SPRING LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW

  United Methodist Women have been busy getting people and groups in the church and community to contribute items for the baskets at the opportunity drawing and silent auction at the spring luncheon. Carol, Andrea and Margaret worked hours on putting the baskets together.

  March 16,2019 the Spring Luncheon and Fashion show was held for the 10th year.

Carol sold tickets for the opportunity drawings. Pat and Carolyn figured out how to use the cube so people could pay with a credit card.

 Lots of beautiful baskets.

 Hardest part was deciding which ones to put your ticket in.

 There were so many that you had to buy more tickets and before long all the tickets had been sold.

 Andrea and Margaret relaxed while others looked at the baskets.

 Besides the opportunity baskets there were two tables full of  items for the silent auction.

 Betty started the bidding an several of the items.

For a little fun there was a photo op.  Members of the Morning Joy Circle posed for a picture.

Carolyn and her friends had their picture taken.

 The tables looked lovely. The vase and rose were sold for $5 after the luncheon.

All the tables were filled with 350 people in attendance.

 Lorna and Barbara were the co-chairs for the luncheon.  They put a lot of work into it and it was quite a success.

 Lorna welcomed everyone and was the MC.

 Chef David is no longer the chef at the church after faithful service of 10 years. It was with his guidance that the luncheon began. He started the Wednesday night dinners, and served many other special event meals. He organized the Meal on Wheels and other food programs. United Methodist Women presented him with a Special Mission Recognition Pin with a heart felt thanks for all he has done for the church and community.

 Forward Paths was one of the recipients of money that was made from the luncheon.

 It was nice to hear of all the services they provide to youth that have aged out of foster care. She was very appreciative for all the support the Methodist churches are giving to this need.

 Families in Transition was the other organization that benefited from the luncheon.

 They too thanked UMW for their support,

 Pastor Dawn gave the blessing and lunch was served.

 There were many delicious salads, bread and rolls.

 While we waited to get our lunch we had nice selection of deserts served to us at the table.

Lorna thanked Dallis and the FUMC Food Service Team for making the luncheon a success.

 After the meal, Jan drew a ticket from the bag for each basket.

 Who has the winning number?? Sue waits to take the basket to them.

 Everyone had a free ticket at their place when they sat down. It was Carol's free ticket that won her the  Mexican basket.  Karla won the Italian basket.

 Now for the fashion show. Betty introduced Erika.  She has the Great Floridian Marketplace on 789 West Montrose Street in Clermont.  Betty was wearing a dress from the shop.

 Erika showed how her top could be worn in different ways with the clasp that is on it.

 Valerie modeled Magic Pants and a swing tunic.

Gloria modeled a Wingin It Shoulder Top and straight leg Magic Pants.

  Lana modeled an Asymmetrical Dress with Ruffles

 Valerie modeled  Criss Cross Back Hi Low Dress.

 Jennifer modeled a Swing tunic top and Basic Capris.

 Dawn modeled a Fish print Dress/tunic and basic capris.

 Kim modeled a chiffon Floral Tunic and Basic Capris.

Cathy, on the left side, modeled an Oversized Linen Shirt and Jasmine Zipper pocket capris. In the middle of this group of lovely models was Arleen in Marlie Tie Shoulder Tank and Magic Pants Capris. Thanks to all the models for a job well done. What was especially nice at each table were papers of what each model was wearing, the color they came in, the sizes and the price. If you saw something you liked stop by the shop. It is good to support our local merchants.
A big thanks to all the people who helped and contributed to the opportunity drawing, silent auction, luncheon and fashion show. It was a great day for a good cause.

COME-EVERYTHING IS READY

 World Day of Prayer was March 1.  The worship service was held at Blessed Sacrament in Clermont. The order of worship was prepared by the World day of Prayer Committee of Slovenia and World day of Prayer USA.  Women from several area churches represented women from Slovenia. They spoke about different issues the woman had faced living in Slovenia.

 Some of their issues were having to leave because of political unrest, becoming older, society discrimination, poverty, and lack of opportunities for women.  Janet Blume and

 Diane Wells took part in the presentation.

 After each of the women told their story, a prayer was given for all that are suffering from the problem in the world.

 There was a nice group of women present,  about 10 from United Methodist Women, Clermont. The end of the program  Luke 14:15-24  was read, the parable of the Great Supper. Then in small groups there were discussion questions about the parable to think about and share.

After the program a bountiful luncheon was served which included some Slovenia foods.

DAYS FOR GIRLS

Days for Girls was founded by Celeste Mergens after a trip to Kenya in 2008. The girls in the orphanage faced huge challenges because they did not have sanitary napkins to use during their period. This is a problem for many girls in countries around the world. When they have their period they can not go to school. Often it is at school where they receive food for the day and if they attend class every day they get to bring food home for the weekend. So beside missing out on education they are lacking nourishment. The girls live in area that have no stores where menstrual products are available to purchase, and  disposable sanitary napkins are banned in many of the countries because  their is no garbage disposal. Celeste designed a sustainable solution, the Day For Girls Kit. Under her leadership it has developed a global network of more than 1,000 volunteer Chapters and Teams. It empowers girls in over 127 countries on six continents.

Pam Anders is the Social Action coordinator for the East Central District and truly has a heart for stopping injustice.  When she and three other United Methodist women from Clermont  were on the mission trip to UMCOR Sager-Brown last fall they met Sara Perkins. She lives in Tennessee and along with 30 women makes Days for Girls kits. Pam asked her when she was visiting in Florida if she would talk to our church.

Debbie Smith is our unit's Social Action coordinator and welcomed everyone to the program on Monday morning, February 25th.

Celeste Hicks, United Methodist Women, Clermont President opened the program with a prayer.

There were over 30 women present.  Some of the women did not belong to any of the circles but had come because they had seen it in the church bulletin. This was a good way to show women in our church how active United Methodist Women are in mission. This program also helped us realize how fortunate we are to live in  America and how much we often take for granted what we have available.

Unfortunately Sara's computer did not want to work with the projector system to let her show us some slides of women who have received the Days for Girls Kits.

She did an excellent presentation holding every one's attention even without the slides.

Sara showed us what items went into a Days for Girls Kit.
Here is a use for those small hotel-size bars of soap you may have picked up when traveling.

Each part of the kit has an exact pattern that must be followed.  Material should be dark colors with patterns that help hide stains and pre-washed. No yellow, no prints with a face or eyes, no camouflage, no cartoons or flags on the material. The material must be 100% cotton for shields and pockets and 100% cotton flannel for liners. One of the layers is made from PUL (Polyurethane Laminate), which is water proof and used for the outside of diapers and diaper covers. The PUL and the underpants can be purchased cheaply through Days for Girls.

Sara demonstrated how each part was cut, sown and put together. She was visiting her sister in Florida, so she had her be her assistant.

To make a kit takes a lot of work and many hands. There are jobs that anyone can do even if you do not sew. You can cut, iron, design, sew, attach snaps, thread ribbon, inspect each piece or help pack them.

All the final pieces are shipped in one of the Ziploc bags. There are several chapters here in Florida to partner with or we could form our own chapter. At the end of the program 20 women showed an interest in making Days for Girls Kits.

EMBRACING WHOLENESS

Saturday, February 9 a group from Clermont UMW went to First United Methodist church Winter Garden for the Mission  study on Embracing Wholeness.

 There was  good attendance with four churches represented.

 Linda Welander, Janet Blume, Pat Harrell, Jan Becherer, Pat Hering and Dottie Mathias.

 A little blurry but someone took this picture so I could be in it, just to prove I was there.

An excellent presentation was given by Jackie Bridges who teaches at Mission U.

 She asked us to put aside these preconceived concept ....  That the Earth belongs to us, we are superior to all of nature, and the world needs us to take care of it.

 We were all given a leaf. We watched an interesting video from Duke University about farming and  our interaction with food.  Today most Americans see food as a commodity, bought at a store. We buy what is cheap and convenient. We need to see food as a precious gift. It was suggested we host an intentional meal where everyone helps to make and cook the meal thinking about where it all came from and how it reached our home.

 God keeps his part even when we don't in the covenant.

 Read through these slides of Jackie's presentation.

We saw a video on Harvest Shame on the migrant workers in Immokalee, FL who harvest tomatoes. It told how the coalition of farm workers have helped to improve the migrants workers lives with the Fair Food Program. Buyers pay 1 cent per pound more for each pound of tomatoes the pickers harvest and the money goes to the workers. Wendy's and Publix has not joined this movement and is why we are asked to boycott or picket these stores.
The program gave us a lot to think about and I hope all of you will attend the Clermont United Methodist Women Mission Study on April 27, 2019.

UNITY WALK

 Pastor Mike gathers the crowd together for prayer in Ingraham Park, Tavares to begin the Unity Walk sponsored by the Tavares African American Heritage Organization, Inc. (TAAHO)

 Joy meets another pastor who will walk with her. In the left background in the white shirt is Lillian who attends the 11:00 service at Clermont FUMC.

Dorann, Evelyn, two walking friends, Joy and her walking buddy begin the walk to Wooten Park.

 The beginning of the parade.

 All the way from Orlando is Young Blacks in Action keeping everyone in step with their drumming

Our United Methodist Women in action at this event, Pam Dorann, Evelyn and Joy saying  "NO" to Confederate Soldier Statue at our Lake County Historical Museum. The soldier has NO ties to Lake County history.
At the end of the walk they checked out the vendors in Wooten Park.  The festival is an annual event on the first Saturday in February.