We are looking forward for winter to finally close her eyes and the spring weather to begin. Once we can open our eyes to the trees budding and flowers blooming, feeling the air become warmer and warmer as the days go by, cleaning out the flower beds and preparing to see the new arrivals of life pushing its way through the soil; then we know another year of new growth and beginning has started. This is the same way we should each look at the United Methodist Women in the Detroit Conference and the “Limitless Program”. On March 23, 2015, we were reminded that eight women came together in Boston, Massachusetts and organized what we know now as the “United Methodist Women”. Why is this important? It is very important because on March 23, 2019, the United Methodist Women will be celebrating 150 years of mission services and we’re working to make sure that financially those eight women’s dedication and foresight will continue for many generations to come. Another way for the United Methodist Women to ensure that our mission work continues is through our membership growth. So how should we begin to think of the ingredients we will need to fulfill this area of our organization? Well, we do not need to think very hard about what we need, because, I think we all have a pretty good idea of what is needed. So let’s begin to count the ways: We know that we need to diversify in our ways of doing and developing mission work. We need to continue to help assist in filling the needs and opportunities of women, children and youth (and anyone). We need to always work toward the next and never ending levels for the organization. We need to encourage new leadership. We need the United Methodist Women “Limitless Program”. The United Methodist Women Detroit Conference needs another beginning with the “Limitless Program” and the Conference team needs everyone’s help. The team is asking each District to reach out to the local units and beyond to this very special group of young women and ask for their help. Let them know we are interested in learning what their needs are. Let them know we want them to help us to learn what our next steps should be as it relates For r\United Methodist Women The Detroit Conference News - Spring 2015 to the mission work of the United Methodist Women in the Detroit Conference, nationally and throughout the world. Let them know we are not limited and we are empowered to embark on many opportunities to serve. Let them know we each have a “Purpose” through this organization that is spiritually connected to God as a supportive fellowship of women. So how do we begin, we begin by inviting the young women to come to our events, by one of us providing their names and contact information to Jennifer Rogers (Detroit Conference Limitless Coordinator), by listening to their ideas, by just talking and reaching out in any way we can, and by letting the young lady (or ladies) know they can define the United Methodist Women Detroit Conference, related to mission work, as what they need it to be. We need to begin by not limiting ourselves!!!!! Marchelle (Micki) Phelps [email protected]313-618-5361 Another Beginning WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE President………………………..…….…………...... 1 Vice President and Legacy Fund………………… 2 Social Action………………………………....……….3 Mission u.………………………..….….....................4 Senior Quiz……………..…………..……………5 News from the Districts……….………..…….7-9 Spiritual Growth ………………….…...………...9 Education and Interpretation……………....….10 Leadership Team Members…………………..11 News Subscription Form…………...…………12 Upcoming 2015 Dates.....................Back Cover
Transcript
We are looking forward for winter to finally close her eyes and the spring weather to begin. Once we can open our eyes to the trees budding and flowers blooming, feeling the air become warmer and warmer as the days go by, cleaning out the flower beds and preparing to see the new arrivals of life pushing its way through the soil; then we know another year of new growth and beginning has started. This is the same way we should each look at the United Methodist Women in the Detroit Conference and the “Limitless Program”.
On March 23, 2015, we were reminded that eight women came together in Boston, Massachusetts and organized what we know now as the “United Methodist Women”. Why is this important? It is very important because on March 23, 2019, the United Methodist Women will be celebrating 150 years of mission services and we’re working to make sure that financially those eight women’s dedication and foresight will continue for many generations to come. Another way for the United Methodist Women to ensure that our mission work continues is through our membership growth. So how should we begin to think of the ingredients we will need to fulfill this area of our organization? Well, we do not need to think very hard about what we need, because, I think we all have a pretty good idea of what is needed. So let’s begin to count the ways:
We know that we need to diversify in our ways of doing and developing mission work.
We need to continue to help assist in filling the needs
and opportunities of women, children and youth
(and anyone).
We need to always work toward the next and never
ending levels for the organization.
We need to encourage new leadership.
We need the United Methodist Women “Limitless Program”.
The United Methodist Women Detroit Conference needs another beginning with the “Limitless Program” and the Conference team needs everyone’s help. The team is asking each District to reach out to the local units and beyond to this very special group of young women and ask for their help. Let them know we are interested in learning what their needs are. Let them know we want them to help us to learn what our next steps should be as it relates
For
r\United Methodist Women
The Detroit Conference News - Spring 2015
to the mission work of the United Methodist Women in the Detroit Conference, nationally and throughout the world. Let them know we are not limited and we are empowered to embark on many opportunities to serve. Let them know we each have a “Purpose” through this organization that is spiritually connected to God as a supportive fellowship of women.
So how do we begin, we begin by inviting the young women to come to our events, by one of us providing their names and contact information to Jennifer Rogers (Detroit Conference Limitless Coordinator), by listening to their ideas, by just talking and reaching out in any way we can, and by letting the young lady (or ladies) know they can define the United Methodist Women Detroit Conference, related to mission work, as what they need it to be.
My daughter Beth Williams and granddaughter Elly have joined me at the Assembly the last two times.
I have been able to pass on the knowledge I have gained and continue to influence many others with what United Methodist Women can be and do.
In January the Response magazine came out with the big 150 on the cover. United Methodist Women will be 150 years old in 2019. We are celebrating the legacy of providing for the needs of women, children and youth.
In March the United Methodist Women News newspaper included the article "Living and Leaving a Legacy" on the front page. Quoting from it: "As our 150th anniversary approaches, on March 23, 2019, we ponder the legacy we will leave to our daughters, granddaughters, nieces and sisters. The Legacy Fund is an opportunity to provide a foundation for future generations to put faith, hope and love into action. It is an endowment to ensure the work of United Methodist Women continues for the next 150 years."2
Find out more about giving monetarily to the Legacy Fund
at http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/legacyfund
1 From response, July/August 2014, Volume 46, No. 7.
Used by permission. 2 From United Methodist Women News, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2015). Used by permission
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The Legacy Fund
Last December I was part of a small group of women from our conference who got together to brainstorm about how we could promote the United Methodist Women Legacy Fund in our Conference. Our General Secretary Harriett Olson said in her column in the July/August Response that "Gathering and telling the story of United Methodist Women is one way to celebrate and pass on this great legacy of mission. Every telling of the story is an invitation to some woman to join us in mission."1 We want to encourage everyone to write down their story of how they became involved in United Methodist Women. Then share it in your local unit, in your church newsletter, and with friends who have not been part of United Methodist Women.
I became involved in United Methodist Women right when that new name was being used in 1972/73. Even though my mother Joyce Spitnale and grandmother Marian Hunt had been in predecessor organizations so I knew women in mission, I was invited to get to know more about what was happening then by Lucile Ogden. I attended my first North Central Jurisdiction meeting in Des Moines Iowa with the Detroit Conference UMW delegation in 1976. My mother was attending also from West Ohio. Fast forwarding past many offices I have held and many mission schools attended, in 2008 I was elected Vice President of the North Central Jurisdiction Leadership Team. Our planned 2012 Jurisdiction meeting was held in Des Moines too! I had been trained, schooled, and called to participate in and lead many activities over the years.
Commitment To Christ to Serve
The United Methodist Women of the Detroit Conference had a fun and exciting Retreat meeting in Birch Run, Michigan. The January meeting emphasis was on Team Building and how to be more inclusive. Rev. Suzanne Walls was the facilitator.
Please check out the website http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org. It addresses Seasonal Reflection and Resources which is inclusive of holy days and other faith observances. During the Lenten Season, the focus article was “Forty Days of Racial Justice”. It is a great resource for learning about who we are and what we do. Take time and visit it.
Now that we finally have temperature in the double digits, let’s update our calendar for Mission u. Can you feel the anticipation?
We are planning for the Annual Celebration at Ferndale First United Methodist Church, October 24, 2015. The Theme is “To Develop a Creative, Supportive, Fellowship. Rev. Faith Timmons will be the speaker.
Together we serve with the gifts God has given us. Lent is a reflection time, a time to grow even more. I
am looking forward to the rest of the year, a commitment to Christ is a daily calling which challenges us.
“Sharing and Working Together on Social Action Issues”
I hope this finds you well and with God in your missions for and with Him! At Mission u with your help, I hope to have a sharing session of Social Action ideas and activities that are going on all over the conference, in your area. Let’s hear from YOU! We can share resources, speakers, and be stronger because of it. For 2015, we were asked to work on missions that were especially important to our areas and then share them. This is the time! We can also use this newsletter to get the word out. I seem to be hearing the most about Human Trafficking from the Districts, a common focus, happening in every town.
During the last year, my church-Plymouth First UMC in the Ann Arbor District, has spearheaded a newly formed coalition called, Pearls of Great Price, referencing the value of each person as a child of God. It includes church members, men and women, as well as community groups from Wayne and Washtenaw counties, working together to fight Human Trafficking. There will be a workshop on Friday, June 5, held at the church, to hear many ways to share and work together. So far, action items have included posting signs on the insides of public bathroom doors with help phone numbers listed, and also soaps placed in motels before large gatherings with help numbers on the underside. Men as well as women are involved, and a pledging group with men called, Lion’s Pride, is being formed, to encourage abolishing porn in homes and workplaces, to encourage respect of women and children within families and the workplace, and discouraging any conversations and actions that go against those views. All are welcome, so please contact me if you are interested in participating or would like some ideas of how to start a group in your area, [email protected]. Though my church has a very small group of UMW now, we can be loud in action with many others involved.
Keep Making Peace #13, our Social Action meeting, took place on Friday and Saturday, April 10 & 11, 2015 at the East Lansing UMC. It began with a light dinner on the 10th, 6:00 pm and ended about 3:30 pm on Saturday. Three forms of Violence were to be looked at; Gun Violence, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. There were 5 major leaders of the event, speaking and leading workshops on these subjects. It was a very powerful day!
I have the privilege of attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington DC April 17-20, 2015. The website is advocacydays.org. By the time you receive this, I will have been re-energized by this extraordinary event. There is a wealth of information here to share. In the past, it has been an eye opener for me in so many areas of Social Action. I would encourage anyone in our Conference who has a heart for this or wants to learn more to consider attending in 2016. Your District or Local unit may be able to help with a scholarship. It is supported by our UMW. I have learned how much I do count as an individual. At the end, you have a chance to visit with your Senators and Representative to discuss the issues.
As United Methodist Women, we stand together with God to work wherever He leads us in mission. It begins with our relationships at home, work, church, and community, and grows outward. One by one, we can make a difference!
I recently retired from Arbor Hospice as a Volunteer Coordinator and now continue as a volunteer. It occurred to me when I was reading the Arbor Hospice Newsletter about National Volunteer Week that we as United Methodist Women are volunteers for Jesus Christ. National Volunteer Week, April 12-18, 2015, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.
As we must bear witness too, our foremothers have done just this. They have created supportive communities; they have inspired women and children to lead better lives. They have reached out across the world in Mission. They have made our purpose to know God! We continue with that today as we support United Methodist Women projects, as we volunteer to serve in leadership and keep God at the forefront of all we are doing.
I want to say thank you to our great volunteers for the United Methodist Women. The leadership of our organizations whether at the local, district, conference or National level are pivotal to continuing our purpose. As your nominations committee works to fill its teams remember that it only takes a spark to get a fire going. You can be that fire and the spark! Please let us know if there is anything you are interested in being involved in for our United Methodist Women. You can contact any member of the Conference Nominations Committee for questions.
Have a wonderful spring and may God’s Blessings fill your soul this spring like the buds spring forth on the trees. John 15:5 Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches.
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SECRETARY
Update Your Local, and District Leadership Team Each Year
It really is nice to be out of the frigid temperatures of February. Thank God for spring and remember February on a hot summer day.
I experienced unusually cold and windy weather on my trip to Israel. Even so it was a good trip. We saw and experienced much in ten days, from the Dead Sea to the Golan Heights. We stayed three nights each in Bethlehem, Tiberius on The Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem.
As conference secretary I urge district secretaries, presidents or another officer to get a list of district officers and their contact information to the conference every year. In the United Methodist Women Detroit Conference Kay Mowery has assumed responsibility for the directory for this year. The list of Leadership Team members and contact information can be sent to Kay Mowery and/or Kay Fuller who mails out the Detroit Conference News. Notification of changes in any information should be sent to either Kay..
At the district level it may be the secretary or communications coordinator who needs a list of local officers and their contact information. The first request likely appears in the district newsletter with a form and the instructions for return. If the form is not returned on time I suggest there should be effort to contact the local president, secretary or another officer each year by email, phone or through the local church. Follow-up messages may need to be sent. District officers, a UMW member might be pleased to be asked to help with those contacts..
Email addresses are important; the responder can get the information together and answer in their time. It is important at all levels to urge persons on our lists to notify the conference or district during the year when there is a change of information. Communication and dissemination of information is so important in an organization such as United Methodist Women.
Plan now to attend one or more of the 2015 Detroit Conference Mission u events. Mission u is for everyone!!! Every United Methodist Woman has the opportunity to learn about the width, breadth, and depth of mission programs supported by her pledge as well as gaining insights into challenges faced by specific mission programs. AGAIN, Mission u is for everyone! Not only should the local and district Mission Coordinators of Education & Interpretation and Social Action attend, but Sunday School leaders, members of church mission committees, and committees of Church and Society, to learn more about their role in the local church. The role of United Methodist Women in supporting local, national and world-wide mission cannot be over emphasized! Local UMW units are asked to share with local church leaders about these opportunities, and, if possible, offer scholarships to their own members as well as men, women and youth in their church.
This year’s studies include Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God; Latin America: People & Faith; and returning for the second year, The Church and People with Disabilities. The youth study is Latin America: Places, Culture, and Faith: A Mission Study for Youth and the children’s study is Life and Faith in Latin America: A Mission Study for Children
The “One- day Drive-in” Mission u of the South is Saturday, July 1, 2015 at Milan: Marble Memorial UMC, offering the opportunity to sample all three studies. In addition, the Youth Study (ages 12-18) at no cost!. There will be another “One - day Drive-in” Mission u at Lake Huron Retreat Center on Thursday, August 13, 2015. It also will offer the opportunity to sample each study. In addition the Children’s Study ages 5-11 will be offered at no cost to children attending this session.
Mission u by the Lake is Friday & Saturday August 14-15, 2015 at Lake Huron Retreat Center. (A sampler session on Thursday evening is available for the study you don’t take.) Lake Huron Retreat Center is very popular and early registration is encouraged for both sessions. The Retreat Center has a capacity of 120 people. Just prior to the Mission u by the Lake, there is an opportunity to participate in a “Hands On Mission Experience,” assisting at mission sites in the Port Huron area on Thursday morning and/or afternoon August 13, 2015.
Rev. Beth Librande, pastor at Freeland UMC will lead the study Created for Happiness at all Mission u events. Mary McCully, will lead the study The Church and People with Disabilities, and Joe & Joanne Perez
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will lead Latin America: People & Faith study at the August events, and Sonya Luna will lead it at the July event.
Shona Vennevy is the Registrar for all schools. Please send completed registration with self-adressed stamped envelope to: Shona Vennevy 505 Gibbs St., Caro MI 48723 Phone: 989-474-
In biblical days some people lived long, full lives. Each of the following people did something at 60, 62, 80, 83, 85, 98, 100, 110, 120, 123, 127, 137, 187, 500, 969 years of age. Answer each questions with the correct number if years picked from above.
1. How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?
2. How old was Methuselah when he died?
3. How old was Caleb when he inherited the land of
Hebron?
4. How old was Ishmael when he died?
5. How old was Noah when his three sons were born?
Communication I have a confession to make. I am a collector of stuff. I have check stubs when I was in college working in the library. I am also a self-made historian. I like to keep records of things that happened. I tell myself, I may need this later. Why am I sharing this with you? Well some stuff has come in handy.
I had to find stuff that I kept and would not let go at church. These are files as far back as 1999 when we implemented a program. Everyone began questioning what decisions were made and I remembered where I filed the information others were trying to throw away as junk. This is where the saying goes, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. The church became very dependent on this information.
We have to begin archiving information. We are quick to take over a position and want to get rid of what the previous person had. Yet, that is part of history. When the Detroit East and Detroit West District came together as the Detroit Renaissance we had to find the archive information on tenure and programs.
I wanted to see what some of the other communication coordinators were sharing in their column. I found this in a summer 2007 West Words (The newsletter from the United Methodist Women Detroit West District ). “ I continue to encourage District Officers to email me and expedite the entire process of putting our next West Words together. I hope that each of you are able to use the internet to expedite the layout process”. Margaret Walker
I am certain that sounds familiar even today as we get out the Detroit Conference News, and the Districts’ Newsletters. I am certain this was some of the beginning of emailing articles and some brought their articles to the districts’ meetings.
Just a reminder, this newsletter will be circulated in May. The next date to remember is July 1, 2015, the Detroit Conference News Article is due. This will be the Fall Issue. Remember ‘time passes fast when you are having fun’, and the due date will be upon you.
As I write this article in mid-March the new treasurers in district and units come to mind and I’m hoping they are getting familiar and comfortable with the tasks they perform to keep up with their new job. Always remember the correct way to submit money is the local units send their money to district treasurers, districts to conference, conference to the national office.
Included in this newsletter is the 2015 flier for Mission u. If you have never attended before I hope you will find time to attend one of the events this year. The two day events give you more in depth studies but the one day will give you information from all three studies which you can take home with purchased books, read, and perhaps lead a study in your church or area. As a treasurer I think it is really important to know where our mission dollars go. A time of fellowship with our UMW sisters, good food, and well trained leaders make it a joy to learn. Remember some of our mission dollars are spent training our Mission u leaders and we need to take advantage of the knowledge they have gained and the time they have given us to learn and teach. I look forward each year to seeing friends and making new ones.
Don’t forget the reading program with so many educational books on the lists for a five year period we can choose from. As we read and learn how many ways our mission dollars work in lives, both local and around the world, we may be inspired to give up that expensive coffee for one brought from home. Especially don’t forget to read Response and use your prayer calendar to learn of a prayer focus each day. New World Outlook is great for extended reading also. We are so blessed with materials to learn so please take advantage of as many as you can.
As treasurers let us stay informed of all the great things UMW is planning for the future and what is happening today. Roman 12:6 NIV “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” We are only giving back the gifts God gave us no matter which office you serve. Blessings to all!! Always remember I am available by email or phone to help answer your questions.
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Education & Interpretation
Put Mission Pep in Your Step!
Hello my friends! Right away I’m feeling guilty so please hear my confsion. The title I just used is stolen. Stolen from one of the nicest ladies I’ve met since becoming a conference officer. A ready smile & serene look are always on her face & I believe in her heart. So why would I steal from her? Because she’s got it right!!! Mission Pep is what we’re all about in United Methodist Women, from the President to all of the rest of the officers. Her name is Nellie Brown & she is the Mission Coordinator for Education & Interpretation for the Detroit Renaissance District. So sorry, Nellie! But again, you’ve got it right!
I have started reading Latin America: People and Faith by Sonia Maria Barbosa Dias. If you turn to Appendix B, p. 111, you will find 4 pages of United Methodist Women-supported projects in Latin America. Also note the April response, with its many articles about Latin America.
Our other new study for 2015 is Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God, by Cynthis A. Bond Hopson and Sarah Heaner Lancaster. I really must admit that I’ve never thought about the topic in Chapter 6: John Wesley’s Theology of Happiness. I’ve learned that Wesley frequently put the words “holiness” and “happiness” together. I wonder if “pep” was a word used much in his day. Whether it was or not, he probably exhibited it.
Remember to show your “pep,” or enthusiasm, for learning and contributing in any way you can to reflect God’s love for all humankind. Attend one of the Mission u events and you will come away with “pep”! If we reflect “pep,” others will catch on and we can accomplish great things.
One more point of information. I think most of the district coordinators have already included this information in their newsletters so I will just give you a quick reminder. There was one change, with #17, in our 2015 Mission Today Unit Objectives. The number of readers required to count for the Reading Program is now one. A copy is available by clicking on the left side of the conference website at: www.detroitconferenceumw.org. Please communicate with your counterparts and encourage their participation in the Reading Program.
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Ann Arbor District
The District Mission Team met on March 7, 2015 at the Oak Grove UMC. Our hostesses provided a wonderful lunch for us that was enjoyed by all. Our main emphasis for this meeting was finalizing plans for our District Spring Spiritual Growth Retreat, to be held on April 17-18 at Judson Collins Camp. Attendees can come for an overnight stay or may also come just for the Saturday session. We are hoping that this event will be well attended.
I plan on attending the "Keep Making Peace" event on Saturday, April 11, along with Carolyn Combs, our District Vice President.
We (the Mission Team) are also in the planning stages for a mission trip to Cass Community Services sometime in May or June. This will be an enlightening trip for all of us.
Our Team will next meet on June 11th to review recent happenings as well as plan for our future meetings and events. At this meeting, we will start to fine tune our plans for the District Annual Celebration in October. As the months are flying by, October will be here sooner than we think! Our Finance committee will also meet to establish the 2016 Budget.
It is so gratifying to work with so many dedicated and hard-working Christian women around the District, Conference and beyond. My hope is that we will continue to attract others to come and join us in our purpose as United Methodist Women.
“God Be With You” Dear Friends ~ I trust you have felt the blessings from the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior this Easter. Spring really seems to be here finally and I hope you feel His presence with every crocus, tulip and raindrop we enjoy.
Please keep your eyes and heart open for other signs that God is with you as you make plans to attend Mission u studies this summer, both at the one day event in July and also at the beautiful Lake Huron Retreat Center in August.
As I write this article, the weather has started to turn to spring. We just had the most beautiful weekend in Ohio celebrating the other passion in my life – numismatics (or coin collecting) that I share with my husband. It’s always nice to be with friends that you have made over the years and share stories and catch up with the events in their lives. It’s even nicer to return home refreshed from time away from the pressures of daily life.
As a Christian, it’s more of a challenge for me to celebrate my faith by doing the things I should do – praying, reading, witnessing to others. During this season of Lent, I have tried to find time each day to read and reflect on this Christian life and the things I celebrate being a follower of Jesus. One of the books I just finished for the Reading Program was a book by Bishop Sally Dyck called A Faithful Heart: Daily Guide for Joyful Living. Intended as a daily devotional, I read it in two weeks as I found excellent ideas that I can use in my own life and in my shepherd churches. I conclude with one of the ideas I intend to pursue and hope you find helpful!
Sally writes: “My prayer life was totally revolutionized when a Norwegian friend taught me about prayer beads. Prayer beads are not jewelry but an aid to prayer. Unlike a bracelet, prayer beads should just slip over the fingers so that they circle the outer hand and palm.” The beads represent the following items:
1) Big Gold Bead: God – offer prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God.
2) Silvery or Clear Bead: Self – say prayers for yourself
3) Bumpy or Triangular Bead: Worries – tell all your worries to God and leave them there.
4) Light Blue Bead: Silence – be silent and listen for God
5) Wooden Bead: Desert of Faith – what are you working on in your faith
6) Clear with Black Bead: Night and Day – What are you struggling with in your life?
7) Green Bead: Your Special Concern – pray about the most pressing or important concern to you personally
8) 2 Red Beads: People to Love – pray for those you love
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Crossroad District
We are writing this article on the Holy Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Because we have read the ending to the story, we know that the hopeless sorrow and despair of yesterday will break forth into a renewed faith and joy tomorrow.
It is marvelous and exciting to know we are Easter people. It is our desire to provide events and information that will help others in the Crossroads District become more aware of areas of mission, partner in serving our Lord, grow spiritually, and experience the love of God in various ways.
On Saturday, March 14th we held our district prayer breakfast at Davison UMC. The UMW prayer calendar was utilized to engage the group in petitions of every manner.
The district organized a trip to Branson, MO April 28th through May 3rd with mission stops and Christian attractions along the way, such as the Lucille Raines Residence in Indianapolis, and the Great Passion Play at Eureka Springs.
Our Social Action Day event is planned for May 9th at Halsey UMC with guest speaker Jacob Bennett from Congressman Kildee’s office, who will speak on fracking.
We are looking forward to joining with many of our UMW sisters across the conference, for the Mission u events in July and August.
Plans are underway for our October 10th leadership training and annual meeting which will be held at Byron: First UMC.
We expect the rest of year to be a rewarding time of fellowship and service. And we pray that all will make time to remember and celebrate our Lord and Savior’s resurrection, and his promises for our abundant life!
Were you there? March 14 was a great day. The District had a great Mission Workshop on Domestic Violence. Well, if you weren’t there you missed Turning Point’s, Tonjie Reese, who gave us some insight on some of the things they do to aid those in need. Mr. David Herrington shared with us his loss when his daughter became a victim of Domestic Violence, leaving him and his wife to raise their three children. As a District, Domestic Violence is our focus this year, and we are doing all we can to make you aware. There are people in you circle of life who may be a victim. We have two person certified to bring information to you on this subject. Take the time to learn from these workshops.
In May, we will be with Rev. Cathee Miles at Lake Huron Retreat Center. The theme for this 2015 Spiritual Life Retreat is “Welcomed by God” and we want to welcome all of you. Plan to come May 8-9 2015. I urge all of you to attend our District events. There is always something to learn.
Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to have lunch with the West Michigan, Conference President and I found that to be a learning experience.
Often times we fail to realize that God has never left our side and we are his hands and feet. We walk with those that can’t walk alone and the voice of many. United Methodist Women are reminded of His care as we pray for Him to touch us with His power. We have gifts to share, so let us use those gifts. We thank God. Matthew 20:26-27 tells us that the measure of greatness is not position, power or prestige; it is service and so we serve.
We are very pleased that Kathy Mallory accepted the Office of Vice President; however we are still in need of a Treasurer. HELP!
The United Methodist Women Annual Salad Spree was hosted by Marquette FUMC, Thursday, April 23, 2015, noon. The Community was very supportive of this event, which has been held every year for 35 years.
The Spiritual Life Retreat was May 1-2, 2015 at Manistique Comfort Inn. It was promised to be another meaningful time as we learned and fellowshipped . The Topic this year was “The Other 12 Disciples”.
The United Methodist Women of Marquette had an informative program given by the Director of Camp Michigamme. There will also be a “Work Bee” May 29 – 31 at the Camp. Everyone is welcome to participate in this Project. The Marquette District Officers will meet Monday,
October 5, 2015, 2:00 p.m. EST at St. Ignace. The District Annual Meeting will also be in St. Ignace,
Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. EST. (Please note St. Ignace IS Eastern time, NOT Central) I know it gets confusing as the Upper Peninsula has areas with both time zones.
All Units are involved with the Reading Program.
A suggestion has been made that we all need to learn more about the Methodist Children's Home.
It’s always wonderful to report a success—and our Spiritual Enrichment Brunch was that! Rev. Duane Miller and Diana Spitnale Miller gave us an update on Liberia, full of stories and pictures about the work of the church there. One of the most inspiring parts of their testimony was how Muslim leaders often welcomed Christian missionaries to their communities because they knew the good work the missionaries provided in improving water supplies and meeting other essential needs. When so much of the news we hear is about religious strife, it’s refreshing to hear good news about religious cooperation.
Our next event is our Spiritual Growth Retreat on May 1-2. Rev. Faith Fowler will be our speaker. Her topic is one that some of us—like myself—sorely need to learn more about because we are not as technologically adept as we should or could be. The topic? Social Media Mission and Ministry. No doubt we are in for a time of laughter and learning.
Our Mission Awareness trip is scheduled for June 18-20. It is billed as a “Mystery” trip, but I can say that we will work, play, and learn some history, all here in Michigan.
Has everything been rosy so far this year? Not exactly. Our mission team is still searching for women to fill some vacant positions. On the other hand, I couldn’t be more proud of the way our team has pulled together to support each other and carry on the tasks that need to get done. We are living out what we proclaim: Faith, Hope, Love in Action.
