Western North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Women
SEJ 2008 Bus Trip Reservation Deadline Approaching!
Just a quick reminder...if you are interested in going with us on the chartered bus trip from our conference to the SEJ 2008 Quadrennial Meeting in April 2008...you have one week left to make your bus trip reservation. The deadline for receiving bus trip reservation forms and deposits is October 15, 2007.
Complete information about SEJ 2008 and our chartered bus trip are available on our website at: www.wnccumw.org
For a PDF of the reservation form & flyer about the bus trip...just click here.
The bus trip will depart on Thursday, April 3rd, and enjoy a short visit to Williamsburg (including dinner, overnight at the Governor's Inn, and a guided walking tour of Historic Williamsburg) before heading for Hampton, VA for the SEJ 2008 meeting. We will return home on Sunday, April 6th.
Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting
CALLED BY NAME
April 4-6, 2008
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, Virginia
Complete information about SEJ 2008, including registration forms & hotel information, are available on our website at: www.wnccumw.org
Monday, October 8, 2007
Participate in the World Thank Offering
Is your local unit making plans to participate in the World Thank Offering this year?
The World Thank Offering is one of the five channels of Mission Giving through United Methodist Women that makes a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world. It is an opportunity for each of us to share in an "attitude of gratitude", by making gifts out of gratitude for God's abundance, and in celebration of the joys of life.
Here are some ideas that you can use to share the World Thank Offering in your local unit:
1. Encourage your members to use a World Thank Offering container throughout the year, and to put it in a place that they will see it often. Make spontaneous gifts of gratitude during the year as you experience God's abundance in your life. You can use the World Thank Offering box, or...make your own World Thank Offering containers using World Thank Offering labels, or even some pictures that you cut out from Response Magazine. The World Thank Offering graphic is available on our website...just click here.
2. Share a World Thank Offering calendar with your local unit members. Each day, the calendar can have a suggestion about a way to think about God's blessings in your life. A sample calendar is available on our website...just click here for a WORD file, or click here for a PDF file. You could use it or adapt it for use in your local unit. Be creative!
3. Use the World Thank Offering program in the United Methodist Women Program Book. This year the program is titled "Sustainers of Life".
Participating in the World Thank Offering is a tradition in United Methodist Women that is over 100 years old...making spontaneous gifts out of gratitude for our many blessings. Participate this year, count your blessings, and give generously.
The World Thank Offering is one of the five channels of Mission Giving through United Methodist Women that makes a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world. It is an opportunity for each of us to share in an "attitude of gratitude", by making gifts out of gratitude for God's abundance, and in celebration of the joys of life.
Here are some ideas that you can use to share the World Thank Offering in your local unit:
1. Encourage your members to use a World Thank Offering container throughout the year, and to put it in a place that they will see it often. Make spontaneous gifts of gratitude during the year as you experience God's abundance in your life. You can use the World Thank Offering box, or...make your own World Thank Offering containers using World Thank Offering labels, or even some pictures that you cut out from Response Magazine. The World Thank Offering graphic is available on our website...just click here.
2. Share a World Thank Offering calendar with your local unit members. Each day, the calendar can have a suggestion about a way to think about God's blessings in your life. A sample calendar is available on our website...just click here for a WORD file, or click here for a PDF file. You could use it or adapt it for use in your local unit. Be creative!
3. Use the World Thank Offering program in the United Methodist Women Program Book. This year the program is titled "Sustainers of Life".
Participating in the World Thank Offering is a tradition in United Methodist Women that is over 100 years old...making spontaneous gifts out of gratitude for our many blessings. Participate this year, count your blessings, and give generously.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Mark Your Calendar for SEJ 2008
Have you marked your calendar and started to make plans to attend SEJ 2008...the Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting of United Methodist Women that will be held next April?
Read all about it below...in an invitation from our own Dixie Liggett...and come go with us!
You can read more about SEJ 2008 on our website at www.wnccumw.org. Just visit the SEJ 2008 page! Complete registration information, hotel information, and information about the chartered bus trip from our conference are all available there.
Just a reminder about the approaching reservation deadline for persons interested in traveling with us on the chartered bus trip from our conference...Our bus trip reservation deadline is October 15, 2007. See more information below.
And, our conference will provide three $200 scholarships for first timers attending SEJ 2008. Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st. See more information below.
Thanks for sharing this information with members of your local unit!
SEJ 2008 - YOU are invited!
From our own...Dixie Liggett, Member SEJ Core Planning Group
Have you ever wanted to make history? in an historical place? Well, here is your invitation to do just that!
The SEJ Quadrennial Meeting "Called by Name" in Hampton, Virginia, April 4-6, 2008, will be the last quadrennial meeting as we know them. (There will be future meetings, but on a much smaller scale, attached to Regional School.) So if you accept the invitation, you will be part of UMW history (i.e., the last quad meeting) in an historical place (Hampton is close to the early American settlement of Jamestown, Virginia.
Do you need more reasons to accept the invitation? Then consider these:
Inspirational worship and meaningful Bible study. Our own Lynn Sloan Barnes will be the music leader. Arnetta Beverly will be the Bible study leader.
Fellowship. We are a connectional organization. This is a wonderful opportunity to "connect" with women from all 15 Conferences in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
Focus Groups. Select from the varied list on the registration form.
Meet the nominees for Women's Division from the SEJ and observe the election of directors by voting delegates.
Program Resources. Browse for new or familiar resources in the resource room and computer center.
Display Area. Check out tables and booths set up with informational material for great mission and program ideas.
Missionaries. Talk with a missionary to learn what they have been doing in the mission field.
Programs. Obtain potential names for speakers, music, and mission studies.
Chartered Bus Trip...Join Us!
ALL ABOARD!!!
Make plans now to come go with us to SEJ 2008 on the Western North Carolina Conference buses!
A Taste of Historic Williamsburg and SEJ 2008
We have three deluxe Royal Tours motor coaches reserved...make your plans and send in your reservation!
Our buses will depart on Thursday, April 3, 2008, with pick up locations across the conference. Following is an overview of the planned bus trip itinerary:
Thursday, April 3:
Morning departures from various pick-up points across the conference
Dinner at Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
Overnight at Governor's Inn, Williamsburg, Virginia
Friday, April 4:
Guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
Arrive Hampton, VA (Holiday Inn) mid-afternoon
Opening session of SEJ 2008 begins at 7:00pm
Sunday, April 6:
Meeting ends around 12:00 Noon
Departure immediately following meeting conclusion
Lunch (on your own) on the road / Return to pick-up points in Western NC
Bus Trip Prices (Per Person):
Double room - $250.00
Triple room - $230.00
Quad room - $215.00
Single room - $315.00
The price of the bus trip includes: Deluxe round trip bus transportation to Williamsburg and Hampton, VA, one nights lodging at Governor's Inn in Williamsburg, VA, one dinner (Thursday evening, April 3rd), one continental breakfast, and a guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The price of the bus trip DOES NOT include the cost of two nights lodging at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, VA during the SEJ 2008 meeting, or the $100.00 SEJ 2008 registration fee.
Bus Trip Reservation / $100.00 Deposit Deadline
October 15, 2007
An Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of our SEJ 2008 Bus Trip Reservation Form is available on our website...click here to open that form.
If you have questions, you can contact either of the bus coordinators:
Sara Williams (336) 699-8079
sarawill@yadtel.net
Lynne Gilbert (336) 854-3479
lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Scholarships to be Awarded
to Three SEJ 2008 First Timers!
The Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women will award three $200 scholarships for the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Meeting. Persons applying for scholarship assistance must be a member of a local or district unit of United Methodist Women within the Western North Carolina Conference, and must not have previously attended a Jurisdiction meeting.
Please complete the application form and provide all requested information, and send the completed form to: Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 903, Marion, NC 28752.
Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st in order to be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified by November 15th.
Click here to download the scholarship application form (PDF)
Read all about it below...in an invitation from our own Dixie Liggett...and come go with us!
You can read more about SEJ 2008 on our website at www.wnccumw.org. Just visit the SEJ 2008 page! Complete registration information, hotel information, and information about the chartered bus trip from our conference are all available there.
Just a reminder about the approaching reservation deadline for persons interested in traveling with us on the chartered bus trip from our conference...Our bus trip reservation deadline is October 15, 2007. See more information below.
And, our conference will provide three $200 scholarships for first timers attending SEJ 2008. Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st. See more information below.
Thanks for sharing this information with members of your local unit!
SEJ 2008 - YOU are invited!
From our own...Dixie Liggett, Member SEJ Core Planning Group
Have you ever wanted to make history? in an historical place? Well, here is your invitation to do just that!
The SEJ Quadrennial Meeting "Called by Name" in Hampton, Virginia, April 4-6, 2008, will be the last quadrennial meeting as we know them. (There will be future meetings, but on a much smaller scale, attached to Regional School.) So if you accept the invitation, you will be part of UMW history (i.e., the last quad meeting) in an historical place (Hampton is close to the early American settlement of Jamestown, Virginia.
Do you need more reasons to accept the invitation? Then consider these:
Inspirational worship and meaningful Bible study. Our own Lynn Sloan Barnes will be the music leader. Arnetta Beverly will be the Bible study leader.
Fellowship. We are a connectional organization. This is a wonderful opportunity to "connect" with women from all 15 Conferences in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
Focus Groups. Select from the varied list on the registration form.
Meet the nominees for Women's Division from the SEJ and observe the election of directors by voting delegates.
Program Resources. Browse for new or familiar resources in the resource room and computer center.
Display Area. Check out tables and booths set up with informational material for great mission and program ideas.
Missionaries. Talk with a missionary to learn what they have been doing in the mission field.
Programs. Obtain potential names for speakers, music, and mission studies.
Chartered Bus Trip...Join Us!
ALL ABOARD!!!
Make plans now to come go with us to SEJ 2008 on the Western North Carolina Conference buses!
A Taste of Historic Williamsburg and SEJ 2008
We have three deluxe Royal Tours motor coaches reserved...make your plans and send in your reservation!
Our buses will depart on Thursday, April 3, 2008, with pick up locations across the conference. Following is an overview of the planned bus trip itinerary:
Thursday, April 3:
Morning departures from various pick-up points across the conference
Dinner at Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
Overnight at Governor's Inn, Williamsburg, Virginia
Friday, April 4:
Guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
Arrive Hampton, VA (Holiday Inn) mid-afternoon
Opening session of SEJ 2008 begins at 7:00pm
Sunday, April 6:
Meeting ends around 12:00 Noon
Departure immediately following meeting conclusion
Lunch (on your own) on the road / Return to pick-up points in Western NC
Bus Trip Prices (Per Person):
Double room - $250.00
Triple room - $230.00
Quad room - $215.00
Single room - $315.00
The price of the bus trip includes: Deluxe round trip bus transportation to Williamsburg and Hampton, VA, one nights lodging at Governor's Inn in Williamsburg, VA, one dinner (Thursday evening, April 3rd), one continental breakfast, and a guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The price of the bus trip DOES NOT include the cost of two nights lodging at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, VA during the SEJ 2008 meeting, or the $100.00 SEJ 2008 registration fee.
Bus Trip Reservation / $100.00 Deposit Deadline
October 15, 2007
An Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of our SEJ 2008 Bus Trip Reservation Form is available on our website...click here to open that form.
If you have questions, you can contact either of the bus coordinators:
Sara Williams (336) 699-8079
sarawill@yadtel.net
Lynne Gilbert (336) 854-3479
lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Scholarships to be Awarded
to Three SEJ 2008 First Timers!
The Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women will award three $200 scholarships for the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Meeting. Persons applying for scholarship assistance must be a member of a local or district unit of United Methodist Women within the Western North Carolina Conference, and must not have previously attended a Jurisdiction meeting.
Please complete the application form and provide all requested information, and send the completed form to: Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 903, Marion, NC 28752.
Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st in order to be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified by November 15th.
Click here to download the scholarship application form (PDF)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
International Peace Day, and Prayers for Peace
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women
Conference Email List for United Methodist Women
September 21, 2007
Today is International Peace Day. Following are two articles just posted to the Women's Division website:
Prayer and Action for International Peace Day
Sept. 21 is International Peace Day, an annual commemoration adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2001. The United Nations called for "a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day." The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also declared 2001-2010 the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World..
Since 2001 International Peace Day has become a rallying point for long-term peace. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the ecumenical community in the United States will host an ecumenical gathering at the United Nations Sept. 21 as part of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence. Representatives from Pakistan, Lebanon, Brazil and South Africa will be present.
Here's what you can do:
Take time to Reflect. Make the day a time to honor Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!" How can the day be a time to honor that quest and search above all others in our lives? Spend time in reflection and prayer, to consider what makes for peace personally; in our families; in our communities; in our nation and our world? Journal about what we need to do to be at peace at all of these levels. Share your reflections with others on United Methodist Women's Online Community, www.umwonline.org.
Pray for Peace. Join thousands around the world who are participating in spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence Sept. 21. Lift up personal and collective prayers, host a prayer vigil in your church or community. Continue the United Methodist Women initiative: Prayers for Peace. Post your prayers to the discussion section of the Faith Explorations Community on United Methodist Women's Online Community, www.omwonline.org.
Sing for Peace. Use music to promote peace building by learning the peace hymns from the 2007 spiritual growth study, God's Mission, God's Song (#M3001/$10.95), by Joyce D. Sohl. Sing the hymns at peace vigils and utilize them to undergird your advocacy for peace. To order contact Mission Resourece Center at 1-800-305-9857.
Read and Act. Read the Women's Division April 2007 recommendation on Peace in the Middle East, which includes suggestions for action.
The National Council of Churches is calling us to organize local candlelight vigils, teach-ins and prayer services as part of an "Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq" Oct. 8, 2007. For information go to www.interfaithfast.org. Invite public officials to the events. Commemorate International Peace Day by beginning to plan for that now.
Send postcards to Congress. Some peacemakers have begun an initiative to flood Congress with postcards Sept. 21 reminding them of the U.N. International Day of Peace and calling on representatives to take action for peace now. Have a postcard decorating party and involve children in this activity as well.
For information go to:
International Decade on Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World
United Nations Resource for Schools
Are We Closer to Peace Today?
Conference Email List for United Methodist Women
September 21, 2007
Today is International Peace Day. Following are two articles just posted to the Women's Division website:
Prayer and Action for International Peace Day
Sept. 21 is International Peace Day, an annual commemoration adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2001. The United Nations called for "a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day." The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also declared 2001-2010 the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World..
Since 2001 International Peace Day has become a rallying point for long-term peace. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the ecumenical community in the United States will host an ecumenical gathering at the United Nations Sept. 21 as part of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence. Representatives from Pakistan, Lebanon, Brazil and South Africa will be present.
Here's what you can do:
Take time to Reflect. Make the day a time to honor Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!" How can the day be a time to honor that quest and search above all others in our lives? Spend time in reflection and prayer, to consider what makes for peace personally; in our families; in our communities; in our nation and our world? Journal about what we need to do to be at peace at all of these levels. Share your reflections with others on United Methodist Women's Online Community, www.umwonline.org.
Pray for Peace. Join thousands around the world who are participating in spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence Sept. 21. Lift up personal and collective prayers, host a prayer vigil in your church or community. Continue the United Methodist Women initiative: Prayers for Peace. Post your prayers to the discussion section of the Faith Explorations Community on United Methodist Women's Online Community, www.omwonline.org.
Sing for Peace. Use music to promote peace building by learning the peace hymns from the 2007 spiritual growth study, God's Mission, God's Song (#M3001/$10.95), by Joyce D. Sohl. Sing the hymns at peace vigils and utilize them to undergird your advocacy for peace. To order contact Mission Resourece Center at 1-800-305-9857.
Read and Act. Read the Women's Division April 2007 recommendation on Peace in the Middle East, which includes suggestions for action.
The National Council of Churches is calling us to organize local candlelight vigils, teach-ins and prayer services as part of an "Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq" Oct. 8, 2007. For information go to www.interfaithfast.org. Invite public officials to the events. Commemorate International Peace Day by beginning to plan for that now.
Send postcards to Congress. Some peacemakers have begun an initiative to flood Congress with postcards Sept. 21 reminding them of the U.N. International Day of Peace and calling on representatives to take action for peace now. Have a postcard decorating party and involve children in this activity as well.
For information go to:
International Decade on Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World
United Nations Resource for Schools
Are We Closer to Peace Today?
Sept. 20, 2007 -- United Methodist Women have carried out a prayer campaign since the 2003 Lenten Season, the start of the Iraq War. Now, we call on the whole church to keep the faith and continue actions of prayer for peace.
It is the 5th year of the war in Iraq. The costs are in thousands of Iraqi and U.S. lives and over $500 billion. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza with ongoing conflict and suffering. Now there is rumbling about a U.S. war on Iran. We are in the middle of the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010), a decade that the World Council of Churches has designated for church communities to work towards peace and reconciliation.
As violence continues across the globe, let us pray for an end to the current war and curb a possible war in Iran or anywhere in the world. When we pray for and stand for peace, we pray and stand against all conditions, attitudes and institutions that breed and nurture violence, war and injustice. We seek to build a culture of peace at all levels of our lives - in the way we treat each other personally, and in challenging domestic violence and racially motivated violence - in our communities, our nation and in the world.
Christ told us not to be afraid. Christ walks with us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to pray for what seems impossible - that swords be hammered into plows; guns melted into tractors. We pray that children can play rather than dodge landmines, that old men dream child's play instead of war flashbacks, that old women dream of grandchildren instead of small graves. They asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Today he would name people in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan and Palestine as well as those in Somalia and South Asia.
In 2003 we prayed for peace and presented prayers on cards to the White House after the initial invasion of Iraq. In 2004 we kept our faith and continued our prayers. That summer, a prayer-for-peace postcard campaign at Regional and Conference Schools of Christian Mission yielded cards sent to the members of the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee. During the 2007 spring meeting of the Women's Division's board of directors in Stamford, Conn., a peace vigil called for peace in the Middle East and an end to Israeli occupation of Palestine. Today, peace is still out there waiting for us to live it. Love is out there waiting to be embodied. Christ is on the side of the road waiting for a Samaritan to heal his wounds. Continue to be a part of it. Here's what you can do:
- Pray for peace. Post your prayers in the discussion section of the Faith Explorations Community on United Methodist Women's Online Community, www.umwonline.org
- Reach out to families of soldiers in Iraq and veterans' organizations to support soldiers through prayer, letters and packages, and by supporting military families' organizations to end the war and bring troops home. Some examples are Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War.
- Advocate for increased funding for veterans' benefits.
- Read the Women's Division April 2007 action: "Steps Toward a Just Peace in the Middle East" for reflection and action found at www.umwonline.org
- Hold a peace vigil in your community calling for peace in the world and an end to the war in Iraq. Send stories about your peace vigil to the Women's Division, Office of Community Action, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1502, NY, NY 10115, or slee@gbgm-umc.org
- Write about your events for peace in your United Methodist Women conference and district newsletters.
- Monitor current legislation and contact your representatives in Congress to express views on peace.
- Participate in education of young people about misleading military recruitment drives and offer alternatives to the military.
- Participate in the 2007-2008 School of Christian Mission study on Israel and Palestine, conduct studies in your local unit or your church, and prayerfully consider how to take action.
- Use the 2006 Women's Division Program Book, Building Peace, Piece by Piece, for worship and programs on peacemaking. To order call the Mission Resource Center: 1-800-305-9857.
- Read the Council of Bishops' Resolution on the War on Iraq and the Council of Bishops' study: "In Search of Security."
- Use the National Council of Churches' international affairs curriculum, "For the Peace of the World," as a United Methodist Women or Sunday school study. For information go to www.ncccusa.org
- View the American Friends Service Committee movie that tells the truth about the ongoing loss of life in Iraq. See the movie online at www.afsc.org
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Our Email List Has Moved!
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women
September 13, 2007
Our email list has moved! We are now using the email list services of Constant Contact.
We are making this change for several reasons:
1. Constant Contact provides a high quality service, including up-to-date anti-spam technology and standards.
2. It will be easier to join our email list. There is now a direct link on our website (in several places) that will enable interested persons to sign up very quickly. And, each email that we send will have a link that allows you to forward the email to a friend who might be interested in joining our list.
3. This new service will also allow us to offer sub-lists...like separate lists for individual districts.
4. It will now be very easy for you to update your own email address and profile. At the bottom of each email you will have a link that will take you directly to your own information.
5. Our list will remain private. It will not be shared or sold.
We hope you will like this new service. And, we hope you will tell your UMW friends about it!
As always, if you have questions, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Lynne Gilbert at lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net.
Shalom,
Lynne Gilbert
WNCC-UMW Email List Manager
lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Help Us Get Our New List Off to a Good Start...
UPDATE YOUR PROFILE
At the bottom of this email you will find a link that says: "Update Profile/Email Address".
It would be VERY helpful if you would click on that link, and update your profile information.
We were only able to get NAME & EMAIL ADDRESS information from our former list provider. In order to build the individual district sub-lists...we need to know what district you are in, or what district email list(s) you would like to join. We had that information for some of our list members...but not for everyone.
Just a reminder, all information that you provide in your profile will remain private, and will only be used to better serve you as a member of our list.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP...in updating your profile, and getting this new list service off to a good start!
September 13, 2007
Our email list has moved! We are now using the email list services of Constant Contact.
We are making this change for several reasons:
1. Constant Contact provides a high quality service, including up-to-date anti-spam technology and standards.
2. It will be easier to join our email list. There is now a direct link on our website (in several places) that will enable interested persons to sign up very quickly. And, each email that we send will have a link that allows you to forward the email to a friend who might be interested in joining our list.
3. This new service will also allow us to offer sub-lists...like separate lists for individual districts.
4. It will now be very easy for you to update your own email address and profile. At the bottom of each email you will have a link that will take you directly to your own information.
5. Our list will remain private. It will not be shared or sold.
We hope you will like this new service. And, we hope you will tell your UMW friends about it!
As always, if you have questions, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Lynne Gilbert at lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net.
Shalom,
Lynne Gilbert
WNCC-UMW Email List Manager
lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Help Us Get Our New List Off to a Good Start...
UPDATE YOUR PROFILE
At the bottom of this email you will find a link that says: "Update Profile/Email Address".
It would be VERY helpful if you would click on that link, and update your profile information.
We were only able to get NAME & EMAIL ADDRESS information from our former list provider. In order to build the individual district sub-lists...we need to know what district you are in, or what district email list(s) you would like to join. We had that information for some of our list members...but not for everyone.
Just a reminder, all information that you provide in your profile will remain private, and will only be used to better serve you as a member of our list.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP...in updating your profile, and getting this new list service off to a good start!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A Meditation for the Anniversary of September 11th
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
A meditation for the Anniversary of September 11, 2001...shared on the Women's Division website...written by Glory E. Dharmaraj, director of spiritual formation and mission theology for the Women's Division.
Managing the Past in this Human Place: A Meditation for the Anniversary of September 11, 2001
by GLORY E. DHARMARAJ*
Scripture Focus: Mark 15: 40, Luke 24: 1-11, John 20: 1-18
Some events are tied to places. September 11, 2001 is one such event. Some names are tied to places. One such name in the gospel is Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene comes to my mind, when I seek to manage the past in relation to September 11, 2001.
Gospel spotlight on managing the past
Mary Magdalene comes from a town called Magdala, a cosmopolitan city, a trade center on an international route. People from all walks of life, varied cultures, several customs and many different religious backgrounds gathered together on a common ground in that city.
While other Resurrection Women in the gospel are identified by their marital status, either as wife of someone or mother of someone, Mary Magdalene is identified by the city she came from: Mary of Magdala. Mary Magdalene.
While many interpreters of the Bible and several fiction writers have been concerned only about this Mary’s sexuality, it is worthwhile to dissociate her from this kind of ill-equipped, interpretive approach, and look at her as a caring woman in light of the life-giving role given to her by the risen Jesus.
The gospel narrative presents her as one of the handful of women who come to Jesus’ tomb bearing spices. When she sees the empty tomb, she thinks the thieves have stolen the body of Jesus and she starts weeping. On looking at this inconsolable, weeping woman, Jesus may have thought to himself, “It is time to help my disciples manage their past.”
Mary mistakes Jesus to be the gardener, and asks him whether he has displaced Jesus’ dead body in some other burial site. Jesus calls her by her name, “Mary!” There is an immediate voice recognition. She turns around and cries out in Hebrew, “Rabbouni” or Teacher.
The gospel writer continues to shine the spotlight on Mary Magdalene. In the garden of the empty tomb, Mary clings to Jesus. He tells her, “Do not cling to me” or “Noli me tanger.” Then Jesus gives an assignment to Mary to go and tell the disciples that he is risen. Mary runs back to the disciples and cries out in ecstatic joy, “I have seen the Lord!”
“Do not cling to me” is Jesus’ injunction to Mary Magdalene about managing her past, her seared memories of violence. Mary Magdalene has been with Jesus for quite some time, and she has seen him subjected to the terrorist act of crucifixion as a criminal. She has seen him buried in a borrowed tomb and has come to the garden early in the morning to make sure memory outlasts premature death by violence.
Appearing to Mary in his risen body, Jesus tells her to stop clinging to a recent violence-filled past, and asks her to live in a redeemable present and a transformative future. In other words, Jesus tells Mary, “Grow up!”
Managing the past: An apostolic mission
Jesus seeks to mold the imagination of Mary Magdalene with new hope. First he addresses her grief by calling her name. He reveals himself. He gives her a message of hope to deliver to others, including the disciples.
Jesus leads Mary Magdalene:
From her twilight of loneliness into community-making efforts.
From the fear of the unfamiliar and the strange into a hope-building mission.
From insurmountable barriers of the past into new horizons of life.
From a dead end, grief-stricken present into a revitalized imagination.
Transformation of one’s imagination is a pre-condition to forging new ways of living as communities of peace, justice and harmony. In his book, Texts Under Negotiation: Bible and Post-Modern Imagination, Walter Brueggeman says, “We shall fund, feed, nurture, nourish a counter-imagination of the world.”
Under a renegotiated present, Mary Magdalene is in solidarity with a hope-filled band of Resurrection People. They re-tool their imaginations in order to live into a newly sprouted alternative world of hope made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Ubuntu: Being human enough in a human place
What happened on September 11, 2001 is a tragedy -- a tragedy tied forever to places such as New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
There have been other terrorist acts before and after September 11, 2001.
Today, in addressing the tragedy of September 11, by means of military action in Iraq, a place not directly connected to the terrorist acts of September 11,2001, almost 5,000 U.S. troops have been killed. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed. Such a disproportionate military attack makes one wonder whether we, in the United States are becoming the evil we hate. It is time to be part of those who are working on transforming initiatives and refuse to become the evil we hate.
Immediately after the birth of a new South Africa, a new theology emerged. Playing a key role, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu called for a new understanding to end the culture of violence and oppression. He pleaded for the need for an “understanding and not for vengeance,” and “a need for ubuntu not for victimization.” For Arch Bishop Tutu, ubuntu means being human enough to be open oneself to community, freedom, creativity and nurture.
Arch Bishop Tutu is one of the leaders who developed the model of “Truth and Reconciliation,” which is built on the possibilities of restorative justice rather than punitive justice. God’s people are called to be truth-tellers and reconcilers after the model of Christ, the one who came as truth and reconciliation.
Managing the past into a transformative future
God runs an intervention with our past with peace-making options for the present in order to offer a transformative future.
Let us take part in peace initiatives:
A meditation for the Anniversary of September 11, 2001...shared on the Women's Division website...written by Glory E. Dharmaraj, director of spiritual formation and mission theology for the Women's Division.
Managing the Past in this Human Place: A Meditation for the Anniversary of September 11, 2001
by GLORY E. DHARMARAJ*
Scripture Focus: Mark 15: 40, Luke 24: 1-11, John 20: 1-18
Some events are tied to places. September 11, 2001 is one such event. Some names are tied to places. One such name in the gospel is Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene comes to my mind, when I seek to manage the past in relation to September 11, 2001.
Gospel spotlight on managing the past
Mary Magdalene comes from a town called Magdala, a cosmopolitan city, a trade center on an international route. People from all walks of life, varied cultures, several customs and many different religious backgrounds gathered together on a common ground in that city.
While other Resurrection Women in the gospel are identified by their marital status, either as wife of someone or mother of someone, Mary Magdalene is identified by the city she came from: Mary of Magdala. Mary Magdalene.
While many interpreters of the Bible and several fiction writers have been concerned only about this Mary’s sexuality, it is worthwhile to dissociate her from this kind of ill-equipped, interpretive approach, and look at her as a caring woman in light of the life-giving role given to her by the risen Jesus.
The gospel narrative presents her as one of the handful of women who come to Jesus’ tomb bearing spices. When she sees the empty tomb, she thinks the thieves have stolen the body of Jesus and she starts weeping. On looking at this inconsolable, weeping woman, Jesus may have thought to himself, “It is time to help my disciples manage their past.”
Mary mistakes Jesus to be the gardener, and asks him whether he has displaced Jesus’ dead body in some other burial site. Jesus calls her by her name, “Mary!” There is an immediate voice recognition. She turns around and cries out in Hebrew, “Rabbouni” or Teacher.
The gospel writer continues to shine the spotlight on Mary Magdalene. In the garden of the empty tomb, Mary clings to Jesus. He tells her, “Do not cling to me” or “Noli me tanger.” Then Jesus gives an assignment to Mary to go and tell the disciples that he is risen. Mary runs back to the disciples and cries out in ecstatic joy, “I have seen the Lord!”
“Do not cling to me” is Jesus’ injunction to Mary Magdalene about managing her past, her seared memories of violence. Mary Magdalene has been with Jesus for quite some time, and she has seen him subjected to the terrorist act of crucifixion as a criminal. She has seen him buried in a borrowed tomb and has come to the garden early in the morning to make sure memory outlasts premature death by violence.
Appearing to Mary in his risen body, Jesus tells her to stop clinging to a recent violence-filled past, and asks her to live in a redeemable present and a transformative future. In other words, Jesus tells Mary, “Grow up!”
Managing the past: An apostolic mission
Jesus seeks to mold the imagination of Mary Magdalene with new hope. First he addresses her grief by calling her name. He reveals himself. He gives her a message of hope to deliver to others, including the disciples.
Jesus leads Mary Magdalene:
From her twilight of loneliness into community-making efforts.
From the fear of the unfamiliar and the strange into a hope-building mission.
From insurmountable barriers of the past into new horizons of life.
From a dead end, grief-stricken present into a revitalized imagination.
Transformation of one’s imagination is a pre-condition to forging new ways of living as communities of peace, justice and harmony. In his book, Texts Under Negotiation: Bible and Post-Modern Imagination, Walter Brueggeman says, “We shall fund, feed, nurture, nourish a counter-imagination of the world.”
Under a renegotiated present, Mary Magdalene is in solidarity with a hope-filled band of Resurrection People. They re-tool their imaginations in order to live into a newly sprouted alternative world of hope made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Ubuntu: Being human enough in a human place
What happened on September 11, 2001 is a tragedy -- a tragedy tied forever to places such as New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.
There have been other terrorist acts before and after September 11, 2001.
Today, in addressing the tragedy of September 11, by means of military action in Iraq, a place not directly connected to the terrorist acts of September 11,2001, almost 5,000 U.S. troops have been killed. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed. Such a disproportionate military attack makes one wonder whether we, in the United States are becoming the evil we hate. It is time to be part of those who are working on transforming initiatives and refuse to become the evil we hate.
Immediately after the birth of a new South Africa, a new theology emerged. Playing a key role, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu called for a new understanding to end the culture of violence and oppression. He pleaded for the need for an “understanding and not for vengeance,” and “a need for ubuntu not for victimization.” For Arch Bishop Tutu, ubuntu means being human enough to be open oneself to community, freedom, creativity and nurture.
Arch Bishop Tutu is one of the leaders who developed the model of “Truth and Reconciliation,” which is built on the possibilities of restorative justice rather than punitive justice. God’s people are called to be truth-tellers and reconcilers after the model of Christ, the one who came as truth and reconciliation.
Managing the past into a transformative future
God runs an intervention with our past with peace-making options for the present in order to offer a transformative future.
Let us take part in peace initiatives:
- Engage in interfaith dialogue.
- Pray for peace and post prayers to United Methodist Women’s website www.UMWMission.org.
- Monitor current legislation and contact members of Congress to express views on peace.
- Organize or participate in local community peace vigils and in regional and national peace demonstrations.
- Advocate for increased funding for veterans’ benefits, including adequate health care, war-related injuries and mental health care for posttraumatic stress syndrome.
- Take part in the International Day of Peace on September 21. Look for additional information in the United Methodist Women’s On-Line Community on Faith Exploration: www.UMWOnline.org.
- Study peace options such as the possible creation of a U.S. Department of Peace that can help cultivate a culture of peace by addressing the root causes of the interrelated, systemic connections among domestic violence, violence in the communities and international violence. In short, a Department of Peace that would work with existing government agencies and structures to help ensure that conflict, when it occurs, does not boil over into life-destroying behavior. A peace agency would train civilian peacekeepers and work with the military in the latest nonviolent resolution strategies and approaches. Visit www.thepeacealliance.org to learn more about pro-active peace initiatives.
Living across the barriers of the past
There are many more ways of engaging in peace, justice and harmony in our communities. Another imagination is possible therefore another world is possible.
For Christ’s sake, let us turn our imagination God-ward, in the name of the one who died a premature death by violence, even Jesus the Christ. In the name of the risen Savior, let us retool ourselves with peace, justice and relationships that foster community and family in this human place which calls for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Living across the barriers of the past into a transformative future is an incremental calling for the faith community. It is time to “fund, feed, nurture, nourish a counter-imagination” to the present-day world, which is characterized by violence, retribution and wars. It is time to place ourselves into the God-intended, alternative world of shalom and work hard at it, as partners with God, in order to achieve a transformative future.
*Glory E. Dharmaraj, Ph.D., is director of spiritual formation and mission theology in the Women’s Division of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.
2007 Conference Love Offering - Celebrating Mission Giving to Promote World Peace
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Our 2007 Conference Love Offering will be a Gift to Mission Giving...Celebrating Mission Giving to Promote World Peace.
We encourage individuals and local units to give generously in support of our Love Offering. Through your love offering gifts, you will help to make a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world. YOU make mission possible!
You may bring your Love Offering to Annual Meeting at Lake Junaluska...September 7, 8 & 9, or you may send your gift or your Local Unit's gift directly to:
Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer
P. O. Box 903
Marion, NC 28752-0903
Please make checks payable to: Treasurer, WNCC UMW
A copy of our 2007 Love Offering brochure is available on our website...just click here to access it. Thanks for sharing it with members of your local unit.
Our 2007 Conference Love Offering will be a Gift to Mission Giving...Celebrating Mission Giving to Promote World Peace.
We encourage individuals and local units to give generously in support of our Love Offering. Through your love offering gifts, you will help to make a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world. YOU make mission possible!
You may bring your Love Offering to Annual Meeting at Lake Junaluska...September 7, 8 & 9, or you may send your gift or your Local Unit's gift directly to:
Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer
P. O. Box 903
Marion, NC 28752-0903
Please make checks payable to: Treasurer, WNCC UMW
A copy of our 2007 Love Offering brochure is available on our website...just click here to access it. Thanks for sharing it with members of your local unit.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Annual Meeting - September 7, 8 & 9, 2007 - Lake Junaluska
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Annual Meeting
September 7, 8 & 9, 2007
Lake Junaluska
Are you ready for Annual Meeting? It is almost here! We hope you have made, or are making your plans to join us this weekend at Lake Junaluska, September 7, 8 & 9, for YOUR Conference Annual Meeting. Come for the whole weekend, or come for a day...just COME...and help us celebrate our theme, "Through the Eyes of a Child".
Reverend Angela Pleasants will be our keynote speaker, Anne Kolbe will be our mission speaker, and Gail and Charles Litaker will lead us in music. Your conference program committee, and our hostess district, North Wilkesboro, are looking forward to welcoming you to Lake Junaluska. An exciting weekend has been planned, with lots of wonderful opportunities. Join us!!
Read more about all of the planned activities at our conference web site: www.wnccumw.org ... just click on the link for Annual Meeting. The program book for our 2007 meeting is now available there in PDF....check it out!
No advance registration is required...so it is not too late for you to make plans to come. As of today, there are still rooms available on the Lake at the Lakeside Lodge, and the Junaluska Apartments. Call the Lake Junaluska reservations department at 1-800-222-4930 and make a reservation today! If those fill up, there are also plenty of other accommodations very close to the Lake in either Waynesville or Maggie Valley.
Registration opens at 2:00pm on Friday, in Harrell Center Auditorium (downstairs in Harrell Center). Program Resources (downstairs in Harrell Center) will also open then, as will the reception & refreshments being provided in the Susan Todd Lounge (upstairs Harrell Center) by the North Wilkesboro District.
As you arrive at the Lake, plan to spend some time browsing the Program Resource room, visit the reception being hosted by the North Wilkesboro District, walk along the beautiful Rose Walk, or around the Lake, and spend some quiet time in the Memorial Chapel. Soak up that special spirit of tranquility that lives at Lake Junaluska, and breathe in that wonderful mountain air. There are so many things that you can do to begin your time at Annual Meeting!
The opening session will begin with Gathering Praise singing in Stuart Auditorium at 6:45pm. You will want to participate in that wonderful singing, and be in your seat as the session begins at 7:00pm.
NEW in 2007: There will be a registration fee collected from all persons attending Annual Meeting. Fees are as follows and will be collected at the time of on-site registration.
$5.00 for those staying in Conference owned facilities: Terrace Inn, Lambuth Inn, Lakeside Lodge, Sunnyside Lodge, Junaluska Apartments and for those renting or staying in a private home on the grounds.
$10.00 for those staying in Providence Lodge, Sunset Inn and off the grounds of Lake Junaluska
You can also read the Annual Meeting issue of the Conference Gram on our web site:
www.wnccumw.org ... just click on the link for the Conference Gram.
Have a safe journey to Lake Junaluska. See you there!
Annual Meeting
September 7, 8 & 9, 2007
Lake Junaluska
Are you ready for Annual Meeting? It is almost here! We hope you have made, or are making your plans to join us this weekend at Lake Junaluska, September 7, 8 & 9, for YOUR Conference Annual Meeting. Come for the whole weekend, or come for a day...just COME...and help us celebrate our theme, "Through the Eyes of a Child".
Reverend Angela Pleasants will be our keynote speaker, Anne Kolbe will be our mission speaker, and Gail and Charles Litaker will lead us in music. Your conference program committee, and our hostess district, North Wilkesboro, are looking forward to welcoming you to Lake Junaluska. An exciting weekend has been planned, with lots of wonderful opportunities. Join us!!
Read more about all of the planned activities at our conference web site: www.wnccumw.org ... just click on the link for Annual Meeting. The program book for our 2007 meeting is now available there in PDF....check it out!
No advance registration is required...so it is not too late for you to make plans to come. As of today, there are still rooms available on the Lake at the Lakeside Lodge, and the Junaluska Apartments. Call the Lake Junaluska reservations department at 1-800-222-4930 and make a reservation today! If those fill up, there are also plenty of other accommodations very close to the Lake in either Waynesville or Maggie Valley.
Registration opens at 2:00pm on Friday, in Harrell Center Auditorium (downstairs in Harrell Center). Program Resources (downstairs in Harrell Center) will also open then, as will the reception & refreshments being provided in the Susan Todd Lounge (upstairs Harrell Center) by the North Wilkesboro District.
As you arrive at the Lake, plan to spend some time browsing the Program Resource room, visit the reception being hosted by the North Wilkesboro District, walk along the beautiful Rose Walk, or around the Lake, and spend some quiet time in the Memorial Chapel. Soak up that special spirit of tranquility that lives at Lake Junaluska, and breathe in that wonderful mountain air. There are so many things that you can do to begin your time at Annual Meeting!
The opening session will begin with Gathering Praise singing in Stuart Auditorium at 6:45pm. You will want to participate in that wonderful singing, and be in your seat as the session begins at 7:00pm.
NEW in 2007: There will be a registration fee collected from all persons attending Annual Meeting. Fees are as follows and will be collected at the time of on-site registration.
$5.00 for those staying in Conference owned facilities: Terrace Inn, Lambuth Inn, Lakeside Lodge, Sunnyside Lodge, Junaluska Apartments and for those renting or staying in a private home on the grounds.
$10.00 for those staying in Providence Lodge, Sunset Inn and off the grounds of Lake Junaluska
You can also read the Annual Meeting issue of the Conference Gram on our web site:
www.wnccumw.org ... just click on the link for the Conference Gram.
Have a safe journey to Lake Junaluska. See you there!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Missionary serving in Cambodia to visit Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
The following information is from Sandi McGarrah, who will be hosting Clara Biswas (a United Methodist Missionary currently assigned as a community worker in Cambodia) during the week of September 8 - 16 as she visits across our conference. Sandi invites you to take advantage of these opportunities to hear Clara tell her story of ministry with Cambodian street children. And, there are a couple of open times that you could contact Sandi about if you would like to invite Clara to come share at your church. Contact information for Sandi is included below.
From Sandi McGarrah:
Clara Biswas, a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, assigned as a community worker in Cambodia is coming to the Western N.C. Conference September 8th-16th. Clara works with the landfill and street children and youth as well as the orphanage in Phnom Penh. Her itinerary is listed below. You are encouraged to come and hear Clara share her story of God's call to minister to Cambodian children in need and how our conference is helping make that possible.
Her itinerary is listed below.
Sunday, September 9th: 8:45am & 11am services, Milford Hills UMC, Salisbury Contact: David Hockett, 704-636-0471
7pm, First UMC, Rutherfordton Contact: Ed Hillman, 828-287-3704
Monday, September 10th:
Afternoon classes TBA, Brevard University 6pm, Brevard University, Presentation & Cambodian food tasting Contact: Shelley Webb, 828-883-8292 x2302
Tuesday, September 11th:
11am Presentation to Brooks-Howell residents, Asheville Contact: Jeanette Byrd, 828-253-6712
6pm, Presentation at Pine Grove UMC, Linville Falls Contact: Martha Phillips, 828-765-7009
Wednesday, Sept. 12th:
10am, Presentation to UMW Circles at Providence UMC, Charlotte
Evening open: please call if you would like to schedule a presentation Contact: Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407
Thurs., Sept. 13th:
AM Open: call Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407 to schedule a presentation
6PM, Presentation at Cherryville UMC, Cherryville Contact: Rick Fite,
Friday, Sept. 14th:
Get-Together, Conference Office, Shamrock Drive, Charlotte
Open: Contact Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407 to schedule a presentation
Saturday, Sept. 15th:
10-4 Building Team Reunion, Williamson's UMC, Mooresville 1:30pm Clara's Presentation
Sunday, Sept. 16th:
10am, Speaker at Madison UMC, Madison Contact: Dan Ramsey, 336-548-6658
Thank you for sharing this information!
Please give me a call if you have any questions. I will be hosting Clara during her stay in NC.
Sandi McGarrah
sandramc@windstream.net
704-847-3407
The following information is from Sandi McGarrah, who will be hosting Clara Biswas (a United Methodist Missionary currently assigned as a community worker in Cambodia) during the week of September 8 - 16 as she visits across our conference. Sandi invites you to take advantage of these opportunities to hear Clara tell her story of ministry with Cambodian street children. And, there are a couple of open times that you could contact Sandi about if you would like to invite Clara to come share at your church. Contact information for Sandi is included below.
From Sandi McGarrah:
Clara Biswas, a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, assigned as a community worker in Cambodia is coming to the Western N.C. Conference September 8th-16th. Clara works with the landfill and street children and youth as well as the orphanage in Phnom Penh. Her itinerary is listed below. You are encouraged to come and hear Clara share her story of God's call to minister to Cambodian children in need and how our conference is helping make that possible.
Her itinerary is listed below.
Sunday, September 9th: 8:45am & 11am services, Milford Hills UMC, Salisbury Contact: David Hockett, 704-636-0471
7pm, First UMC, Rutherfordton Contact: Ed Hillman, 828-287-3704
Monday, September 10th:
Afternoon classes TBA, Brevard University 6pm, Brevard University, Presentation & Cambodian food tasting Contact: Shelley Webb, 828-883-8292 x2302
Tuesday, September 11th:
11am Presentation to Brooks-Howell residents, Asheville Contact: Jeanette Byrd, 828-253-6712
6pm, Presentation at Pine Grove UMC, Linville Falls Contact: Martha Phillips, 828-765-7009
Wednesday, Sept. 12th:
10am, Presentation to UMW Circles at Providence UMC, Charlotte
Evening open: please call if you would like to schedule a presentation Contact: Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407
Thurs., Sept. 13th:
AM Open: call Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407 to schedule a presentation
6PM, Presentation at Cherryville UMC, Cherryville Contact: Rick Fite,
Friday, Sept. 14th:
Get-Together, Conference Office, Shamrock Drive, Charlotte
Open: Contact Sandi McGarrah, 704-847-3407 to schedule a presentation
Saturday, Sept. 15th:
10-4 Building Team Reunion, Williamson's UMC, Mooresville 1:30pm Clara's Presentation
Sunday, Sept. 16th:
10am, Speaker at Madison UMC, Madison Contact: Dan Ramsey, 336-548-6658
Thank you for sharing this information!
Please give me a call if you have any questions. I will be hosting Clara during her stay in NC.
Sandi McGarrah
sandramc@windstream.net
704-847-3407
Olson elected to lead church's Women's Division
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
News from the Women's Division....Harriett Jane Olson has been elected chief executive officer of the Women's Division. Read more below.
Olson elected to lead church's Women's Division
By Yvette Moore*Aug. 21, 2007 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
Harriett Jane Olson, an executive with the United Methodist Publishing House, has been elected chief executive of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Olson will oversee the administrative arm and policy-making body of United Methodist Women, a denominational organization of approximately 800,000 members in the United States. Its purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice, and its members give more than $20 million a year for ministries related to women, children and youth around the world.
She will begin the job Sept. 4 at the board's headquarters in New York. She succeeds Jan Love, who left at the end of 2006 to become dean of the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
Olson was elected Aug. 17 at Scarritt-Bennett Center during a called meeting of the Women's Division board of directors.
In her new job, Olson will serve in other leadership and management roles in the Board of Global Ministries. The board's personnel committee and directors are expected to approve her nomination at their September and October meetings.
"It's a privilege to stand with women, children and youth. It's a role particularly well-connected to our theological DNA as United Methodists —spiritual nurture and action."-Harriett Jane Olson
Olson expressed excitement about working with the Women's Division, including its role as an advocate for the oppressed and dispossessed, with special attention to the needs of women and children.
"United Methodist Women are called to do something not being done by the rest of the church," she said. "It's a privilege to stand with women, children and youth. It's a role particularly well-connected to our theological DNA as United Methodists — spiritual nurture and action."
Since 1996, Olson has served as senior vice president for publishing, editor for church school publications and United Methodist Church book editor at the Publishing House. She supervised a staff of 125 to 150 people responsible for the development, production and trade distribution of resources from Abingdon Press, Cokesbury and Kingswood Books.
Olson is a 1983 graduate of Harvard Law School and former partner at Pitney, Hardin, Kipp and Szuch, where she worked 1983-96, specializing in environmental law in the firm's real estate department.
She was a director of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship 1988-96 and has been a delegate to four General Conferences of the denomination. She is a member of Morristown (N.J.) United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville.
*Moore is on the communications staff for the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
News from the Women's Division....Harriett Jane Olson has been elected chief executive officer of the Women's Division. Read more below.
Olson elected to lead church's Women's Division
By Yvette Moore*Aug. 21, 2007 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
Harriett Jane Olson, an executive with the United Methodist Publishing House, has been elected chief executive of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Olson will oversee the administrative arm and policy-making body of United Methodist Women, a denominational organization of approximately 800,000 members in the United States. Its purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice, and its members give more than $20 million a year for ministries related to women, children and youth around the world.
She will begin the job Sept. 4 at the board's headquarters in New York. She succeeds Jan Love, who left at the end of 2006 to become dean of the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
Olson was elected Aug. 17 at Scarritt-Bennett Center during a called meeting of the Women's Division board of directors.
In her new job, Olson will serve in other leadership and management roles in the Board of Global Ministries. The board's personnel committee and directors are expected to approve her nomination at their September and October meetings.
"It's a privilege to stand with women, children and youth. It's a role particularly well-connected to our theological DNA as United Methodists —spiritual nurture and action."-Harriett Jane Olson
Olson expressed excitement about working with the Women's Division, including its role as an advocate for the oppressed and dispossessed, with special attention to the needs of women and children.
"United Methodist Women are called to do something not being done by the rest of the church," she said. "It's a privilege to stand with women, children and youth. It's a role particularly well-connected to our theological DNA as United Methodists — spiritual nurture and action."
Since 1996, Olson has served as senior vice president for publishing, editor for church school publications and United Methodist Church book editor at the Publishing House. She supervised a staff of 125 to 150 people responsible for the development, production and trade distribution of resources from Abingdon Press, Cokesbury and Kingswood Books.
Olson is a 1983 graduate of Harvard Law School and former partner at Pitney, Hardin, Kipp and Szuch, where she worked 1983-96, specializing in environmental law in the firm's real estate department.
She was a director of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship 1988-96 and has been a delegate to four General Conferences of the denomination. She is a member of Morristown (N.J.) United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville.
*Moore is on the communications staff for the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Listen to the Missionary Voice
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
New on the General Board of Global Ministries website....listen to interviews with missionaries! Check it out, and share the links with others.
Listen to the Missionary Voice
by Wendy Whiteside and Mary Beth Coudal
What is social justice? What did Mary do with those gifts given to her on the occasion of Jesus' birth? And where can you find a good chili cheese dog in Washington, DC? To find the answers to these and other questions, you can listen to short, substantive online interviews with missionaries.
The Global Ministries website now offers a new, exciting resource, The Missionary Voice: podcasts from a broad spectrum of locations, on a variety of topics. From Palestine/Israel to the Deaf Shalom Zone in Baltimore, you can listen in as missionaries discuss real-life faith challenges and values, and receive firsthand accounts of their efforts to do God's work.
The Missionary Voice podcasts are contemporary, clear, and even controversial. You can hear the voices of the missionaries and find out just what matters to them and the people they work alongside. You can hear for yourself just what makes a missionary tick and how they persevere, given extraordinary obstacles.
Featuring the voice of Rev. R. Randy Day, general secretary, and interviews by reporters Chris Tricomi and Mary Beth Coudal, the podcasts entertain, inform, and inspire. Check them out and you'll find personal and creative stories about amazing people from unlikely places.
The Missionary Voice is meant to be shared. Send a friend or colleague the link to a podcast that was particularly meaningful to you. Download a podcast and play it as part of your worship service or at a missions committee meeting. You can reach this resource from the home page of Global Ministries, http://gbgm-umc.org/. Scroll down and, in the right column, click on the purple icon that says The Missionary Voice.
We invite you to listen and use The Missionary Voice. New podcasts are added twice a month, so come back frequently and see what is new. Or sign up to be notified whenever a new podcast is posted. Your understanding of mission will be expanded. Your knowledge of the church's impact on God's wide world will grow. Your faith in God will deepen as you hear the faith of these people active in God's mission.
To hear the Missionary Voice podcasts, go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/podcasts/
To learn more about becoming a missionary, go to http://ummissionaries.org
New on the General Board of Global Ministries website....listen to interviews with missionaries! Check it out, and share the links with others.
Listen to the Missionary Voice
by Wendy Whiteside and Mary Beth Coudal
What is social justice? What did Mary do with those gifts given to her on the occasion of Jesus' birth? And where can you find a good chili cheese dog in Washington, DC? To find the answers to these and other questions, you can listen to short, substantive online interviews with missionaries.
The Global Ministries website now offers a new, exciting resource, The Missionary Voice: podcasts from a broad spectrum of locations, on a variety of topics. From Palestine/Israel to the Deaf Shalom Zone in Baltimore, you can listen in as missionaries discuss real-life faith challenges and values, and receive firsthand accounts of their efforts to do God's work.
The Missionary Voice podcasts are contemporary, clear, and even controversial. You can hear the voices of the missionaries and find out just what matters to them and the people they work alongside. You can hear for yourself just what makes a missionary tick and how they persevere, given extraordinary obstacles.
Featuring the voice of Rev. R. Randy Day, general secretary, and interviews by reporters Chris Tricomi and Mary Beth Coudal, the podcasts entertain, inform, and inspire. Check them out and you'll find personal and creative stories about amazing people from unlikely places.
The Missionary Voice is meant to be shared. Send a friend or colleague the link to a podcast that was particularly meaningful to you. Download a podcast and play it as part of your worship service or at a missions committee meeting. You can reach this resource from the home page of Global Ministries, http://gbgm-umc.org/. Scroll down and, in the right column, click on the purple icon that says The Missionary Voice.
We invite you to listen and use The Missionary Voice. New podcasts are added twice a month, so come back frequently and see what is new. Or sign up to be notified whenever a new podcast is posted. Your understanding of mission will be expanded. Your knowledge of the church's impact on God's wide world will grow. Your faith in God will deepen as you hear the faith of these people active in God's mission.
To hear the Missionary Voice podcasts, go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/podcasts/
To learn more about becoming a missionary, go to http://ummissionaries.org
Friday, August 17, 2007
United Methodist Women take to the road for justice
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
More than 200 United Methodist Women from across the country have been participating this week in the 2007 National Seminar: "For Christ's Sake, Turn the World Upside Down," at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville. The quadrennial event equips members to renew their commitment to know God and to join in the local and global mission of justice and advocacy.
"National Seminar is an opportunity for members of United Methodist Women to explore God's actions in the current moment and dialogue about how we must respond," said Sung-ok Lee, Women's Division executive for Christian social responsibility. "In a gathering that reflects our rich diversity of race, ethnicity and age, we will reflect on the early Christians who were accused of 'turning the world upside down' in Acts. 17:19."
Our own Sherry Sink, Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation, and Tonya Lanier, Lexington District UMW President, were among those participating in the National Seminar.
Below is an United Methodist News Service article about the experiences they have shared this week....it was posted today on the United Methodist Church website: http://www.umc.org/. Sherry Sink is in the highlighted photo! Thanks to Sherry and Tonya for representing our conference at this special event.
United Methodist Women take to the road for justice
By Yvette Moore*Aug. 16, 2007 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
More than 200 United Methodist Women boarded buses and traveled to communities in the Nashville area to see what it means to be homeless, an immigrant or without health care.
The community visits were part of the organization's 2007 "For Christ's Sake, Turn the World Upside Down" National Seminar Aug. 11-16 at Scarritt-Bennett Center.
"The whole idea of community visits is to broaden our knowledge, to go beyond ourselves to gain insights and listen to the voices of those on the margins …," said elmira Nazombe, executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the administrative arm of UMW. "This will help give us the landscape view we need to look for patterns and discern what the issues are telling us about our faith imperatives."
Nashville community groups served as guides for the women in visits to a mosque, landfill, community clinics, farmers market, community garden, homeless shelters, public high school and Civil War monument.
Each visit included one-on-one conversations and panel discussions and presentations on the related issue. The visits were an extension of workshops held throughout the event focusing on one of seven issues: economic justice, health care, public education, immigration, community food security, environmental justice and militarism, peace and national security.
Meeting with immigrants, salvaging food
"It rocked my world," said participant Donna Moore from the denomination's Memphis Annual (regional) Conference, after a day of visits with immigrants and refugees. She met at a mosque with Kurdish women from Turkey who had come to the United States as refugees and also spoke with Hispanic women at a local immigrant advocacy program.
Moore said she had passed immigrant workers in her local community, but didn't know much about them. "The Hispanic women had an awesome fear of being separated from their families," she said. "The thing that struck me was their patience, their stories and how they need advocates.
“The whole idea of community visits is to broaden our knowledge, to go beyond ourselves to gain insights and listen to the voices of those on the margins …”–elmira Nazombe
"The things I take for granted in my life are not afforded to everybody. How could we not know? I didn't know. As a United Methodist and a United Methodist Women member, as a Christian, we need to know. It's our responsibility to know. Maybe it's been out there all along. Maybe this was my time to listen."
Susan Sanders, Kansas West Conference, helped sort and salvage food for low-income families during her visit to the farmers market and Good Food For Good People, a community-based organization committed to decreasing food waste and increasing accessibility to fresh and healthy foods.
"The man for Good Food for Good People just takes the salvaged fruits and vegetables, puts it on his truck and takes it to the low-income housing development," Sanders said. "Then they knock on the doors and say, 'The food's here!' People come out and get the produce. And they don't just take for themselves. They take to give to neighbors, too."
The visit was part of the workshop on community food security, which examines the need for every community to have access to a safe, affordable nutritious food supply. Many low-income areas do not have large grocery stores that carry fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exploring war and peace
A visit to Fort Negley, a local Civil War memorial, kicked off a day of exploring reasons for war and the far-reaching impact of war for women taking the militarism, peace and national security workshops.
The group heard presentations from two U.S. Army public affairs specialists about today's all-volunteer soldiers, saw a documentary about the munitions-making military industrial complex and listened to testimonies from a panel representing organizations and ministries working for peace and helping military personnel and families.
The Revs. John and Janie Dandridge of Nashville shared how their soldier son's loss of a leg in Iraq changed their lives.
"It's a traumatic experience to look at all the wounded men and women," Ms. Dandridge said of visiting her son at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
"There's a real war going on, no matter what you think about it," said Mr. Dandridge, a retired military officer. "There are nearly 4,000 U.S. deaths and 60,000 wounded. Many have traumatic brain injuries. Like Vietnam, they're going to be coming home and unable to care for themselves. Peace is necessary."
The couple's work for peace and counsel focuses on military families. "God has given us a whole new ministry," Ms. Dandridge said.
United Methodist Women is an organization of approximately 800,000 members within The United Methodist Church in the United States. Its purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. United Methodist Women members give more than $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and around the world.
*Moore is on the communications staff of United Methodist Women
More than 200 United Methodist Women from across the country have been participating this week in the 2007 National Seminar: "For Christ's Sake, Turn the World Upside Down," at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville. The quadrennial event equips members to renew their commitment to know God and to join in the local and global mission of justice and advocacy.
"National Seminar is an opportunity for members of United Methodist Women to explore God's actions in the current moment and dialogue about how we must respond," said Sung-ok Lee, Women's Division executive for Christian social responsibility. "In a gathering that reflects our rich diversity of race, ethnicity and age, we will reflect on the early Christians who were accused of 'turning the world upside down' in Acts. 17:19."
Our own Sherry Sink, Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation, and Tonya Lanier, Lexington District UMW President, were among those participating in the National Seminar.
Below is an United Methodist News Service article about the experiences they have shared this week....it was posted today on the United Methodist Church website: http://www.umc.org/. Sherry Sink is in the highlighted photo! Thanks to Sherry and Tonya for representing our conference at this special event.
United Methodist Women take to the road for justice
By Yvette Moore*Aug. 16, 2007 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
More than 200 United Methodist Women boarded buses and traveled to communities in the Nashville area to see what it means to be homeless, an immigrant or without health care.
The community visits were part of the organization's 2007 "For Christ's Sake, Turn the World Upside Down" National Seminar Aug. 11-16 at Scarritt-Bennett Center.
"The whole idea of community visits is to broaden our knowledge, to go beyond ourselves to gain insights and listen to the voices of those on the margins …," said elmira Nazombe, executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the administrative arm of UMW. "This will help give us the landscape view we need to look for patterns and discern what the issues are telling us about our faith imperatives."
Nashville community groups served as guides for the women in visits to a mosque, landfill, community clinics, farmers market, community garden, homeless shelters, public high school and Civil War monument.
Each visit included one-on-one conversations and panel discussions and presentations on the related issue. The visits were an extension of workshops held throughout the event focusing on one of seven issues: economic justice, health care, public education, immigration, community food security, environmental justice and militarism, peace and national security.
Meeting with immigrants, salvaging food
"It rocked my world," said participant Donna Moore from the denomination's Memphis Annual (regional) Conference, after a day of visits with immigrants and refugees. She met at a mosque with Kurdish women from Turkey who had come to the United States as refugees and also spoke with Hispanic women at a local immigrant advocacy program.
Moore said she had passed immigrant workers in her local community, but didn't know much about them. "The Hispanic women had an awesome fear of being separated from their families," she said. "The thing that struck me was their patience, their stories and how they need advocates.
“The whole idea of community visits is to broaden our knowledge, to go beyond ourselves to gain insights and listen to the voices of those on the margins …”–elmira Nazombe
"The things I take for granted in my life are not afforded to everybody. How could we not know? I didn't know. As a United Methodist and a United Methodist Women member, as a Christian, we need to know. It's our responsibility to know. Maybe it's been out there all along. Maybe this was my time to listen."
Susan Sanders, Kansas West Conference, helped sort and salvage food for low-income families during her visit to the farmers market and Good Food For Good People, a community-based organization committed to decreasing food waste and increasing accessibility to fresh and healthy foods.
"The man for Good Food for Good People just takes the salvaged fruits and vegetables, puts it on his truck and takes it to the low-income housing development," Sanders said. "Then they knock on the doors and say, 'The food's here!' People come out and get the produce. And they don't just take for themselves. They take to give to neighbors, too."
The visit was part of the workshop on community food security, which examines the need for every community to have access to a safe, affordable nutritious food supply. Many low-income areas do not have large grocery stores that carry fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exploring war and peace
A visit to Fort Negley, a local Civil War memorial, kicked off a day of exploring reasons for war and the far-reaching impact of war for women taking the militarism, peace and national security workshops.
The group heard presentations from two U.S. Army public affairs specialists about today's all-volunteer soldiers, saw a documentary about the munitions-making military industrial complex and listened to testimonies from a panel representing organizations and ministries working for peace and helping military personnel and families.
The Revs. John and Janie Dandridge of Nashville shared how their soldier son's loss of a leg in Iraq changed their lives.
"It's a traumatic experience to look at all the wounded men and women," Ms. Dandridge said of visiting her son at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
"There's a real war going on, no matter what you think about it," said Mr. Dandridge, a retired military officer. "There are nearly 4,000 U.S. deaths and 60,000 wounded. Many have traumatic brain injuries. Like Vietnam, they're going to be coming home and unable to care for themselves. Peace is necessary."
The couple's work for peace and counsel focuses on military families. "God has given us a whole new ministry," Ms. Dandridge said.
United Methodist Women is an organization of approximately 800,000 members within The United Methodist Church in the United States. Its purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. United Methodist Women members give more than $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and around the world.
*Moore is on the communications staff of United Methodist Women
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Conference Gram - August 2007 - Annual Meeting Issue
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Here it is...hot off the press...the August 2007 issue of the Conference Gram. Read all of the up-to-date news & information for Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.
This issue includes complete information about our 2007 Conference Annual Meeting. Annual Meeting will be held September 7, 8 & 9 at Lake Junaluska, with the theme...Through the Eyes of a Child. We hope you are already making plans to attend.
There is no advance registration required for attending Annual Meeting. However, advance reservations are necessary for housing in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities. The Housing Reservation form is available on our website in both Word and PDF formats at www.wnccumw.org ...You can find them on the Registration Forms page, or the Annual Meeting page....just use the menu links on the left side of your screen.
Read all about Annual Meeting in this issue of the Conference Gram...then mark your calendar,and plan to join us at Lake Junaluska in September! You can also read about Annual Meeting on our web site at: www.wnccumw.org
An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the Conference Gram is attached to this email. You can open it and read it using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. See below for further information about obtaining the free Adobe Acrobat Reader if you do not have it. The Conference Gram is also available on our website.
You can always find lots of information about United Methodist Women on our conference web site at: www.wnccumw.org
Free Adobe Acrobat Reader:
If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, or find that you have an old version that will not open this file, use this link to go to the download site for the free reader. Registration forms, the Conference Gram, and certain other information are being sent to the email list in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Download the free reader at:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Here it is...hot off the press...the August 2007 issue of the Conference Gram. Read all of the up-to-date news & information for Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.
This issue includes complete information about our 2007 Conference Annual Meeting. Annual Meeting will be held September 7, 8 & 9 at Lake Junaluska, with the theme...Through the Eyes of a Child. We hope you are already making plans to attend.
There is no advance registration required for attending Annual Meeting. However, advance reservations are necessary for housing in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities. The Housing Reservation form is available on our website in both Word and PDF formats at www.wnccumw.org ...You can find them on the Registration Forms page, or the Annual Meeting page....just use the menu links on the left side of your screen.
Read all about Annual Meeting in this issue of the Conference Gram...then mark your calendar,and plan to join us at Lake Junaluska in September! You can also read about Annual Meeting on our web site at: www.wnccumw.org
An Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the Conference Gram is attached to this email. You can open it and read it using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. See below for further information about obtaining the free Adobe Acrobat Reader if you do not have it. The Conference Gram is also available on our website.
You can always find lots of information about United Methodist Women on our conference web site at: www.wnccumw.org
Free Adobe Acrobat Reader:
If you do not have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, or find that you have an old version that will not open this file, use this link to go to the download site for the free reader. Registration forms, the Conference Gram, and certain other information are being sent to the email list in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Download the free reader at:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Saturday, August 4, 2007
First Timer Scholarships for SEJ 2008
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
First Timer Scholarships for SEJ 2008
The Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women will award three $200 scholarships for the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting which will take place April 4-6, 2008 in Hampton, Virginia. Persons applying for scholarship assistance must be a member of a local or district unit of United Methodist Women within the Western North Carolina Conference, and must not have previously attended a Jurisdiction meeting.
Scholarship application form must be completed with all requested information, and sent to:
Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 903, Marion, NC 28752.
Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st in order to be considered.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by November 15th.
The scholarship application form [PDF] is attached to this email, and is available on our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit the page for SEJ 2008, and click on the link near the top of the page for "Scholarship Application for First Timers".
Information about the SEJ 2008 meeting, registration materials, and complete information about the chartered bus trip from our conference are also available on the SEJ 2008 page of our website. Check it out...and make plans to go with us!
First Timer Scholarships for SEJ 2008
The Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women will award three $200 scholarships for the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting which will take place April 4-6, 2008 in Hampton, Virginia. Persons applying for scholarship assistance must be a member of a local or district unit of United Methodist Women within the Western North Carolina Conference, and must not have previously attended a Jurisdiction meeting.
Scholarship application form must be completed with all requested information, and sent to:
Sharon Smith, Conference Treasurer, P.O. Box 903, Marion, NC 28752.
Scholarship applications must be received by November 1st in order to be considered.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by November 15th.
The scholarship application form [PDF] is attached to this email, and is available on our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit the page for SEJ 2008, and click on the link near the top of the page for "Scholarship Application for First Timers".
Information about the SEJ 2008 meeting, registration materials, and complete information about the chartered bus trip from our conference are also available on the SEJ 2008 page of our website. Check it out...and make plans to go with us!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Come Go With Us! 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting of United Methodist Women (SEJ 2008) next April!
Who: All United Methodist Women are invited!
What: 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting (Theme: Called By Name)
Where: Hampton Roads Convention Center - Hampton, Virginia
When: April 4-6, 2008
Why: Worship, Fellowship, Focus Groups, Resources & Displays, Election of Jurisdiction officers & Women's Division directors
Read all about SEJ 2008 on our conference web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit the SEJ 2008 page.
Our own Dixie Liggett is a member of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Core Planning Group that is making the plans for SEJ 2008. Read a special invitation from Dixie on that same page of our web site.
The complete registration information for the SEJ 2008 meeting, including the SEJ 2008 Registration Form and all of the other pieces from the registration packet, are available for download from our web site. District presidents also have some registration packets available.
ALL ABOARD!!!
Make plans now to come go with us to SEJ 2008 on the Western North Carolina Conference buses!
A Taste of Historic Williamsburg and SEJ 2008
We have three deluxe Royal Tours motor coaches reserved...make your plans and send in your reservation!
Our buses will depart on Thursday, April 3, 2008, with pick up locations across the conference. Following is an overview of the planned bus trip itinerary:
Thursday, April 3:
Morning departures from various pick-up points across the conference
Dinner at Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
Overnight at Governor's Inn, Williamsburg, Virginia
Friday, April 4:
Guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
Arrive Hampton, VA (Holiday Inn) mid-afternoon
Opening session of SEJ 2008 begins at 7:00pm
Sunday, March 14:
Meeting ends around 12:00 Noon
Departure immediately following meeting conclusion
Lunch (on your own) on the road / Return to pick-up points in Western NC
Bus Trip Prices (Per Person):
Double room - $250.00
Triple room - $230.00
Quad room - $215.00
Single room - $315.00
The price of the bus trip includes: Deluxe round trip bus transportation to Williamsburg and Hampton, VA, one nights lodging at Governor's Inn in Williamsburg, VA, one dinner (Thursday evening, April 3rd), one continental breakfast, and a guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The price of the bus trip DOES NOT include the cost of two nights lodging at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, VA during the SEJ 2008 meeting, or the $100.00 SEJ 2008 registration fee.
Bus Trip Reservation / $100.00 Deposit Deadline - October 15, 2007
An Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of our SEJ 2008 Bus Trip Reservation Form is attached to this email. It is also available on our website at http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit our SEJ 2008 page.
If you have questions, you can contact either of the bus coordinators:
Sara Williams (336) 699-8079 sarawill@yadtel.net
Lynne Gilbert (336) 854-3479 lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting of United Methodist Women (SEJ 2008) next April!
Who: All United Methodist Women are invited!
What: 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting (Theme: Called By Name)
Where: Hampton Roads Convention Center - Hampton, Virginia
When: April 4-6, 2008
Why: Worship, Fellowship, Focus Groups, Resources & Displays, Election of Jurisdiction officers & Women's Division directors
Read all about SEJ 2008 on our conference web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit the SEJ 2008 page.
Our own Dixie Liggett is a member of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Core Planning Group that is making the plans for SEJ 2008. Read a special invitation from Dixie on that same page of our web site.
The complete registration information for the SEJ 2008 meeting, including the SEJ 2008 Registration Form and all of the other pieces from the registration packet, are available for download from our web site. District presidents also have some registration packets available.
ALL ABOARD!!!Make plans now to come go with us to SEJ 2008 on the Western North Carolina Conference buses!
A Taste of Historic Williamsburg and SEJ 2008
We have three deluxe Royal Tours motor coaches reserved...make your plans and send in your reservation!
Our buses will depart on Thursday, April 3, 2008, with pick up locations across the conference. Following is an overview of the planned bus trip itinerary:
Thursday, April 3:
Morning departures from various pick-up points across the conference
Dinner at Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
Overnight at Governor's Inn, Williamsburg, Virginia
Friday, April 4:
Guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
Arrive Hampton, VA (Holiday Inn) mid-afternoon
Opening session of SEJ 2008 begins at 7:00pm
Sunday, March 14:
Meeting ends around 12:00 Noon
Departure immediately following meeting conclusion
Lunch (on your own) on the road / Return to pick-up points in Western NC
Bus Trip Prices (Per Person):
Double room - $250.00
Triple room - $230.00
Quad room - $215.00
Single room - $315.00
The price of the bus trip includes: Deluxe round trip bus transportation to Williamsburg and Hampton, VA, one nights lodging at Governor's Inn in Williamsburg, VA, one dinner (Thursday evening, April 3rd), one continental breakfast, and a guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The price of the bus trip DOES NOT include the cost of two nights lodging at the Holiday Inn in Hampton, VA during the SEJ 2008 meeting, or the $100.00 SEJ 2008 registration fee.
Bus Trip Reservation / $100.00 Deposit Deadline - October 15, 2007
An Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of our SEJ 2008 Bus Trip Reservation Form is attached to this email. It is also available on our website at http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...just visit our SEJ 2008 page.
If you have questions, you can contact either of the bus coordinators:
Sara Williams (336) 699-8079 sarawill@yadtel.net
Lynne Gilbert (336) 854-3479 lynnegilbert@bellsouth.net
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
School of Christian Mission - 2007 Program Book Now Available on our Website
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
The program book for the 2007 School of Christian Mission is now up on our
website. You can find the complete schedule for the school, a map of Greensboro College, and other information. Visit our website at www.wnccumw.org ...a link for the program book is available on the front page in the box about the School of Christian Mission.
The school officers, the school committee, and the hostess North Wilkesboro District are looking forward to welcoming the 350+ persons who will be attending our school this week. Be in prayer for safe travel for all of our participants, and for our school as we learn and share together. And, watch for pictures on our website!
The program book for the 2007 School of Christian Mission is now up on our
website. You can find the complete schedule for the school, a map of Greensboro College, and other information. Visit our website at www.wnccumw.org ...a link for the program book is available on the front page in the box about the School of Christian Mission.The school officers, the school committee, and the hostess North Wilkesboro District are looking forward to welcoming the 350+ persons who will be attending our school this week. Be in prayer for safe travel for all of our participants, and for our school as we learn and share together. And, watch for pictures on our website!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Annual Meeting - September 7, 8 & 9 - Lake Junaluska
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Annual Meeting - September 7, 8 & 9 - Lake Junaluska
Theme: Through the Eyes of a Child
Are you making your plans to attend Annual Meeting? Your conference Program Committee, and our hostess North Wilkesboro District, are busy with plans for an exciting Annual Meeting. Read all about it on our conference web site and in the upcoming issue of the Conference Gram. Annual Meeting information is available on our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ (Just follow the link for Annual Meeting)
Just a reminder...you may begin sending in your Lake Junaluska housing reservation forms for Annual Meeting on July 2nd. If you would like to stay in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities, and you need a copy of the housing reservation form, you can download it from our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ (Just follow the link for Registration Forms or Annual Meeting). A PDF version of the housing reservation form is also attached to this email.
There is no advance registration required for attending Annual Meeting. Advance reservations are only necessary for housing in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities.
NEW in 2007: There will be a registration fee collected from all persons attending Annual Meeting. Fees are as follows and will be collected at the time of on-site registration.
Annual Meeting - September 7, 8 & 9 - Lake Junaluska
Theme: Through the Eyes of a Child
Are you making your plans to attend Annual Meeting? Your conference Program Committee, and our hostess North Wilkesboro District, are busy with plans for an exciting Annual Meeting. Read all about it on our conference web site and in the upcoming issue of the Conference Gram. Annual Meeting information is available on our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ (Just follow the link for Annual Meeting)Just a reminder...you may begin sending in your Lake Junaluska housing reservation forms for Annual Meeting on July 2nd. If you would like to stay in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities, and you need a copy of the housing reservation form, you can download it from our web site at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ (Just follow the link for Registration Forms or Annual Meeting). A PDF version of the housing reservation form is also attached to this email.
There is no advance registration required for attending Annual Meeting. Advance reservations are only necessary for housing in one of the Lake Junaluska hotels or facilities.
NEW in 2007: There will be a registration fee collected from all persons attending Annual Meeting. Fees are as follows and will be collected at the time of on-site registration.
- $5.00 for those staying in Conference owned facilities: Terrace Inn, Lambuth Inn, Lakeside Lodge, Sunnyside Lodge, Junaluska Apartments and for those renting or staying in a private home on the grounds.
- $10.00 for those staying in Providence Lodge, Sunset Inn and off the grounds of Lake Junaluska
Mark your calendar, and make plans to be at Lake Junaluska for Annual Meeting!!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Online Resources for 2007 Mission Studies
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Have you checked out the online resources for the 2007 Mission Studies? The Women's Division and General Board of Global Ministries websites have special web pages for each of the three studies this year. Links to each of the special pages are shown below. There are also links to these special pages from our conference website at: www.wnccumw.org/ ...from the front page and the School of Christian Mission page. Use these excellent resources as you read the mission studies, and as you share and participate in them with your local unit....enjoy!
Spiritual Growth Study - Music and Mission:
Brand new on the Women's Division website yesterday...the website for the Music and Mission spiritual growth study! One WONDERFUL feature is that you may listen to music from the CD of selected hymns that is available as a supplemental resource with the study....even choose which song...as you browse the pages! And, there are downloadable, printable versions of all of the website text, and links to other resources. Check it out!
Link to Music and Mission website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/musicandmission/index.html
Geographic Study - Israel / Palestine:
This website includes downloadable resources, links to other resources, a photo gallery, a time line, and more! Check it out!
Link to Israel / Palestine website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/missionstudies/israelpalestine/
General Issue Study - Globalization:
This website includes downloadable resources, links to other resources, maps & charts, updated supplemental resources related to the textbook, and more! There are also links to the Youth mission study on Globalization....The Big G. Check it out!
Link to Globalization website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/missionstudies/globalization/
Have you checked out the online resources for the 2007 Mission Studies? The Women's Division and General Board of Global Ministries websites have special web pages for each of the three studies this year. Links to each of the special pages are shown below. There are also links to these special pages from our conference website at: www.wnccumw.org/ ...from the front page and the School of Christian Mission page. Use these excellent resources as you read the mission studies, and as you share and participate in them with your local unit....enjoy!
Spiritual Growth Study - Music and Mission:
Brand new on the Women's Division website yesterday...the website for the Music and Mission spiritual growth study! One WONDERFUL feature is that you may listen to music from the CD of selected hymns that is available as a supplemental resource with the study....even choose which song...as you browse the pages! And, there are downloadable, printable versions of all of the website text, and links to other resources. Check it out!
Link to Music and Mission website: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/musicandmission/index.html
Geographic Study - Israel / Palestine:
This website includes downloadable resources, links to other resources, a photo gallery, a time line, and more! Check it out!
Link to Israel / Palestine website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/missionstudies/israelpalestine/
General Issue Study - Globalization:
This website includes downloadable resources, links to other resources, maps & charts, updated supplemental resources related to the textbook, and more! There are also links to the Youth mission study on Globalization....The Big G. Check it out!
Link to Globalization website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/missionstudies/globalization/
Summertime = Reading: New Mission Studies
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Have you planned your summer reading? Below is an article from the General Board of Global Ministries about the "HOT" summer reading for United Methodists...Mission Studies!
One of the Youth resources is now available for free download on our website....the 2007 Youth Spiritual Growth Study Guide - "Singing God's Mission", by J. Ann Craig. Just visit our website at http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...you will find links to download the Youth study guide on both the School of Christian Mission page and our Downloads Available page.
All of the mission study books will be available for purchase in our program resources room at the School of Christian Mission. Great way to get them....no shipping!
Be a part of a GREAT and MEANINGFUL book club...put mission studies on your summer reading list!
And...don't forget....mail your registration for our School of Christian Mission today! (Registration form is available on our website....registration deadline is June 23rd.)
Summertime = Reading: New Mission Studies
by Mary Beth Coudal
Summertime equals reading. This year, tens of thousands of United Methodists and friends will crack open one of several books known as mission studies, as if they are all in one big, meaningful book club.
The hot books are: God's Mission, God's Song by Joyce Sohl, Israel and Palestine by Stephen Goldstein, and Globalization by elmira Nazombe.
Under the guidance of leaders who have studied the books and their subjects at regional schools of Christian mission in June, readers will discuss the books, their meanings, and action ideas throughout weeks or weekends in July-October, in family camps or conference schools of Christian mission.
As in previous years, mission studies fall into three categories:
general theme - Globalization and Its Impact on People's Lives
spiritual growth theme - God's Mission, God's Song and
geographic theme - Israel and Palestine.
Israel and Palestine
Written by the Rev. Stephen Goldstein, Israel and Palestine offers a personal, historical, and reflective analysis on a region ripped from today's headlines. This book can serve as a tool to navigate the many roads and obstacles to a lasting peace. Israel and Palestine is a must-read for all who want to learn about the people and context of this important, dynamic, and tumultuous region.
With an extensive study guide written by the Rev. Sandra Olewine, groups are encouraged to engage in dialogue prayerfully and actively.
Globalization
Globalization and its Impact on People's Lives focuses largely on economic justice. Written by elmira Nazombe, racial justice executive for the Women's Division, the book explores timely topics like immigration, free trade, outsourcing, and privatization of water. New supplemental resources for 2007 have been added to this study's website.
The youth study on globalization, The Big G by Tamara Walker, former executive for youth and young adults at Global Ministries, invites teens to examine and discuss the ways in which two big Gs—globalization and the gospel—speak directly to kids and their choices.
God's Mission, God's Song
Joyce Sohl, former deputy general secretary of the Women's Division, wrote this study, a substantive look at early missionary hymns, the holiness movement, missionaries' use of music, and contemporary justice music. As a member of the Global Praise working group, a group that has produced several global music hymn books and audio recordings, Ms. Sohl emphasized music's power as "imaginative, bold, faithful, and full of God's love."
Within this spiral-bound book, you can find 77 hymns, many of them popular, such as the first hymn, "I'm gonna live so God can use me." Ms. Sohl wrote a study guide that completes this unique mission study.
J. Ann Craig wrote a readable and downloadable youth study, Singing God's Mission, packed with prayers, songs, historical facts, and creative exercises. The study gets kids talking on the power and spirit found in music.
Mission Possible!
Last year, the Global Ministries mission studies team offered a curriculum for teaching six- to twelve-year-olds about mission all over the world. The study, Mission Possible! A Teacher's Guide for Children, was compiled by Martha Bettis Gee. Mexico, Interfaith Communities, Cuba, and Children of Biblical Lands are previous mission studies made new in this resource that spans 39 weeks. "They (Christian educators) have been waiting for this," said project manager for mission studies, the Rev. Toby Gould.
Mission Possible, Israel and Palestine, and Globalization were produced by the communications office. The spiritual growth study, God's Mission, God's Song, was produced in partnership with the Women's Division.
To order any of these resources, call the Mission Resource Center, 1-800-305-9857Or order online at www.missionresourcecenter.org
Globalization #3724 $7.50
God's Mission, God's Song #M3001 $10.95
Israel and Palestine #M3006 $8.50
Mission Possible #3727 $10.00
To learn more about the mission studies, including past years' themes, visit: http://resources.gbgm-umc.org/studies/
Have you planned your summer reading? Below is an article from the General Board of Global Ministries about the "HOT" summer reading for United Methodists...Mission Studies!
One of the Youth resources is now available for free download on our website....the 2007 Youth Spiritual Growth Study Guide - "Singing God's Mission", by J. Ann Craig. Just visit our website at http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...you will find links to download the Youth study guide on both the School of Christian Mission page and our Downloads Available page.
All of the mission study books will be available for purchase in our program resources room at the School of Christian Mission. Great way to get them....no shipping!
Be a part of a GREAT and MEANINGFUL book club...put mission studies on your summer reading list!
And...don't forget....mail your registration for our School of Christian Mission today! (Registration form is available on our website....registration deadline is June 23rd.)
Summertime = Reading: New Mission Studies
by Mary Beth Coudal
Summertime equals reading. This year, tens of thousands of United Methodists and friends will crack open one of several books known as mission studies, as if they are all in one big, meaningful book club.
The hot books are: God's Mission, God's Song by Joyce Sohl, Israel and Palestine by Stephen Goldstein, and Globalization by elmira Nazombe.
Under the guidance of leaders who have studied the books and their subjects at regional schools of Christian mission in June, readers will discuss the books, their meanings, and action ideas throughout weeks or weekends in July-October, in family camps or conference schools of Christian mission.
As in previous years, mission studies fall into three categories:
general theme - Globalization and Its Impact on People's Lives
spiritual growth theme - God's Mission, God's Song and
geographic theme - Israel and Palestine.
Israel and Palestine
Written by the Rev. Stephen Goldstein, Israel and Palestine offers a personal, historical, and reflective analysis on a region ripped from today's headlines. This book can serve as a tool to navigate the many roads and obstacles to a lasting peace. Israel and Palestine is a must-read for all who want to learn about the people and context of this important, dynamic, and tumultuous region.
With an extensive study guide written by the Rev. Sandra Olewine, groups are encouraged to engage in dialogue prayerfully and actively.
Globalization
Globalization and its Impact on People's Lives focuses largely on economic justice. Written by elmira Nazombe, racial justice executive for the Women's Division, the book explores timely topics like immigration, free trade, outsourcing, and privatization of water. New supplemental resources for 2007 have been added to this study's website.
The youth study on globalization, The Big G by Tamara Walker, former executive for youth and young adults at Global Ministries, invites teens to examine and discuss the ways in which two big Gs—globalization and the gospel—speak directly to kids and their choices.
God's Mission, God's Song
Joyce Sohl, former deputy general secretary of the Women's Division, wrote this study, a substantive look at early missionary hymns, the holiness movement, missionaries' use of music, and contemporary justice music. As a member of the Global Praise working group, a group that has produced several global music hymn books and audio recordings, Ms. Sohl emphasized music's power as "imaginative, bold, faithful, and full of God's love."
Within this spiral-bound book, you can find 77 hymns, many of them popular, such as the first hymn, "I'm gonna live so God can use me." Ms. Sohl wrote a study guide that completes this unique mission study.
J. Ann Craig wrote a readable and downloadable youth study, Singing God's Mission, packed with prayers, songs, historical facts, and creative exercises. The study gets kids talking on the power and spirit found in music.
Mission Possible!
Last year, the Global Ministries mission studies team offered a curriculum for teaching six- to twelve-year-olds about mission all over the world. The study, Mission Possible! A Teacher's Guide for Children, was compiled by Martha Bettis Gee. Mexico, Interfaith Communities, Cuba, and Children of Biblical Lands are previous mission studies made new in this resource that spans 39 weeks. "They (Christian educators) have been waiting for this," said project manager for mission studies, the Rev. Toby Gould.
Mission Possible, Israel and Palestine, and Globalization were produced by the communications office. The spiritual growth study, God's Mission, God's Song, was produced in partnership with the Women's Division.
To order any of these resources, call the Mission Resource Center, 1-800-305-9857Or order online at www.missionresourcecenter.org
Globalization #3724 $7.50
God's Mission, God's Song #M3001 $10.95
Israel and Palestine #M3006 $8.50
Mission Possible #3727 $10.00
To learn more about the mission studies, including past years' themes, visit: http://resources.gbgm-umc.org/studies/
New page on our website...Social Action!
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
A new page has been added to our web site....Social Action! Check it out...and share information with your local unit!
"John Wesley often preached about works of piety and mercy as inseparable. Charity is a gift, but social action helps change systems that keep people oppressed and dispossessed. As United Methodist Women, we believe that these are inseparable." Women's Division
The following are some of the resources that are available...all in one place...on our new Social Action page:
A new page has been added to our web site....Social Action! Check it out...and share information with your local unit!
"John Wesley often preached about works of piety and mercy as inseparable. Charity is a gift, but social action helps change systems that keep people oppressed and dispossessed. As United Methodist Women, we believe that these are inseparable." Women's Division
The following are some of the resources that are available...all in one place...on our new Social Action page:
- 2007 Conference Priorities for Social Action, and links to related resource web sites
- United Methodist Women Action Network...subscribe today!
- Links to social action related articles on the Women's Division web site
- Links to social action communities on the United Methodist Women Online Community
- Links to the various social action emphasis pages on the Women's Division web site
- United Methodist Church resources and links
- Links to Western NC Conference information from the conference committee on Church and Society
- Find out who your representatives are in the United States Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly
- Links to various other informational sites about federal, state and local governments
- And, links to related Mission Today criteria on the Mission Today page of our web site
To visit our Social Action page....just go to our website at www.wnccumw.org ...and click on the menu link on the left for Social Action.
Use the resources there to help your local unit live out part of our PURPOSE....which calls us to "experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ."
YOU can get involved...in Social Action!
School of Christian Mission - Register Today!
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
School of Christian Mission
July 12-15, 2007
Greensboro College
Reminder...The deadline for registration for the School of Christian Mission is June 23, 2007. Send in your School of Christian Mission registration form today! Complete information and a downloadable registration form and brochure are available on our website at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...then just click on the link for the School of Christian Mission.
We have three wonderful mission studies this year:
Spiritual Growth Study: Music and Mission
Geographic Study: Israel / Palestine
General Issue Study: Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives
The School Committee and our team of study leaders have been busy making plans for another great school. The School of Christian Mission is a special opportunity to participate in Bible study and studies about other countries and issues, fellowship with United Methodist Women from across our conference, and learn more about the total program of mission that is United Methodist Women. In a United Methodist News Service commentary last year...one minister described Schools of Christian Mission as some of best lay faith education being offered anywhere in the church. Join us! It can be a life changing experience.
There are several ways you can participate...we have opportunities to accommodate any schedule:
1. Participate as a full time resident student....experience the entire school, and live on campus at Greensboro College. The cost for full time resident students is $125.00. Housing and meals are included in the registration fee.
2. Participate as a full time non-resident day student...experience the entire school, but commute daily to the campus. The cost for full time non-resident day students is $35.00. No meals are included in the registration fee.
3. Participate in one of the One-Day Overview sessions...on either Friday (July 13th) or Saturday (July 14th). One-Day Overview students can participate in the events of the day they attend, including the Spiritual Growth Study session, and they attend special overview classes on both Israel / Palestine and Music & Mission. The cost for one-day overview students is $15.00.
4. NEW in 2007! Youth Mission Day for Teen Women...on Saturday, July 14th. Teen women are invited to join us for a day of activities, study, learning opportunities, and FUN, as we look at the issue of Globalization, and its impact on people's lives. The cost for youth day students is $15.00. Teen women who are registered for the entire school may participate in the Youth Mission Day on Saturday at no extra charge. The special registration form for Youth Mission Day is available on our website.
Complete information about the School of Christian Mission is available on our website at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...then click on the link for the School of Christian Mission.
We look forward to welcoming you at the School of Christian Mission. Register today!
School of Christian Mission
July 12-15, 2007
Greensboro College
Reminder...The deadline for registration for the School of Christian Mission is June 23, 2007. Send in your School of Christian Mission registration form today! Complete information and a downloadable registration form and brochure are available on our website at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...then just click on the link for the School of Christian Mission.
We have three wonderful mission studies this year:
Spiritual Growth Study: Music and Mission
Geographic Study: Israel / Palestine
General Issue Study: Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives
The School Committee and our team of study leaders have been busy making plans for another great school. The School of Christian Mission is a special opportunity to participate in Bible study and studies about other countries and issues, fellowship with United Methodist Women from across our conference, and learn more about the total program of mission that is United Methodist Women. In a United Methodist News Service commentary last year...one minister described Schools of Christian Mission as some of best lay faith education being offered anywhere in the church. Join us! It can be a life changing experience.
There are several ways you can participate...we have opportunities to accommodate any schedule:
1. Participate as a full time resident student....experience the entire school, and live on campus at Greensboro College. The cost for full time resident students is $125.00. Housing and meals are included in the registration fee.
2. Participate as a full time non-resident day student...experience the entire school, but commute daily to the campus. The cost for full time non-resident day students is $35.00. No meals are included in the registration fee.
3. Participate in one of the One-Day Overview sessions...on either Friday (July 13th) or Saturday (July 14th). One-Day Overview students can participate in the events of the day they attend, including the Spiritual Growth Study session, and they attend special overview classes on both Israel / Palestine and Music & Mission. The cost for one-day overview students is $15.00.
4. NEW in 2007! Youth Mission Day for Teen Women...on Saturday, July 14th. Teen women are invited to join us for a day of activities, study, learning opportunities, and FUN, as we look at the issue of Globalization, and its impact on people's lives. The cost for youth day students is $15.00. Teen women who are registered for the entire school may participate in the Youth Mission Day on Saturday at no extra charge. The special registration form for Youth Mission Day is available on our website.
Complete information about the School of Christian Mission is available on our website at: http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...then click on the link for the School of Christian Mission.
We look forward to welcoming you at the School of Christian Mission. Register today!
Our Hands-On Mission Opportunity for the 2007 School of Christian Mission will be:
School Kits for Bethlehem Centers in Charlotte & Winston-Salem
Look for more information on our website at http://www.wnccumw.org/ ...on the School of Christian Mission page. Thanks for your participation in this Hands on Mission Opportunity!
Each kit will make a difference in the life of a child or youth at our Bethlehem Centers!
YOU make Mission Happen!!!!
Olson Nominated to Lead Women's Division
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
Below is a United Methodist News Service article posted today on http://www.umc.org/ ... Harriett Jane Olson has been nominated as the chief executive of the Women's Division.
Olson nominated to lead Women’s Division
By Linda Bloom*June 18, 2007 NEW YORK (UMNS)
Harriett Jane OlsonHarriett Jane Olson, an executive with the United Methodist Publishing House, has been nominated as chief executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
If elected, Olson would join the division in the fall, succeeding Jan Love, who left the post at the end of 2006 to become dean of the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
The Women's Division is the administrative arm and policy-making body of United Methodist Women, a denominational organization of approximately 1 million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice.
"Ms. Olson is a woman of many gifts and will serve the division with distinction," said Kyung Za Yim in a June 13 letter to Women's Division directors. Yim is division president and chairperson of its search committee.
Yim said Olson is "the closest match for our unique needs at this time in our history" and noted that she was one of eight candidates initially interviewed and among the three finalists. With the approval of directors, the committee had started a second search process for the position last year to expand the field of candidates.
Division directors will vote on the search committee's recommendation in August and share that information with the personnel committee of the Board of Global Ministries. The full board is scheduled to vote on the matter during its annual meeting in October.
Lois Dauway, who leads the division's Section on Christian Social Responsibility, has served as interim chief executive since Jan. 1.
Olson said she is "thrilled" to be the Women's Division nominee and looks forward "to what the division directors, the staff and I can do, together with the members of United Methodist Women, to work toward the spiritual and physical wholeness that was God's desire for the creation from the foundation of the world."
Since 1996, Olson has been senior vice president for publishing, editor for church school publications and UMC book editor at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tenn. She supervises a staff of 125 to 150 people responsible for the development, production and trade distribution of resources from Abingdon Press, Cokesbury and Kingwood Books.
Before joining the Publishing House, she worked for the Pitney, Hardin, Kipp and Szuch law firm of Morristown, N.J., from 1983-96, where she was a partner in the real estate department, with a specialization in environmental law, from 1991-96.
From 1988-96, Olson was a director of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and was a delegate to the 1988, 1992 and 1996 General Conferences of the denomination. She also served on a number of committees with what was then the Northern New Jersey Annual Conference.
She is a member of Morristown (N.J.) United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville.
Olson is a 1983 graduate of Harvard Law School and has a bachelor's degree from Houghton (N.Y.) College, where she serves on the board of trustees. She is a board member of the Protestant Church Owned Publishers Association and Bible Translation and Utilization Committee of the National Council of Churches.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
Below is a United Methodist News Service article posted today on http://www.umc.org/ ... Harriett Jane Olson has been nominated as the chief executive of the Women's Division.
Olson nominated to lead Women’s Division
By Linda Bloom*June 18, 2007 NEW YORK (UMNS)
Harriett Jane OlsonHarriett Jane Olson, an executive with the United Methodist Publishing House, has been nominated as chief executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.If elected, Olson would join the division in the fall, succeeding Jan Love, who left the post at the end of 2006 to become dean of the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.
The Women's Division is the administrative arm and policy-making body of United Methodist Women, a denominational organization of approximately 1 million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice.
"Ms. Olson is a woman of many gifts and will serve the division with distinction," said Kyung Za Yim in a June 13 letter to Women's Division directors. Yim is division president and chairperson of its search committee.
Yim said Olson is "the closest match for our unique needs at this time in our history" and noted that she was one of eight candidates initially interviewed and among the three finalists. With the approval of directors, the committee had started a second search process for the position last year to expand the field of candidates.
Division directors will vote on the search committee's recommendation in August and share that information with the personnel committee of the Board of Global Ministries. The full board is scheduled to vote on the matter during its annual meeting in October.
Lois Dauway, who leads the division's Section on Christian Social Responsibility, has served as interim chief executive since Jan. 1.
Olson said she is "thrilled" to be the Women's Division nominee and looks forward "to what the division directors, the staff and I can do, together with the members of United Methodist Women, to work toward the spiritual and physical wholeness that was God's desire for the creation from the foundation of the world."
Since 1996, Olson has been senior vice president for publishing, editor for church school publications and UMC book editor at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, Tenn. She supervises a staff of 125 to 150 people responsible for the development, production and trade distribution of resources from Abingdon Press, Cokesbury and Kingwood Books.
Before joining the Publishing House, she worked for the Pitney, Hardin, Kipp and Szuch law firm of Morristown, N.J., from 1983-96, where she was a partner in the real estate department, with a specialization in environmental law, from 1991-96.
From 1988-96, Olson was a director of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and was a delegate to the 1988, 1992 and 1996 General Conferences of the denomination. She also served on a number of committees with what was then the Northern New Jersey Annual Conference.
She is a member of Morristown (N.J.) United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville.
Olson is a 1983 graduate of Harvard Law School and has a bachelor's degree from Houghton (N.Y.) College, where she serves on the board of trustees. She is a board member of the Protestant Church Owned Publishers Association and Bible Translation and Utilization Committee of the National Council of Churches.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
Fathers' Days in United Methodist Community Centers
Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women.....
In celebration of Father's Day...the following article was just posted to the General Board of Global Ministries website. It shares examples of how the over 100 national mission institutions offer programs to help fathers become better parents for their children.
United Methodist Women provide support and funding for national mission institutions through our Mission Giving. Every day, our national mission institutions share the love of Christ as they reach out to families in need.
Fathers’ Days in United Methodist Community Centers
Being a father is not easy. That’s why many of the more than 100 mission and community centers related to the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church offer programs to help fathers become better parents.
The following stories come from individuals who are a part of the caring connection of staff and participants who work in mission institutions around the United States with families, including fathers.
From Atlantic Street Center in Seattle, Washington By Sidney Carter
I first learned of Atlantic Street Center in 1998 when I became involved in a custody dispute concerning my daughter LaToya, who was then seven years old. I was living in Holly Park (now known as NewHolly) and having great difficulty navigating the state systems. I was very angry and frustrated and I needed someone to talk to, but I didn’t know where to turn.
I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t run into Sue Siegenthaler, manager of Atlantic Street Center’s Family Center. Sue and the rest of the staff at Atlantic Street Center stepped in and gave me the support I needed at a critical time in my life.
I enrolled in parenting classes and joined a fathers’ support group. The Atlantic Street Center staff took the time to help me find my way through the system, and gave me hope that everything would work out for the best.
But most importantly, my involvement with Atlantic Street Center opened up broader opportunities for my daughter. LaToya enrolled in counseling and became involved with the Youth Development Program. She went on field trips and educational outings, and when she was a little older she joined the youth leadership group—Team ALIVE.
Atlantic Street Center gave us a community, and gave me, a single father, the help and encouragement I needed to raise my daughter in an environment that is not always supportive of fathers raising their children alone.
I am happy to report that I was awarded full custody of my daughter. Today, LaToya is in high school and is an honor student and all-around athlete.
But perhaps what is most remarkable is that, all these years later, LaToya and I are still closely involved with Atlantic Street Center. We stay connected to the staff, and we volunteer our time however and whenever we can.
From Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois
By Kelvin McNeil
A client in our program, who will be identified as Robert F. to maintain his confidentiality, came to the P.A.S.S. (Providing a Sure Start) Male Involvement Program in February 2007.
Robert F. lost custody of his two-year-old daughter, Angel, due to circumstances beyond his control. In essence, the child’s mother abandoned the child during their separation. The child was turned over the local state agency.
Unfortunately, the system, for the most part, is not male-friendly or, should we say, designed with the male/father in mind in most cases. There is a preconceived idea by society as a whole that because of a few dead-beat dads, most fathers don’t take responsibility for their children, especially in blighted communities like East St. Louis.
The various agencies and courts involved with this particular case gave Robert F. an extensive service plan. This would not be so unique in itself, except for the fact that the client had just entered into an internship program with a potentially rewarding career. The schedule for training and job preparation, the long-distance travel from home and the job site and schooling would be challenging for anyone. Add to that, the various court dates and setbacks, and the loss of regular visits with his child. All this could have discouraged him and caused him to give up. But he didn’t, he wouldn’t. Robert F.’s love for his daughter would not allow him to surrender to the challenges.
Robert F. met every obligation, often with personal sacrifices in spite of many disappointments. We encouraged him to stay focused and follow through with his obligations. One of his greatest challenges was traveling at night in unsafe areas to receive some of the services required in the service plan he was mandated to complete.He persevered and followed through. His visitation rights were restored and he is expecting to have full custody restored to him.
A story such as this is rewarding, uplifting, encouraging, and fulfilling. The Male Involvement Program is designed to assist the male parents or significant male figures with the resources and training that help to make them responsible, and to better equip them for their roles in their children’s lives.
Periodically, we are rewarded for our efforts to make a difference in someone’s life. Circumstances, events, or a crisis provide us with many opportunities to witness to the hope God desires for young fathers. We are rewarded, not by monetary means, but by the joy and satisfaction of helping fathers in their time of need and by witnessing as they move toward a goal or desired event. Such was the case with Robert F.
Kelvin McNeil is employed with the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House with P.A.S.S. as a Male Involvement Specialist. With the Rev. Bradley Watkins, II, they coordinate and provide services geared specifically to the males who have a children under the age of three.
From Red Bird Mission School in Beverly, Kentucky By Stacia Carwell
March 31st was Family Fun Day at Red Bird Mission School. We showed a parenting DVD and distributed free booster seats. There was a short pinewood derby race for fathers and children to race little cars. Every participant received a prize and each father received a flier with suggestions on spending time with your children. We tried to go over the different suggestions listed on the flier to see what the father might try to do at home.
During the day there were many events in which fathers were able to participate with their children. Fathers encouraged their children in the Fun Run. Every child that participated received a T-shirt. Fathers and children worked together to catch a greased pig. And all were invited to join in the hayride, where a father actually played the banjo while the tractor pulled them around the field. As a result of the Family Fun Day and the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th, our families were able to network together and make new friends. Those families with preschool-aged children were able to find out information about the Early Childhood Development Program. They learned how and when to enroll their children for preschool.
Fathers were able to gain new ideas about how they can spend time with their children. We have had to work very hard to get fathers to participate in events. The men that attended spent time together as well as with their children.
Stacia Carwell is a Global Ministries Missionary, serving with Red Bird Mission in the Red Bird Conference.
From Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky
Our first get-together for Early Steps for School Success, where parents are compelled to attend, went well. But I noticed that two of our dads had brought their girlfriends, who waited for the men in their cars.
The next month as we were getting ready to start, I looked out, and again, the women were sitting in their cars. So I walked out and invited them to attend the workshop. They looked at me and asked whether I was sure that they could come in. I said I would be glad to have them and that we would even feed them.
I’ve since learned that both of these dads’ girlfriends have a child that does not belong to these fathers but that the fathers, accept each of these children as their own. The girlfriends each have a child by these dads also.
The economic conditions of these families are very poor. But they stay together through these conditions with love, care, and support for their families. At our next workshop, the parents and girlfriends attended. We offered the CPR class and both fathers asked insightful questions that would help them if their children needed them. Their interest was with their children. They both said that they were looking forward to coming back again. I told them that we appreciate them being part of the new program that we are doing now.
Both families are on our MIHOW program (Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker) and as I home visit I can see a great love and deep bond that these fathers have with their children and stepchildren. Both families welcome me in their home and I always tell them that through the Henderson Settlement Ministry, we will lend a helping hand to them when they need us.
Many fathers make a positive difference in their communities. And many community centers make a positive difference in the lives of fathers and families.
In celebration of Father's Day...the following article was just posted to the General Board of Global Ministries website. It shares examples of how the over 100 national mission institutions offer programs to help fathers become better parents for their children.
United Methodist Women provide support and funding for national mission institutions through our Mission Giving. Every day, our national mission institutions share the love of Christ as they reach out to families in need.
Fathers’ Days in United Methodist Community Centers
Being a father is not easy. That’s why many of the more than 100 mission and community centers related to the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church offer programs to help fathers become better parents.
The following stories come from individuals who are a part of the caring connection of staff and participants who work in mission institutions around the United States with families, including fathers.
From Atlantic Street Center in Seattle, Washington By Sidney Carter
I first learned of Atlantic Street Center in 1998 when I became involved in a custody dispute concerning my daughter LaToya, who was then seven years old. I was living in Holly Park (now known as NewHolly) and having great difficulty navigating the state systems. I was very angry and frustrated and I needed someone to talk to, but I didn’t know where to turn.
I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t run into Sue Siegenthaler, manager of Atlantic Street Center’s Family Center. Sue and the rest of the staff at Atlantic Street Center stepped in and gave me the support I needed at a critical time in my life.
I enrolled in parenting classes and joined a fathers’ support group. The Atlantic Street Center staff took the time to help me find my way through the system, and gave me hope that everything would work out for the best.
But most importantly, my involvement with Atlantic Street Center opened up broader opportunities for my daughter. LaToya enrolled in counseling and became involved with the Youth Development Program. She went on field trips and educational outings, and when she was a little older she joined the youth leadership group—Team ALIVE.
Atlantic Street Center gave us a community, and gave me, a single father, the help and encouragement I needed to raise my daughter in an environment that is not always supportive of fathers raising their children alone.
I am happy to report that I was awarded full custody of my daughter. Today, LaToya is in high school and is an honor student and all-around athlete.
But perhaps what is most remarkable is that, all these years later, LaToya and I are still closely involved with Atlantic Street Center. We stay connected to the staff, and we volunteer our time however and whenever we can.
From Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois
By Kelvin McNeil
A client in our program, who will be identified as Robert F. to maintain his confidentiality, came to the P.A.S.S. (Providing a Sure Start) Male Involvement Program in February 2007.
Robert F. lost custody of his two-year-old daughter, Angel, due to circumstances beyond his control. In essence, the child’s mother abandoned the child during their separation. The child was turned over the local state agency.
Unfortunately, the system, for the most part, is not male-friendly or, should we say, designed with the male/father in mind in most cases. There is a preconceived idea by society as a whole that because of a few dead-beat dads, most fathers don’t take responsibility for their children, especially in blighted communities like East St. Louis.
The various agencies and courts involved with this particular case gave Robert F. an extensive service plan. This would not be so unique in itself, except for the fact that the client had just entered into an internship program with a potentially rewarding career. The schedule for training and job preparation, the long-distance travel from home and the job site and schooling would be challenging for anyone. Add to that, the various court dates and setbacks, and the loss of regular visits with his child. All this could have discouraged him and caused him to give up. But he didn’t, he wouldn’t. Robert F.’s love for his daughter would not allow him to surrender to the challenges.
Robert F. met every obligation, often with personal sacrifices in spite of many disappointments. We encouraged him to stay focused and follow through with his obligations. One of his greatest challenges was traveling at night in unsafe areas to receive some of the services required in the service plan he was mandated to complete.He persevered and followed through. His visitation rights were restored and he is expecting to have full custody restored to him.
A story such as this is rewarding, uplifting, encouraging, and fulfilling. The Male Involvement Program is designed to assist the male parents or significant male figures with the resources and training that help to make them responsible, and to better equip them for their roles in their children’s lives.
Periodically, we are rewarded for our efforts to make a difference in someone’s life. Circumstances, events, or a crisis provide us with many opportunities to witness to the hope God desires for young fathers. We are rewarded, not by monetary means, but by the joy and satisfaction of helping fathers in their time of need and by witnessing as they move toward a goal or desired event. Such was the case with Robert F.
Kelvin McNeil is employed with the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House with P.A.S.S. as a Male Involvement Specialist. With the Rev. Bradley Watkins, II, they coordinate and provide services geared specifically to the males who have a children under the age of three.
From Red Bird Mission School in Beverly, Kentucky By Stacia Carwell
March 31st was Family Fun Day at Red Bird Mission School. We showed a parenting DVD and distributed free booster seats. There was a short pinewood derby race for fathers and children to race little cars. Every participant received a prize and each father received a flier with suggestions on spending time with your children. We tried to go over the different suggestions listed on the flier to see what the father might try to do at home.
During the day there were many events in which fathers were able to participate with their children. Fathers encouraged their children in the Fun Run. Every child that participated received a T-shirt. Fathers and children worked together to catch a greased pig. And all were invited to join in the hayride, where a father actually played the banjo while the tractor pulled them around the field. As a result of the Family Fun Day and the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th, our families were able to network together and make new friends. Those families with preschool-aged children were able to find out information about the Early Childhood Development Program. They learned how and when to enroll their children for preschool.
Fathers were able to gain new ideas about how they can spend time with their children. We have had to work very hard to get fathers to participate in events. The men that attended spent time together as well as with their children.
Stacia Carwell is a Global Ministries Missionary, serving with Red Bird Mission in the Red Bird Conference.
From Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky
Our first get-together for Early Steps for School Success, where parents are compelled to attend, went well. But I noticed that two of our dads had brought their girlfriends, who waited for the men in their cars.
The next month as we were getting ready to start, I looked out, and again, the women were sitting in their cars. So I walked out and invited them to attend the workshop. They looked at me and asked whether I was sure that they could come in. I said I would be glad to have them and that we would even feed them.
I’ve since learned that both of these dads’ girlfriends have a child that does not belong to these fathers but that the fathers, accept each of these children as their own. The girlfriends each have a child by these dads also.
The economic conditions of these families are very poor. But they stay together through these conditions with love, care, and support for their families. At our next workshop, the parents and girlfriends attended. We offered the CPR class and both fathers asked insightful questions that would help them if their children needed them. Their interest was with their children. They both said that they were looking forward to coming back again. I told them that we appreciate them being part of the new program that we are doing now.
Both families are on our MIHOW program (Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker) and as I home visit I can see a great love and deep bond that these fathers have with their children and stepchildren. Both families welcome me in their home and I always tell them that through the Henderson Settlement Ministry, we will lend a helping hand to them when they need us.
Many fathers make a positive difference in their communities. And many community centers make a positive difference in the lives of fathers and families.
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