South District United Methodist Women s Newsletter President: Bobbie Norris March 2018 Editor: Alice Brown CERTIFICATES AWARDED-MISSION TODAY Congratulations to each of the United Methodist Women Organizations that completed the Mission Today Forms. These Certificates were awarded at the South District Leadership Development Event held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on February 3. 2018. It is an honor for all Organizations to complete the requirements and receive the award. I pray that each Organization within the South District will take the time to complete the Mission Today Form and submit it to me in a timely manner, so all will be included in the celebration and awards ceremony. The forms for 2018 will be sent out in September, 2018 with a submission deadline date of December 31, 2018. Blessing, and best wishes, Bobbie Norris, President GOLD CERTIFICATES: Green Valley United Methodist Women Safford United Methodist Women St. Mark's United Methodist Women SILVER CERTIFICATES: Catalina United Methodist Women Sanctuary United Methodist Women St. Paul's United Methodist Women BRONZE CERTIFICATES: St. James United Methodist Women Desert Skies United Methodist Women PEWTER CERTIFICATES: Willcox United Methodist Women Certificates Awarded Continued on Page 2 1
CERTIFICATES AWARDED-READING PROGRAM Congratulations are in order for the following United Methodist Women's Organizations that participated in the 2017 Reading Program and received Certificates of Recognition: Green Valley United Methodist Women Plan III: 15 Books Marilyn Neal Janet Schulcz Plan II: 10 Books Shirley Nelson Ann Jenkins Sheila Gozdenovich Patsy June Barbara Kerfoot Plan I: 5 Books Karen Heim Natalie Barber Liz Marcucci Billie Fidler Mary Lesher Safford United Methodist Women Plan IV: 20 Books Sharon Worland Plan I: 5 Books Annette Erickson Laura Whelton Mary Ann Ferber Priscella Hinkins Virginia Slusher St. James United Methodist Women Plan IV: 20 Books Judy Courtright Lucy Tew Virginia Watson Bobbie Norris Plan II: 10 Books Ellen Dattilo Patti Hoag Alice Brown St. Mark's United Methodist Women Plan IV: 20 Books Alberta Farnsworth Plan I: 5 Books Ardyce Johnson St. Paul's United Methodist Women Plan IV: 20 Books Brenda Williams Margaret Richardson Nancy Boyd Plan III: 15 Books Shannon Twilling Plan II: 10 Books Katie Smith Plan I: 5 Books Benni McKnight Joan Meyer Shielle Stanford Honorable Mention Dolores Bain 3 Books Suzanne Cipra 1 Book Janette Collins 2 Books Shirley Duffy 3 Books Bonnie Fiskas 1 Book Kathy Hubble 3 Books Jean McClamrock 3 Books Kay Slocum 3 Books Sally West 2 Books Phyllis Weaver 3 Books Sierra Vista United Methodist Women Plan II: 10 book Leanora Benson Here's a challenge for each of our South District Organizations, let's make 2018 a banner year for the Reading Program. I would like to see each Organization reporting on the Reading Program. If you read the books on your kindle or tablet, or if you read them while holding the book, let's report it. Let's do it. Come on folks, I know you can. It's really not that hard to do. Again, congratulations to those that are reading and those Organizations that received Certificates. Keep up the good work. Blessings, and best wishes, Bobbie Norris 2
CERTIFICATES AWARDED-LIVING THE CHARTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE The following churches received a Certificate for maintaining their status as Living the Charter for Racial Justice : Safford United Methodist Women St. James United Methodist Women St. Mark s United Methodist Women It s really not hard to become nor maintain Living the Charter for Racial Justice Check out the website for the brochure and reporting form It s not too late to report and receive a certificate for 2017 and why not start planning for 2018 CERTIFICATES AWARDED-FOR FIVE STAR UNITS I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are back to the usual routines. The first of the year is busy for United Methodist Women and started with the Annual Retreat for the South District leadership team at LaPurisima Retreat. Plans for 2018 were made, fun conversations and team building. The following units received 5 Star Certificates at the Leadership Development Training Event on February 3 rd : Catalina United Methodist Women Christ Church United Methodist Women Green Valley United Methodist Women Safford United Methodist Women Sanctuary United Methodist Women Sierra Vista United Methodist Women St. James United Methodist Women St. Mark s United Methodist Women Vista de La Montańa United Methodist Women The 5 items to receive 5 Star Certificates are Pledge to Mission, Gift in Memory, Gift to Mission, Special Mission Recognition and World Thank Offering. Please remember when you submit your mission gifts to include the remittance form indicating what your payment is for. Peace, love and happiness to all, Patsy June South District Treasurer 3
SOUTH DISTRICT 2017 CENSUS GOAL Our goal for 2017 is to have 100 percent of our South District Local Organizations reporting. We are asking for your commitment to make this happen. This will be a joint effort as the National Office of Membership will be reaching out to all local organizations by email and mailings to inform organization leaders about the importance of filling out the census and how it relates directly to United Methodist Women s efforts in fulfilling our core commitments: spiritual growth, leadership development, transformative education, service and advocacy and organizing for membership growth. You will recognize some changes on the form. There are several new questions that are focused on strategies around increasing membership, our social justice priorities, and training needs. Our goal is to increase membership by 2 percent at the district level by 2020, so the feedback received through the census is critical in how we plan strategically to meet this goal. We are determined to reach this goal. Let s be inspired to share our rich legacy of mission and all that United Methodist Women has to offer, so that we can celebrate another 150 years of turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world! CENSUS LINK The Census Link can be found on the United Methodist Women s website or you can click on this direct link: www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/census2017 Follow the instructions. It s really easy to complete. The deadline for the 2017 Census is March 30, 2018 Name of: President, address, preferred telephone number, email address 1. Total Members as of December 31, 2016 2. Number of new members added since Jan 1, 2017 3. Number of members lost in 2017 There will be some additional questions that can be supplied at the time of inputting the above basic information. If you need help inputting your Census into the National Website Call: Bobbie Norris, President, 520-349-5089 Once completed please contact: Christine Maglott, Coordinator, Educating Members for Mission, 520-393-7427, email: cmaglott@earthlink.net And let her know you have completed the census for your organization 4
ANNUAL SOUTH DISTRICT CELEBRATION 2018 Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 13 and get ready for a short road trip to your ANNUAL SOUTH DISTRICT CELEBRATION Where: First United Methodist Church of Eloy 605 Santa Cruz, Eloy, AZ 85131 Theme: Unto the Least of These Matthew 25: 42-44 Our Keynote Speaker: Doug Bowers What is Kairos Prison Ministry? Doug will also be our song leader picking and strumming on his guitar Two focus groups, Conversations on our Way Forward-Led by Alberta Farnsworth & Dealing with Aging-Led by Martha Lundgren, Deaconess Mission project: Non perishable food items for The Lord s Pantry Registration form will be in the next newsletter Blessings, Marilyn Neal, Vice President of Programming The Boarding of Flight 2018 Has Been Announced Your luggage should only contain the best souvenirs from 2017 The bad and sad moments should be left in the garbage The duration of the flight will be 12 months. So, tighten your seatbelt. The next stop overs will be: Health, Love, Joy, Harmony, well-being and Peace The captain offers you the following menu Which will be served during the flight A Cocktail of Friendship, A Supreme of Health, A Gratin of Prosperity, A Bowl of Excellent News, A Salad of Success, A Cake of Happiness, and All accompanied by bursts of laughter.. Wishing you an enjoyable trip on board of flight 2018.. 5
Mark your calendars and plan to attend United Methodist Women s 2018 Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, May 18-20, 2018. This Assembly is particularly momentous it marks both the official celebration of our 150th anniversary and a return to the location of our first Assembly in 1942. Our theme is The Power of Bold, and throughout the action-filled weekend we will revisit the journey of Mary, who boldly risked safety and security to answer yes to God s call to service. Registration ends April 1, 2018 Mission project: Hats and booties for Babies You can bring them to assembly & they will be donated to nearby hospitals and organization or donate them to your local hospital or organization Give: Online at www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/ legacyfund By phone: 800-278-7771 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, M - F) By text on your mobile device: Text 41444 and enter Legacy 150 in the message area. By check to: United Methodist Women Attn: Development, Legacy Fund 475 Riverside Drive, 15th floor New York, NY 10115 Write "The Legacy Fund" in the memo section of your check 6
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS BOOK EARLY Living the Charter for Racial Justice Racial Justice is still a necessary topic for our church to keep at the forefront. Many of us lived through the days of the Civil Rights Movement and we hoped and prayed that all would be well and for a time we thought it was. Now we are seeing more and more unrest and have come to know that, while surface changes were widespread, systemic unjust has not only continued, but in many cases, increased. Can United Methodist Women do anything about it? We can become informed and we can participate in Living The Charter for Racial Justice in our local organizations. We have a wonderful resource at www.unitedmethodistwomen.org with lots of ideas for programs or action ideas. If you would like a program explaining the Desert Southwest Conference United Methodist Women s Living the Charter for Racial Justice, contact Alberta Farnsworth, 520-906-9333 or Alice Brown, 520-247-6972 United Methodist Women 101 Why do we need it? Do you remember when you first joined United Methodist Women? Was it for the fellowship of other women? Or was it because they asked you to pledge money? More likely, it was for fellowship! But, as you learned more and more about the missions, you got that feeling that the group was more than just a social group. Now, maybe you have forgotten some of the missions as you get bogged down in going to meetings, making items to sell at the bazaar, working in the kitchen for some fundraising project or other day to day or month to month activity. United Methodist Women 101 is a fun way to remind us of all the wonderful things that United Methodist Women are capable of doing because we are a connectional organization with a PURPOSE! We have a reason to go to meetings and keep busy. We are helping others and growing in our faith. Contact or Alberta Farnsworth, 520-906-9333, Bobbie Norris, 520-349-5089 or Alice Brown, 520-247-6972 to arrange for this program. A Conversation about The Way Forward United Methodist Women like to talk! That is not a surprise, but how often do we get to have a serious discussion about topics that may affect our beloved church? A Conversation about The Way Forward is an opportunity to talk about one of the big issues our denomination is facing. This conversation is not designed to take a position on what the outcome will eventually be, but to look within ourselves at how we will deal with the outcome. How do we handle changes? Will United Methodist Women make any changes? Will our local church make changes? This is an opportunity for you to talk with others about your feelings and learn how others are feeling. Life goes on, change happens. Looking forward, with God s help, we will remain strong women in faith. My God is stronger than all the controversies that humankind comes up with. Praise be to God. This is a workshop centered around small table group conversation. It takes at least 1½ hours, preferably 2 to not feel rushed. Please contact Alberta Farnsworth, 520-906-9333 to set up a workshop for your group. 7
AN ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE PROGRAM BOOK EARLY Ephesians 4:32 Living By: Lorraine Shaw Living the Christian life can be difficult especially as we try to live as Ephesians 4:32 instructs us to. I have been attending an intensive Women s Bible Study on Ephesians and the part that has really spoken to my heart is all about what to put off and then what to put on. It s like taking off our filthy, dirty clothes and putting on the clean, fresh ones. Out of this study, I have felt challenged to put together a presentation/ workshop for other women. This presentation will challenge, motivate, inspire, make us squirm some, but ultimately lead us to Ephesians 4:32 type of living. It will show us how to let the fruit of the spirit grow inside of us. Paul explains that if we don t put off and put aside the trappings of the old life we cannot put on the good things God has for us. I know we all want to mature into that new creation and not be mired down by our old sinful nature. We want to have the face of God shining as our reflection. Consider how God puts us through His refining fire to burn off the dross (the unwanted, impure scum formed on the surface of molten metal). A silversmith will sit and watch the metal in the hot fire as it is melted and molded into the piece he desires. He will know the piece is ready when he can see his reflection in the piece. Wow, God looks at us during the refining fires the same way and waits until He sees His reflection to take us out of the fire. If you would like to offer this presentation at one of your meetings or expand it into a segment of a retreat or hold a separate leadership workshop, please let me know. My email is lshaw@takeittotheedgemarketing.com. I have this untamed excitement and burning desire inside of me to share and it s begging to be released. I can customize the length of this program to fit your needs. For those of you who don t know me, I am Alice Brown and Bobbie Norris s sister. I also am a former President and Treasurer of the South District as well as the past President of the Raritan Valley District for the Greater New Jersey Conference. I am a certified lay servant and have co-lay pastored a small church in New Jersey for 3 years along side my husband. CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 23, Legacy Day of Giving May 18-20, Assembly 2018, Columbus, Ohio June 14-17, Annual Church Conference August 24-25, Mission u South District October 13, South District Annual Meeting, Eloy, AZ October 27, Conference Annual Celebration, Las Vegas, NV 8
An Irish Prayer May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer. An Easter Prayer by Helen Steiner Rice: May this Easter Grandeur Awaken Faded Flowers of Faith God, give us eyes to see the beauty of the Spring, And to behold Your majesty in every living thing And may we see in lacy leaves and every budding flower The Hand that rules the universe with gentleness and power And may this Easter grandeur that Spring lavishly imparts Awaken faded flowers of faith lying dormant in our hearts, And give us ears to hear, dear God, the Springtime song of birds With messages more meaningful than man s often empty words Telling harried human beings who are lost in dark despair Be like us and do not worry for God has you in His care..helen Steiner Rice 9