Church Women United in Austin
NewsletterFebruary 2016
President:VernellMoncure, 12311 Yarmont Way, 78753 512-836-5134
Treasurer:Pat Hochstetler, 2405 Emmett Pkwy, 78728 512-989-1321
Newsletter Staff: DebeMcKeand, 10917 Range View Dr, 78730 512-657-0028
Dorothy Kraemer, PO Box 512, Pflugerville, 78691 512-251-6929
A link to this newsletter edition has been sent out via e-mail. If you didn’t receive the e-mail, please contact Pat Hochstetler. Likewise, if you do not use e-mail, please let Pat H. know that you still need to receive a paper copy in the mail.
Charitable Projectfor February: Montopolis Friendship Community Center
Please bring white construction paper, pre-K art supplies for Early Childhood Class, rolls of paper towels and toilet paper, Kleenex and paper cups to stock their supply cabinet; or small gifts to use as “white elephant” prizes for Bingo. You may also bring gently used clothes, appliances, dishes, sheets and towels for the “Sales” Room.
Annual Meeting
Date: Friday, February 5, 2016 Time: 9:30 a.m. (refreshments) 10:00 a.m. (program)
Place: Montopolis Friendship Community Center, 403 Vargas Rd. Austin, TX 78741 From the north and west, take Hwy 183 S, cross the Montopolis Bridge and turn right onto Vargas Rd. Look for the yellow house on the left. Parking is available at the Center and along Vargas Rd.
Theme: “We Are All God’s Children” will use Galations 3:26 “For ye are all children of God by faith in Jesus Christ” and Romans 8:14 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
The Finance Committee will present the Financial Report for 2015. The budget for 2016 will be presented for group to adopt.
Montopolis Friendship Community Center
Mission Statement: to encourage those living in the Montopolis area to become personally involved in programs that bring about needed changes in the community through cooperative action and sharing, with emphasis on helping women and children, and bringing together persons of various backgrounds.
MFCC has a pre-school several days a week for 2-4 year olds, operates a thrift shop with used clothing and household items, runs a Seniors Activity Project two Fridays a month, distributes baby layettes for new mothers, and opens their building for many community events. The Center has been operating since 1956 with the support of United Methodist Women.
African American Women Inventors: Eye surgerythat includes a laser for cataract surgery was improved by the Laserphaco Probe that was patented byElizabeth Bathin 1988. Hair care productsmade with sulfur and petrolatum was invented by Sarah Breedlove McWilliams also known asMadam C. J. Walkerin the early 1900’s. TheFolding Cabinet Bedthat folds against the wall and turns into a writing cabinet was invented bySarah Goodein 1885. TheNursery Chairwas invented byI.O. Carterin 1960. TheYarn Skein Holderwas invented byJulia Terry Hammonsin 1896.Alice H. Parker invented a mechanism for regulating heat to be carried to various rooms of a building in 1919.
Poems to celebrate Black History Month can be found at:
Make a Life-Saving Fashion Statement, on Feb 5th, by wearing Red
13th Annual National Wear Red Day For Women, urging women, people from all walks of life, to “go red” and “glow red” to bring attention to the No. 1 and No. 5 killers ofwomen – heart disease and stroke.On February 5, help us turn America RED and SAVE WOMEN’S LIVES from heart disease and stroke by wearing something red … a red dress, tie, jacket, scarf, hat, blouse or shirt. Go Red For Women and show your commitment to reducing risk, improving health, and saving women’s lives.
Please Help! Please consider becoming the Third Vice President or Chair of the Communications Committee. There are also opportunities to help with the 2016 CWU Yearbook (contact Carole Hatfield) and to help gather information for upcoming newsletters (contact Pat Hochstetler).
The Young Church Woman Award Committee—We are seeking volunteers to help choose the recipients(s) of this award in 2016. Please contact Loretta Hill (512-926-6648) to be part of the selection process for this exciting CWU honor.
Seeking Host Churches for 2017—If you or your church would like to host a 2017 CWU meeting, please contact 2nd Vice President, Alberta Shelton, to learn more. Alberta can be reached at 512-926-8645.
Ecumenical Action Recipients—Over the years, Pat Thomas did a wonderful job as chair of Ecumenical Action in finding programs to receive our donations. As we line up recipients for the year ahead, we will continue to choose from those we have helped in the past, and would appreciate any ideas you have for new worthy recipients. Also, please contact Susan Holman, Ecumenical Action Coordinator(512) 452-6890, if you would like to work with this committee.
Remember the Courtesies: We are depending on you to help us acknowledge and support our sisters when they are sick or bereaved. Please call Mary Terrell, 512-651-5572 (home) or 512-906-826 (cell), if you know of any sickness or loss in our midst so that a card can be sent. If you know of members who are no longer able to attend CWU meetings, please let Johnnie Overton (512-482-8921) know so program information can be mailed to them.
Courtesies sent since last newsletter: A get well card was sent to Loretta Hill following cataract surgery. A sympathy card was sent to the family of Jeanette Ball who passed away on September 22, 2015.
Thank You
Thank You Episcopal Church of the Resurrection for hosting the World Day of Pray Celebration in November 2015! Your hospitality was enjoyed by all. The Blanket Fund collection given to Church World Service was $1,195. The Love offering gathered in $98. 17 individual membership totaling $260; Five Fair Shares of $300 were collected at the November meeting.
WelcomeNew Members
Dora Flenoy, 12234 Shropshire Blvd. Austin, TX 78753 512-832-0086, Mt. Zion Baptist Church Joan V. Grant, 1711 Rutland Dr., Apt 802, Austin, TX 78758, 512-552-4629, Holy Cross Catholic Church Evelyn W. Lawrence, 4425 Twisted Tree Dr., Austin, TX 78735, University Presbyterian Church Reba Ott, 12201 Black Angus Dr., Austin, TX 78727, 512-258-3345, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Kathryn Samec, 512-587-1418, Unity Church of Austin
Member Information Update: Sue Sidney’s cell phone 512-657-6650
CROP WALK
Now is the time to get your congregation involved! The CROP Hunger Walk is a wonderful way to raise money and awareness of world and local hunger issues. Go to austincrophungerwalk.org for more information on volunteer opportunities, raising money online and other ways to get involved in CROP Walk. Call 512-451-2062 or email at to get pledge packets and other materials. The Walk is Sunday, February 28th at Camp Maybry.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, February 5, 9:30 a.m. CWU Annual Meeting; Montopolis Friendship Community Center, 403 Vargas Rd.(41)
Monday, February 8, 4:00 p.m. Book Discussion led by Academic Dean Scott Bader-Saye onReconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace and Healing,by Emmanuel Katongole and Chris Rice, Community Hour in Maddux Lounge, located on northeast corner of The Southwest Seminary (Presbyterian).
Wednesday, February 17, 7:00 p.m. African American Arts and Culture event. An event showcasing African American arts and culture in a variety of mediums. Several Austin artists from the African American Community will display their artistry throughout the seminary’sWeeks Center. Light refreshments will be served.
Sunday, February 28, CROP Walk at Camp Mabry
Friday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. World Day of Prayer Celebration “Receive Children, Receive Me”, St. Johns United Methodist Church, 2140 Allendale Rd. (56)
Thursday, October 13, National CWU Conference; Louisville, KY
More links to visit for more information on Black History month events:
two additional events are available in Feb.
17th Annual African American Community Heritage Festival (Date TBD)
January events at Huston-Tillotson College