1 Conference Gram Volume 59, Number 3 Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women June 2010 School of Christian Mission July 15-18 Greensboro College Theme: “Faith. Hope. Love in Action” Hands-on Project: Health Kits Registration deadline: June 21 Forms available from district presidents or online at conference website: www.wnccumw.org SCHOOL DEAN - MICHELENE MATHEWS 2010 School of Christian Mission Ladies, where do I begin? Should I tell you about the great Study Leaders we have this year or maybe I should talk about the study books, For the Love of God: John’s Letters and Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity? For those who did not have the opportunity to be a part of the Sudan study last year I could tell you about that study also. Or perhaps I can talk about the wonderful feeling of being in the midst of over 200 United Methodist Women (and some men) who feel the same way I do about God’s love for us. Instead I will just say, “I would like you to join me and many others as we come together at Greensboro College on July 15-18 and share in the stud- ies, glean from the knowledge of the Study leaders, fellowship together and then go home and tell someone what they missed by not being with us at the 2010 School of Christian Mission.” I hope to see you there! Please read about the studies and the study leaders in this issue of the Confer- ence Gram and join us for one day or the entire weekend. Continue to pray for us as we fi- nalize the plans and travel to Virginia for Regional School to be able to better serve you at this year’s school. “Joy to the world the Lord is come! We know there is much hard work before us, and yet God is with us. It is time to celebrate!” Quote from Dana L. Robert, author of our mission study text. Joy and peace always, Michelenemathews1@gmail.com SCM PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Registration: Thursday 2:00pm - 5:30pm Friday & Saturday 8:00am – 10:30am Discovery Room: Daily Schedules Resource Room: Daily Schedules Opening Session: Thursday evening, 7:00pm Morning Praise: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 6:45am Friday PM Dinner: Districts get together for dinner – dining hall Plenary: Saturday evening, 7:00pm Hands On Mission Project: Health Kits Who Should Attend: Local officers and members of United Methodist Women, District and Conference UMW Officers, District Chairpersons of Outreach Ministries, ministers, all men, women, and youth of the Church, anyone who would like to worship God, learn new things, and enjoy the fellowship of Christians Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010 (All Students must pre-register. There will be no on-site registration.) All registrations must be postmarked by June 21, 2009 Theme:”Faith.Hope.Love in Action” As people of FAITH, we trust in the prom- ise of Christ to bring light into darkness and new life to brokenness and death. As people of HOPE, we celebrate and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Together in the world we are partners in God’s mis- sion of healing and wholeness so that all might have abundant life. As people of God, we LOVE because God first loved us. It is out of that love that we welcome all into community, unite what is divided, mend what is broken, call for peace where there is war, make just what is unjust, and offer hope where there is despair. Faith.Hope.Love in Action: All God’s people in mission together in the world!! Courses of Study: Spiritual Growth Study: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD: JOHN’S LETTERS This study offers an in-depth study of John’s Letters. It ex- plores the common references and examines the resemblance of images and phrases that apprear in John’s Letters and the Fourth Gospel. Leader: Rev. Dana McKim Session Times: Thursday 7:30pm, Friday 9:00am & 7:30pm, and Saturday 9:00am General Study: JOY TO THE WORLD: MISSION IN THE AGE OF GLOBAL CHRISTI- ANITY This study explores the theol- ogy of mission and evangelism in the twenty-first century context of Chris- tianity as a world-wide religion. It will invite us to look at why we are involved in mission and how we proclaim the Good News in Jesus Christ. Session Times: Fri. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sat. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sun. 8:30am &10:00am Bring this issue of the Conference Gram with you to School of Christian Mission. It is a useful resource and guide.
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Conference GramVolume 59, Number 3 Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women June 2010
School of Christian Mission
July 15-18Greensboro College
Theme: “Faith. Hope. Love in Action”
Hands-on Project: Health KitsRegistration deadline: June 21
Forms available from district presidents or online at conference website: www.wnccumw.org
SCHOOL DEAN - MICHELENE MATHEWS
2010 School of Christian MissionLadies, where do I begin? Should I tell you about the great Study Leaders we have this year or maybe I should talk about the study books, For the Love of God: John’s Letters and Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity? For those who did not have the opportunity to be a part of the Sudan study last year I could tell you about that study also. Or perhaps I can talk about the wonderful feeling of being in the midst of over 200 United Methodist Women (and some men) who feel the same way I do about God’s love for us. Instead I will just say, “I would like you to join me and many others as we come together at Greensboro College on July 15-18 and share in the stud-ies, glean from the knowledge of the Study leaders, fellowship together and then go home and tell someone what they missed by not being with us at the 2010 School of Christian Mission.” I hope to see you there! Please read about the studies and the study leaders in this issue of the Confer-ence Gram and join us for one day or the entire weekend. Continue toprayforusaswefi-nalize the plans and travel to Virginia for Regional School to be able to better serve you at this year’s school. “Joy to the world the Lord is come! We know there is much hard work before us, and yet God is with us. It is time to celebrate!” Quote from Dana L. Robert, author of our mission study text.
Registration: Thursday 2:00pm - 5:30pm Friday & Saturday 8:00am – 10:30amDiscovery Room: Daily SchedulesResource Room: Daily SchedulesOpening Session: Thursday evening, 7:00pmMorning Praise: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 6:45amFriday PM Dinner: Districts get together for dinner – dining hallPlenary: Saturday evening, 7:00pmHands On Mission Project: Health KitsWho Should Attend:Localofficersandmembers of United Methodist Women, District andConferenceUMWOfficers,District Chairpersons of Outreach Ministries, ministers, all men, women, and youth of the Church, anyone who would like to worship God, learn new things, and enjoy the fellowship of ChristiansRegistration Deadline: June 21, 2010 (All Students must pre-register. There will be no on-site registration.) All registrations must be postmarked by June 21, 2009Theme:”Faith.Hope.Love in Action”As people of FAITH, we trust in the prom-ise of Christ to bring light into darkness and new life to brokenness and death. As people of HOPE, we celebrate and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Together in the world we are partners in God’s mis-sion of healing and wholeness so that all might have abundant life. As people of God, we LOVEbecauseGodfirst lovedus. It is out of that love that we welcome all into community, unite what is divided, mend what is broken, call for peace where
there is war, make just what is unjust, and offer hope where there is despair. Faith.Hope.Love in Action: All God’s people in mission together in the world!!
Courses of Study:Spiritual Growth Study: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD: JOHN’S LETTERSThis study offers an in-depth study of John’s Letters. It ex-plores the common references and examines the resemblance of images and phrases that apprear in John’s Letters and the Fourth Gospel.Leader: Rev. Dana McKimSession Times: Thursday 7:30pm, Friday 9:00am & 7:30pm, and Saturday 9:00am
General Study: JOY TO THE WORLD: MISSION IN THE AGE OF GLOBAL CHRISTI-ANITYThis study explores the theol-ogy of mission and evangelism inthetwenty-firstcenturycontextofChris-tianity as a world-wide religion. It will invite us to look at why we are involved in mission and how we proclaim the Good News in Jesus Christ. Session Times: Fri. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sat. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sun. 8:30am &10:00am
Bring this issue of the Conference Gram with you to School of Christian Mission. It is a useful resource and guide.
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Geographic Study: THE BEAU-TY AND COURAGE OF SU-DAN: Why A Dream Of Peace Is PossibleFor the past twenty years the country of Sudan has been plagued with severe drought. Join us as we explore an overview of the history of the Sudan that began in Bible times. We will also explore the country’s main ethnicities, religions and languages and the way Sudanese women are contributing to the peace process and to the culture as a whole.Session Times: Fri. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sat. 10:45am & 2:00pm, Sun. 8:30am &10:00am
ONE-DAY OVERVIEW: For the Love of God: John’s Letters and Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity Session Times: EITHER Friday 10:30am & 2:00pm, OR Saturday 10:30am & 2:00pm
WORKSHOP FOR LEADERS OF CHILDREN Leader: Mrs. Sandy HieronymusSession Time: 4:15pm Friday only SPECIAL INVITATION TO Teen Women: Teen Women Mission Day -- Leader: Mrs. Sherry SinkSession Time: Saturday 10:00am- 4:00pm
Come full-time or come to the one-day overview, you will be glad you came!!
Full-time students can look forward to:Friday Night - District Gatherings (Tables will be marked so Districts can sit and eat together.)Saturday Night - Fellowship Time at Hill Lounge-groundfloor
Watch for additional details on our website: www.wnccumw.org
Greensboro College815 West Market StreetGreensboro, NC 27401
Driving directions to Greensboro College can be found on the website along with helpful questions and answers.
Registrations available from district presidents, district newsletters, and online at www.wnccumw.org.
All registrations must be postmarked by June 21, 2010!!!!
Hands-On Mission Opportunity for School of Christian Missions
UMCOR Health Kits
If at all possible, please have kits in a box that can be handled by our women and the total number of kits listed on the side of the box. We are trying to make it as easy as possible to collect, count and transport our Health Kits. Note: Participating in this Hands-On Mission Opportunity will help your local unit to meet Mission Today criteria #23.
Place the following NEW items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)1 washcloth1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)1nail file or fingernail clippers (noemery boards or toenail clippers)1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)6 adhesive plastic strip sterile ban-dages
In a separate envelope, please include a check payable to UMCOR Sager Brown for at least $2.00 per kit to help with the costs of buying one tube of toothpaste, and the costs of processing and shipping the kits around the world. Please do not put the money envelope in your UM-COR Health Kit bag.
Ifyouarebringingmultiplekits,itisfineto just write one check in an amount suf-ficient tocoverallofyourkits. Ifyourwhole unit is collecting the kits, it will be okay to collect the money and put it all in one envelope to be turned in when you drop off your kits at the School of Christian Mission. (NOTE: UMCOR is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent.)
PRESIDENT – MILDRED CARTER
Our Purpose statement con-tinues: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a commu-nity of women whose purpose is to ex-pand concepts of mission…How do we expand our concepts of mission?
We have many opportuni-ties for mission education. We learn through participating in our Reading Program and by reading Response magazine. The best way we expand our concepts of mission is by attending the School of Christian Mission each sum-mer. It is four days packed with learn-ing opportunities. For those of you who may not be able to attend for the entire weekend, make plans to participate in the one-day overview sessions on Fri-day or Saturday.
ThefirsttimeIattendedSchoolof Christian Mission was a one-day overview. It was a great overview – but I wanted more. Since then, every year except one, I have attended the full 4 days.
Study leaders spend many months preparing to lead the studies. There is a lot of reading and studying that takes place in the months leading up to the School of Christian Mission. United Methodist Women seems to al-ways be on the cutting edge of any is-sue. The studies are always so timely in relation to world events.
Won’t you come and learn with us and expand your concepts of mis-sion?
Be sure to check out the pictures of Assembly on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/wnc-cumw
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VICE PRESIDENT-TONYA LANIER As we head into summer months and the temperatures begin to rise, let’s continue to remember our UMW obligations. Youwillfind the2010goalsin your district newsletter as well as online. We are off to a great start and want to continue the momentum. Please make an extra effort to invite someone to your next meeting, work toward a new Mission Today criteria, dig into a Charter for Racial Justice issue or write a missionary from our Prayer Calendar. Did I mention taking a fieldtrip to Brooks Howell or the Bethlehem Center? Have you made a memory with a child? WOW, there is so much to do that it makes me tired just thinking about….whew! Summer is a time for rest and relaxation but take a book from the reading program along with you. Did you have a new and exciting program in your unit that the ladies simply loved? Please share that with us. Do you need a program idea? Call on us! We are here to help. Of course you know that when you invite a district or conferenceofficertooneofyourmeetings,it will meet Mission Today criteria #21! By now I hope you have marked your calendar for September 10, 11 and 12th, 2010 to attend UMW Annual Meet-ing where our theme will be: “Faith. Hope. Love in Action.” Your program commit-tee is busy planning an exciting weekend. elmira Nazombe, Women’s Division Ex-ecutive Secretary of Racial Justice, will be our guest speaker. There will be a mission speaker and an opportunity to lunch with our retired missionaries. Rev. Alec Alvord has agreed to lead our Sunday school les-son. If you care about children, don’t miss the session hosted by the Public Education Committee. It is going to be awesome! There will be a walk for Mission and late night fellowship. Have you ever visited Kornfield Kounty? Well the funny busi-ness this year might be a trip to this incred-ible place…can you say Hee Haw?!! I look forward to seeing you at our conference and district events. Please con-tact me if I can be of service in any way.
You may bring your Love Offering or your Local Unit’s offering
to Annual Meeting at Lake Junaluska, Sept. 10,11, & 12,
or send it directly to:
Julia WillisWNC Conference Treasurer
8833 NC Hwy. 22 N.Climax, NC 27233-8225
Please make checks payable to:Treasurer, WNCC UMW
TREASURER - JULIA WILLIS
$300,000.00 This is a considerable amount of money! But just imagine what it can do in Haiti to address immediate needs of the earthquake victims and implement long term recovery efforts. Recently Women’s Division Directors voted to redirect these funds from a prior year’s Call to Prayer and Self Denial Offering. No doubt this money is already at work in the lives of Haitian women and children. Ladies often say their incomes are limited or they are experiencing effects of the economic downturn and cannot contrib-ute so much to UMW. The beauty of Mis-sion Giving is that every dime, every dollar is combined with those of the largest orga-nization of women in the world and that total effort is crucial to the lives of women, children and youth around the world. Each UMW member through her Pledge to Mis-sion is contributing to the recovery effort in Haiti, mosquito nets in Sudan, animal-assisted therapy at the Murphy-Harpst’s Equine Therapy Program in GA, a Barbie doll for a little girl in a homeless shelter in WI. Everything we do is about MISSION. WNCC UMW lapel pins were or-dered for sale to those who attended Assem-bly. We should still have some available in the Program Resource room at School of Christian Mission for $1 each. Get your pin and proudly display your member-shipinthisgreatconference!Profitsfromthese sales will add to our Mission Giving funds. 2010 Conference Financial Goal“To Increase the Number of Local Units Giving in All Five Channels of Mission Giving”Upcoming undesignated Mission Giving opportunities…• GifttoMission“Baby”Cardsfora birth in your family, church or commu-nity• GifttoMission“ThinkingofYou”Cards for Father’s Day (doesn’t even have to be to “your” father!)• Gift to Mission “In Service toChrist” Card for minister moving in or out• BecreativewithareasontosendaGift to Mission card!
Be informed…Read Response articles about what your Mission Giving is doing around the world.“The sun never sets on United Methodist Women’s giving…”
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!! Summer time and the living’s easy….especially at our School of Chris-tian Mission!! And it’s such a cool place to be in hot, hot July not to mention that Greensboro is THE coolest place to be, too!! You are invited to come be a kid again in school. If you want to really make your “librarian” happy and score some brownie points: -READ so you can grow -READ so you can learn -READ so you can acquire new ideas -READ so you can transform your world --READ so I don’t have to return a lot of books!! I always look forward to spending time with my beloved ladies. Keep your cool drink close by as you read and learn at our School of Christian Mission, July 15-18. Remember, too, that the Resource Room is a cool place to hang out…come and chill with me as you’re buying and reading and learning! See ya on campus!
EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION – VIRGINIA ROBINSON Very shortly, Western North Carolina United Methodist Women will be converging on Greensboro College for our School of Christian Mission! Many opportunities await you as you come onto campus. Coming to the School helps to fulfill Mission Today criteria #11. Iencourage all ladies to take advantage of the school. It is the best kept secret in our conference. Be in prayer for our study leaders and the school committee…that the School will be the best ever. To fulfill Mission Today criteria#23, begin putting together health kits as the hands-on mission opportunity for the school. The items needed for each kit is listed on page 2 of this Conference Gram. Be sure all items are new and that you put nothing extra in the kit. It is very time consuming to go through each kit to remove the extras. Packing the kits in a box easy for our ladies to handle will be greatly appreciated. An envelope with $2.00 per kit (which takes care of the toothpaste and shipping) may be taped to the outside of each box. When you come on campus, look for the Mission Response Center truck. The District Mission Coordinators for Education and Interpretation will be at the truck collecting the kits. Remember … these kits will be shipped to Haiti and Chile to help them recover from the earthquakes. YOU MAKE MISSION POSSIBLE! Read your April issue of Response magazine containing articles on mission and evangelism which is the general issue study for this year’s school. There is a wealth of information in all of the articles. Go to your next meeting with a review of one of the articles and give a “Response Moment”. The unit then fulfills MissionToday criteria #17. In addition, we will continue with the geographic study of The Sudan. Everyone attends the spiritual growth study on the Epistles of John. Be sure to get your registration in to the school business manager, postmarked prior to June 21st, but not before May 1st. I look forward to seeing you in Greensboro!
NOMINATIONS – JANET TURNER Local, District, and Conference Committees on Nominations have evaluated, made plans and contacts in order to present a slate of the 2011 officers for election in the fall. As our(Local, District and Conference) slates are complete, the report of the committee is signed by all members of your committee agreeing to the report indicating committee authorization. Then this slate of nominees is made available to your Executive Committee and then to the membership at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting in which the election is held. I hope all of our committees are on schedule to assure that our task is complete. The Conference committee greatly appreciates invitations to visit your District committee meetings and we thank you for the good work you are doing. Please let us know how we can help you.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH- DIXIE TYSON “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning”. 2 John 1:6 “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…” Remember these song lyrics from years ago? Isn’t it interesting that today, more than ever, it seems that so many are needing us to love them. At the School of Christian Mission in the Spiritual Growth study, we will be studying the Epistles of John. In the study book, “For the Love of God”, just as in the Epistles, great emphasis is put on Love. The authors, Justo and Catherine Gunsalus Gonzalez, state that Love is only real when there is Obedience. Another quote from the study book: “Love is not just a feeling. It is not simply a matter of saying ‘I love you.’ True love is manifested in action. And the love of God must be manifested in action towards God’s children. To claim that the love of God ‘abides’ in us, and at the same time to refuse to meet the needs of sisters and brothers whose wants we may supply, is to lie.” I’m excited about this study. I hope you are planning to attend. It is sure to enlighten us and stimulate us and will be a rewarding experience! The letters are as relevant today as they were when they were written. Just a reminder, in case you haven’t made up your mind yet, our Spiritual Growth Retreat is coming up in June at Lake Junaluska. The dates—June 18 and 19. Registration will be on Friday, June 18, from 2:00 – 5:00. Registration will be downstairs in the Harrell Center. It’s a time of renewal and fellowship with our sisters and with God. The theme is “Grounded In Love”. Please call 1-800-222-4930 for lodging availability. Come and experience these wonderful opportunities. First John tells us that having fellowship with God cannot be separated from having fellowship with one another. We grow and strengthen our faith as we share time together in praise and learning.
[email protected] SOCIAL ACTION - MARTHA PHILLIPS I know that you have been hear-ing all the discussion about Immigration,
especially the controversy about the Ari-zona Law passed in April. On May 1 at Assembly and all around the country there were marches, prayer vigils, and demon-strations about the issue of immigration. As Christians, our faith calls us to view all people, regardless of citizenship status, as made in the “image of God” and deserv-ing of respect. We are to show compassion for the stranger and love and mercy for our neighbors. Our laws must be balanced with the call to oppose laws that are unjust and systems that violate human dignity. One of the Charter Club criteria is to: “Study in-depth a particular issue relating to the Charter for Racial Justice Policies, i.e., …immigration rights, vot-ing rights, racial/ethnic profiling”. Beinginformed decision makers has guided the work of UMW for over 140 years. It is a tradition that we must continue. We will be making information available to help you and your units with this process of learning. Visit the Social Action Table at all Confer-ence and District events where you will findresourcestohelpyouinthisprocess.Ifyou would like a program on Immigration issues I will be happy to assist you person-ally or with materials for a program. I look forward to seeing you at the School of Christian Mission in July. This is one of the best opportunities for learning and fellowship of the year. Another bless-ing, not to be missed.Grace and Peace
Look for clarifying information about Birthing Kits on page 7.
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SECRETARY – ANN ALDRIDGE Assembly was awesome!!! I hope more of you Western North Carolina United Methodist Women will be able to attend in 2014. You have four years in which to save money for your expenses, so start now! We do not have a location yet, but you will be notifiedassoonaswefindout. In my last newsletter article, I wrote about the creative supportive fellow-ship of United Methodist Women. I want to challenge each of you to think about what you are doing in this regard. Are you being the best you can be? Are you supportive of all women in your unit, church, District, and Conference? Are you raising the bar? Are you setting the example? Are you liv-ing your faith? Are you offering hope to others? Are you demonstrating your love through your actions? As always, let me know if I may be of service to any of you; please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-433-0988 or through email.
MEMBERSHIP NURTURE & OUT-REACH – SHERRY SINK Strategies for Membership Nurture and Outreach:”? Think outside the box! 141 years ago our world was totally different from the current world of 2010. Our world has evolved so fast that there has been dras-tic changes in our world in just the last ten years. Corporations, small businesses, schools, and churches are trying to change their ways of operating to become rel-evant in today’s fast changing world. We must become the UMW of 2010. We must findcreativeways to tell theworld aboutwho we belong to and what our Purpose is. When we become a disciple of Jesus Christ, we want to serve God and serving God means serving God’s people which is mission. UMW is a mission organization and a wonderful place for a woman to serve God locally and globally. Let’s get creative and share the UMW stories from your lo-cal, district and conference mission events. Each person invite one person 7 times! In our busy lives, it is just not enough to invite a person one or two times. Never underestimate the power of a personal in-vite, or “I’ll come by and pick you up.” Be persistent, but not annoying, but don’t just give up on one or two invites.
A current UMWoman adopt a younger person-do everything for her and take her with you to events and programs. Find a young woman and adopt her. Go to events with her, but take her with you to UMW events and do Hands-on-Mission projects with her. Introduce her to United Methodist Women. Be a secret pal to a college stu-dent. College students are sometimes for-gotten when they leave for college. Maybe your unit could be assigned students as secret pals and send them cards of encour-agement, birthday cards and surprises, and candy or treats to get them through ex-ams. Welcome them home when they get a chance to worship at home. Form district units for women in churches that have no unit, or do not belong to the United Methodist Church. District unit members can be from churches that have no UMW unit, or a small church that doesn’t have but one or two UMW mem-bers that want to stay active. Sometimes we have women of other denominations that wanttojoinUMWandcannotfindagroupto join. Also if you start a group at work, or a group meets together somewhere else besides a church, they can become a district unit. Have cluster meetings and pro-grams where several small units come to-gether to remain active and vital. Maybe several small churches with a small mem-bership of UMWomen could have cluster meetings and have their programs and mis-sion activities together. This would enable the membership to do bigger mission proj-ects and programs. Have circles/subgroups formed around women’s passions and gifts.Form groups around gifts and passions of a group of women. It is also helpful for young women with children to help in mis-sion projects that can include the children or the family unit. Don’t forget the chil-dren’s reading program! This is something the ladies could do with their children. Let it be the groups mission and ideas. Remem-ber: Do not do it like its always been done. Think outside the box!!! Form circles with elementary age girls and mentor them with members of their church unit. This could be a learning experience for the mentors if they let the creativity of the children be used. Also this should be a FUN time. Increase attendance at Confer-
ence events by 2%. When we bring some-one to an event, we are opening their eyes to the connectional part of our UMW. We are building community! We worship and learn at every conference event we attend. We expose those in attendance to the “Big Picture”.Wecomeasindividuals,butfindourselves in a larger community of women impacting our community, nation and the world. This is the exciting part of being a United Methodist Woman. You may be only one woman with a purpose, but when you become 10 or 12 in a unit, and then 100s in a district and then thousands in a con-ference-millions in a nation and millions globally-YOU CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERYWHERE!!!
Geographic Study: “The Beauty and Courage of Sudan: Why a Dream of Peace if Possible”
Martha Phillips
Martha is retired and lives in Lin-ville Falls with a daughter, son-in-
law and 3 grandsons. She currently serves as WNCC UMW Mission Coordinator for Social Action. Martha enjoys traveling and has traveled in Europe, China, Tibet, Peru, Egypt and Russia. She traveled to Cambodia on an Ubuntu Journey in 2006 and to Palestine/Israel in 2008. In March 2009, she traveled to Sudan on a GBGM sponsored Mission Travel Study. Martha’s other daughter and son-in-law are ordained elders and pastor churches in the Lexing-ton District. They have a daughter and son.
Sandrea Williamson
Sandrea is a lifelong Methodist and a native of Columbia, S.C. where she attended the local
Bethlehem Center as a preschooler. In 1978 she & her husband, Dr. Alex Williamson, accepted faculty appointments at NC A&T State University. She is presently the Assistant Director of the Honors Program. In 1995 she was a participant in a Fulbright Study Tour of China. She has two sons.
MEET OUR STUDY LEADERS(For complete bios, go to the conference webpage.)
Spiritual Growth Study: “For the Love of God: John’s Letters”
Rev. Dana McKim
Rev. Dana McKim is the Minister to Pfeiffer University.
Dana graduated from Pfeiffer and received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University.HespeaksSpanishfluentlyandhas led numerous VIM mission teams to Guatemala and other places.
General Study: “Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity”
Brenda Connelly
Brenda is a Home Missionary, who served as the Executive Secretary for Church and
Community Ministries, Red Bird, and Red Bird Associates In Mission Service (A.I.M.S.) with the Mission Personnel Program Area of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church until her retirement last fall.Brenda has written the mission study guides for Restorative Justice and Giving Our Hearts Away, Native American Survival. In her free time, Brenda enjoys quilting and painting with watercolors. Brenda, and her husband, Rick, a retired Church and Community Worker, live in Hickory, North Carolina. They are the parents of two sons and a daughter.
Lynn Sloan Barnes
After 29 years of teaching, Lynn was commissioned a deaconess in 2005 and established the Tri-
County Health Resource Center in Elkin which evolved into Grace Clinic, a free clinic for the uninsured community. Lynn’s current appointment is to Yadkin Christian Ministries as a Circles Coach. The mission of the Circles Initiative is to end poverty in a community one family at a time. She is a member of the SEJ Leadership Team Nominations Committee. Lynn and her husband, Wayne, reside in Elkin.
Rev. Mark Barden
Mark was ordained deacon in 1986 and elder in 1990. He has served several churches in the
Western North Carolina Conference. Mark has traveled the world on mission trips and serves as Director of Communication for the conference. Mark and wife, Barbara, have one son, Christopher.
Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo
Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo was born into a missionary family. His great grandparents were
missionaries in Singapore and Java, where they started a hospital. Philip’s parents were missionaries in Singapore during the 1960s. After college Philip felt the call to missionary service himself beginning as a Mission Intern in Nicaragua and the Rio Grande Valley, and then became a standard support missionary in Cuba and later in Mexico for a total of 15 years of service. In 2003 he was assigned as Missionary-in-Residence at Pfeiffer University and stayed on to start an undergraduate major in missions and currently is Associate Professor of Religion. Philip is married to Diana, an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference. They have three children.
Rev. Mike Collins
Mike Collins served as a missionary in a refugee camp in the Philippines in 1980-82.
There, he met and married Ariel. In 2000, Ariel and Mike left for three years where they served as missionaries under the General Board of Global Ministries in Cambodia where Mike was the Country Superintendent for the United Methodist Church. In July 2010 he will be taking a new church appointment in the Greensboro District. Mike and Ariel have no children of their own. They have two adopted children in Cambodia, Saphoarn and Sophear as well as two God-children, Nikki and Francine in the Philippines. They have a small Shih-tzu dog, Dinky, who takes up their free time. Mike enjoys NASCAR and reading.
Betty Swarthout
Betty is a retired Deaconess/Diaconal Minister of The United Methodist Church and an active
volunteer. Betty’s experiences include Church and Community Worker with rural cooperative parishes, UMCOR Disaster Response Consultant, Mission Personnel Department of the General Board of Global Ministries, dietitian, high school teacher, County Extension Agent, continuing adult public education and Program Coordinator for Adult Continuing Education. She has taught in local, district, conference and 3 regional Schools of Christian Mission since 1959. She is married to retired pastor, Arthur W. Swarthout. They have three grown children and twin granddaughters. Betty enjoys family, people, teaching, wood carving, reading, the outdoors, and gardening.
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LEADER OF TEEN WOMENSherry Sink
Sherry is currently the Member-ship Nurture and Outreach Mis-sion Coordinator for our Confer-
ence and is chair of the Public Education Initiative. She is married to David Sink and has two grown daughters, Stacy and Brit-ney. Sherry is an amateur photographer, loves basketball, nature, drama, music, and UMW.
WORKSHOP FOR LEADERS OF CHILDREN
Sandy Hieronymus
Sandy was a Pre-K teacher and is currently the Scholarship Chair for our confernce UMW. She is a cer-
tifiedLaySpeakerandservesontheCon-ference Board of Ordained Ministry. Sandy enjoys teaching all ages. In her free time, she likes reading, arts and crafts, and be-ing a “beach bum”. She believes the great-est gift we can give our children is to give them God. She and her husband, Gerry, have three grown sons.
Music Leaders:Amy Johnson
Amy, with her husband Paul of 36 years, lives in Tobaccoville. They have one daughter and
grandson, Dylan. Amy is the Administrative Assistant to the Winston-Salem District Superintendent of The United Methodist Church.WorkingintheDistrictOfficehasallowed Amy to merge her love of secretarial work with her love for the Church. Amy is the past Conference UMW President.
Donna Ireland
Donna Ireland, married to Jacky for 36 years, has two children and two grand-children. Donna is a member of Har-mony Grove United Methodist Church in Lewisville where she serves as the Youth coordinator and organist. She serves as the District Treasurer for the Winston-Salem District UMW. Since retiring from teach-ing, Donna has participated in mission trips to Arizona (Navajo Indians) and South Da-kota (Lakota Indians).
ONE DAY OVERVIEW: “For the Love of God: John’s Letters”
Janet TurnerJanet is a member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Winston Salem. She is currently serving as Chair of the Conference Committee on Nominations. Janet was mar-
ried to William D. Turner for 48 years until his death in 2001 and they have one daugh-ter,twosons,andfivegrandchildren.Janetenjoys her family, friends, exercising, and her church and community projects.
Jo Pyatt
Jo Pyatt is a retired Registered Nurse who for many years was the nurse for the School of Mis-sion. She is a Hospice Volun-
teer,certifiedLaySpeakeranddirectorofThe Lambs Ministry. This is a ministry that helps to feed the hungry children from the neighborhood school each weekend. She has been married to Cline for 41 years. They have an adult son, daughter, a daugh-ter of their heart (daughter-in-law), and two wonderful grandsons.
ONE DAY OVERVIEW: “Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity”
Janice Lentz
Janice is the Conference Commu-nications Coordinator. After retir-ing as a school librarian, her new
passion is VIM mission trips. Janice and husband, Danny, live in Taylorsville and have 4 grown daughters and 2 grandsons.
Ann Aldridge
Ann retired from the North Caro-lina School for the Deaf where she worked as a classroom teacher,
education director, principal of elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as testing coordinator and educational evaluator. She is currently the WNC Conference UMW secretary. Ann works part-time as a com-munity sign language interpreter and is li-censed by the State of North Carolina. She loves to travel, and is an avid reader. She and husband, Wade, live in Morganton and have two sons, Richard and Brandon.
PURPOSEof United Methodist Women
The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, support-
ive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through par-ticipation in the global ministries of the church.
Some Answers to Questions about Birthing Kits
Several questions have arisen re-garding the Birthing Kits being col-lected during the Spiritual Growth Retreat. Here are notes from UM-COR.
1. It is fine to get 30x30 re-ceiving blankets…UMCOR knew that the 36x36 size is no longeravailable.2. These receiving blankets are the little thinflannelette/cottonones that roll or fold up to almost nothing…not thick blankets. If the correct type is bought, all items will fitinthe1gallonbag.3. TherazorisasingleEDGErazor. The website and the flyersays single USE. There actually is such a thing for medical and other purposes, but the single EDGE iswhat is needed for the kits.4. No dental floss. Needs tobe regular string…like cotton string you buy on a roll.
Remember to put all six items(soap,plasticsheeting,latexgloves,string, razor blades, and blankets)inthegallonsizeplasticbag.
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Conference GramWNC Conference United Methodist WomenJanice Lentz, 336 Midway Park Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681
NONPROFITORGANIGATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAIDHICKORY, NC 28601
PERMIT #212
2010 Calendar of Events for WNC Conference United Methodist Women
June 10-13 Annual Conference, Lake JunaluskaJune 18-19 Spiritual Growth Retreat, Lake JunaluskaJune 24-27 Regional School for Conference Officers and Study LeadersJuly 15-18 School of Christian Mission, Greensboro CollegeSeptember 10-12 Annual Meeting, Lake JunaluskaOctober 9 Officer’s Training
Web Site Address: www.wnccumw.org. Lynne Gilbert maintains the web site and welcomes news and information. Just remember our initials: Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women. Join Our Conference Email List. To receive conference event information and updates, the Conference Gram, etc., click on join email list.
The Conference Gram is published four times per year by the Western North Carolina Conference United MethodistWomen.Itismailed,freeofcharge,toalldistrictandconferenceofficers,andtolocalunitpresi-dents, vice-presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and circle chairs. Anyone can sign up to receive it online.
Christian MissionChristian Mission United Methodist WomenUnited Methodist Women Western North Carolina Western North Carolina
ConferenceConference
FAITH • HOPE • LOVE IN ACTIONFAITH • HOPE • LOVE IN ACTIONFAITH • HOPE • LOVE IN ACTION (Interpretation of the Theme)
As people of FAITH, we trust in the promise of Christ to bring light into darkness and new life to brokenness and death. As people of HOPE, we celebrate and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Together in the world we are partners in God’s mission of healing and wholeness so that all might have abundant life. As people of God, we LOVE because God first loved us. It is out of that love that we welcome all into community, unite what is di-vided, mend what is broken, call for peace where there is war, make just what is unjust, and offer hope where there is despair.
FAITH • HOPE • LOVE IN ACTION: All God’s people in mission together in the world!!
Who Should Attend? Local officers and members of United Methodist Women
District and Conference UMW Officers District Chairpersons of Outreach Ministries
Ministers
All men, women, and youth of the Church Anyone who would like to worship God, learn new things, and
enjoy the fellowship of Christians
Registration Deadline – June 21, 2010
All Students must pre-register—There will be no on-site registration.
(All registrations must be postmarked by June 21, 2010)
July 15July 15--18, 201018, 2010 GREENSBORO COLLEGEGREENSBORO COLLEGE
815 West Market Street815 West Market Street Greensboro, NC 27401Greensboro, NC 27401
Watch for additional
details on our Website:
www.wnccumw.org
School of Christian MissionSchool of Christian MissionSchool of Christian Mission
United Methodist Women Western North Carolina Conference
July 15-18, 2010
GREENSBORO COLLEGE
815 West Market Street, Greensboro NC 27401
Courses of Study
2010 Spiritual Growth Study: “For The Love of God: John’s Letters” The study offers an in-depth study of John’s Letters. It seeks to answer key questions such as “Who wrote the Let-ters?,” “To whom were they written originally?,” and “What do these Letters mean today to us?” Further the study explores the common references such as the polarity between life and death, light and darkness, truth and falsehood in John’s Letters and the Fourth Gospel. The study also examines the resemblance of images and phrases that ap-pear in John’s Letters and the Fourth Gospel, including the view that salvation consists in “having life,” God being “light,” Christian life as “walking in light,” and many others.
(All fulltime students attend the Spiritual Growth Study. This year we have rescheduled the time for one-day over-view students so they may attend a Spiritual Growth session either on Friday or Saturday morning at 9:00am.)
Leader: Rev. Dana McKim
2010 General Study: “Joy To the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity” This study explores the theology of mission and evangelism in the twenty-first century context of Christianity as a world-wide religion. It will invite us to look at why we are involved in mission and how we proclaim the Good News in Jesus Christ. What are the biblical mandates for mission? Does Christ call each of us to be his evangelist? This study sets the biblical and historical context for the reality that Christianity is now the largest world religion and explores the theological foundations for Christian mission, drawing upon the New Testament model of Jesus Christ and on Meth-odist history as sources for United Methodist understandings of mission and evangelism. Contemporary practices of world mission will be examined through models of mission rooted in both scripture and history: mission of hospitality, mission of healing and mission of reconciliation-all ways of celebrating God’s intention to bring hope and wholeness to the world through Jesus Christ. Leaders: Betty Swarthout, Brenda Connelly, Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo , Rev. Mike Collins, Lynn Sloan Barnes, Rev. Mark Barden
2010 Geographic Study: “The Beauty and Courage of Sudan: Why a Dream of Peace Is Possible”
For the past twenty years the country of Sudan has been plagued with severe drought. The shortages of food due to the drought have sometimes reached famine proportions. Then there are the wars of the Sudan. Join us as we explore an overview of the history of the Sudan that began in Bible times. We will also explore the country’s main ethnicities, religions and languages and the way Sudanese women are contributing to the peace process and to the culture as a whole. Leaders: Martha Phillips, Sandrea Williamson
2010 One-day Overview Study — “For The Love of God: John’s Letters”
Leaders: Janet Turner & Jo Pyatt
2010 One-day Overview Study —“Joy To the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity”
Leaders: Janice Lentz, Ann Aldridge
Session Times: EITHER Friday 10:30am & 2:00pm, OR Saturday 10:30am & 2:00pm
*****WORKSHOP FOR LEADERS OF CHILDREN**** Leader: Sandy Hieronymus, Charlotte, NC Session Time: 4:15pm Friday only
******SPECIAL INVITATION TO Teen Women—Teen Women Mission Day****** $15.00 (Lunch included in cost)
Leader: Sherry Sink, High Point, NC Session Time: Saturday – 10:00am- 4:00pm Music Leaders: Amy Johnson & Donna Ireland
REGISTRATION REGISTRATION REGISTRATION --- 2010 Western NC Conference School of Christian Mission 2010 Western NC Conference School of Christian Mission 2010 Western NC Conference School of Christian Mission
( ) Resident Student – Double Room ( ) Resident Student - Private Room ( ) Linen Rental ( ) Non-Resident Student ( ) One Day Only Student (Day Attending ___________________) ( ) Teen Women Event – Saturday Only First Timer? ( ) Yes ( ) No Church: ________________________________ District: _______________________________ Name: _______________________________________________________________________ ( ) Female ( ) Male (Name for name tag) Address: ____________________________________________________________________Phone: ________________________ Street, P. O. Box City State Zip Roommate: ___________________________ (Must be sent in together!) E-Mail: _______________________________________ Age Level: ( ) Youth ( ) 18 - 29 ( ) 30 - 39 ( ) 40 - 49 ( ) 50 - 59 ( ) 60 and over In case of Emergency, contact: Name: _______________________________________ Telephone: __________________________ Special Housing/Classroom Needs (please be specific): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which Mission Study do you prefer? (Resident & non-resident students) ( ) Sudan —Geographical Study or ( ) Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity—Social Issue
Study Are you a ... ( ) Conference Officer ( ) Local Officer ( ) Unit/Circle Member ( ) Scholarship (UMW) ( ) Clergy ( ) District Officer ( ) Missionary ( ) Deaconess ( ) School Study Leader
No registrations will be received before May 1, 2010 Deadline for all registrations is June 21, 2010
Enclose $125.00 for Resident; + $18.50 for Private Room; + $10.75 for Linens; $35.00 for Non-resident (No Meals); $15.00 for One Day Overview (No Meals)
$15.00 for Teen Women Event (lunch included) Make Checks payable to: UMW School of Christian Mission
Mail Check and Registration form to: Peggy Wilkerson, 4678 Diamond Street, Claremont NC 28610
Please check if you would like to help at the School of Christian Mission as a: ( ) Golf Cart Driver ( ) Class Secretary ** ( ) Hostess for a Study Leader **** **Secretary Duties: Taking roll in classes each day and turning in the roster at the end of the school. ****Hostess Duties: This may include the lifting of heavy boxes and helping the Study Leader to set up & take down their classroom.
COME BE A PART OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION!!!
Come full-time or come to the one-day overview, you will be
glad you came!!!
Full-time Students can look forward to…
FRIDAY NIGHT —— DISTRICT GATHERINGS (Tables will be marked so Districts can sit and eat together.)
SATURDAY NIGHT—— FELLOWSHIP TIME
AT HILL LOUNGE-GROUND FLOOR
REGISTRATION for the 2010 School of Christian Mission begins Thursday, July 15, at 2:00pm—5:30pm in the Main Building, the Lea Center
OFFICE USE ONLY Date __________ Reg # __________ Ck # __________ Amt __________
General Information
Cost: Resident Student (with roommate) : Fee is $125.00 — Meals are included (ROOMATES MUST MAIL FORMS TOGETHER!) Resident Student (private room): Fee is $143.50 — Meals are included ($25 of Resident Registration Fee is not refundable) Non-resident Student (non-refundable): Fee is $35.00 — Meals are extra One-Day Overview (non-refundable): Fee is $15 .00 — Meals are extra Linens Rental: Fee is $10.75 — Not included in the registration fee (check box on registration form)
Refunds: There will be no refunds without at least seven (7) days notice.
Housing: HOUSING WILL BE IN COLLEGE DORMITORIES. Bring bed linens, including a light blanket, pillow, towels, clothes hangers, grooming items, study lamp, and any other items you feel necessary for your comfort away from home. (Internet access is available.)
Special Needs: If you have any physical conditions that require consideration in room and class assignment, please explain on registration form or on a separate sheet of paper stapled to your form. No childcare available.
Youth: For youth participants, there are covenant and consent forms that must be completed to accompany the basic registration form. Those forms are available from the school officers, district presidents, and our conference web site at www.wnccumw.org. There will be a youth curfew in effect at 11:30pm. Youth who are registered for the entire school may participate in the Youth Mission Event on Saturday at no extra charge.
Classes: The study, “For the Love of God: John’s Letters,” will be offered for everyone. Please choose one of the other courses for more intensive study. Bring Bibles, pencils, paper, etc. Textbooks will be available from the Mission Resource Center in early spring, at all Conference events prior to the school, in the Resource Room during the school.
CEUs: Continuing Education Units will be offered if requirements are met.
Emergency: College Switchboard: 336-272-7102. Campus Security: extension 245.
Keys: Charges for unreturned keys $30.00 and key fobs $30.00
Note: Due to liability issues, there will not be a nurse on campus. A first aid kit will be available in the Dean’s Office.
Local officers and members of United Methodist Women District and Conference UMW Officers District Chairpersons of Outreach Ministries Ministers All men, women, and youth of the Church Anyone who would like to worship God, learn new things, and enjoy the fellowship of Christians
Registration Deadline – June 21, 2010 All Students must pre-register
There will be no on-site registration. All registrations must be postmarked by June 21, 2010!!!!!
******************************************************************************************************** SCHOOL OFFICERS
Because of the earthquake and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, UMCOR has expressed an urgent need for Health Kits. Encourage others in your local unit and congregation to participate...even if they cannot attend the School of Christian Mission. We will deliver the health kits to our conference Mission Response Center for shipment to the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot. Participating in this Hands-On Mission Opportunity will help your local unit to meet Mission Today criteria #23. Complete information about our School of Christian Mission is available on our website at www.wnccumw.org.
Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes. When people gain the knowledge and materials to maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves.
UMCOR Health Kit Contents:
Place the following NEW items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
• 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27", no kitchen towels) • 1 washcloth • 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized) • 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers) • 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up) • 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes) • 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
In a separate envelope, please include a check payable to UMCOR Sager Brown for at least $2.00 per kit to help with the costs of buying one tube of toothpaste, and the costs of processing and shipping the kits around the world. Please do not put the money envelope in your UMCOR Health Kit bag.
If you are bringing multiple kits, it is fine to just write one check in an amount sufficient to cover all of your kits. If your whole unit is collecting the kits, it will be okay to collect the money and put it all in one envelope to be turned in when you drop off your kits at the School of Christian Mission. (NOTE: UMCOR is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent.)
If at all possible, please pack your kits in a box that can be handled easily by our women and write the total number of kits on the side of the box. (Paper case boxes are a nice size.) We are trying to make it as easy as possible to collect, count and transport our Health Kits.
Important Kit Assembly Information:
• All items included in kits must be NEW items. • All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations.
Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, It is important that kits contain only the requested items - nothing more.
• Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
• Please do not include any religious, political or patriotic notes or emblems in any kit.
Thank you for your generous support of our hands-on mission opportunity!
UMCOR Health Kits
Western North Carolina Conference
Hands-On Mission Opportunity School of Christian Mission July 15-18, 2010, Greensboro College
