United Methodist Women|
United Methodist Women build wonderful friendships, enjoy prayer, and make a difference.
We say that UMW is "women in mission," and that has powerful implications. We don't just hand out Bibles and smile sweetly.
For more than a century, women in UMW and our predecessor organizations have led a struggle for human rights and social justice.
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As early as 1869, sisters who went before us sent missionaries around the world to each the Good News. But this was only part of their visionary work. These women:
- Helped recently freed slaves in the South
- Established schools for the Mexican people of New Mexico
 - Ministered to Mormon women suffering in a system of polygamy
- Brought attention to the injustices experienced by Native Americans
- Aided Chinese women immigrants; and many more
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Annual UMW Mission Event February 4, 2009 10:00 AM
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This program and pot luck, will be held in the Parlor where guest speaker, Mary Humphries of Good Shepherd UMC will share her observations, the mission and news from the McCurdy School in Espanola, NM.
Desserts and beverages will be provided by the UMW Board. Please bring a dish to share. Contact Mary Waddle for more information 719.633.6534
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Today it would be difficult to find an issue involving human rights or social justice that UMW is not involved in!
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Circles and Interest Groups
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| All of this work begins at the local level, with the women in UMW Circles and Interest Groups. In additon to funding mission projects, UMW roups encourage and support women in their Christian walk. |
| UMW Mission Giving |
Giving makes mission possible. It provides food, shelter, education, employment, health care, and human rights advocacy for the many living on the margins of society.
Many UMW member make an annual Pledge to Mission, in addition to their overall church pledges. Some also raise money with their time and talents.
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| Bazaar |
The Bazaar is an annual fund-raiser for mission programs and local administrative c osts. (Pledges to Mission go entirely to programs, so administration is funded in other ways.) One Saturday each November you will find quilts, needlework, jewelry, baked goods, greeting cards, nuts, Watkins products, plants, casseroles, crafts, "nearly-new," and gently used children's clothing. |
Reading Program
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The Reading Program of United Methodist Women has lofty goals:
- to expand our understanding of and participation in God's mission
- to increase our sensitivity
- to encourage critical thinking
- to encourage spiritual growth
Every year UMW recommend a wide range of books to broaden our exposure to a variety of concepts. The Reading Group meets quarterly on the fourth Wednesday of the assigned month at 1:30 PM in the church's Hospitality Center. It is not necessary to attend the meetings to be part of the Reading Program; some women participate by reading on their own.
For information contact Pat Kosley at 596-3778 or speak with any church librarian.
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School of Christian Mission
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Each summer UMW offers this two-day event to all United Methodists. The school provides an opportunity for worship, fellowship and the study of the global mission of the church. It also trains those who plan to teach the studies in their home churches. Watch the Encounter and First News for details.
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Quarterly Events
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First UMC hold four church-wide UMW events each year. A potluck salad luncheon is held in February; a spring tea is in May; the Summer Day at the Ranch is in August; and a Christmas Social is held each December. Watch for details about these and other UMW events in the Encounter and First News and the UMW Torch, (see link above).
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Purpose
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The organized unit of United Methodists Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know GOD and to experience freedom as whole persons through JESUS CHRIST, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the Church.
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For More Information
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For more information about UMW contact Jan Baggs at 635-5727 or Loeda Westphal at 632-5965. The annual UMW Directory contains details about giving, programs, events, and mission projects.
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