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February 2019

INFORMER

PURPOSE OF UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The organized unit of United Methodist 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.

Come join the 150th UMW Birthday Celebration

March 23, from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Granbery Memorial UMC (Covington)

Lunch and Birthday Party to follow

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Hello Staunton District United Methodist Women, Happy New Year! Today as I write this it is a very cold 11 degrees, having warmed up some since first awakening this morning. It makes us extra thankful for our warm houses and all that God has provided for us! I want to thank the ladies of Christ UMC in Staunton for their hosting us for our Advent Breakfast, for the delicious food and hospitality. Thank all of you for the wonderful gifts you brought for Casa de Amistad and thank you Jennifer for coming to share about that ministry. We are excited that on Saturday, March 23, the Staunton District United Methodist Women will be celebrating the 150

th Birthday of United Methodist Women at Granbery

Memorial UMC, Covington. Registration will begin at 10:00 and the celebration at 10:30-12:00 followed by a light lunch and Birthday Party (cost $6). Please prepare a poster to present at this meeting which reflects the history of your local UMW unit (past and present). We hope our past officers will be present and we will recognize those who have served our district in the past as well as remember those who began this wonderful organization 150 years ago. An offering will be received for the Legacy Fund as well as for the AMD fund. If possible, please bring an offering to the Legacy Fund from your local unit. As always, please call your Area Leader or Zone Leader by Monday, March 18, so we will know how many to expect from your unit. Our membership census is due. If you can complete this on line, please do so. If not, please send your membership information to Mary Perkins 3909 Shutterlee Mill Rd., Staunton, VA 24401, just as soon as possible so the information can be entered for you. The Conference has requested 100% participation from our units. Thank You to the following units who have sent me an updated list of their unit’s officers for 2019: Alleghany, Augusta Street, Beth Horon, Burnsville, Cherryvale, Epworth, Fairfield, Glovier Memorial, Iron Gate, Main Street, Mount Carmel, People United in Christ, Sherando, South Covington, Stonewall, St. James, St. Marks, and Trinity. If your unit’s name does not appear in this list, please send me your officer list as soon as possible as I will be working on the District Directory and hope to have all current information. Thank You to Agnes Stanley for sending the Officer List for Stonewall UMW even though she added a sad note that their church would be closing as of January 1. We are so sorry and we know this was a tough decision for your church family. We do hope you will become involved with another church and become a part of another UMW unit. Thank you to all the ladies for your past participation and support of the UMW and its mission.

I am including a copy of the 2018-2019 “Living Into Our Purpose” form in this newsletter. Please be faithful and try to complete as many items as you can during this year. We know it is probably impossible to complete them all, but all our units can recite our Purpose at their meetings, include an item from “Response” magazine and read the prayer concerns for that day from the Prayer Calendar. You will be surprised how many of the lines you can fill out as we work to fulfill our purpose

Wishing you God’s Blessings in this New Year!

Libby Keyser, President

Libby Keyser

President

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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

I am encouraged and humbled you had the confidence to vote me in as your new Secretary. And I was encouraged and excited to attend the Virginia United Methodist Women’s Annual Meeting in Newport News in October. I .look forward to working with you all. But in our society today, we don’t see a lot of encouragement. We see a number of people on the news saying and doing some very discouraging things that seem to suck the life out of us. But God does not call us to sit idly by and do nothing. I’m sure when the early church was starting, that was one reason two people were sent out together-- for encouragement in their travels. And today we are called to encourage others, and to take action. Therefore, I encourage you to encourage others, especially members in your local UWM unit. So, how do you do that? Here are some ideas:

Ask! Ask someone to come to a meeting and if they don’t come, ask why. It may take several “askings” to get a yes.

Mix things up a bit – have a women’s tea, combine a meeting with a potluck dinner, go on a day trip together (after all, we DO live in a most beautiful part of the state!), start a local mission project in your church, or send encouragement notes and a gift card to college students . There are endless possibilities.

Thank your members for jobs well done. Don’t assume that they know; it is always nice to hear that your participation is appreciated.

Here’s a quote that I came across: “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” Let’s keep up the encouragement and see where it leads!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Brossy

Secretary

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Greetings from Your New Treasurer!

May you praise the Lord each day of this New Year and step out in service in His name!

I am new on the district team, so you may want a little history on me. My husband and I are “transplants” from New York, having moved to the Waynesboro area in 2010. I worked for 30 years as the food service manager of a 200 bed nursing home and was active in a small United Methodist Church. My initial involvement with UMW was attending WSCS meetings with my mom. Later I attended district meetings and eventually served as a district secretary, treasurer and president.

Currently I am active at Fishersville UMC. I have made a 3 year commitment to be treasurer for the district, making the nomination committee aware that my husband and I plan on travelling in our retirement. I am looking forward to working with the local treasurers as I get involved once again as a district treasurer.

Thora Rippens P O Box 127 Fishersville, VA 22939 tvrippens@juno.com 540-949-5722

The Nominating Committee appreciates all that were willing to accept offices for 2019. We are grateful to all who served in 2018 and do thank you for a job well done. We have much work to do and look forward to accomplishing positive things for the United Methodist Women of the Staunton District.

Blessings of health and happiness to all.

Carolyn Manspile

Thora Rippens

Treasurer

Carolyn Manspile

Nominating Committee

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Please keep our Bishop Sharma Lewis in your prayers, as she continues her recovery from the hip surgery she had. Our love and prayers go out to her. When we say our UMW Purpose, we hear the words—“to develop a creative, supportive fellowship”, and that fellowship is often found in our many UMW events and activities throughout the year. When I was at our UMW annual meeting in Newport News last fall, I met a new friend…as we talked, I learned that my “new friend” knew one of my “old friends” from another church, in another district! As we shared our memories of our “mutual friend”, I was reminded of this wonderful, amazing, creative, supportive fellowship that is UMW! “Happy 150

th Birthday”, UMW!! The Staunton District UMW Executive Team is coordinating a

birthday celebration on Saturday, March 23, 2019 for all the district UMW. For 150 years, United Methodist women have been rooted in Christian faith and working to turn faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children, and youth around the world. Let’s celebrate this milestone birthday! When: 10:30-Noon, on Saturday, March 23, 2019 Where: Granbery Memorial UMW; 425 Main Street, Covington, VA 24426 Hearty hors’d’oeuvres will be provided, as well as a big birthday cake for all! As part of the celebration, we ask each unit who attends to decorate a poster which highlights some of your unit activities, mission involvements, special people, etc. Use your creativity, and we will enjoy all the posters as you bring them to the Birthday Celebration! There will be special music and more! Come one and all to this joyous Birthday Celebration for UMW’s 150

th birthday, and share the

information with others! We look forward to seeing you at Granbery Memorial UMC on March 23! Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Conference Spiritual Life Retreat—“Having Tea with Jesus” is the theme of the spring retreat coordinated by our Conference UMW. Retreat leader is Reverend Dawn-Marie Singleton, and the event will be held at Eagle Eyrie retreat center near Lynchburg on May 3-5, 2019. Additional information will be available at www.vaumw.com. This is a precious opportunity for all UMW to draw close and be comforted by the reflective time with Jesus. A Young Women’s Event, coordinated by Conference UMW, is being held Sept. 13-14 at Blessings Lodge at Camp Overlook, near Keezletown, VA. Retreat leader, Reverend Gennie Bowles, will speak on “navigating our world as women who are called, empowered, and made in the image of God.” Think of your young women (40 years or younger) who would enjoy this retreat time. www.vaumw.com

Shalom!

Gayle Urban, Spiritual Growth coordinator. bridge.gu@gmail.com

Gayle Urban

Spiritual Growth Coordinator

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Greetings United Methodist Women:

It has been a pleasure to serve you on the Staunton District as your Education and Interpretation

Coordinator. We will look to 2019 as United Methodist Women will leave a legacy for our future

generations as we turn faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children, and youth.

Also, congratulations to everyone for all of the work that has been done in missions for 2018 and to

the units who have completed mission giving and there, “Living into our Purpose” forms. Let’s pray

for a 100% for 2019. Working together we can achieve this goal.

Henry Fork Center thanks everyone for their wonderful donations during 2018. They had a blessed

2018 and are looking forward to a great 2019.

Your help is truly appreciated in giving any of the items listed on the wish list below. Take a look at

the list, print a copy and pass on to your friends.

They thank you in advance for your generosity! Henry Fork Center needs many common items

every day! If you have any of these items listed and the others listed on the wish list below and

would like to donate them, let me know or bring them to any of our meetings.

To support our programs: Sunscreen, Benadryl cream, Neosporin, Birthday presents for Older Students like Board Games—Connect 4, Guess Who. Checkers, Chess 8 oz. Drinking cups, Disposable cameras, Small bowls, paper or Styrofoam, Craft kits We really need: Bleach-free cleaning supplies - bathroom and floor cleaner, Toilet paper, Bottled water. (for hiking and field trips)

We use all the time: 13 & 39 gallon trash bags White copy paper, First class postage stamps

Blessings for a wonderful and great 2019 UMW. Remember our Birthday is 150 this year.

Joyce

Joyce Emerson

Education and Interpretation

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These Winter Months are a GREAT TIME FOR READING!

Encourage the people of your church to participate in the UMW Reading Program.

I can supply the necessary Lists and Forms that you need:

-the 2014-2019 UMW READING PROGRAM BOOK LIST

-the READING PROGRAM FORM for each participant to record the books read

-a list of Reading Program Books available at each of our local libraries:

Allegheny-Highlands Regional Library (Covington)

Augusta County/Staunton/Waynesboro Libraries

Clifton Forge Public Library

Highland County Public Library

Rockbridge Regional Library System

TO GET COPIES OF ANYOF THESE LISTS AND FORMS, or for other Reading Program info,

CONTACT ME (ANNA ZAPOTOCZNY) at

anna_zapotoczny@yahoo.com

or 540-943-1474

or 73 Chandelle Blvd. Waynesboro, VA 22980

IMPORTANT: Following on Page 8 and 9 - PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE

"UMW Resource Changes for the Reading Program & Mission Encounter"

Anna Zapotoczny

Secretary of Program Resources (Reading Program)

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UMW RESOURCE CHANGES

FOR THE READING PROGRAM & MISSION ENCOUNTER

The following letter has been sent by the National UMW Office:

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STAUNTON DISTRICT

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

2019 CALENDAR

Hosting units, please refer to “Just the Facts” for responsibilities. Unit Presidents, please notify Zone Leaders with number of members attending events by the Monday before the meeting.

EVENT DATE/TIME LOCATION

MISSION TEAM January 26 @ 10:00 a.m. Fletcher’s Chapel UMC

MEETING

150TH UMW BIRTHDAY March 23 @ 10:30 - 12:00 Granbery Memorial UMC

CELEBRATION Lunch & Birthday Party to follow Covington

DAY APART/PRAYER CANCELLED FOR 2019

EVENT

MISSION TEAM August 3 @ 10:00 a.m. Mount Carmel UMC

MEETING Covington

ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 5, 10:00 a.m. Calvary UMC

Registration at 9:30 a.m. Stuarts Draft

ADVENT BREAKFAST December 7 Trinity UMC

Registration 8:30, Service at 9:00 Lexington

CONFERENCE UMW - 2019 DATESTO REMEMBER

January 31 UM Day at General Assembly

May 3-5 Conference UMW Spiritual Life Retreat at Eagle Eyrie

June 1 UMW Day at Ferrum College

June 21 UMW Breakfast at Annual Conference – Roanoke

July 26-28 Mission Encounter – Smith Mountain Lake

September 13-14 UMW Young Women’s Retreat – Camp Overlook

October 26 47th Virginia Conference UMW Annual Meeting

Reveille UMC - Richmond

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The Virginia Conference United Methodist Women started the Rainbow Giver

Program in 2010. This is an opportunity for you, as an individual, to personally give to the 5

Channels of Mission Giving in addition to your regular pledge to mission.

Your gift of $ 60.00 will make you a Rainbow Woman/Giver:

√$ 40.00 to give someone special a Special Mission Recognition Pin

√$ 5.00 to give a Pledge to Mission (this is in addition to your

regular pledge)

√$ 5.00 for a Gift to Mission Card

√$ 5.00 for a Gift in Memory Card

√$ 5.00 for a gift to World Thank Offering

It is so easy to become a Rainbow Giver; just fill out the form below and give the form to your

unit treasurer with a check for $ 60.00. On the form please specify which Gift to Mission Card

you want and the name of the recipient for the Special Mission Recognition pin. Anyone can

become a Rainbow Giver; this is an opportunity for church members, spouses, or friends to par-

ticipate in UMW Mission Giving. This program does not replace your Pledge and World Thank

Offering, but is another opportunity, as an individual, to contribute to five areas of Mission Giving.

If your church does not have an active UMW unit and you choose to be counted as a

UMW, you may activate your membership via this Rainbow Giver Program. Complete the form

and mail it directly to the Staunton District Treasurer:

Thora Rippens, Treasurer, PO Box 127, Fishersville, VA 22939

Rainbow Giver Form

To be recognized at the Annual Meeting, submit no later than August 1st

Your $ 60.00 gift and this form is to be given to your Unit Treasurer . Submit all components to

your Unit Treasurer at one time. The Rainbow Giver gift is in addition to your regular Pledge and

World Thank Offering.

RAINBOW GIVER’S NAME: ________________________________________

RAINBOW GIVER’S ADDRESS: ________________________________________

________________________________________

RAINBOW GIVER’S PHONE: ________________________________________

Special Mission Recognition Pin in Honor of: (recipient’s name): _____________________ Pin will be mailed to the Rainbow Giver’s (your) address Print name

Which Gift to Mission Card? __________________________________________________ (In the Service of Christ, Thank You, Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Congratulations, On Your Special

Day, or Christmas card)

This form is to be kept by the Unit Treasurer.

Become a UMW Rainbow Giver

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Staunton District UMW

P O Box 1048

Fishersville, VA 22939

NONPROFIT ORG.

U. S. POSTAGE PAID

FISHERSVILLE, VA

PERMIT NO 178 Return Service Requested