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Purpose of the United Methodist Women (UMW)
- 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.
To be a member of the United Methodist Women, you must accept the Purpose as stated above and find some meaningful way to live it out in your life. You need not be a member of the United Methodist Church to join United Methodist Women, nor do you need to pay dues. Women who join the church are automatically members, even without a formal joining procedure, and may participate in the activities of the UMW. All Women of First Church are welcome to attend Friendship Circle or the Crafts' Group.
Missions:
Money received goes into the General Fund to be used for birthday and sunshine cards, fees to District meetings and to the District Pledge and Special Mission Recognition Awards.
The Helping Hands Fund is made up of net proceeds from Boutiques and is used for programs at our Church and mission areas--locally, area-wide, nationally and internationally.
In 2006 Friendship Circle made the following donations:
School Scholarship--East Timor $250 UMCOR
(United Methodist Committee on Relief)$200 LOV Newark $200 Irvington Free Breakfast $100 Creative Living Center $200 Haiti Hot Lunch $200 Men's Dinner at the Homeless Shelter $200 Tri-City Homeless Shelter $200 Special Missions--UMW District $670
The Reading Program
An annual opportunity to read books from 4 categories:
- Spiritual growth,
- Nurturing for Community,
- Social Action and
- Education for Mission.
Books can be found in Room 7. The current year's selection is on the top of the bookshelf and prior years are below. All will give credit and anyone reading at least 4 books, one from each category, will receive a Certificate at the UMW Annual Meeting.
Current issues of the UMW Magazines "Response" and "New World Outlook" are available near the books.
Special Mission: Recognition Awards
Each year the United Methodist Women (as a portion of being a 5-Star Unit) gives out awards to those young people and adults whom we decide demonstrated dedicated service toward fulfillment of the Purpose of the UMW. $30 is given in each recipient's name to the Missions of UMW. Each recipient receives a pin and a certificate telling them of the gift. Over the years 81 individuals have received awards totaling $2,430.
2004 Awards
Barry Combs, Donna Potter, Jeanine Bickett
2005 Awards
Bill Barrett, Martha Crowe, Jennifer Franklin, Jo Marshall
2006 Awards
Kathy Wetzell, Mark Wetzell, Betty Lund, Megan DenevanWe were the first unit in the district to give awards to youth. From their response, we are encouraged that our young recipients are continuing their activities in the Methodist program in college and beyond.
2004 Awards
Dawn Bickett, Kristen Klepac
Local UMW Groups
Friendship Circle
Meets in Rooms 7 & 8 on the 3rd Tuesday of every month
10:00 am- Fellowship and program
All women in the church are invited!Crafts Group
Meets in Room 6 every Tuesday morning except for the 3rd week
10:00 a.m.
Purpose: To create and make items to sell at Church Boutiques and for themselves. All skills are welcome.Telephone Prayer Chain
A group of women who receive requests to prayer through church services, the minister or directly to a Chain member.
1. Dorothy Gravatt (Chairman)
2 .Bev Bufkin
3. Marilyn Smith
4. Ann Bush
5. Pauline Hughes
6. Camille Hatfield
7. Mary Frances Smith
8. Betty Lund
9. Sandy Newell
2007 District and Conference Calendar
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CA/NV All Conference UMW Retreat
Theme: Resurrection Women
Site: Ramada Inn, Santa Nella, CAApril 20-22 UM Annual Conference Session
Sacramento Confention Center
Sacramento, CAJune 20-24 Annual Conference UMW Breakfast
Site TBAJune 23
6:45 AM
School of Mission Education Events
One-Day Mission Events Site TBA July 14 Site TBA July 21 Mission Event Weekends Site TBA August 17-19 Santa Nella, CA Sept. 14-16 San Jose District U.M.W. Annual Celebration October 6 CA/NV Conference U.M.W. Annual Celebration October 20 2008 Western Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting
Sheraton Waikiki, Honolulu, HawaiiApril 4-6
2007 Women's Retreat
The UMW Women's Retreat was held from Friday, March 2 through Sunday, March 4 at Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz.
This facility is located right on the ocean and is graciously tended by the Sisters of the Holy Name. Next year's retreat will also be in March, at this location. The dates will be added soon.
Contact:
- Officers for 2006:
- Kathy Combs, President
Friendship Circle Officers
Secretary, Bev Bufkin
Treasurer, Camille Hatfield
Program, Martha Crowe
Hostess, Shirley Pierce
Crafts Group Chair, Marilyn SmithFor further information on the United Methodist Women at First Church, please contact Kathy Combs.