MISSION U 2019

  Mission U was held at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL from July 11 to July 14.

10 women from our unit attended.

 We registered quickly when we arrived.

 Many books were brought to be donated to Cornerstone family Ministries.

 Food items were also brought.

 Women United for Change was one of the studies.

 A nice display about the study in the learning center.

 Practicing Resurrection was the other study.

 Other displays on this study.

 Our dorm was Nicholas.

 Dr. Brandon Boyd and Leah Meyer lead us in singing at the morning worship and the evening plenaries. She is a great song leader and has a beautiful voice. They were a great addition to each session.

 Several of us were in Sandra Barton's class on Practicing Resurrection. We had class for two hours each day. We saw interesting videos and had great discussions.

 We had breakfast, lunch and dinner together.

 Cathy Stone from Cornerstone Family Ministries shared about how the programs at Cornerstone helps to stops the School to Prison Pipeline.

During the Plenary on Friday evening there was an anointing ritual.

The evening ended with a vigil, Lights for Liberty. We were praying for the immigrant children that are being held in a detention center away from their parents in Homestead, Fl. 

The plan was to walk but the weather was stormy.

Janet covered up her wheelchair.

Linda worked on the craft. Cutting the sleeves off the T-shirt.

Made fringe on the bottom and tied knots. A way to make a bag with no sewing.

Our finished bags.

Tours were given of the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.

His water Dome looking towards the Annie Pfeiffer chapel.

The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was the first Wright building to be constructed.

Inside the Chapel.

The William H. Danforth Chapel is the smaller building.

There are almost a mile of covered walkways. The supports suggest the orange trees that were on the campus.

The campus is very beautiful and is a bit hilly.We did a lot of walking throughout the day.  Shuttles were available for those who needed a ride. It was quite challenging for those in wheelchairs to get around.

Saturday ended with a birthday bash.

All the district officers from each region in the state marched in.

The children lead the celebration on stage. It was nice having the children take part, since they are the future. From K to 8th grade there were 55 children.

Our present members were recognized for their years of being United Methodist Women. Diane has been a member for 50 years! One woman attending had been a member for 70 years.

The host for the birthday celebration.

These two young ladies had lovely voices.

We even played a party game. Can you figure out what this says? Hint think 150 years ago.

What great choreography these four girls had as they did an interpretive dance.

A skit called the Harvest is Ready.

The older students did a song with a good positive message.

Not only the youth participated, but this woman sang an amazing song she wrote about UMW history to the tune of Oh Susanna.

What would a birthday party be without singing Happy Birthday? So we did it four times. It was also song in Creole, Korean, and Spanish.

And then there was cake.

It was quite a party.

After our final class on Sunday we had a worship service.  We were challenged to do as the woman with the alabaster jar did when she anointed Jesus.

The service ended with communion.
Think about attending Mission U next year for it is a wonderful experience.

CRAFT SHACK

 Margaret, Andrea and Carol are already busy working at the craft shack getting ready for the Holiday Bazaar November 2. They were teaching others how to make bows. Items are being collected for the different shoppes, so if you have anything you to donate drop it off at the church office.

 Last week Celeste stopped by with some items and surprised Andrea with the presentation of her special recognition pin.

You can read all about Andrea in the last post.

PRAYER QUILT

Sharon made this beautiful quilt for Celeste. She has gotten as many people as possible to sign and pray over it. Our prayers for Celeste is that her surgery went well and she will beat this cancer one more time. May she find comfort in this quilt as it surrounds her.

JUNE LUNCHEON AND SPECIAL MISSION PIN RECIPIENTS

 About 50 women gathered at IHOP on Wednesday for the UMW June Circle's luncheon meeting.

 There were women from all five of the circles present.

 Noelene shared about Anointed Community. A generous donation of cash, gift cards and items were collected to give to them.

 Unfortunately the one Sunday that Jan Becherer missed church was the day people were to be recognized by UMW for their special service to the church and community. Her pin was presented to her today.
Jan is an active member of FUMC and our UMW unit. She is a member of the Lunch Bunch circle and was their leader for 2 years. She has served on the Executive team of the unit for the past 3 years. She was Vice -President for 2 years and now is the Mission Coordinator of Membership, Nurture and Outreach.
 Jan has been Co-Chair of the Holiday Bazaar  and a shopkeeper for the Made With Love Shop for several years. She also helped make beautiful quilts and other items for the Opportunity Drawing at the Bazaar.  She has helped in several areas for the annual Spring Luncheons and Fashion Shows. Jan regularly attends District and Conference events and is very willing to share information she has learned.
Jan has been an active member of the Boomers Sunday School Class since its inception. she has helped plan field trips and service projects for the class. She provides food and help fro the Grace and Grief committee as they facilitate receptions for families after funerals and Memorial Services. Jan has also assisted with the backpack food program for children at a local school and with the Christmas Program Miracle on 7th Street for families in the community. Jan  is a member of the Lake County Quilters Guild and has made numerous quilts that have been given to community organizations. She has been on a committee to research needs for donations of quilts in Lake County.

Another recipient of  the Special Recognition Pin was traveling and not in church the Sunday they were presented. We were glad Janet Blume was able to join us today to present her with her pin.
Janet is an active member of the Daughters of Lydia Circle, our Clermont unit, and the East Central District United Methodist Women. She is also an active member of FUMC. Janet served as treasurer of her circle for 1 year and is currently the Co-Chair. In East Central District UMW Janet is currently serving as Mission Coordinator of Education and Interpretation. She attends their planning meetings and regularly scheduled events and is very efficient in completing the tasks required. Janet
has attended Mission U for several years and been an excellent resource and helper with the Mission Studies presented for our Unit.
 For the last 2 years at the Holiday Bazaar, Janet has worked in Santa's Workshop as Mrs. Santa assisting children to make crafts so their parents were able to shop. Another year she used her sewing skills monogramming names on aprons.
Janet is active in the church serving on the Finance committee and volunteering to work with the church treasurer counting monetary donations on Monday mornings.  For 2 years Janet has been a guiding force for the Christmas Miracle on 7th Street Program for local families. The program has helped hundreds of families and given prayer support to parents, gifts, and food to numerous households.
For several years Janet was involved with the Trunk or Treat Program organizing and providing a Christian environment for children and families to enjoy Halloween activities. Janet also can be seen many Wednesday afternoons in the Wesley Center lobby volunteering as a cashier for the Wednesday night dinners. She is a member of  FUMC Life Group and is supportive and willing to become involved in community activities as the needs arise. She often helps family members who live nearby.
Janet was involved with Boy Scouts of America for many years when she lived in Maryland and is well aware of the importance of being a positive influence in the lives of children.

Our last recipient is still travelling and was not at the luncheon. She still has not received her pin but has been notified. Andrea Beaver ( in red) is an active member and Secretary of the Lunch Bunch circle. She is also Secretary of the Leadership Team for our Unit of United Methodist Women. She has been co-chair of the Opportunity basket Project for the Spring Luncheons and is a Shopkeeper for the Holiday shoppe at the Fall Bazaar.  Andrea enjoys expressing her creativity by making beautiful decorative items for the Bazaar.
Andrea is an active member of the We Care Ministries and of Celebrate Recovery. She regularly sets-up materials and makes greeting cards for We Care Ministries before Wednesday Night Dinners in the Wesley Center. Andrea and her husband are on call as drivers for home delivery of the Meals on Wheels Program of the Church. Andrea also serves as an usher at the 8:00 services on Sunday morning.
In the community Andrea has been active in the Emerald Lakes Estates community and helps with their Fund Raiser Bazaar and garage sale.  She is also becoming active with FAITH Neighborhood  Center by collecting needed items and will be helping pack food boxes for the Summer Lunch Program for children.
Andrea is a dedicated Christian living her principles in the church, United Methodist Women and the community,