FALL 2014 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 3
Have you registered yet???
We are planning a day of worship, celebration and learning about United Methodist Women missions as we continue our quadrennial theme “Today, Tomorrow and Beyond, God is Calling Us to PROCLAIM!” This year our meeting will begin with our worship service led by Reverend Lib Campbell, retired minister from the Capital District. Rev. Campbell is a former UMW Conference officer. Also, some of your Conference leaders have formed a choir that will be a part of the worship service. The business meeting will convene after worship and will include some special celebrations.
As was the case last year, members eligible to vote will be given a voting paddle, so please be sure to mark your voting status on your registration form. The criteria for those who may vote are listed on the registration form.
We hope you will register before the day of the meeting because knowing how many to prepare for saves resources and eliminates wastes. Onsite registration will cost an extra $5.00 this year. This increased onsite registration fee is necessary because we want to have program materials for all who register but we do not want to waste Mission Money by preparing for more than come. We have to estimate the number who may register onsite and prepare for that number. If we underestimate, some don’t get a program book; if we overestimate we have excess materials which means we have wasted money that otherwise would have gone to missions. October 1 is the cut-off for pre-purchasing a lunch. (There may be some lunches made available to us for onsite purchase.) A diagram of the cafeteria will be in the program so that all will know where various foods are located.
This year, we are collecting school kits so be sure to bring them.
Registration Form can be found on page 6 in this issue and on the Conference website, nccumw.org.
I hope to see you on October 11th, at our Annual Meeting!
Sandra Creech Mendell
Conference Vice President
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“When you say yes to being a follower of Jesus Christ, you have no idea what will happen along the way.” – Dr. Frances M. Alguire
During Women’s History Month this year, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women celebrated the month by creating a gallery of courageous, committed women in Methodist history. Our own, Dr. Frances Alguire, was one of the women in the gallery. She was also celebrated at our Annual Conference in Greenville. Dr. Alguire is a member of University UMC in Chapel Hill and an active member of United Methodist Women.
This is the article published in Saddlebags, the Annual Conference newsletter: Dr. Frances M. Alguire was honored for her work as the first woman and second layperson to lead the World Methodist Council. Soon after she became chairperson, she received a standing ovation during a panel discussion when she said, “God trusted a woman to carry his son for nine months. It’s now time for women to be allowed to share the world and become participants without men feeling threatened.”
When Rev. Carl King, pastor of University, shared some comments about Dr. Alguire, he stated “She counts being president of her local UMW unit as one of her greatest joys”. We as UMW are honored to have Dr. Alguire, give such a strong “shout out” about serving in our organization.
As I reflected on the comment shared about Dr. Alguire I pondered, “Why aren’t there more women who count it a joy to serve in leadership in UMW?” The first thought that came to mind is that we do not share our stories with joy and excitement. UMW has a rich history of being change agents and
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being women actively engaged in mission. In many cases UMW is on the forefront of addressing societal issues and work to bring about awareness and justice. There are two questions that we need to ask ourselves.
1. How can we share stories of our history in a way that attracts women to United Methodist Women?
2. How can we nurture our membership in such a way that leads women to serve with joy?
Finding positive answers to these questions will help bring in new members and will address the difficulty in finding officers.
United Methodist Women needs women who are excited about our mission and are excited to serve in leadership. It is said that, “excitement begets excitement”. I challenge you to attend your next local unit meeting with expectation, joy and excitement. I encourage you to attend your next district or conference event with expectation, joy and excitement. And lastly, I encourage you to say, “yes” to God’s calling to you to serve in United Methodist Women. And to paraphrase what Dr. Alguire stated, “When you say yes to being a committed leader of Jesus Christ through service in UMW, you will have no idea what will happen along the way.”
To God be the glory for the mission done with faith, hope and love by United Methodist Women!
Will we make our Pledge to Missions to UMW National? That is the question as we approach the last quarter of the year. Last year we did not quite make it. Let’s make a final big push to give a little extra this year so we can succeed in meeting our pledge.
Are you a Seven Star Member? Many units are Seven Star Units, but do not have Seven Star Members. With just a little extra effort, many of us could be Seven Star Members. YOU can be one! See your local treasurer to see what you need to fulfill the requirements. Go the extra mile to support missions nationally and globally!
There are many avenues of giving for UMW. If you are not familiar with them all, ask questions. Your Local or District Treasurer can help with answers.
If you want to know how UMW National uses money to help Women, Children & Youth, read Response Magazine. There are articles in every issue about projects supported by your Pledge Dollars. In the February issue of each year is a financial statement for the previous year.
GIVE! GIVE! GIVE! Missions to women, youth and children depend on YOU! Be a part of the Mission to glorify God!
Doris Wade
NC Conference Treasurer of UMW
At Mission Encounter during Mission u, one group packed 139 book bags to be sent by the United Methodist Church (UMC) to Liberia, El Salvador, and the USA. (Remember this was a UMC Conference outreach ministry.) Another group visited the NC Veterans Rest Home, shared music and a devotional. Then they visited one on one with the residents. Thanks to ALL who contributed items for the book bags, a big THANK YOU to those who “sewed” the bags and to the participants of the Mission Encounter.
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During the UMW Annual Meeting on October 11 at Methodist University, we would like to share a power-point presentation of you in any hands-on project you did during the year. Send pictures and brief information to Jin Lee, Communications Coordinator, for this segment of the program by October 6. The information from the compiled social action reports will be incorporated as well. It is amazing what UMW do in the name of Jesus for women, children and youth. Continue to encourage UMW women to participate in local, district and conference social action events.
As we come to the end of another reporting year, I would like to thank all district Secretaries of Program Resources for their commitment to their responsibilities and sending reports to me on time.
The challenge I issued earlier was fulfilled by many. If you have not had the opportunity to begin reading, I encourage you to pick up one of the books on the Reading list. I would also like to remind you to purchase Gift to Mission cards for any occasion. Be sure to visit http://www.umwmissionresources.org/ for books, merchandises and all UMW resources.
I can’t wait to see which district will receive the banner this year. We also we have something new to present but you have to be at the Annual Meeting to see what it is. I hope that our report at Annual Meeting will show how much we have increased our reading percentage!
I am excited about seeing you at the Annual Meeting. We will have several new books for purchase or order at that time. Remember, October is closer than you think. I ask that you also mark your calendar for Do-It-Day in November.
Blessings and much love,
Annette Wright
NCCUMWSPR
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In this issue…
Annual Meeting Cover page
Committee on Nominations page 2
President’s Message page 2 - 3
Treasurer’s Report page 3
Social Action: KEDE Blurb page 3 - 4
Program Resources page 4
Limitless II: Redefine Tomorrow page 5
Mission u page 5
Registration Form-Annual Meeting page 6