A TALK WITH OUR FATHER

People of Faith program was held at Blessed Sacrament on January 23, 2019. There were four churches represented.

 The program was held in the beautiful old sanctuary.

 The presentation was A Talk With Our Father. One woman was saying the Lord's Prayer and the other woman was taking the role of God.  God talked to the woman as she said each line of the prayer to realize how important it is and what it means, not to just recite the prayer.
$250.00 was collected to benefit Outward Sign. This is Blessed Sacrament  program to help families in need. 

FUMC was well represented with 23 women and a gentleman. ( a few women not in this picture) After the program there was a delicious luncheon hosted by the church.

An announcement was made about the Blessed Sacrament Council of Catholic Women rummage sale February 1 and 2 and the BSCCW Fashion Show on February 16 at the Wesley Center. It is good to support each other.

OFFICERS' TRAINING

 Several car loads of officials from our United Methodist Women traveled to Sanlando United Methodist church on Saturday for training.

 The East Central District leadership team worked hard to have a very well organized and interactive training session.

 Janet Blume was selling the Gift to Missions Cards.

 We were to sit at different tables according to what position you hold in your unit. 

 It is good to meet other officers from other units and get to know them.

 We had excellent representation.

 All five of our circles had several officers at the training.

It was great to see Katrina Scott and Debbie Smith,the leaders from Young Women of God able to attend.

 Annie Winn opened the training with a everyone reading the UMW Purpose.

 The members of the East Central District 2019 Leadership Team were introduced. Annie Winn is President and did an excellent job of facilitating the training.

 Kristi Carnesale is the Vice President of East Central District, besides being President of Sanlando United Methodist women.

 Diane Abresky is Secretary.

 Phoebe Lustre is Coordinator of Membership.

 Our own Evelyn Rose is the Chair of the Committee on Nominations.

 Lisa Oelschlager is Coordinator of Communications.  She is the editor of the Trumpet Sound and created the Officers' Training Manual we were all given.

 Our own Janet Blume is Coordinator of Education and Interpretation.

 She is also the Secretary of Program Resources.

 And Who is this???

 Yes,our very own Pam Anders who is active in her role as Coordinator of Social Action.

The  challenge for each Unit to have a Legacy fund Raiser was announced.

 Any ideas??

 The social action moment was to make a personal vow to STOP using plastic bags. Noelene is still taking T-shirts to make cloth bags for Faith Neighborhood.

 What ever area we wanted more training for, we sat at that table and had good discussion and guidance from the East Central District Leadership Team member for that position. Since I was there for communications Lisa Oelschlager shared her expertise. It was nice putting a face to her name.

 Anyone want to help make a facebook page for our unit? This blog is one way to keep informed and also you should receive the Trumpet Sound on email.

 The second part of the meeting was talking about these three question, First we brainstormed about them at our tables, with our thoughts recorded on a poster board. 

 After each question each table shared one of their ideas.  Our unit can be proud we have two new circles and that there is a circle with child care for the younger women.

The meeting ended with the announcement that we will host the next district meeting.  Plan to come and meet other United Methodist Women in our District. You will have a good time.

THE McCURLEYS

 Many people stayed after the Wednesday night dinner to listen to the McCurleys update their work in Japan.

Jonathan had lived in Florida.

 He shared about their work and where they live in Japan.

 In 2018 ARI  had 30 students from 15 countries from Asia and Africa. ARI teaching them how to have sustainable farms. They showed an interesting film about the the work done at ARI.

Jonathan and Satomi McCurley.  Satomi spoke to the group about her work launching a new community group that is  addressing children's poverty in the local area.

  UMW was pleased to present them with a check to help in their ministry work.

CIRCLE OF GRACE

 The Circle of Grace had its first meeting on January 15. There was a little confusing on the time the meeting was starting, but from now on they will be meeting from 1:30 to 3:30 the third Tuesday of the month in the Upper Room. Barb Reed and Sharon Ebbert are the leaders for the Circle.

Eleven women attended. Sharing their backgrounds and experiences in UMW helped them get to know each other a little better.  Some of them attend other circles and some were new members. Sharon had a timely devotion and an interesting program was given by Barb. A  lot of business was accomplished. Members volunteered to be treasurer, secretary and reader of the prayer calendar. They decided to make a garden basket for the Spring fashion show and luncheon. For the February meeting after school snacks  will be brought to give to Anointed Community. The meeting ended with sharing of prayer concerns and praises. Barb was thankful for God's hand in starting this fifth circle, the Circle of Grace.

NEW MEMBERSHIP TEA

Barb Reed wanted to reach out to women who did not attend any of the UMW circles and to form a  new afternoon circle.

Barb got a committee together and a new membership tea and luncheon was scheduled to be held on January 12th.

 Friday they decorated the tables.

 On Saturday several women worked to get plates of sandwiches and pastries ready for the tables.

 The tables looked lovely.

 About 40 women (and two men) attended the luncheon, with  over 1/4 being new members interested in joining a circle.

 Barb welcomed everyone.

 Pastor Dawn shared about the growth of UMW and gave the grace.

 Celeste Hicks, President of UMW talked about the history of UMW and importance of the mission work.

 Several members waited on the tables making sure there was plenty of food and tea.

 Linda Hmieleski did an inspirational dance to "I Can Only Imagine".

 Cathy D'heron, chairman of the Missions Selection Committee, explained about the local charities our UMW funds and introduced the guest speaker.

 Shannon Herrera, board president, and Brian Broadway from  Find, Feed and Restore showed us a very interesting film about this program. Helping one family at a time they are getting homeless families with children from living in cars to living in a trailer until they can get a place of their own.

Circle leaders shared about their circle.  Diane Wells talked about Daughter of Lydia. They meet the 1st Tuesday of the Month at 7:00 P.M. in the Social Hall.

 Pam Anders shared about Morning Joy.  They meet the third Wednesday of the month at 9:30 A.M. in the Agape House.

 Carol Ferguson shared about Lunch Bunch. they meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11:30 A.M. in the Upper Room. You bring a bag lunch and drink.

 Katrina Scott shared about the newly started Young Women of God circle. The meet the third Sunday of the month at 5:00 in the Wesley Center Cafe. Childcare is available.

Sharon Ebbert shared about grace and the new Circle of Grace. The first meeting will be January 15th at 1:30 in the Upper Room.
The new members should have learned of a circle they may want to attend and be a active part of UMW. Together we will make a difference.