United Methodist Women

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

ABOUT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The United Methodist Women (UMW) organization is 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.

Membership is open to women of all ages. Attend whichever meetings you would like; there is no specific time commitment required. For more information about becoming a member, contact our Membership Coordinator, Melody Wright, 410-626-8828, chefmel@comcast.net. If you would like to be added to our e-mail roster, send your e-mail address to Suzanne Steiner, slsteiner@comcast.net.

The UMW holds general meetings in February and September, both during the day and in the evening. We also host a banquet in May, a picnic in June, a women’s retreat in November, and a Christmas program in December. UMW members participate in preparing for and working at the SPUMC garage sales held in May and October.

Even if you’re not a member you can participate in any of our activities at any time – there is no need to commit to anything on a regular basis. We’d just like everyone to come enjoy the wonderful fellowship, food, and fun when they can. Keep an eye on the Current Events web page, in the Octagon Newsletter and the eNewsletter for information about UMW events

PROJECT LINUS

The Arts and Crafts Circle has been making blankets for Project Linus the past 2 years. So far we have contributed 143 blankets to the project. These washable blankets have been hand made - crocheted, knitted, sewn and quilted by our circle. Other church members have made and donated blankets. Thanks to everyone who has been so generous with their time and talent to complete these blankets.

Project Linus is a 100% Volunteer non-profit organization. It's mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children up to age 18 who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. The blankets are personalized with a tag depicting the Peanuts character Linus, carrying his security blanket and states "Made with Tender Loving Care for Project Linus".

Currently the blankets are donated to AAMC pediatrics and NICU, nighttime pediatrics and other facilities as needed.

If you are interested in this project, join us in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall the fourth Monday of the month.

5 DAY LUNCHEONS

Fifth Day Luncheons are held every other month starting in January. Everyone is welcome. Bring spouses, friends, and neighbors. We meet at a different restaurant each time, order off the menu, and pay our own checks. It is a great way to relax and enjoy good food and fellowship. Watch for announcements on the Current Events web page, in the Octagon Newsletter and the eNewsletter for the location and date of the next luncheon.

For more information contact Anne Blecki, 410-647-0560 or email anne@blecki.com

UMW CIRCLES

Arts and Crafts Circle	Pat Kidwell	patriciakidwell@msn.com 410-987-6081
Makes crafts for SPUMC and community projects such as: blankets for Project Linus, necklaces from church bulletins, and rainbows for the Sunshine Baskets. Provides Outreach to community. Meets 4^th Monday at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Heartfriends Circle	Carol Rice	cdrice1321@yahoo.com 410-551-7299
Varied programs include studies of topics of interest to the group, craft projects, outreach to the community, and various church projects and activities. Meets 2^nd Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Room 302. Heartfriends Decorating Easter Eggs
Learn and Share Circle	Bette Sosnowski	410-987-1314
Book study program; outreach to missions and other community and church projects; sponsors soup/muffin sale in February. Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 301.
Moms & More Circle (M&Ms)	Melody Wright	chefmel@comcast.net 410-626-8828
Focuses on moms with children of all ages. Meets last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at local restaurants.
You are always welcome to attend a circle meeting or general meeting of the UMW. Join your sisters in Christ for lots of fun and fellowship!
2008 UMW BOARD UMW Officers: President - Dianne Netherland Vice President - Nancy James Secretary - Heidi Taflan Treasurer - Becky Ponder Mission Coordinators: Education and Interpretation - Donnelle Lyons Membership, Nurture, and Outreach - Melody Wright Communications - Suzanne Steiner Spiritual Growth - Shirley Young Nominating - Carolyn Heim Social Action - Nancy James Circle Leaders: Arts & Crafts - Pat Kidwell Learn & Share - Bette Sosnowski Heartfriends - Carol Rice Moms & More - Melody Wright
2007 UMW HIGHLIGHTS January 2008 Dear Sister in Christ, Happy 2008! As another new year gets underway, we wanted to take a few moments to review the events of 2007. It was great year for our unit of United Methodist Women! - As usual, we kicked off the year with Lynn Weber’s scrumptious soup at our general meeting in February. Our guest speaker was Rev. Enger, and we were all witnesses as she shared the news with her mom and grandmom that she was pregnant again! - In May we hosted our annual Every Woman’s a Daughter” banquet. It was a “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” with all sorts of wild and crazy hats. We asked all attendees to donate items for the Susanna Wesley House in Baltimore. - We sewed, packed, and delivered 40 school kits to Mission Central to be used by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). - We chose a book about the Lost Boys of the Sudan for our summer reading: They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky. We were fortunate to be able to speak by phone with the author at one of our discussion meetings and ask her questions about the boys. - Once again we spent part of our summer vacation collecting and shopping for supplies for the Anne Arundel County Back to School program. We provided backpacks for 75 children at local elementary schools. - At our “Dinner and a Movie” retreat in November, we enjoyed fellowship over an Italian meal and the movie Enchanted April. This event was so popular we decided to repeat it in 2008. Mark your calendar for the first Friday in November. - In December we hosted an encore performance of “Women of the Bible” by the always-inspirational Anita Gutschick. Over 200 people attended the event, many of whom were not members of our church. This is a wonderful outreach opportunity for us so we’ve decided to book Anita again on December 8^th. - Here at church we continued to add to the collection of books in the church library as part of the UMW Reading Program; Heartfriends provided Bible covers for our third graders; and the UMW Board voted to contribute $500.00 toward VBS expenses and $1000.00 to the SPUMC General Fund. Throughout the year our budget and efforts went to support organizations such as the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter, Appalachia Service Project, SPAN, Meals on Wheels, Bruce and Heather Beal (Wycliffe Bible translators), Hospice of the Chesapeake, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Thanks to our Circle leaders: Pat Kidwell - Arts & Crafts; Laverne Gladmon (outgoing)/Carol Rice (incoming) – Heartfriends; Bette Sosnowski – Learn & Share; Debbie Machin – Moms & More. We say goodbye to outgoing Board members Ursula Johnson and Pat McGlumphy and welcome new Board members Heidi Taflan and Melody Wright. As you can see, there’s a lot going on in UMW. Even if you’re not a member you can participate in any of our activities at any time – there is no need to commit to anything on a regular basis. We’d just like everyone to come enjoy the wonderful fellowship, food, and fun when they can. Keep an eye on the Octagon and e-Newsletter for information about UMW events. We look forward to seeing you this year! Suzanne Dianne Suzanne Steiner Dianne Netherland Outgoing President Incoming President 410-923-2426 410-544-2544 slsteiner@comcast.net dlnetherland@netscape.net
For more information please contact Dianne Netherland 410-544-2544