MISSION U 2022

Mission U was held at Warren Willis Camp and Conference Center July 11-13 and July 14-16.

 Linda Welander, Dottie Mathias, and Janet Blume attended the first session and Yvonne Lorah, Pam Anders and Evelyn Rose attended the weekend. 

 

Pamela Davis, Dean for Mission U welcomed us.

Assistant Dean, Kenya Monroe.

The Mission U leaders putting leaves on the tree, sharing who we can be together.

The evening Plenary. Stressing how important it is we stay connected and grow together.  

This song was played and song,

as the girls did an interpretative dance.

At  14 she  did a great job of answering the question Who Can We Be Together?

Her cousin at age 10 also boldly responded.

Didn't just let the youth share. A 92 year old grandmother was to answer the question, but she had a dinner date with her granddaughter.  Action speak louder then words.

Paulet Monroe led us in song.

The first Legacy Walk was introduced.

At 8 o'clock Tuesday morning we walked around the grounds.

There were Bible verses to read all along the route.

Mary McLeod Bethune statue made history on Wednesday as the first Black person to have a state-commissioned statue in the U.S. Capital's Statuary Hall. Mission U has been held at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach in years past.

Paulet Royes-Neal was Linda's, Janet's and Dottie's instructor. There were 4 classes. 

We looked at Luke 13 and talked about the parables and had good discussion about who can we be together. Some of the thoughts we came away with were: We are like a fig tree maturing at our own rate. Don't give up on people until you have given them time and tools to succeed. We are all sinners, unique and forgiven. Compassion, Judge not. Be aware of others. Take action whenever the situation calls for it. Love first.

There was a good presentation about the rebranding to United Women in Faith by Judith Pierre-Okerson.

Managing change is a process.

We are still part of UMC, our purpose statement, 5 channels of giving, organized structure, constitution and bylaws, mission focus and social justice.

Cathy Capo Stone shared about Cornerstone Family Ministry.

Started in 1892. Eliza Wolfe pleaded with the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (UMW/UWF) to form a mission school for immigrants living in east Tampa.

The Covenant they have between the United Methodist Women, National office  and National Mission Institutions.

Cathy explained how they are funded.

They now own the property.

Ways we can support them.

Take a field trip and visit.

Each evening ended with a gorgeous full moon. Unfortunately Dottie locked herself  out of her room taking this picture.  She was very grateful to the kind staff coming to unlocking her door. 

Wednesday morning Danny Davis spoke at the closing plenary before we had communion. 

  A few stayed for Ubuntu, an afternoon of service. The edges of blankets were woven together. The blankets were blessed at the end of Mission U and presented to Cornerstone. 

Dottie has two finished.

Pam Anders, Yvonne Lorah, and Evelyn Rose at the end of Mission U standing in front of the tree full of leaves with participant's spiritual gifts written on them. A great tree can grow from a tiny, tiny mustard seed.

JULY LUNCHEON

 34 ladies attended the July UWF luncheon at Piesanos on Wednesday, July 6.  It was nice seeing some new faces. Jan handed out information of each circle, where and when each circle meets starting in September. 

A little quiz was at each place.

 The answers were on the back so everyone had the information. 

Many ladies brought school supplies to be given to the church to go where there are needs. School supplies can also be donated at the August 3rd luncheon at IHOP. 

JUNE LUNCHEON

Morning Joy and Daughters of Lydia hosted the first United Women in Faith luncheon at Oakwood Smokehouse and Grill on Saturday June 6. Dorann welcomed everyone as they came in. 42 women attended plus three guest.  Boxes of cereal were brought for Faith Neighborhood  and loaded into Diane's car when we arrived.

Mary Lou had taken  our reservations and had us all sign in. Kathy and Martha signing in. Wearing name tags helped us get to know each other names.  

Sherrill, Sharon, and Mimi.

 Sharon came for her last visit with everyone before she moves to her new home in PA. Her smiling face and friendship will be missed. We wish her much happiness as she moves back to where much of her family lives. Thanks to Sharon for taking these pictures. She wanted a record of all your faces.

Pat and Patricia saying hi and signing in.

Kathy, Joyce and Smithy. 

Glenda, Judy, Dottie and her sister Lynda.

Margaret, Carol, Lorna, Judy and Barb. This table ended up sitting 8 people, since we had more come then we had made reservations for. 

Carolyn, Sue and Evelyn.

Lorna presented Pam with a Special Mission Recognition pin.  Lorna is always one of the Rainbow Givers and honors someone with a pin. Congratulations Pam.

Pam and Margie getting to know the others at their table. Pam made sure they knew all about United Women in Faith.

Some of the guest that attended. Those sitting with them at the table were out mingling and saying hello.

Sherrill and Mary Lou treated everyone to desert with this beautiful United Women in Faith cake.  It was a great time of sisterhood getting to relax and talk to each other. 

 The restaurant did a excellent job. We ordered off the menu then each table was given a plate of appetizers to enjoy. The service was quick and efficient. Thanks Oakwood Smokehouse and Grill for making our gathering an enjoyable time.

Linda and Sue were not able to make it to lunch but met  Sharon, Judy, Mimi and Glenda at Culver's right afterwards for a treat.  

The next United Women in Faith luncheon hosted by the Circle of Grace will be at Piesanos on Wednesday, July 6. Invite a guest to join you. Basic school supplies for the Children's Home will be collected. Before we know it August will be here and the start of school will begin. 

 

ST. JOHN'S UMC

 

 At the Mission U study Kitty Walker invited other units to come and hear Alice Garrick.   St. John's United Women in Faith had Alice Garrick, missionary from Pakistan come and speak on Thursday May 26. She had been a vendor at Assembly. There was a good turnout with woman from three units.

 Alice spoke on  how dangerous it is to be a Christian in Pakistan and asked for prayers even for her safety. Girls are forced to convert to Islam and to marry. They can not attend school safely and are sold into human trafficking. She is helping women escape human trafficking. She also trains women in good nutrition and caring for babies and children.

 

Alice was selling items made by the women who have escaped human trafficking to help support themselves and their families. $2000 will give a girl an education and a safe place to live for a year. She was pleased that from items sold and donations $1400 was raised at this meeting.  Alice keeps tract of what items were sold, knows who made them and the money will go directly to them. 

Kitty Walker and Alice Garrick.