Western Reserve Connection Spring 2018 Where can I find...? Mission Team note - p. 1 WRD UMW team contacts - p. 2 Awards List - p. 2 A Way Forward info - p. 3 Annual Celebration - p. 4 Spiritual Growth Retreat Events - p. 4 Important dates - p. 4 In the Know... - p. 5 Candle Burning form - p. 6 Fall Gathering forms - pp. 7 & 8 Mission u Info, Registration & Scholarship forms - pp. 9-14 More resources and news available at: - www.unitedmethodistwomen.org - www.westernreservedistrictumw.com - www.eocumc.com -- click the Laity tab then select United Methodist Women As we continue to celebrate the roots and evolution of United Methodist Women over the past 150 years, we also look to the future and how we can continue to boldly move forward in faith, hope and love. We need to continue to be women of Purpose living into the Purpose in whatever ways we can using the Response magazine, program and mission study books, United Methodist Women Handbook 2017-2020, Reading Program, Mission Today goals, and other appropriate resources to guide us in being faithful to the mission and purpose of United Methodist Women. We hope you will not only take the time to read through the information in this newsletter, but will connect with us in person at Mission u, one of the Spiritual Growth Retreat events, the Fall Gathering, and Annual Celebration. Let s celebrate and boldly move forward together! Working together we can make a difference as women organized for mission! Serving with you, Your Western Reserve District UMW Mission Team 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 1
Western Reserve District UMW Team President Carole Ring 9313 Wyant Drive, Mentor 44060 H: 440-255-7213 E: c.j.ring@sbcglobal.net Vice President position open 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 position open Spiritual Growth Melissa Cunningham 5102 Chestnut Avenue, Ashtabula 44004 C: 440-536-6618 E: tupperfun23@yahoo.com Social Action position open Nominations-chair position open Volunteer Newsletter Editor Carole Ring 9313 Wyant Drive, Mentor 44060 H: 440-255-7213 E: c.j.ring@sbcglobal.net Celebrating Our Units: Western Reserve District UMW 2017 Awards Five Star Units contributed to all five channels of undesignated Mission Giving Andover Chardon Mentor Portage Faith Rainbow Units - pledged more than last year and paid it in full and/or exceeded pledged amount Andover Hartford Kinsman Mentor Painesville Williamsfield Mission Today Gold fulfilled the top level of goals Andover Mentor Painesville Mission Today Bronze fulfilled the third level of goals Kinsman Mission Today Recognition fulfilled some of the goals Ashtabula First West Farmington Willoughby Hills Andover First 2017 Reading Program Awards Linda Hrabal Erma Thompson Joan Smock Margaret Harvey Plan V Ashtabula First Toni Carlson Kinsman Ann Thompson Mayfield Barbara Eckardt Painesville Lois M. Harrington Judith Riczinger Emily Walker We celebrate your achievements! Page 2
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN PREPARE FOR CONVERSATIONS ON A WAY FORWARD In preparation for the special General Conference scheduled for next February, we have an opportunity to listen and share with other United Methodist Women at our Fall Gathering in Andover and at Annual Celebration. The following materials have been recommended to help us prepare for these conversations: United Methodist Women Recommendations o Commission on a Way Forward - Mission, Vision, Scope o United Methodist Women s historical social policies summaries on human sexuality o Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing the Future of United Methodism, by Robert Wil Cantrell (scroll to bottom for free download of chapter one) o Holding Together, by Jane Ellen Nickell, June 19, 2017 blog o Mapping Our Way Forward, by Yvette Moore o Responsively Yours: God Is Calling Us Forward, by Harriett Jane Olson o Responsively Yours: Forward Is the Only Option, by Harriett Jane Olson East Ohio Conference Recommendations o Be Strong and of Good Courage: A Call to Quiet Courage in an Anxious Time, by Gil Rendle (can download the pdf or read online) o Wonder, Love and Praise: Sharing a Vision for the Church, created by the Committee on Faith and Order for The United Methodist Church (can download pdf or read online) o Bishop Malone's video message and East Ohio Conference "A Way Forward" web page Some Questions for Consideration o Four questions crafted by the Council of Bishops for discussion by United Methodists across the denomination: In our diverse and global existence, what is the shared mission of the Church? Is there a proactive way to live together in our differences that doesn t presume that we will solve our differences? If so, what would it be? What might be a form of unity that would empower us living together? What is our witness and what can be our witness to the world in relation to our differences? o At this point there are three possibilities of what will be proposed at the 2019 specially called General Conference. What would you personally see to each of them as concrete support? 1.The Discipline is just fine the way it is. Leave it that way. This would mean no change in the eligibility for homosexuals, gay persons, transgender persons, bisexual persons, or those questioning their sexuality to receive the ability to serve in all positions, receive funding equally, and be able to choose their life partner according to each person's sexual preference. 2.The Discipline is not fine just the way it is. It needs to be radically changed to embrace and encourage all persons to live their lives according their own personal sexual preference and fully accepting each person in all areas of United Methodist ministries with no prejudice attached. 3.Each person is a unique child of God. We should accept each person as such and work with the Love of Christ our central theme and not focus just on our differences. Each one of us has at least one thing that the next person would not find 'acceptable'. In short, we work with what unites us as children of God. o After careful thought, is there anything that would make God not accept a particular person into the fold? o How do we move toward acceptance of all persons while maintaining our own integrity and understanding of God's laws? The above materials and questions are offered to us by the East Ohio Conference United Methodist Women. A representative from East Ohio Conference United Methodist Women will guide us in a time of listening and sharing at our Fall Gathering, so please read at least some of the resources, prayerfully consider these questions, and join us in Andover next October. Page 3
Looking Back, Seeking Forward: Past, Present and Future Mark Your Calendars Now for Annual Celebration October 26-27 Mt. Pleasant UMC 89 Canyon Road SW Carrollton, OH 44615 Watch for the registration form in the next newsletter and on our District United Methodist Women website. Summer is a great time to read! READING PROGRAM: 2018 Open a book and learn about the world! Mark Your Calendars! June 1 Mission u scholarship applications due July 20 Mission u One-day Sampler at Mount Union July 20-22 Mission u Three-day Event at Mount Union August 12 Sunday Sundaes WRD UMW Retreat at Mentor UMC August 14 Salad Supper WRD UMW Retreat at Kinsman UMC September 22 Tea at Two WRD UMW Retreat at Garrettsville UMC October 6 Fall Gathering at Andover UMC October 26 & 27 EOC UMW Annual Celebration at Mt. Pleasant UMC, Carrollton WESTERN RESERVE DISTRICT WOMEN S RETREAT Western Reserve District United Methodist Women is excited to offer a new format for our Spiritual Growth Retreat! There will be three opportunities for learning, fellowship, mission and fun: Sunday Sundaes, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 12: Come and join in building your own ice cream sundae at Mentor UMC, 8600 Mentor Ave., Mentor 44060 Salad Supper, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 14: Come enjoy a salad supper at Kinsman UMC, 8362 Main St., Kinsman 44428 Tea at Two, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 22: Bring your favorite tea cup and join us at Garrettsville UMC, 8223 Park Ave., Garrettsville 44231 All three events will include a brief program based on the 2018 spiritual growth mission study, Embracing Wholeness: An Earth Perspective for Covenantal Living, which will offer us a chance to consider how we can care for creation, work together with all of life, and care for others and ourselves the way Christ cared for all of creation. The time will conclude with a hands-on mission opportunity to create a variety of easy-butattractive Christmas ornaments for Red Bird Mission. Last year we were able to send 180 ornaments that Red Bird distributed at a community outreach event. Let s see if we can match that again this year! Please plan to join us for one (or more!) of these retreat events! If you have any questions you can call or text Melissa Cunningham, Spiritual Growth Coordinator. Page 4
IN THE KNOW... REGISTER NOW FOR MISSION U JULY 20 & 20-22 AT MOUNT UNION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Mission u is an annual experience of ministry, spiritual growth, mission studies, and focus groups on current social concerns, mission projects and programs, special ministries, and other topics of interest. Come for the one-day sampler or the full three-day experience. Programs for youth and children are also available! A limited number of scholarships are available by application with priority given to first-time attendees. Scholarship applications must be received by June 1 and are not based on financial need, so don t miss this no risk opportunity to try Mission u! Detailed information, registration forms, and the scholarship application are found on pages 9-14 in this newsletter. Don t delay in registering! Prices go up after June 1st! JOIN US! United Methodist Women of the Western Reserve Is looking for some women who are willing to serve. If you might have a little time to try something new, Please listen up, consider our invitation for you: Justice-minded, filled with love for God and those in need Offering time and talent, both in word and deed Invitation, inspiration, information sharing Not alone but with a team who s gracious, fun and caring Unite with us in purpose, why not try something new Serving God and neighbor through our UMW! The exclamation point is so you ll know that we re excited To have you join this awesome team, cuz yes, you are invited! Yes, we are looking for prospective team members willing to share some time as a part of our District Team. We are especially in need of a Nominations Chairperson and a Secretary. Please email or call Carole Ring to explore ways you can serve! MISSION MONEY MATTERS UNIT BUDGET AND SPENDING The United Methodist Women Handbook 2017-2020 (click here to view online) reminds us of the purpose for funds raised by and for our local units. Here are a few excerpts from The Local Budget (pp. 82-83): Pledge to Mission: Traditionally, 60 percent of the local unit budget is for the Pledge, but the final decision rests with the local group itself. This is the most basic and most important category of Mission Giving. Administration and Membership Development: Appropriate expenditures include dependent care for meetings, postage and printing, program materials, program expenses, and other items relating to UMW. Mission Locally: Items such as contributions to local mission programs are appropriate. Items that are the responsibility of the total church are not appropriate, such as the church budget or building fund, parsonage upkeep, or for groups which have other community-wide sources of support. Emptying the treasury each year is important because the funds were given to be used for mission, not to build up a bank account for the unit. Saving for a rainy day is not good stewardship since today is a rainy day for thousands of women, children and youth for whom our mission money offers hope. Page 5
Western Reserve District UMW Candle Burning Service 2018 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 Gathering. 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 Gathering. September 25 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 September 25, 2018, 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 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 Unit Treasurer Name Phone Number Unit Name Amount Check Number
The Power of Bold 150 YEARS OF FAITH. HOPE. LOVE IN ACTION. Western Reserve District FALL Gathering Saturday, OCTOBER 6, 2018 W E C O N T I N U E O U R S P E C I A L Y E A R O F C E L E B R A T I O N A T T H E W E S T E R N R E S E R V E D I S T R I C T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T W O M E N F A L L G A T H E R I N G W I T H C A N D L E B U R N I N G, S H A R I N G, L E A R N I N G, O F F I C E R E L E C T I O N A N D I N S T A L L A T I O N, H O L Y C O M M U N I O N A N D M O R E. Andover First UMC 181 S. Main Street Andover, Ohio 44003 440-293-6290 Please see the back of this form for items we will be collecting for Angdover s food pangtry for our missiong project. Please note: Registration 9:30am... Program 10:00am... Lunch follows program ********************************************************************************************************************************* DUE: September 28, 2018 UNIT REGISTRATION FORM DUE: September 28, 2018 Name of UMW Unit and Church Contact phone number: 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 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 breakfast/snack 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 First UMC in Andover! These items will be gratefully accepted for Andover UMC s food pantry: canned goods (peanut butter, tuna, soup, etc.) and paper products (toilet paper, paper towel, etc.) Names of womeng attengding from our ungit with their special dietary ngeeds ngoted: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Page 9
Page 10
Mission u Drive-In Day and Three Day Events Registration 2018 Adult Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at www.missionu2018.eventbrite.com Or by US Mail (Using one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/18 Received 6/2/18 or later Mission u Sampler $70.00 $90.00 Mission u Three-Day Event, Double Room $170.00 $190.00 (Persons who require a double room and no roommate must pay DOUBLE) Mission u Three-Day Event, Single Room $250.00 $270.00 Mission u Three-Day Event, Commuter* $75.00 $95.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/18 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2018 Name: Church: Address: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Roommate's Name (if applicable) Cell: Email: The Missionary Conferences of the UMC (2nd year) What About Our Money (1st 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 2) 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 please enter Code District Officer Missionary Deaconess Conference Officer Pastor Age 19-30 Please note any special needs (Dietary/Physical) For US Mail: Mail Completed form to Judy Kidder 352 Kinsey Ave., East Liverpool, OH 43920-1349 Phone 330-385-8896 E-mail: jkk615@att.net 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 2018 Youth Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at www.missionu2018.eventbrite.com Or by US Mail (Use one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/18 Received 6/2/18 or later Mission u Three-Day Event, Double Room $170.00 $190.00 Mission u Three-Day Event, Commuter* $75.00 $95.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/18 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2018 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: Judy Kidder 352 Kinsey Ave., East Liverpool, OH 43920-1349 Phone 330-385-8896 E-mail: jkk615@att.net 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 2018 Child Registration University of Mount Union Please register online at www. missionu2018.eventbrite.com Or by US Mail (Use one form per person; duplicate as needed) Mark which Event you will be attending: Received by 6/1/18 Received 6/2/18 or later Mission u Sampler $60.00 $80.00 Mission u Three-Day Event, Double Room $80.00 $100.00 Mission u Three-Day Event, Commuter* $65.00 $85.00 *(Sat. lunch included) Cancellations before 7/15/18 have a $25.00 Service Charge NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2018 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: Judy Kidder 352 Kinsey Ave., East Liverpool, OH 43920-1349 Phone 330-385-8896 E-mail: jkk615@att.net 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 2018 Scholarship Application University of Mount Union (Use one form per person; duplicate as needed) Must be Received by June 1, 2018 I WISH TO ATTEND: 1-Day Sampler Three-Day Event Name: Address: Church: District: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: Cell: Email: I am attending as a: First-time Attendee Child Youth Adult PLEASE INCLUDE A PARAGRAPH STATING WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND MISSION u. Mail Completed form to: Mission Coordinator for Education & Interpretation Carol Nelson Burns 313 N. Lighthouse Oval Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio 43440. Questions? Please email cnbkelleys@yahoo.com When you receive scholarship confirmation by email, please go online (www.missionu2018.eventbrite.com) and register using the code provided in your confirmation email.