarcerated women of Fluvanna Correctional Facility: HYGIENE KITS ADDITONAL ITEMS 1 individually wrapped toothbrush Christmas/Hanukkah/Greeting cards for any 1 tube of Toothpaste, no larger than 6 oz. occasion no aluminum foil on card or 1 bottle of Shampoo, no larger than 15.oz envelope 1 bottle of moisture Lotion, no larger than 15.oz Stationery items writing paper & envelopes 1 Deodorant Stick, no larger than 2.4 oz., of any size, and envelopes either 6 ½ or 9 no spray or roll-on ½ long Forever postage stamps, wooden pencils (not sharpened) Saturday, May 21 9:00 AM (Registration) 3:00 PM @ Annandale UMC, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA Registration Fee: $15 (includes light breakfast and lunch) REGISTER BY MAY 15 to Brenda Romenius at brendaromenius@yahoo.com, or send a check to Brenda Romenius, 413 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046 Check payable to: Alexandria District UMW 4
Youtha Cordella Hardman-Cromwell, M.Div., Ph.D. Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell is a retired elder in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. She also retired a full professor at Wesley Theological Seminary in June 2015, where she continues to teach part-time and is serving as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs this academic year. She previously served the Wesley Community as interim Associate Dean of Community Life, assistant dean for Wesley Seminary @ Mount Vernon Square from 2008 to 2012, and as director of the Practice in Ministry and Mission Program at Wesley Theological Seminary, her first place of service there in 1998. Dr. Hardman-Cromwell received her Master of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity in 1986, where in April 1987 she began serving as visiting associate professor, directing the Ford Field-Based Fellowship Program and lecturing in Pastoral Theology. She served in that capacity until 1999. She served as pastor of Woodlawn United Methodist Church, Alexandria, from 1986 to 1989. Feeling a call to expand her work of participating in the preparation of clergy leadership for the church and community, she left the pastorate to complete her Ph.D. degree, which was conferred December 1992. She has a strong interest in excellence in preaching and is currently working on a manuscript on images in sermons. She has served the Virginia Conference as trainer on the Churches in Transition Commission, chair of the Commission on Religion and Race, and ministry candidacy mentor. She is in ninth year of service on the Virginia Conference Board of Ministry. She completed four years as chair of the Order of Elders in 2000 and as a vice-chair of that Board in 2008. She is currently on the Crosscultural/racial Resource Team for her Annual Conference. She has served the jurisdictional and general church as delegate to Southeast Jurisdictional conferences and General Conference, writer for Faith Link, and as preacher, Bible Study leader, resource person, workshop leader, and consultant. She has published several articles, book chapters and two poems. Her community involvement currently includes serving as trustee of the Edna Frazier-Cromwell Scholarship Fund, Inc. and as program coordinator/spiritual director of Hardman- Cromwell Ministries, Inc. which conducts retreats in Grenada, West Indies and other ministry and educational activities. Her interests include presenting works of Black poets. Her group, Youtha & Friends, presents God s Trombones with Negro Spirituals for church and other organizations. She and Oliver have four adult children and one granddaughter. Surprises All Around You know how it goes... you are chatting with someone you've known for a while and discover that you both have grandmothers who came from the same area of Iowa, or you're at a work conference and during the team building exercise you learn that the person you're teamed with craves the same favorite dessert that you do. All these funny little connections and similarities that bring us smiles and the "warm fuzzes" of being human together. Imagine if we opened ourselves to more people who don't seem like us at all! We would discover that other women have children the same ages as ours, enjoy similar hobbies, do the same kind of work, and share our love for Christ, even though they live in another part of 5
Virginia, might be homeless, don't speak English, live in a shelter in Mozambique, or dye their hair green. God created each of us and wants us to love each other and go into all the world spreading the good news. We each have a role to play in God's plan by Loving the Other. Here in the Alexandria District, let's start by finding out who our UMW members are. Please send your membership numbers to Maria Ward right away so you can be included in the current UMW census. The address is maria.ward@gmail.com. Knowing our accurate membership numbers enables the UMW District to plan programs and our budget. This membership count also is crucial for the Virginia Conference UMW and the national office so they can be effective as our leaders. Next, be sure to come and learn about new aspects Loving the Other at the Program for Racial Justice on May 21 at Annandale UMC. We are more than blessed to have the Reverend Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell as our program leader. Many of you will remember her from our Spiritual Life retreat in 2015. You will learn about "the other" and experience powerful connections to other Christians and to God. This program is not just for women! Be sure to bring along teens and men for this moving and important day. Looking ahead, please note that even though the Virginia Conference Mission Encounter will not be held at Blackstone this year, it is still scheduled for the last weekend in July, which is July 29, 30, and 31. The topics this year are The Bible and Human Sexuality: Claiming God's Good Gift; Latin America: People and Faith; and Climate Justice: Call to Hope and Action. The climate study will also be offered for children. All are welcome - not just women! Be sure to reserve this weekend on your calendar and stay tuned for the location. This fall we will combine our two events of District Day and Leadership Development Day into one event so we can all celebrate together. As of this writing, we are targeting Saturday, October 22, for this celebration of achievements, election of new officers, remembrance of departed sisters, and exchange of creative ideas for members and leaders. We'll send out a confirmation of date and location as soon as we have it firmed up. Blessings to all of you for your work and love of God. Don't forget to reach out to "the others" in your world. In His Service, Maria Ward, Vice President Loving the Other Racial Justice Resources Our day apart on May 21 is going to be a wonderful day, with a focus on living our Charter for Racial Justice. To help prepare for it, or for programs to follow up, you ll find resources for advocacy and justice at: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/racialju stice These include the Charter for Racial Justice, Racial Justice Timeline, UMW Racial Justice Manual, Racial Justice Fact Sheet, many articles on living the Charter, RJ symbol and prayers. Mass incarceration, resource exploitation, voting; race, class and climate change and wealth We ve come a long way and yet have a long way to go. What can will we do to live justly with all? Learn. Pray. Act. Marlene Dakita Secretary for Program Resources 6
Loving the Other Yes, we all know what that means. Jesus told us that the greatest commandment was to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. AND THEN HE SAID, And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. We all love our Lord, but what a challenge to love others. Not to love just our friends but others who we may never meet, and who live amongst us. The prisoner, the immigrant, the refugee, the poor, the ill, the widow, the messed up teenager, and the list goes on! I believe that the United Methodist Women has stepped up to answer this call. As United Methodist Women, we try to meet the call via our individual units outreach programs, our District, Conference and National programming and sponsored projects. Those programs and projects supported by our Undesignated and Designated Giving. Programs we support with our presence, our gifts and our prayers. But the call is not only to recognize the signs and needs of our world but to respond to them. Our response is love. We lovingly advocate for the underdog, provide tangible resources, pull from our local communities and units those who can interpret and respond to the call, and provide avenues for others to learn about the social and economic injustices. We have even been known to take to the streets! Our first female missionaries crossed the seas on behalf of our call and our promise to provide them with the resources they needed. Our two cents and promise to keep them in our prayers gave them the strength to change the world. We are more than an organization made up mostly of women. We are women whom God has called to be his arms, feet and hearts in this world and HE has endowed us with courage, compassion and faith. Remember, you made the decision to be a United Methodist Woman ; your church membership did not make that an automatic membership. Our membership needs to continue to grow so that we can continue to answer the call. Encourage all women in your church to become United Methodist Women and your girlfriends. You do not have to be a Methodist to join our organization. You only have to be a woman who wants to answer the call and wants to be an active member of a caring and supportive community. Thus when you attend a Unit, District or Conference meeting, you are saying Here Am I, Lord. Love is central to the teachings of Jesus and as his people we are called to be Love. We are blessed and we want to be a blessing to others. Myrna Meling Alexandria District Secretary Loving Others You must love yourself before you can love others. Simply because Christ first loved us. Many, many years (in my twenties) ago after Pearl Bailey married Louie Bellson, the drummer in her band, I heard her response to an interviewer s question how do you feel about the criticism because, she had married out of her race. Ms. Bailey, famous for her big smile, answered she loved him. And color did not matter to her, she loved everybody. I recall my thoughts at that time: how can she love people she doesn t even know it did not sound reasonable to me at the time. I have since come to believe that you can have the love of Christ in your heart or any number of 7
people. I now understand what she mean: she had compassion and empathy for others. My heart is capable to love far greater and deeper than I had ever dreamed. Because of the abundance of love I receive, I am able to share more and more love with others. When I read response magazine stories of large and small gains women are making because of United Methodist Women Mission giving. I fell love and compassion for their circumstances. Love has no boundaries. While I may never meet face to face with these women, children and youth that I care so deeply for they are my neighbors and as commanded to love others as we love ourselves. When I give to UMW Mission giving it is because I love the people we serve. The more you learn about any group you ll find that you have more in common than differences. One day when you are just hanging around the house a thought crosses your mind, in addition to all my family and friends, I also love X,Y & Z. Mary V. Wright E. & I, Coordinator Money Matters The end of the First Quarter is finished and you were generous with your giving. I hope that all of you will continue to spread the word about United Methodist Women and the important part it is in our lives. Be sure to tell your stories to the women in your church. It is very important to share with our youth so that they can become UMW and help us continue into the next generations. The Legacy Fund will help us do that by making sure we have the funds to carry on the mission that we and our foremothers have started. Please let me know if you are interested in information on the Legacy Fund. Some of us have already contributed. We hope we can have a great celebration when we become 150 years old/young. If you have questions about the Legacy Fund, Please email me and I can give you some information, or come and talk with your group. I look forward to your 2 nd quarter report. Edna Joyner e_joyner@comcast.net 703,743,1365, Home 703,691,0868 Ex 12. Work Latin American Study at Mini School of Mission Nominations Article 8
Greetings UMW Members from the Nominations Committee! This issue of the Bridge Builder is titled Loving the Other. That is what we, as members of United Methodist Women, do so well. We love the other through Mission Giving: giving our time, our talents (we are all blessed with certain skills), and our gifts (financial support). To continue our mission, loving the other is important to the future of the Alexandria District UMW and its service to women, youth and children right here at home and around the world. At the end of this year, most of the officers on the Alexandria District UMW Executive Board/Mission Team will have completed their tenures and can no longer serve as elected leaders. there for you; we are in this together loving the other. For more information, please contact any member of the Nominations Committee: Alnetta McCall (netta531@yahoo.com), Marty Bickford (martyb@martfour.com), Carla Mitchell (plfd1221@gmail.com), Myrna Meling (mpmeling@hotmail.com). I pray that you will hear God s call to serve on the Alexandria District UMW Mission Team next year. Thank you, Alnetta McCall Alexandria District Nominations Chair The Nominations Committee must fill the following positions, and present a proposed slate of officers for 2017 to the membership prior to District Day in October: Secretary Treasurer Spiritual Growth Coordinator Education and Interpretation Coordinator Membership Nurture and Outreach Coordinator Nominations Chair Nominations Committee, Class of 2020 and 2021 (two members) Sub-district Coordinators: Piedmont Fauquier; Piedmont Prince William; Tidewater The Committee really needs your help. So, show your love, give it a try, and accept the challenge by coming forward to fill one of these positions. You will never find a more supportive group of women, who will be 9
Virginia Conference United Methodist Women s Young Women s Retreat (for women ages 18-40) Finding Balance: Living in God s Creation In a World of Chaos September 16-17, 2016 Retreat Leader: Rev. Beth Anderson Retreat to be held at Bridgewater United Methodist Church in Bridgewater, VA with local hotels being used for housing. 10
Ferrum College UMW Day Saturday, June 4, 2016 Continental Breakfast on Vaughn Chapel 9:30 am Registration and Gathering Vaughn Chapel 10:00 am Featuring the Dry Hill Draggers an old time string band from Franklin County Program Vaughn Chapel 10:30 am A Walk Down Memory Lane Celebration: with Dr. Jennifer Braaten, 10 th President of Ferrum College Reception Blue Ridge Mountain Room Franklin Hall 12:00 pm Continue the celebration in our breathtaking banquet room that overlooks our beautiful Ferrum College Campus. Heavy summer hors d oeuvres will include our local Homestead lemonade and a chocolate fountain! Patio UMW Day at Ferrum College 2016 will be a day to wear red and Walk Down Memory Lane celebrating 14 years of good times and collaborative accomplishments between Dr. Jennifer Braaten and The United Methodist Women of the Virginia Conference. Dr. Braaten s leadership has always focused on the strength of family and community. Our day appropriately begins with the Dry Hill Draggers, a local old time string band. The Dry Hill Draggers originated in the late 1970 s when neighbors in the Dry Hill and Ferrum areas of Franklin County gathered to play ole-time music. Most of their current musicians still reside in Franklin County. After the Walk Down Memory Lane Celebration program, we will stroll (or ride on golf carts) over to the Blue Ridge Mountain Room for a reception of heavy hors d oeuvres featuring some of Dr. Braaten s favorites. Don t miss the chocolate fountain! As Dr. Braaten says, Chocolate fixes everything. Come early and enjoy fellowship around a continental breakfast on the patio. Red is Dr. Braaten s favorite happy color, so everyone is invited to wear something red on June 4 in her honor. Name (please print Address Phone and email contact $15 REGISTRATION Covers program and reception DEADLINE MAY 13 Church Make Checks payable to Ferrum College Mail to: Ferrum College UMW Day District PO Box 1000 Ferrum, Va 24088 For more information Dr. Jan Nicholson Angie Amount enclosed $ Dean of the Chapel 540-365-4285 Please not on this form any Special dietary needs jcnicholson@ferrum.edu (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose free, sugar free)
Ferrum College UMW Overnight registration information for lodging on campus (preliminary estimate) UMW Day will be held on the campus of Ferrum College on Saturday, June 4, 2016. Ferrum College is offering on campus lodging for Friday night, June 3, to UMW Day attendees at a cost of $36.50 per person. This price includes bed linens The linen package would is comprised of 2 sheets, 2 towels, 1 wash cloth, 1 pillow case, 1 pillow and 1 blanket per person--(continental breakfast will be provided on Saturday morning for all UMW attendees per your registration for UMW Day activities.) Name of Church: Address of Church: Primary Contact Person: Telephone # Email address Primary Contact Person: Telephone # Email address At this time, it is estimated (number) will be staying overnight on campus from our church. (This is a non-binding number and is being used for preliminary planning only.) Overnight guests will be housed in Moore or Arthur Hall (each apartment contains 4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms/common area with kitchenette). Please return this preliminary information sheet by Monday, April 30, 2016. Information can be mailed to Chip Phillips, c/o Ferrum College, P O Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088; faxed to (540) 365-5589; or emailed to cphillips@ferrum.edu. Questions, call Chip Phillips @ (540) 365-4317. Final attendance numbers and payments due by May 15, 2016.
April 29-May 1 May 10-20 May 21 June 3-5 2016 Alexandria District UMW Calendar with Due Dates for District Forms Date Activity District Officer Contact VA Spiritual Life Retreat Blackstone UMC General Conference, Portland, OR Bi-District Day Apart - Charter for Racial Justice Annandale UMC UMW Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting Charleston, SC Brenda Romenius June 10 2 nd Quarter Remittance Treasurers Edna Joyner June 11 June 17-19 July 28-31 Weekend only! August 13 UMW Day at Ferrum College Virginia Annual Conference - Roanoke UMW Breakfast June 18 Roanoke Valley View Holiday Inn Nominations Committee accepting names for 2017 slate VA Mission Encounter Randolph Macon Executive Committee Meeting & Finance Planning Fairlington UMC Alnetta McCall Netta531@yahoo.com Mary Wright Nancy West / Edna Joyner Bridge Builder Deadline September 10 All District Reports due for FY 2015 September 10 September 16-17 September/October October 1 October 22 October 29-30 November 19 3 rd Quarter Remittance (candle burning; 5/6 Star organizations; Rainbow Givers) Reading Program Living Into Our Purpose District Spiritual Life Event tentative Washington Farm Speaker Janet Salbert VA Young Women s Event Bridgewater UMW, Harrisonburg Wesley Learning Center Wesley Seminary, Washington Alexandria UMC District Conference Alexandria District UMW Day combining District Day & Leadership Development location TBD VA Annual Meeting location TBD Executive Committee Meeting (after Leadership Development) Bridge Builder Deadline Donna Sapp Edna Joyner Marlene Dakita Mary Wright / Brenda Romenius Yvonne Robinson Rhona Alexander Maria Ward Nancy West Nancy West Donna Sapp December 10 4 th Quarter Remittance - Treasurers Edna Joyner with new treasurer?
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