A SISTERHOOD OF GRACE

                East Central District United Methodist Women 13th District Annual Meeting

 was held on October 20,2018 at the First United Church of Oviedo. The welcome and call to worship was given by Linda Gustatson, District President.

 Denise Clonts, the President of UMW of Oviedo welcomed all the churches present. The women from Oviedo's UMW did an excellent job of welcoming, directing and helping with the meeting.

 Pam Anders introduced the keynote speaker.  She did an great job,especially since the speaker changed on Thursday. Kay Roach, the President of Florida Conference UMW was to be the speaker. Unfortunately her sister passed away and notified Linda on Thursday she was unable to come. Keep Kay in your prayers.

 Sherry Davidson the state secretary of program resources asked Kay what she could do to help, so she became the key note speaker on a days notice. She gave a brief history of UMW. In 1869 two wives of missionaries from India spoke to 8 women in Boston. They heard a need and took action. 150 years later this is still what UMW is about. Today the word is BOLD, where there is a need we can't be stopped. Social action and missions are important part of UMW today.  If you think it, you can do it. Being a part of UMW gives you support when you personally have a need too.

 Phoebe Luster, District Membership and Patty Wolf from Oviedo had a nice memorial service to honor those who had died this year. The following names from First United Methodist of Clermont were read: Betty Sack, Annie Laurie Lynn, Helen McKellop and Edith Bruns.

 We had communion given by Rev. Brian James, the pastor at Oviedo.

 After a short break the business meeting began with Linda presiding assisted by Alma Manney, parliamentarian and Diane Abresky recording secretary. There was election and installation of officers, unfortunately only 2 of the 5 opening were filled.

 Pam Anders, Social action Coordinator, reminded us again about the campaign to boycott Wendy's and fill out a postcard asking them to sign onto the Fair Food Program. She also brought to our attention the Living Wage for all campaign.

 The meeting was adjourned and we gathered in the fellowship hall for lunch.

 It was a very good meal of salad and chicken.

 We had a nice representation from our church. Barbara Reed, Dottie Mathias, Lorna Beoersma, Diane Wells, Kathy Werner

 Noelene McCall, MiMi Sanderlin, Pam Anders, Evelyn Rose.

Joyce Smith and also Janet Blume who is the District Education and Interpretation Coordinator.

SEWING PROJECTS

 Noelene and a few other ladies from Lunch Bunch met on  Sept.24 to make bags from T-shirts for the Faith Neighborhood Center, which no longer supplies bags for people who come for food. This is a great project to recycle T-shirts we no longer use and helps Faith Neighborhood and the people that need their services. 58 T-shirts bags were made.

Women from the  Daughter of Lydia Circle were busy on September 24 sewing the Christmas stockings to be given to South Lake hospital for all the babies born in December. Over 100 stockings will be given to the hospital along with a white hand knitted hat for each baby.

On October 5, 2018 Jan Becherer and Noelene McCall took the 58 T-shirt bags to Faith Neighborhood and presented them to Trish Kry. Trish was very grateful for them and the clients really like them. This is an ongoing project and will enhance our efforts to keep plastic bags out of the environment. Adult small or medium t-shirts work best.