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United Methodist Women (UMW)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All About United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women is the largest denominational faith organization for women in the world. For more than 140 years we have been women organized for mission in the Methodist Church. Today, it is an exciting, dynamic organization with over 800,000 members of all ages and life stages, whose mission is education, spiritual growth, fellowship, leadership development, and social justice. Members raise up to $20 million each year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.

United Methodist Women is an official organization of the United Methodist Church. It is open to any woman who chooses to belong and commits herself to our Purpose. You do not need to be a member of St Andrew to participate.

At St Andrew, we have quarterly General Meetings for our entire membership, and various small groups (Circles) that meet regularly. Childcare is available for most of our events with one week’s notice to the Childcare Coordinator at 303-794-2683, ext 126. Information about meetings and events is available in the Sunday bulletin, The Messenger newsletter, on the UMW bulletin board in the Adult Education hallway, and at the UMW table in Fellowship Hall. St Andrew United Methodist Women are over 180 women strong and growing. We invite you to join us and be a part of this exciting women’s ministry. For more information, contact President, Jean McHarge at jeanmcharge@gmail.com or 303-903-5671.

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UMW Cherry Cobbler Dessert Sale

Sunday, February 12, 8:30 - 11:45AM. Cherry Cobblers will be sold for $10 each. Gluten free desserts will also be available. The money raised will be used toward the St. Andrew UMW's various mission projects which have included United Methodist Committee on Relief, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Denver Urban Ministries, The Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center, InterFaith Community Services, Warren Village, and House of Hope.

 

Reading Program

United Methodist Women have a long tradition of education and study. Together with the annual School of Christian Mission, the Reading Program keeps us up-to-date on the events, the people, and the needs of the world around us. Each year United Methodist Women recommends a diverse selection of books to broaden our exposure to a variety of concepts. The Reading Program encourages members to think critically about current issues. It offers an excellent opportunity to deepen our spirituality and to broaden our understanding of our mission work. Each year 40-50 new books are recommended. There are seven categories of books and four reading plans. Books from the previous five years may be read for credit so there is an extensive list from which to choose. Each person who completes a reading plan receives a certificate at the District annual meeting.  St Andrew UMW has a selection of books to lend and complete information about the Reading Program in Room B241.

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Circles

Our Circles provide an opportunity to learn, laugh, and share God’s love with other women on a regular basis. We nurture and support each other as we grow in our understanding of Christ. You do not need to be a member of a Circle to participate in UMW.

Daytime Circles

Agape Circle - meets the 3rd Tuesday, 10:00 am. There is a variety of ages but this group describes themselves as “An active circle, in the second half of our busy lives.” Join them for interesting programs, outreach, and the option of lunch after the meeting.

Coffee and Conversation - meets the 2nd Wednesday, 1:00 pm.  A senior group, whose purpose is “to Nurture, Support, & Educate Members and to Support Mission.”  A variety of programs, conversations, and yummy desserts.

Friendship Circle – meets the 3rd aturday, 9:00 am, at Holly Creek Retirement Community, 5500 E Peakview Avenue, Centennial. This is our longest-running Circle. Since its move to Holly Creek, the Circle has grown! Be a part of this caring group of women.

Evening Circles

Circle of Joy – meets the 2nd Tuesday, 7:00 pm. For women of all ages, this group includes fellowship, spiritual growth, and outreach. Join them for interesting discussion, programs, and fun.

Women of Purpose – meets the 2nd Thursday, 7:00 pm. A group of employed women of all ages, they discuss current issues & interests. Programs, outreach, and fellowship help them grow and learn.

Craft Circles

Piecemakers – Piecemaker's Quilting Circle will have a short meeting at 10:00 am, Sundays February 12, Rm. B243, and March 11, Rm. B249, for returning completed items and picking up new kits. Contact Peggy, 303-470-6774 or Maureen, 303-738-8333 with questions or for more information. Our quilting group meets the 2nd Sunday, 10:00 am, to turn in quilts made at home. We also meet the 4th Thursday, 2:00-5:00, to sew. Feel free to join us to sew, or pick up a kit and sew at home. We make quilts for baptisms of children 36 months and younger. Older children receive pillow cases made by Piecemakers. The quilts and pillow cases are offered as a reminder that as they grow in Christ, children are wrapped in God’s love and the love of their church family. Other items also are made as needed. Anyone interested in becoming part of this group can call Peggy, 303-470-6774 or Maureen, 303-738-8333 with questions or for more information. No quilting experience necessary.

St Andrew Stitchers – meets the 1st & 3rd Fridays, 10:00-12:00 pm. We knit and crochet “comfort items” for our congregation and community. We also have yarn and supplies available for those who wish to work at home.

For more information about our Circles please contact Membership Coordinator, Donna Parisi at jdparisi2@comcast.net or 303-707-1664.

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Receptions

United Methodist Women is pleased to provide receptions for funerals, memorial services, weddings, and special events. Our “Cookie Angels” supply fresh, homemade baked goods and our team of workers make the event care-free for the participants. Our Reception Coordinators work with the family to make this time of celebration comfortable, meaningful, and memorable. There is no cost for this service of love, but donations are greatly appreciated. For funeral receptions please contact the church office, 303-794-2683. For other events, please contact the Receptions Coordinator, Linda Lloyd, lnslloyd@comcast.net or 303-470-5637.

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Outreach

United Methodist Women are women organized for mission and social justice. Our Circles have various outreach projects with local agencies. Some of the agencies that we support are: Bridgeway, DenUM, House of Hope, Interfaith Community Services, Interfaith Hospitality Network, James Resource Network, Street Reach, The Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center, Urban Peak, and Warren Village.

An ongoing project is the collection of Campbell’s Labels for Education and Boxtops for Education. There are collection containers in the food pantry in the Outreach Depot. Instructions for collection are available at the UMW table in Fellowship Hall. The labels and Boxtops can be used to purchase a wide variety of items. Our labels and Boxtops are donated to low-income schools to help provide them with many needed items and supplies.

St Andrew UMW participates in the support of UMCOR, the official relief agency of the United Methodist Church. We have collected for flood buckets, and made health, birthing, and school kits. Our kits have been sent to the Sager-Brown emergency supply depot in Baldwin, LA, and the newer supply depot in Salt Lake City, UT. We have sponsored one trip to the Salt Lake City depot and hope to do this again.

United Methodist Women are organizing a mission trip to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) West in Salt Lake City, October 14 – 20, 2012. UMCOR West is a 22,000 square foot depot that stores much needed disaster relief supplies that are sent stateside and abroad in times of disaster and war. Volunteers at UMCOR West are vital to the success of this ministry. At the depot, individuals and groups gather, assemble, package and shelve relief supply kits for future shipping. Moreover, some of the volunteers will be asked to help with other projects at the depot and in the Salt Lake Valley. Please join us to help in this important ministry. Contact Peggy Griffiths, 303-997-8019.

United Methodist Women are active in social justice; working for Immigrant Rights, Human Trafficking awareness, Bread for the World campaign, local school support, and St Andrew Youth and Children’s Ministries.

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Mission Giving

United Methodist Women is part of the larger ministries of the United Methodist Church. We raise funds to support mission outreach in our local community and for the support of Domestic and International projects of the Church. Our primary source of funds is the Mission Giving of our members. Other fundraising efforts are:

Cherry Cobblers – this sweet treat is available one Sunday in February

Afternoon Tea – a delightful afternoon of tea, desserts, music, and fellowship

UnBake sale – a Mother’s Day tradition; each woman receives a flyer with a tea bag and an envelope, she can relax, sip her tea, and donate the funds that she would have used baking

Pumpkin Desserts – a Thanksgiving favorite, available the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving

Mrs Claus’ Closet – part of St Andrew’s annual Advent Festival; a room filled with low-priced treasures, holiday shopping that includes gift wrapping

There are two annual offerings specific to UMW:

• Call to Prayer and Self-Denial - usually observed during Lent. The Call is a chance to study and reflect on a particular theme. The funds collected are designated to ministries related to the theme. Through the years the funds have been used to build schools, libraries, and clinics; provided nutrition and medical assistance; advocated for Public Policy changes; and produced long-term economic benefits through income-generation and other self-help projects
• World Thank Offering - one of the five channels of Mission Giving, collected throughout the year. Each member has a small container in her home. She adds coins to her container in spontaneous gifts of gratitude for God’s abundance and grace, and in celebration of the joys of life. The coins are collected in a special service at our November General Meeting or in the Circles. The funds are sent as undesignated mission giving and used in the total program of mission in the United States and around the world.

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Connections

St Andrew United Methodist Women are part of the Mile High/Pikes Peak District and the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church. We currently have three women serving on the District Mission Team. We participate in the following District and Conference events:

District training – Officers and lay women are encouraged to attend this January event to learn more about UMW and the Mile High/Pikes Peak District

District Spiritual Day Apart – held each year in March, a time to refresh our spiritual lives

Conference Annual Spiritual Life Retreat – held the last weekend of April at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies in Estes Park; over 400 women from around the conference gather for fun, fellowship, study, and a time for spiritual renewal

School of Christian Mission – a cooperative event with the Rocky Mountain Conference Council of Ministries and Rocky Mountain Conference UMW; the School of Christian Mission is a national event that presents three mission studies each year to 25,000 – 30,000 participants. The School is appropriate for women, men, youth, and children. There is a three-day School held in July and one-day events held in the Fall. In addition, UMW members are encouraged to conduct the mission studies in their local units and churches. The studies pertain to Spiritual Growth, a Geographic interest, and a Social Issue.

Mission Study topics:

2011 – The Journey: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice, and Reconciliation; Haiti; Mission and Evangelism

2012 – Living Sacramentally and Walking Justly; Haiti; Global Warming

UMWOnline is an interactive social-networking community. Women from around the country can ask questions, get advice, share information, participate in book studies, chat with persons involved in various social issues, and find out about UMW. It can be accessed at www.umwonline.net. The community is open to everyone and you do not have to be a member of UMW to participate.

Assembly - Every four years United Methodist Women hold an Assembly of women from around the world. The next Assembly will be held in 2014. Approximately 8000 women are expected to participate. St Andrew UMW offer scholarships to those interested in attending.

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Links

St Andrew UMW blog – st-andrew-umw.blogspot.com

Rocky Mtn Conference UMW – www.rmcumw.org

UMWOnline – www.umwonline.net

UMW – www.umwmission.org

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