Women ConnectedThe Women’s Ministries Newsletter at Pender UMC

Volume: 2 Issue Number: 4 Date: April 2010Spring Clean Up for Heart and SoulJulia Bettencourt

"Create in me a clean heart, O God;and renew a right spirit within me."   Psalm 51:10

As spring approaches we develop that urge to make everything in our house clean and in order. The winter months have been long and we begin itching to revive our houses and acquire that freshness that we want to invade us as the first signs of spring arrive. Everything outside is singing with new life. The buds are coming out on the trees, birds are chirping, and the daffodils are beginning to bloom. We long to bring that newness into our homes so we begin, most of us by turning our homes upside down as we clean out closets, take things apart, clean and scour. We reach into every dark corner of our homes in order to make it presentable, fresh, and new.

Sometimes we need to do the same thing with our spiritual houses. We need to take stock and clean up and give them a good strong scrubbing. All of us grow stale sometimes and need a spiritual freshening up. Remember as Christians, Who is living in our spiritual houses. The Bible says, "What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost..." I Corinthians 6:19.

Things always get tucked back in the recesses of our spiritual closets that aren't needed. We accumulate grime and dirt on our spiritual floors and walls. From time to time we need to turn our spiritual homes upside down and clean them inside and out in order to present our bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." as it says in Romans 12:1. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!1. Evaluate.

What needs done in order to clean up our spiritual homes? Only you know the areas that need worked on in your own individual life. What needs to be improved? Evaluate everything you do and say and think. Is it pleasing to the

Lord?"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." Colossians. 3:17

2. Get rid of junk.Are there things in your life that are just junk and cluttering up your life? Are there things getting in your way of serving Christ to your greatest potential? Are things like worry, anger, gossip, and bad habits cluttering up your life? If it's something you should keep in your life it will pass the following guidelines of Philippians 4:8."Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

3. Gather cleaning tools.When you clean your house you gather together your cleaning tools, such as scrub brushes, mops, and brooms. All you need to clean your spiritual house is one thing - the Word of God. It is your all-purpose cleaning tool and contains everything you'll need."For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."   Hebrews 4:12

4. Gather cleaners.Cleaning our homes usually takes all kinds of cleaners--window cleaners, waxes, floor cleaners, bleaches, and disinfectants. When it comes to cleaning our spiritual house, all we need is one all-purpose cleaning agent - the forgiveness of God. It is guaranteed to cleanse all grime and dirt, which embodies itself as sin buildup."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and

just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."   1 John 1:9

5. Get to work!If we gathered all of our cleaning tools and supplies to clean our homes, and even if we had evaluated what work needed to be done and did nothing it would not help us. We have to use the supplies and actually do some work! The same is true with our spiritual homes. God gives us His Word and His precious forgiveness but we have to use them to keep our lives clean."Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."   Psalm 119:11

6. Determine to keep it clean.Usually when we finish cleaning our own homes, we look around and say that we'll never let the clutter pile up that high again and we determine not to let it. We should do the same for our spiritual house. Determine not to let it get dirty again. The only way to accomplish this is to keep it up daily by feasting on God's Word and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit to work in our lives."This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

So, are you caught up on your spring cleaning? Copyright ©2001-2009 Julia Bettencourt Scripture References are from the King James Version. www.juliabettencourt.com

Upcoming EventsSpring Flea Market and Boutique

Come “Sale” With Us!The UMW sails the

seven seas to support missions!

Join our crew and set “sale” with us to raise money for fabulous mission trips

to Africa and to the North and South Americas.

“UMW Boutique” Scheduleand Crew Assignments:

Sunday, April 25: Kick-Off Day!

Lunch is at 12:15 on the Cornerstone Deck. Join us afterwards for the unpacking

party. Signups not needed, just show up hungry and ready to help!

Monday, April 26th- Wednesday, April 28th:The Sale Preparation DaysCome any time for any amount of time. Look for a crew member for an assignment or just pitch in and unpack boxes, straighten items or hang clothes.Love to bake? We’d love to have donations for the Bake Sale held Thursday thru Saturday.

Thursday, April 29th- Saturday, May 1st: We Set “Sale”!

We need cashiers and floaters! Check out the assignment sheet in the Narthex to see where you can plug in! Saturday is also pack up

day…come at noon to help us prepare the rooms for service on Sunday.

Women’s Movie Night Saturday, May 15th at 7:00pm. Join us at Pender for a movie, fun, fellowship and light refreshments as we enjoy “The Blind Side”. Why not treat yourself to a little girl’s night out? We hope to see you there!

Ongoing EventsTuesday Morning Women’s Bible StudyNew studies now thru mid-June!  Classes are from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  We invite you to join us! The Inheritance by Beth Moore – a video &

discussion group – no homework –meeting in Room 202.  “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (Ps 16:6)

Titus Bible Study by Nav Press – only 15-30 minutes homework weekly – meeting in room 200. “… be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” (Titus 1:8)

Tuesday Evening Young Adult/Families Small Group at 6:45 pmThe Tuesday night group is ending the year on May 11th with a BBQ together. We will not meet the week of the flea market. Childcare is available for May 4th & 11th if you contact Suveena Mathew at ibelieve0121@yahoo.com. Please contact Pastor Sandy if you have any questions.

Wednesday Women’s Bible StudyA new study will begin on Wednesday, April 28th. Join as we study 1 & 2 Thessalonians! Contact Mary Wetzler at bigdubbs4@verizon.net for more information.

Women’s Circle Meetings Bessie Gooding Circle will meet Monday, May 10th at 7:00pm at Pender. Please contact Cherie Kronimus for all the details ckronimus@aol.com.

Mary Martha Cirlce will meet Monday, May 10th at 7:00pm at Pender. Please contact Cee Cee Evans for all the details.

Ruth Circle will meet Wednesday, May 12th at 9:15am at Pender. Please contact Barbe Hefferan for all the details jnbhefferan@verizon.net.

Susanna Circle (A Mother’s Circle) will join together to attend the Women’s Movie Night on Saturday, May 15th at 7:00 pm.

Family and Children’s EventsVacation Bible SchoolThis year’s VBS will take place from July 12-16th (9am til noon). Please save the date and look for registration to begin in May! If you would like to volunteer, we would love the help. Contact Jami Flemmons 703-830-0202 or jamiflemmons@verizon.net.

Music CampPlanning is underway for this fun event for rising 2nd through 6th graders. It will take place July 12th through the 16th (immediately following VBS) from 12:30 until 3:30

pm. Details coming soon on the Pender web site. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Theresa Carpenter theresa.c@penderumc.org.

The Go Go Girls Team 2010 is almost ready to walk! The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is taking place May 1-2, 2010. For more information, please go to www.avonwalk.org and search

for the Go Go Girls team or contact Jami Flemmons or Cheryl Moxley. We thank you all so much for your love, prayers and support as we take on this challenge for such a worthy cause! Thanks to your help through attendance at our restaurant, jewelry and Pampered Chef events and purchases at our bake sale this month, we have raised more than enough funds to bring everyone on our team up to their fundraising goals with more to spare. This brings our team total to more than $18,000!

The 2010 UMW Directory is available NOW! Look for your copy in your circle box or in the UMW box.Additions and corrections should be emailed to Cheryl Moxley at cheryl@moxley.com.

April BirthdaysApril 4th JJ KetzleApril 4th Charmaine Bainum

April 16th Dawn Smith April 20th Janet ArbogastApril 24th Betty Mills

Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day!

MISSIONS UPDATEBy Beryl Marin

The annual Missions Conference at Pender United Methodist Church was once again celebrated on April 16 - 18, 2010. There were speakers, children’s programs, potluck suppers, breakfast and lunches. These activities gave the congregation an opportunity to relate to our visiting missionaries and with one another.

For the women, excellent music was provided by Theresa Carpenter and some of the women from the church choir. Our speakers included Donna Seaman and Chris Hanak. Donna spoke on her spiritual experiences with her family and her community in Philippi WV. She and her husband Ruston work closely with World Vision. Chris Hanak explained her work with Ambassadors for Christ International regarding the program "Focus on the Heart." The program focuses on supporting nationals and helping the women to meet Christ in a more meaningful way and with one another. Women leaders are developed so that language barriers are overcome. Both thanked Pender for their support.

If you missed the Missions Conference, it will be back next Spring. Do continue to support the Faith Promise giving and keep our missionaries and agencies spreading the gospel to our sisters and brothers around the world. YOU make the difference. God's blessings, peace and joy to all.

Health UpdateFrom www.health.com

How to Stop Seasonal Allergies the Natural Way

By Hallie Levine Sklar From Health Magazine

It’s like a scene from a low-budget horror flick: the trees are blooming, the grass is growing … and runny-nosed zombies are invading the planet! Seasonal allergies are here, but if you’re one of the sniffly multitudes, you may have noticed that the “allergy season” can span most of the year (and that symptoms may flare right before your period). Here’s your best defense—from least to most invasive, medically speaking. Try the first few and you may not need to hit the pharmacy at all.

The Triggers: Seasonal Tree Pollens, Grasses, and Weeds. Your symptoms surfaced as early as February, when trees started blooming. Right now, it’s grasses that are making you miserable (they will through late summer). Weeds will keep you wheezing through fall.Police pollen. Click on the The National Allergy Bureau’s Web site (Aaaai.org/nab) for a daily ranking of allergens, including seasonal tree pollens, grasses, weeds, and outdoor molds. Stay indoors when levels are high or very high for those that you’re sensitive to.

Wear a mask. If you must finish that gardening before the in-laws show up, don a not-so-chic but très useful N95 filter mask ($24.95 for 20), which keeps pollen out of your nose and mouth. Wash your hair at night. Rinse the pollen out, especially if you’re a gel or mousse fan. These products can trap pollen.

Soak up the calm. In one study, seasonal allergy (hay fever) sufferers had a more extreme reaction the day after performing a stressful task, such as giving a speech. “Stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol,” says Clifford Bassett, MD, an allergist at New York University Medical Center, and that often leads to an amped-up allergic response. A few minutes of meditation or a soak in the tub should help.

Keep your nose clean. “Your nose is like a car windshield—pollen sticks to it,” says Neil Kao, MD, an allergist at the Allergic Disease and Asthma Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Try a saline sinus rinse, found at any drugstore. If that doesn’t do it, buy the nonprescription herbal nasal spray NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium), which helps prevent allergic reactions in your nose.

Take an antihistamine. There have never been more over-the-counter antihistamine options. You may be able to find relief with 10 milligrams of cetirizine (Zyrtec) once a day. If those don’t work, ask your doctor for a prescription antihistamine such as fexofanadine (Allegra, but also available as a generic) or levocetirizine dihydrochloride (Xyzal).

Try the sprays. If nasal washes and antihistamines don’t work for you, up the ante with a prescription steroid spray like Flonase, but you can skip decongestants; Dr. Kao says they don’t work for allergies and may worsen your congestion after several days of use.

Recipes for Cost-Conscious MomsA few recipes from Jonni McCoy's book Miserly Moms.

Maple-Flavored Syrup2 C. sugar1 C. water1 tsp. maple extractBring water and sugar to a slow boil over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat before it comes to a rolling boil (to keep crystals from forming). Add flavoring as it is cooling. Store in the refrigerator. For thicker syrup, replace half of the water with corn syrup. You may also add butter flavoring purchased from the store. But both of these will increase the cost. ************

Baking Mix8 C. flour1 1/4 C. nonfat dry milk powder1/4 C. baking powder1 T. salt2 C. shorteningCombine flour, milk powder, baking powder and salt in a very large bowl. Cut in shortening until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Store in tightly closed covered container in a cool place (cupboards are fine). Makes about 10 cups.***********

Nonfat Granola3/4 C. brown sugar1/3 C. concentrated apple juice from

frozen concentrate1/2 C. nonfat dry milk1/3 C. honey5 C. quick-cooking oats2 T. cinnamon1/2 tsp. salt1/2 C. dried fruitMix sugar, juice, dry milk and honey in a saucepan and heat over medium heat only until sugar dissolves. Combine dry ingredients and fruit in a mixing bowl. Pour sugar mixture slowly over dry mixture and blend well. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Options: Be creative by adding peanuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, sesame seeds, peanut butter or whatever else your family enjoys.Excerpted from Miserly Moms, 4th Edition. Copyright © 1994, 1996, 2001, 2009 by Jonni McCoy; Bethany House Publishers; All Rights Reserved.

“The LORD bless youand keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon youand be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward youand give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)