DistrictUMWNewsletterMAR09

Dear Columbia District Units, RECENT EVENTS: What great Faith Lifts! Thank you to Jo Booth, District Spiritual Growth Coordinator, for arranging these events and to Lewisburg First and Oak Grove/Haley’s Chapel for hosting this annual spiritual lifting of our members. The weather cooperated both days, three of us especially enjoyed the trip back from OGHC via back roads and the Natchez Trace Parkway. What can I say! I love being out in nature, woods and lakes – makes me feel closer to God - southern Lewis County did just that! Our District Executive Team met on Saturday morning before the Faith Lift in Lewisburg. All officers were in atten-dance and each either reported their activities and/or asked questions re their responsibilities. Changes in the officer line up for 2009 were confirmed and they are (Make these changes in your records especially the 2009 pink district directory): Vice President: Donna Riley, 5015 Criddle Dr, Columbia, 38401, 931-388-9738, [email protected] and Treasurer: Pat Poor (see below).

UPCOMING EVENTS (details of some may be else-where in this newsletter):

• April 19, District Campaign for Children, 2:00pm, Berlin UMC, Lewisburg.

• May 31 – June 5, Conference UMW Mission Trip to Sager Brown UMCOR Depot, Baldwin, LA

• July 9 – 11, Conference Christian Mission Edu-cation Event, Martin Methodist College, Pulaski

• July 25, District President’s Round Table (morning) and District Executive Team (afternoon), Godwin- Chapel UMC, 1551 Old Santa Fe Pike, Columbia.

Barbara Wheeler, Editor of Response Magazine, says: “as members become more connected to mission, the movement of UMW grows; the movement changes. And the movement changes us and – God willing- changes the world”. This statement reminds us of our purpose of expanding concepts of mission nation-ally and internationally. There is lots of evidence that all our units are “participating in the global ministries of the church”.

Blessings to all of you,

Dixie Waters

District President

Did You Know?? Nearly 400 missionaries are currently commissioned by the United Methodist Church! Learn more about them, the amazing work they do, and how you can help at

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/biographies/

March 2009

THE SPIRIT OF THE THE SPIRIT OF THE THE SPIRIT OF THE THE SPIRIT OF THE

COLUMBIA DISTRICTCOLUMBIA DISTRICTCOLUMBIA DISTRICTCOLUMBIA DISTRICT

President’s Message

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/

ATTENTION UNIT TREA$URER$ !!! Unit Treasurers are reminded to send their Pledge and

other mission funds (except those designated for local

missions) every month to District Treasurer Pat Poor.

Presidents, please be sure to remind your Treasurer’s of this

policy. Pat Poor can be reached at 413 Mockingbird Lane,

Mt. Pleasant, TN 38474. [email protected] Thank you!!

A BIG THANKS to Lewisburg First United Methodist Church, their choir, and UMW members for being the host church of the Saturday Faith Lift Service. ANOTHER BIG THANKS to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, their Pastor Rev. Thomas Vann, and their UMW president Robin Davis for hosting the Sunday Faith Lift Service. Thanks also to Rev. Vona Wilson and Rev. Drew Brewer for being the speakers, respectively, for the two services. Thanks to Robin and Mrs. Peggy Van for providing the special mu-sic at Oak Grove. Thanks to Rev. Vann and Rev. Brewer for the Service of Holy Communion. Additionally, a big thanks to those who traveled to attend the services. If we are to indeed be a community of faith, the planning and work involved in such services is necessary. May we always strive to keep the concept of "community" alive. A special thanks to Joy Lewter and Dixie Waters and the officers of local units who lead so effectively.

~Jo Booth Spiritual Growth Chair


Words of Wisdom from

Rev. Vona Wilson

Rev. Vona Wilson, Associate Pastor of First UMC-Franklin presented a sermon entitled, “Such A Time As This,” noting the 140 years of UMW history. “The time we live in calls us to live like none other,” she commented during her talk on the Bible’s Esther. Esther, according to Rev. Wilson, got out of looking inward, began looking outward and in turn saved the Jewish people from annihilate. Four suggestions she asked the UMW members present to take from her message: 1. Grab hold of God and hold on tight - make

Christ your #1 priority. 2. Prepare to take risks. We are in a time of

great challenge. 3. Ask God to show you where to spend your time,

money, and energy. You cannot be all things to all people all the time.

4. Except the unique call in this time of history. God put us here and now to be his light of the world.


All Columbia District Units are encouraged to collect Campbell’s labels, if you do not already do so, to benefit two well-known organizations that the United Methodist Women have supported for many years: Red Bird Mission in Henderson, Kentucky. And Bethlehem Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of you are probably familiar with the “Labels for Education” program, which now includes many products, including soups, V-8, Franco-American, Prego, and Pepperidge Farm. You can visit the website www.labelsforeducation.com to view all of the eligible products (and download an easy-to-read and understand sheet that can be re-produced), learn how to clip and save, and advice on how to coordinate the project at your church. Here are the addresses where you may send labels (that have been cut according to directions on the website):

Red Bird Mission, Attn: Fran Woodworth, 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913

Bethlehem Center, 1417 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

By the way, it takes 1,600,000 points (some labels are 1 pt and some are 5) to purchase a mini van! And Red Bird Mission has purchased several of them over the years thanks to the generosity of others!

By Leigh Rogers

Despite the declining economy across the globe, the Women’s Division is celebrating the achievement of meet-ing the projected conference Pledges to Mission for the year of 2008. Mission Giving funds support Women’s Division Mission Institutions and programs around the world which empower the lives of women, children and youth. Through last-minute giving using the United Methodist Women online giving web page, actual Mission Giving surpassed pledges to mission by roughly $3,000 dollars, bringing Mission Giving to a total of $16.5 million. Total giving to the Division amounted to approximately $19.3 million dollars for 2008. This includes $2.8 million received in supplemental giving for specific donation op-portunities and Mission Giving.

The news is welcome considering the troubled economy. In keeping with these times the staff of the Women’s Division has reduced the 2009 spending plan by 10 percent. However, Women’s Division executives emphasized now is the time when women, children and youth need the work of mission institutions and their programs the most. “These are certain economic times which we haven’t seen in recent years,” Deputy General Secretary Harriett J. Olson said. “It’s a critical time not to cut back our mission giving,” she said. In this regard, the Women’s Division has chosen to balance the budget based on operating expenses, not reduction of mission. “We are aligning our responsibilities and taking [the budget cuts] as an opportunity for working smarter,” Ms. Olson said. Overall, Ms. Olson is “thrilled and honored” by the United Methodist Women members and supporters who made exceeding mission giving pledges possible.

United Methodist Women Mission Giving Exceeds Pledges for 2008

Levels of Participation: Honorable Mention - 8 items, including 4 * Bronze - 10 items, including 5 * Silver - 13 items, including 6 * Gold - 13 items including 6 * (2 new members is optional) + Platinum - 18 items, PLUS scrapbook or display board of activities to be exhibited at the Conference Annual Meeting If your unit completed all 15 items, do you plan to bring a scrapbook or a display to the Conference Annual Meeting? Yes No Awards will be presented at the District Annual Meeting. The Platinum Award, Mission for the 21st Century, will be presented at the Conference Annual Meeting,

Return reporting form to District Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation by AUGUST 15, 2009.

Send to: Dot Ginn, 725 Meeting Street, Franklin, TN 37064

MISSION TODAY LOCAL UNIT REPORTING FORM

(Reporting Period is January 1 to December 31) YEAR 2009

NAME OF UNIT: DISTRICT:

CONTACT PERSON: TELEPHONE:

REQUIREMENT

COMPLETED DATE

YES NO

1. * Use the Prayer Calendar at each general meeting to pray for mission workers and projects

2. * Unit will make and meet its Pledge to Mission

3. * Unit will add at least two members to its membership roll +

4. * Unit will have at least two members subscribe to Response magazine

5. * Unit will use two programs from the Program Book for United Methodist Women each year

6. * Unit or circle will conduct at least one Mission Study each year

7. * Unit will implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in at least one way

8. At least one member of unit (other than conference/district officer) will attend the conference Mission Education Event

9. At least two members of unit (other than conference/district officer) will attend the district or con-ference annual meeting

10. Unit will have at least one person join the UMW Action Network to receive and respond to legislation information

11. Members of unit will write to five persons listed in the Prayer Calendar

12. Unit will participate in the Campaign for Children in at least two ways

13. Unit will be a Five Star unit, contributing to all five channels of Mission Giving

14. Unit or circle will include a Response moment where an article from the magazine will be lifted up as a way to tell the mission story

15. At least two people from the unit, circle, or subgroup complete one of the Reading Program Plans and report on one of the books read; have a book review program.

16. Unit will invite a district or conference officer, other than a member of the unit, to one of the unit meetings during the year.

17. Make a pledge to care for God’s creation and become a “Green” unit.

18. Hold a Mini-Spiritual Growth Retreat and prepare by watching the video “resurrection Road” and getting the accompanying study guide, “Resurrection Women.”

Columbia District

CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN SUNDAY, April 19, 2009

Berlin Umc

Our District bi-annual Campaign for Children program is scheduled for Sun-day, April 19th at 2:00 p.m. at Berlin United Methodist Church. Our speaker will be Meredith Kendall from Against the Grain in Franklin, Tennessee. She will be sharing about their “Reach and Teach” year-round tutoring program.

We are asking Units to collect supplies to benefit this program and bring them with you to this event. The wish list includes the following items:

More information about all programs of Against the Grain can be found at atghope.org. Hope to see a big crowd on April 19th loaded down with goodies for this worthy ministry!

Many blessings, Katie Harris Coordinator for Social Action

Paper

Pencils

Markers (thick & thin)

Crayons

Pens (ink)

Backpacks (no rollers)

Kleenex

Ziploc bags

Head phones (for

computer use)

Highlighters

Black expo markers

Black sharpies

Solid colored folders (with

brads & pockets

Rulers

Protractors

Compasses

Chlorox wipes

Berlin UMC is located in Marshall

County outside of Lewisburg off High-

way 431 (Lewisburg/Franklin Pike).

Turn off Highway 431 onto Old Berlin

Road and the church is on the right at

1646 Old Berlin Road.

PROGRAM RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT THIS EVENT!!

Program Resource Coordinator Mary McKenzie will have a resource table set-up at the Campaign for Children

for your convenience.


What kinds of activities and mission work are your Units and Circles doing??? I want to hear about it and let the rest of the District know about it!! Contact Communications

Coordinator Beth Leftwich at

[email protected]

Columbia District Leadership Training January 24th - St. Mark’s UMC, Murfreesboro

(L-R) Sue C. Johnson, staff for the Women’s Division, Joy Lewter,

Tennessee Conference President, and special guest Elmira Sellu a

missionary serving in the East Africa Church.

Columbia District members in attendance included (seated L-R) Mary Ellen Knott (Conference Program Resource chair), Beth Leftwich (District Communications Chair), Betty Ann Ogilvie (District Membership Nurture & Outreach Chair), Dixie Waters (District President), and Mary McKenzie (District Program Resources Chair). Standing L-R Lois Azar (Conference Committee on Nominations Chair), Valerie Anderson (District Nominations Committee Member), Barbara Johnston (District Secretary), Pat Poor (District Treasurer), Katie Harris (District Social

Action Chair), Aquilla Lillard (District Nominations Committee Member), Grace Hyde (District Nominations Committee Member), Jo Booth (District Spiritual Growth Chair), and Dot Ginn

(District Education Interpretations Chair).

Those who attended the District Officer’s Conference Leadership Training in January were

treated to a wonderful speaker in Elmira Sellu, who was the guest of Sue C. Johnson of the Women’s

Division. Ms. Sellu is a mission worker presently in Uganda, who has also served in Kenya. She

holds workshops on women’s issues, poverty, and health issues and also has a HIV/AIDS ministry.

“It bleeds my heart to see so many women dying,” she commented. She is an advocate for children,

working to prevent child abuse as well. She spoke about empowering women across Africa but “it’s

not easy because they don’t believe in themselves.” She has a training center in Kampala, Uganda

and also works to provide loans to women to start businesses. Ms. Sellu thanked the group for send-

ing birthday and Christmas cards to missionaries and said she received a boxful of cards last year

and really appreciated the acts of kindness.

MISSION TODAY UNIT OFFERINGS FOR 2009

• Birthday dollars will benefit the Sadie Tillman Scholarship Fund at Martin

Methodist College.

• The Christian Education event offering will benefit Mission Giving.

• The Spiritual Growth Retreat at Beersheba will benefit Miriam’s Promise.

• District Annual Meeting offering will benefit Bethlehem Center.

DistrictUMWNewsletterMAR09

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