Eileen Guillermo, President, North District UMW September 2017 Volume 30, Issue 3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE My eyes are wide open with amazement when it comes to United Methodist Women and their involvement in so many various missions. It never ceases to amaze me how God works through so many women with amazing gifts and talents to accomplish God s work. I am in awe of all God s creation. I recently had the blessing of being able to visit the Grand Canyon with two of my daughters and their children, my grandchildren. What a gift I was given. God s creation was all around me. Not only looking upon the canyon and appreciating the wonder of its majestic beauty, but looking into the eyes and hearts of my children and grandchildren. I was reminded of the wonder of God and that God is good. I was reminded that God cannot be put in a box, and taken down off the shelf when it is convenient for us, but that he is ever present and around us. The trip to the Grand Canyon was the day following our North District Rock-a-Thon Legacy 150 fundraiser. It provided time for reflection of the wonder and power of God. I knew from the inception of the idea for the North district fundraiser that the hand of God was involved in its planning. I prayed every day that the will of God would touch the hearts of others to support this fundraiser through their prayers and gifts. My faith waivered two days before the planned event. A couple days before the Rock-a-Thon, the actual number of anticipated participants dwindled. I still had faith it would work out as God would have it, but to be honest, I began to doubt that we would meet our goal. I know better than to doubt the power of God. I continued to keep the event in prayer, up to and including the day of the fundraiser. Need I say any more. We exceeded that goal! The final figure is not in yet as money is still coming to North District to be applied to the fundraising tally. God is good, all the time. When God is kept in the loop and in the process, all things are possible. I know that at times we may question our faith, but if we keep pressing forward with our eyes and heart open, faith will see us through. In the aftermath of the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, I would be remiss if I did not address this issue. I find that I am like the song by Holly Near, I am a gentle angry woman. I pray that as a United Methodist Woman, my faith, hope, and love will guide and give me strength in my words and actions regarding injustices suffered by others. For such a time as this, I pray the same for you. As always, may you be well, be safe, and be blessed beyond measure. Inside: President s Message 1 Mission u Scholarship Recipients 2 Mission u Marilyn Jean Chapman Scholarship 2 Reading Program at Advent UMW 3 From the Treasurer 3 Journey UMW Goes to the Movies 3 Future Arizona Justice for Our Neighbors 4 Program Resources 4 United Methodist Women ROCK! 5-7 North District Annual Celebration Flyer 8 North District Annual Celebration Registration 9 Page 1
MISSION U 2017 NORTH DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Jazmine Freeman (l) from Zion United Methodist Church was the recipient of the Marilyn Sue Scout Scholarship. Mary Johnson (r) from Desert Spring United Methodist Church, was the recipient of the Marilyn Jean Chapman Scholarship for Mission u 2017. Congratulations, Jasmine and Mary! Advent United Methodist Women recently held their general meeting. Barbara Lewis gave a review of the book titled Not Safe for Church - 10 Commandments for Reaching New Generations. This book is from the Leadership Development 2017 Reading Program list. Mary chose Missionary Conferences in the U.S. as her study and Jasmine participated in the spiritual growth study. The Marilyn Jean Chapman Scholarship was established by the United Methodist Women of the Desert Southwest Conference in loving memory of Marilyn Jean Chapman. Marilyn served United Methodist Women in many areas throughout the years. She was Dean of the School of Christian Mission for four years, 1986-1990. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage awareness and understanding of United Methodist Women through education and participation in School of Christian Mission, now known as MISSION u. The Marilyn Sue Stout Scholarship was established to encourage and educate teenage and young adult women in the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, as a means to gain an awareness, understanding, and involvement in the lay organization of United Methodist Women. MISSION U MARILYN JEAN CHAPMAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT I had the privilege recently of being awarded a scholarship to Mission u. Having never attended before, I really didn t know what to expect, but I received the study material and began reading about Missionary Conferences of the United Methodist Church in the United States. Now, this might sound a bit dry, but the information was fascinating as I was aided in my understanding by our study leader, Reverend Ida Mae Easley. So, here s the deal. I began life as a Methodist and North Country Breezes, September 2017 The authors give ten ways and identify tools to reach younger people in nontraditional ways who may be struggling with the idea of church and the good news. FROM THE TREASURER Sharon Scobie, Treasurer Our Rock-a-Thon was so much fun. We watched a movie and some of us did looming and other types of needlework, as well as lots of sharing with each other. The total amount we have received is still not final as some pledges are still coming in. However, I can tell you that we made OVER our goal of $1,869. A special thanks to the rockers and to all of you who supported us in this endeavor. I think plans may be in process to do this again next year. Your local groups could do this on your own as a money raiser. As the summer ends, I can tell you that we have paid the following so far for 2017: $9,750 Pledge to Mission; $50 Gift to Mission; $359 Gift in Memory; $240 Special Mission Recognition; $216 World Thank; $227 Prayer & Self Denial; and $100 UMCOR. Good job, North District. Keep up the good work! JOURNEY UMW GOES TO THE MOVIES Eileen Guillermo, President, Journey UMW Mary Johnson, Desert Spring UMW Sometimes, you don t know just how little you understand about any given subject until it s presented in a way that is explained by someone with vast knowledge and a great willingness to impart said knowledge. It also helps if said person is a born teacher, preacher and story teller. READING PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTED AT ADVENT UMW didn t realize that being a member of my church and attending services every Sunday wasn t the full experience of being a participating member of said church. United Methodist Women has truly opened my eyes to so many opportunities to truly be a part of my church, Desert Spring United Methodist Church. In the 18 months since I retired, I have been a part of many events and planning committees including Mission u, which was held at Desert Spring. This experience was an eyeopener, not just in my astonishment in learning that I m not as knowledgeable about the United Methodist Church as I had assumed I was, but also in finding so many new relationships with amazing women I would never have met had I not been a part of this wonderful event. I feel like I owe so much to UMW. My life has been truly enriched by these extraordinary women. Page 2 Journey United Methodist Women Movie Circle continues to meet once a month. We have seen The Shack, Spiderman the Homecoming, and our August movie was Dunkirk. These gatherings are open to everyone, men and women. The movies selected are those playing at the Station casinos. Seniors gets the $4.00 senior movie tickets by using their Station card. We rotate theatres throughout the Las Vegas Valley, so we don t always go to the same one. CINEMA After the movie we gather for conversation and a bite to eat. Everyone is welcome to join us. Some of us We meet on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Time wear our purple Journey T-shirts, so we re easy to spot. and location vary, depending on movie times and show Come join us. locations. You can contact Alice Moran at 702-595-8584 for location and times if you might consider joining us. North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 3
FUTURE ARIZONA JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS Glenda Hill, DSC UMW Secretary At Mission u we had a presentation by Glenda Hill and Lynn Wallasky about the Future Arizona Justice for Our Neighbors. Justice for Our Neighbors is a United Methodist ministry that welcomes people by providing affordable immigration legal services to low-income immigrants. The Future Arizona Justice for Our Neighbors will have a staff attorney who will consult with clients on immigration matters. Attorneys and volunteers will also conduct community forums on immigration issues and encourage advocacy for the rights of immigrants. Clients and volunteers will be welcomed without regard to religion, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. The board working with this ministry has chosen the Tucson area to open its first site. The plan is to start mobile clinics that will serve rural communities along our southern border. The first clinic site will be at New Hope United Methodist Church (Esperanza). Of course this all requires many donations of time and money. At this time volunteers are needed to help with presentations and fund-raising. Please consider inviting a team to come speak to your church, your United Methodist Women or community organization. You may also make a donation online: http://www.dscumc.org/jfondonation Thank you to all our United Methodist Women who are working with the Desert Southwest Conference Immigration Task Force to make this dream a reality. For more information: National Justice For Our Neighbors http://njfon.org To receive the online Future Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors newsletter send a request to rdoerrerpeacock@cox.net Sharon Scobie, Secretary, Program Resources I just finished reading the book, Beaded Hope, a novel by Cathy Liggett. It is an Education for Mission book from the 2012 reading list. This story is about four women (Cassandra, Gabby, Heidi & Kati), each with her own personal problem, who go on a two-week mission trip to Africa. There they meet up with women who have many more problems than they do but seem to have joy and hope in their lives. The influence that these women have on each other is incredible. This is an easy read and I found the book at the public library. I m in the process of reading Moral Ground edited by Kathleen Dean Moore & Michael P. Nelson. It is a series of articles written by more than 80 visionaries who encourage us in our responsibility to care for our planet. This is a much harder read but I m plugging through it. PROGRAM RESOURCES It is a social action bonus book so counts for two books if I get it read. Others I m working on are Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado, a book about God using common folk to make a difference in the world and How Coffee Saved My Life by Ellie Roscher, a self-described rich, white North American overachiever who decided to spend a year in Lascano, Uruguay. This story relates her experience as she struggled for survival physically and emotionally. You have until the end of the year to continue reading for the 2017 reading program award. You can read books from the 2012-2017 reading list. This will be the last year for the 2012 books. Happy Reading!! UNITED METHODIST WOMEN ROCK! 2017 North District Rock-a-Thon Legacy 150 Fundraiser Eileen Guillermo, DSC Legacy Coordinator Pictured are some of the Rockers who participated in the 2017 North District United Methodist Rock-a-Thon Legacy 150 fundraiser. The event was held at Journey United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, NV on August 5, 2017. The North District United Methodist Women leadership team of the Desert Southwest Conference organized this event and established a goal to raise $1,869. This amount represents the year that United Methodist Women first organized for mission. United Methodist Women Rockers from units at Desert Spring United Methodist Church, Journey United Methodist Church, and First Henderson United Methodist Church participated in this fundraiser. Rockers obtained sponsors and donors for this event. Several units that were unable to attend the event participated by supporting the Legacy 150 fundraiser through their financial gifts. We had a blessed day of sharing and networking. We watched the movie Hidden Figures and discussed the movie afterwards. Throughout this rocking day, some were coloring, doing needlework, and looming to make baby hats for a local mission. Some of the rockers also read children s books from the United Methodist Women Reading Program list. We shared a wonderful lunch, and had an enjoyable time talking and sharing stores. God s hands, feet, gifts, talents, and Spirit were at work throughout this event. We exceeded our goal. It was my absolute pleasure and honor to rock with these special ladies. Thank you all. Kay Leonard rocked in her rocker that belonged to her grandmother. The chair is over 100 years old. Way to keep that UMW rocking history going Kay! Kay Leonard (l), Eileen Guillermo (c), and Allie Lakey (r) giving looming instructions. North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 4 North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 5
ROCK-A-THON PHOTOS CONTINUED ROCK-A-THON PHOTOS CONTINUED Allie Lakey working on baby hat for one of Journey s mission projects. The baby hats are presented to the American Heart Association for distribution to neonatal unit at a local hospital in support of heart awareness month in February. She is getting a head start on those hats while rocking. Terry Kelch was doing adult coloring while rocking. Sharon Scobie (r) doing needlework while rocking. Way to multitask Sharon. Pictured also is Nancy Kolstad (l). Sylvia Hackethorn rolling her yarn while watching movie Hidden Figures. Donna Mae Harrison completed two hats for the Journey mission project. These are the first hats she ever made via the loom. Great job Donna Mae! Allie Lakey was a good teacher. Mary Johnson (l) reading a book from the Reading Program list. Pictured also is Allison Kerr (r). Pastor Robyne Mayer from Journey United Methodist Church showed her support by rocking with us while watching the movie. Gracie Campbell (L), Nancy Kolstad (C), and Sharon Scobie (R) rocking and watching the movie Hidden Figures. Kay Leonard (l), Eileen Guillermo (c), and Allie Lakey (r) giving looming instructions. What a great group of Rockers! Thank you all for your support. North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 6 North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 7
North District Annual Celebration Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Journey United Methodist Church 6450 E. Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada Morning Schedule For UMW 8:30 a.m. - Check-in 9:00 a.m. UMW Business, Awards 11:00 a.m. - Lunch Afternoon Schedule For UMW & Community 12 noon UMCOR Presentation by Rev. Brian Diggs, Director The afternoon session of the Annual Celebration program is open to all including members and friends of local churches. Guest speaker is Rev. Brian Diggs, Director of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Salt Lake City, Utah. He will be speaking on the organization, its purpose, and how it operates. REGISTRATION FORM North District United Methodist Women ANNUAL CELEBRATION 2017 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017 JOURNEY UMC, 6450 E. STEWART, Las Vegas, NV Afternoon Session features Rev. Brian Diggs, Associate Director Salt Lake City UMCOR West Depot Registration Deadline is October 6, 2017 Registration Fee $18.00 if paid by deadline Late registration $20.00 : - - - -cut here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -save top portion for your information - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -cut here - - - - Complete a registration form for each person If a unit pays, please submit check with registration forms. Please make checks payable to North District United Methodist Women Send to Terrie Shipman, Registrar, 501 Palmhurst Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89145, phone 702-343-7441 NAME OF PERSON ATTENDING OFFICE or AREA OF INTEREST United Methodist Women units and all North district churches are encouraged to support this part of the program by making up kits that are distributed by UMCOR, or provide financial support. A love offering will be given to UMCOR. Kits will be blessed during this event and transported to UMCOR in Salt Lake City for further distribution. If you are wondering what kits could be made up, please visit the UMCOR website at umcor.org to learn more, or call Eileen Guillermo for further details at (702) 807-3270. Please join us to learn more about UMCOR and the valuable work it does on behalf of the whole United Methodist Church. North Country Breezes, September 2017 ADDRESS Street City State Zip Code PHONE EMAIL CHURCH Check # EMERGENCY CONTACT Name Relationship Phone Do you give permission to be photographed and authorize photos to be used in United Methodist Women newsletters and other publications, promotional material and/or social media? Yes No Do you need child care? Yes No Number of Children Age(s) Any dietary restrictions? No Yes (Describe on back of this form.) Page 8 North Country Breezes, September 2017 Page 9