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March 2010 Issue of UMW Update [PDF]  Large Print Version [PDF]
Our Monthly Newsletter for West Market Street United Methodist Women

• More about West Market Street United Methodist Women

• Circle Meetings

• Visit the website for Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women

Circle Meetings this month:

Are you interested in joining a circle?  Wonderful!  Just contact Lynne Gilbert or Mary Jo Elmore or Sabrina Hinson...we will be glad to help you!

PLANNING DATES FOR 2010

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Some Questions & Answers about the Reading Program

Q. Where would I get a Reading Program book?
A. Our unit purchases a number of new books every year. They are housed in the Church Library on the 2nd floor, just off the Gathering Space.
Q. Can I check out Reading Program books during the week? I’m really busy on Sunday morning.
A. Certainly! Books may be checked out anytime the library is open. The library is open during the week during church office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday mornings.
Q. How long can I keep a book? I’m not a fast reader.
A. Books may be checked out for three weeks.
Q. Do I have to purchase a book to be a UMW Reader?
A. No, one does not have to purchase a book to participate in the Reading Program. Basic participation in the Reading Program consists of reading four (4) books, one in each mission category, and reading Response magazine monthly. However, donations of books on the Reading Program list are always welcome.
Q. I’d like to participate in the Reading Program but I’m concerned that all the books will be long and hard to read. Is that true?
A. Not at all! Many of our books are moderate in length. Also, we have a number of children’s and youth books that may be read for credit. Very few of our books could be classified as difficult reading.
 

Gift to Mission Cards

Have you ever sent a Gift to Mission card? Did you know that there are seven different Gift to Mission cards that you can use…to honor someone, to send a note of encouragement, to celebrate a birthday or other special day…and more? Did you know that for a gift to mission of $5.00 (not all that different from what you might pay at the card shop)…you can brighten someone’s day with a special card, and at the same time…help to make a difference in the lives of women, children and youth around the world by supporting mission through United Methodist Women?

The following Gift to Mission cards are available from Norma Funderburk, our treasurer: Thank You, Happy Birthday, Congratulations, A Baby, A Special Day, Thinking of You, Peace, and In the Service of Christ. And, Christmas cards are also available.

Wouldn’t it be neat for every member of our unit to send at least one Gift to Mission card? Contact Norma (379-9257 or e-mail nfunderburk@triad.rr.com), and send a Gift to Mission card! Cards will also be available at our general meetings.

Are You Reading Response Magazine?

Response magazine is the official magazine of United Methodist Women. Published 11 times a year, Response features a Bible study in each issue that can be used as either a devotional or a circle program. Articles in each issue keep members updated on mission projects so we can see where our money goes. Response also gives us coverage of social issues that are important to women and children.

A popular department in Response is “Bright Lights”, which covers unit mission projects and successful fund-raisers. These “tried and true” ideas are there for the harvesting! Annual coverage is given to the Reading Program each fall whenever the new book list is issued. Also, news from Women’s Division is featured on the last two pages of each Response.

Our unit provides a subscription to Response for the church library. The magazines are kept in the UMW section and are available any time the library is open. Stop by and peruse a recent issue. For more information or to purchase an individual subscription to Response, contact Secretary of Program Resources Carol Betts at 274-3950.

Hands-On Mission: UMCOR Health Kits - Participate in our hands-on mission project and bring or send at least one UMCOR Health Kit to our meeting! See instructions below.

Because of the earthquake and humanitarian disaster in Haiti, UMCOR has expressed an urgent need for Health Kits.  Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women have announced that we will also continue that effort as our hands-on mission opportunity for the 2010 School of Christian Mission. The need for health kits is great, and ongoing. Not only does UMCOR need the kits for relief efforts in Haiti...they also need to continually re-supply so that UMCOR is ready to help when the next disaster happens.

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.

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. And, please do not include any religious, political or patriotic notes or emblems in any kit.

Time to Make Our Pledges for Mission Giving

As we begin a new year, it is time once again to make our pledges to support mission through United Methodist Women. Your giving makes mission possible. Giving supports institutions and programs empowering and improving the lives of women, children and youth in the United States and around the world.

Mission Giving provides food, shelter, education, employment, healthcare, and human rights advocacy for many living on the margins of society. Mission Giving supports United Methodist missionaries and deaconesses. Mission Giving also funds spiritual growth programs, leadership development events and mission education opportunities for United Methodist Women members.

Prayerfully consider your pledge for the coming year…and give generously. YOU are making a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world.

If you are a member of a circle...you will have an opportunity in your circle to make your pledge.  If you are an at-large member of United Methodist Women...you may make a pledge and turn it in to our unit treasurer, Norma Funderburk.  Click here to download a PDF of a pledge card.  You may contact Norma Funderburk at nfunderburk@triad.rr.com.

Thank you!

Prayer Shawl Ministry Grows

In the Spring of 2005, a new ministry was formed within United Methodist Women which has given comfort and support to people in special circumstances both locally and in other countries. Meeting monthly, two groups of women are contributing their time and skills to the knitting of prayer shawls. A shawl may be given in celebration of a special event or as an expression of love and concern. But whatever the situation, prayer is an implicit part of the gift. The individual knitter prays as she knits and offers her completed shawl for individual prayers from the members of her knitting circle. The final blessing is then given by an ordained member of the ministerial staff.

Since 2005, the ministry has expanded. Shawls are being provided to mission teams who have taken them to Bay St. Louis as a part of hurricane relief efforts; our youth have taken them on their Carolina Cross Connections mission; shawls have been taken to Guatemala, and to our sister church in Bulgaria.

In June 2006, the decision was made to include the occasion of infant baptism as a part of the ministry, and a special pattern was designed and produced with white yarn. These baptismal blankets require many hours to knit and are given in celebration of this special occasion and as a token of our intent to help raise and nurture children in the church. The blankets are more appropriate for infants and are given to those one year or younger. Since 2006, a total of 32 baptismal blankets have been given.

The most recent addition to the ministry has been the knitting of prayer blankets for children who are facing difficult challenges. Softly colored yarns are used, and a new pattern has been adopted for this purpose.

To date, over 250 shawls and blankets have been knitted and given away. This number speaks to the commitment of the women involved and the gratification of spreading love through hand work.

New members are welcome, and assistance is available for anyone who is an inexperienced knitter. Contact Sarah Hester, 288-7823

Prayer Shawl Ministry highlighted
in News & Record

Making Gifts of the Heart
Click to read article on N&R website

Click on thumbnails to see larger image.

We have an active unit of United Methodist Women at West Market Street United Methodist Church.  We are women organized for mission, and we are involved in mission both locally and globally.  We invite ALL women of the church to join us! 

Membership in United Methodist Women is open to all women who seek to be a part of a supportive community committed to the UMW PURPOSE. Members may participate in one of our seven small group circles or, if unable to participate that way, may be members at-large. Our circles have varied meeting times that provide opportunities for women with different schedules. Over two hundred fifty women at West Market Street are members of United Methodist Women. There are approximately 800,000 members of United Methodist Women worldwide. Join Us!

As women organized for mission...we have a PURPOSE:

...to be a community of women whose PURPOSE is
...to know God
...to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ
...to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and
...to expand concepts of mission through participation in global ministries of the church.

We have four general meetings each year, on the first Mondays of March, May, October and December. All meetings are held in the fellowship hall at West Market Street United Methodist Church. Childcare is available for all general meetings.