 |
|
Mildred
Carter |
February 2010 - Conference Gram: I look forward to serving in ministry with each of you as we strive to fulfill the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women in 2010. Through United Methodist Women (UMW), I have developed many new friendships, grown closer to God, increased my knowledge of missions, and experienced joy in service to our God.
You, in the local units, make Mission Possible through United Methodist Women. The journey of the mission dollar begins with you. When we combine the resources of all of our local units, great things are accomplished as we respond to God’s call to take care of the less fortunate (Matthew 25:31-46), especially women, children, and youth.
The Western North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women finished 2009 with wonderful news of again overpaying our pledge to mission. Thank you for helping to make that happen. Please see Treasurer Julia Willis’ article for specific information. [Link to February 2010 Conference Gram]
We have many opportunities to grow through United Methodist Women in 2010. Plans are being made for our Spiritual Growth Retreat in June, the School of Christian Mission in July, and Annual Meeting in September. Mark the dates on your calendar and plan to attend.
On April 30 through May 2, Western North Carolina UMW will be well represented as we travel to St. Louis, Missouri, to attend our National Assembly which meets every four years. The theme is “Faith.Hope.Love In Action!” What an experience it is to join with several thousand women from around the world as we celebrate the work of United Methodist Women.
On the front page of the February issue of the Conference Gram, you will see information about contributing to the Haiti Quake Relief. As a building team member several years ago, I saw the faith and commitment of Haitian Christians – even in dire circumstances. We need to help – as we also continue to support the many mission projects and mission personnel that rely on our Mission Giving.
This year, may we renew our commitment to the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women. Please let me know if I can be of help to you and your local unit.
Mildred Carter, Conference
President
Western North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Women
October 2009: Pennies with a PURPOSE!
At our Conference Annual Meeting in
September, we were honored to have Bishop Goodpaster with us. He
shared about his recent trip to Southeast Asia, telling moving
stories of his travels in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
This trip has provided a dream for our conference to build an
orphanage in Vietnam. At the present time, several persons are
caring for orphans in their homes. These orphans are victims of
Agent Orange. Bishop Goodpaster also told about the United
Methodist Women of Cambodia. These ladies have not been able to
hold their quadrennial meeting due to financial reasons.
After his message, our Conference United Methodist Women
received a challenge! Welch Memorial UMW in the High Point
District issued a challenge to every local unit in the Western
North Carolina Conference to raise $1.40 per member (a penny for
every year, celebrating our 140th birthday) to help build the
orphanage. In consultation with Bishop Goodpaster and
representatives from the Conference, this challenge has been
expanded to include providing funds to the United Methodist
Women in Cambodia so that they can have their meetings.
Thus,
our “Pennies with a Purpose” campaign was born. (Many thanks to
the High Point District for this catchy phrase.) Welch Memorial
has backed their challenge with a donation of $48.00.
We are asking for every local unit to participate in this
challenge. Of course, this challenge is over and above your
pledge to mission and should not be substituted for your pledge.
Include your “Pennies with a Purpose” (in check form, please!)
on the remittance form when you send your quarterly pledge
payments to the district treasurer. Our Conference Treasurer
will make sure the funds are divided and sent to the proper
place. In participating with this challenge, we are living out
our theme from Annual Meeting of “Sisters With a PURPOSE,”…UMW
sisters in Western North Carolina helping our UMW sisters in
Southeast Asia.
Thank you for your support of this project.
Download this information on a
flyer to share in your local unit: [Word]
[PDF]
Amy Johnson, President (2006-2009)
Western North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Women