THE PURPOSE
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, supportive
fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission
through participation in
the global ministries of the church.
“Tuesday Study Group,” a monthly women’s study sponsored by our United Methodist Women, resumes October 19th at 12:30pm. “Passion, Promise & Praise” by Donald Griggs, this year’s study, deals with the Book of Psalms. We will look at the Psalms as “Prayers and Poetry,” and study psalms that relate to “Sacred History,” “Trust,” “Lament,” and “Praise.” The cost of the study book and supplies is $17.00, payable at the first session.
Our time together, in the church parlor, begins with a “bring your own” lunch. We take turns as the hostess who sets up, cleans up and provides dessert. The actual study starts at 1:00pm, finishing by 2:30pm. Newcomers are always welcome! Please speak to Dianne Antos (who begins her 19th year as the facilitator) if you are interested in attending. Materials need to be ordered by September 29!
Our United Methodist Women’s Unit sponors a Prayer Shawl Ministry. It meets the first Tuesday of each month (October-June) for one hour in the church office. Through this ministry we have touched the lives of many during times of fear, grief, pain and joy. A donation of yarn or money to further the work of this group is welcome. If you can knit or crochet, please consider using that talent to enrich the life of someone else. Speak to Dianne Antos (or call the church office) to learn more or to get involved. For more information about Prayer Shawl Ministry, go to http://www.shawlministry.com/.
Our local UMW unit contributed at School of Christian Mission to “Nothing But Nets,” a campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. “Nothing But Nets” is a partership which includes the United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association, Millenium Promise and the Measles Initiative. Through “Nothing But Nets,” a $10 donation will provide a family with an insecticide treated, anti-malaria bed net that will save lives. To learn more, or to make a donation, please go to this web site.
Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry following the dedication of shawls at a recent Sunday morning service. Prayer shawls are knitted in a spirit of prayer and reflection, and presented to individuals struggling with personal challenge or illness, or navigating important life changes.
The 2010 Cooperative School of Christian Mission will take place this year from Thursday, July 22nd to Saturday, July 24th at Western State University in Danbury Ct. It’s not too soon to begin planning for this exciting time of study and fellowship with others from the New York Conference. Attendees will choose between a study of John’s Letters, Sudan, or Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity.. In addtion there will be a children’s study Hugging of the World for grades K-6 and a youth program Embracing the World – Love, Joy, Hope in Action. Registration forms, as well as detailed program and fee information is available at the following web site. Scholarship help will be available for first time attendees through the Josephine Gibson Scholarship Fund at the Conference UMW.
At the United Methodist Women’s dinner meeting on December 4th, Sandra Ann Craig’s devotions focused on biblical references to angels found in the Gospels. The program, “The Art of Giving II,” led by Marcia Ramos, helped members become “angels” to our own homebound church members. Shown here are several UMW members working on handcrafted decorations to adorn Christmas gifts to be distributed to our shut-ins.
This monthly women’s study, sponsored by the United Methodist Women, began its’ twentieth year on October 20 at 12:30pm. “United Methodists and the Sacraments” is this year’s study, which helps participants “understand and practice the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion.” Additionally, “Food and Faith“, one of the School of Mission study books, supplements the material…Our time together in the church parlor begins with a “bring your own” lunch. We take turns as the hostess who sets up, cleans up and provides dessert. The actual study starts at 1:00pm, finishing by 2:30pm. The cost of the study book and supplies is $9.00.
Newcomers are welcome! It’s not too late to join. Please speak to Dianne Antos if you are interested in attending.
The Cooperative School of Christian Mission for 2008 (July 24-27) is over, but the “high” goes on! Over 300 women, men, youth and children attended; six women from our local United Methodist Women’s unit and Pastor Bryan represented our church. Highlights include: inspiring worship; lively music; renewed and new friendships; meaningful study programs; communion celebrated by Bishop Park, and diversity aplenty!
The entire group participated in the spiritual growth study, “I Believe in Jesus.” It was marvelously well conducted. Using the book by the same name, we looked at our own personal response to the question – “Do you believe in Jesus?” We also explored the topic of postmodernism as it relates to present day church, involvement and mission outreach. A powerful video, “Ecclesia,” (Fast Forward: A History of the Church) was shown.
The study of “Native American Survival” delved into the plight of Native Americans, historically and today, including the role the church has played and how the United Methodist Church is involved today. Native music, customs, stories were featured. We even had a Native American dish of quinoi and roasted vegetables for dinner one night. A reenactment of a Tribal Counsel was held, dealing with casinos and gambling.
Pastor Bryan taught one the classes on Israel/Palestine, the second year this course was offered. (See his blog for more information.) A meal of Middle Eastern food was served which included hummus, tabouli, roasted eggplant, and fish.The children and youth presented an evening of spirit-filled entertainment featuring much energy! Singing, liturgical dancing, piano music, Christian rap, recitations of personal thoughts and poems, all contributed to a special time together….I am looking forward to next year’s School of Mission! Please join me!!
The 2007 New York Annual Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission took place from July 26 to July 29 in Danbury Connecticut. The school provided a setting for mission education, spiritual growth, and discussion of current global issues, as well as providing ideas for new programs to be presented at UMW meetings during the upcoming year. This year’s mission studies were Mission and Music, Israel/Palestine, and Globalization. Seven of our members attended, and each returned with exciting new ideas and renewed energy to be in mission to our Lord and our World.