SHREVEPORT DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN I AM THE …umwla.org/documents/MAY2014GRAPEVINE.pdf ·...

THE GRAPEVINE 1

SHREVEPORT DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

GREETINGS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT —Loretta Haskins

Ladies, We have had some exciting mission study “clusters” so far this year. If you have

not been able to attend any of them, please let Marilyn Turnley, District Education and

Interpretation ([email protected]) know that you are interested in any future

events. We have had several units inform us that they are no longer meet-

ing. We are sorry to lose such faithful members, but we understand. We will keep you and

your church in our prayers.

We are losing Ms. Wanda Harp, District Nomination Chair, at the end of the

month. She is moving to Georgia. Thanks for all of the “great memories” and outstanding service to our Shreve-

port District United Methodist women!!! We know that Fairfield UMC is going to miss you and your family.

As far as I know, only Ms. Clara Hemmings and Patty Lindsey, Shreveport FUMC, were the only members

from our District who attended the Assembly 2014 in Louisville, KY. I don’t know about you; but I would love to

hear about the Assembly and their trip to the Assembly.

At the April 5th Conference Leadership Team meeting there were a couple of items that need to be brought to your

attention:

#1 Not all current UMW forms are on the “website. (laconfumw.org/online forms). Please be patient!! They are

working on that issue!!!

#2. Margery Manuel, Conference Membership, Nurture and Outreach chair, would like photos of your mission

projects for a display at the LA UMC Annual Conference June 8th. Please email your photos to her:

[email protected]. .

#3 Janell Ducrest has agreed to serve another year as Program Resource Chair for Mission U. We are still looking

for a Conf. Program Resource Chair. If you are interested in serving on the District or Conference Leadership

Team, please fill out the form and send the Talent form to a District or Conference nominations committee mem-

ber. There will be several positions open at the Conference and District Annual Meetings.

Also, if you would like a visit from a District Officer at your monthly meeting, please let us know. We are more

than willing to come and meet with your unit!!!

Mission U is July 23-28 at the Wesley Center. The 2014 Mission Studies are: Spiritual Growth—HOW IS IT WITH

YOUR SOUL? And Social Action– THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:AWARENESS, ACCESSI-

BILITY AND ADVOCACY. If your unit has not purchased your books yet, check the Cokesbury bookstore at the

Annual Conference June 8th. They had 2013 Mission Study material last year. Hope to see you at MISSION U!!!

I AM THE VINE

YOU ARE THE

BRANCHES

SHREVEPORT DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST

WOMEN

THE GRAPEVINE Because we are connected to Christ, Christ can touch others

through us.

MAY 2014

THE GRAPEVINE 2


Thanks to the generosity of

First UMC of Bossier City, the

UMW were able to present a

check for $1,138 to the Shreve-

port Bossier Rescue Mission,

the recipient of our special of-

fering on United Methodist

Women Sunday to help fur-

ther their ministry with the

homeless in our community.

Pictured left to right are

Nancy Sipe, Rev. Henry

Martin, Jayne Merritt, Mary

Lou Hughes, Barbara Dean

Kronenberg . submitted by

Jayne Merritt

First United Methodist Church Bossier City

Below is a group picture of the Louisiana attendees to the Louisville, Kentucky

UMW Conference. Some of the Shreveport district are in the picture. Submitted

by Thomasas Brown Jernigan.

THE GRAPEVINE 3


A number of our UMW Units send Birthday cards to missionaries on our prayer calen-

dar. We received a response (copy below) that you may wish to see and be

encouraged so that other UMW units could send cards of encouragement to other

missionaries.

THE GRAPEVINE 4


JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

10th CWU Human Rights Cele-

bration

15th—Grapevine articles due to

Jo Molnar

26th United Methodist Women

Sunday

30th—2013 Membership Census

to Doris McCall—

1st—Dist. Exec Mtg

8th—Social Action Retreat @ 1st Meth-

odist in Lafayette, LA.

18th - Send 1st Qtr Report to Connie

Wasson

1st—UMW Sunday Report to Doris McCall

APRIL MAY JUNE

20th—HAPPY EASTER!!

25-27th—UMW Assembly

in Louisville, KY.

1st– National Day of Prayer

2nd—Grapevine Articles due to Jo

Molnar

3rd District Exec. Meeting -Zwolle

15th—2nd Qtr Treasurer Report due to

Connie Wasson

1st—Women in Mission Nominee due to

Doris McCall

2nd -Mission Study Report due to Marilyn

Turnley

LA Annual Conference—June 8-11

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

1st-Social Action Report

due to Linda Resendez.

10th All local Reading

Program forms due to

Clara Hemming.

23rd –26th– Mission U

Woodworth, LA Wesley

Center

1st-Send Mission Today Unit Re-

port to Marilyn Turnley

2nd Grapevine articles due to Jo

Molnar

9th—District Exec Meeting place

tba

15th Send your 3rd Qtr Treas Re-

port to Connie Wasson

MINI MISSION u—Aug 16th

30th—Local Units send list of new

officers to Dist Secretary Lanette

Butler

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

4th—Grapevine articles

to Jo Molnar

4th Distr Exec Mtg—place

tba

10-11—UMW Louisiana

Conference—Annual

Meeting– Baton Rouge

Nov 6- District Annual Meeting

with LELT

Happy Thanksgiving

Merry Christmas!

UMW SHREVEPORT DISTRICT

CALENDAR

THE GRAPEVINE 5


Plain Dealing UMW members prepare tables for luncheon

following UMW Sunday service.

Linda Resendez, Shreveport District Social Action

Coordinator was guest speaker for Plain Dealing UMW

Sunday. She is pictured here in red with Pastor John

Downs.

SOCIAL ACTIONS

As United Methodist

Women, we work to-

gether and we make a

difference in lives—one

step and one project at

a time. Our focus con-

tinues to be women and

children, poverty, hu-

man trafficking , and

Immigration.

It is just as important

that we find a way to

attract our younger

women into this organi-

zation. Get them in-

volved! Remember to

bring them in as volun-

teers with a dash of re-

sponsibility. We all

need to share the re-

warding feeling of vol-

unteering and helping.

Please get your Annual

Social Actions Reports

in to me by the end of

June. I need the name

of your church and

what you have done.

Don’t sell your self

short! Our district al-

ways does awesome! If

you have questions, call

me. Linda Resendez,

(318-458=0573

THE GRAPEVINE 6


UNITED METHODIST WOMEN FAITH * HOPE * LOVE IN ACTION

JANUARY 19, 2014 UMW SUNDAY @ CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SHREVEPORT

The songs represented all that encompasses women of the church at Christ UMC as well as other churches. “All things

Bright and Beautiful”: “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” - sung by the Chancel Choir: “I Love To Tell The

Story” and “Be Still My Soul” As United Methodist Women we strive to make things “Bright and Beautiful” in our lives

and others. Showing love by supporting others, giving of our time whether it is helping in the church office, Sunday

School or nursery, preparing the altar arrangements, delivering

food to those who have just returned home from a hos- pital stay,

coming together to prepare food for the family following a loved

one’s funeral, or giving graciously to our National and World Mis-

sions. We also “Tell the Story”. It is in our hearts and we are over-

joyed to share it whether we are in our small circles, socializing at

our yearly salad supper event, visiting neighbors, reading inspira-

tional devotionals or talking to a stranger who comes into our lives at the right time or moment to share. We begin and

end our prayers of thanksgiving and contemplate on “Be Still My Soul”.

The speakers were Cindy Hughes and Annette Rich who were two of the participants in the Mission Group to Cuba

2013. The message: The women of Cuba. The congregation was engaged by those speakers from the beginning to the

end with intense looks of sadness, shaking of their heads as to the fate of the women in Cuba today and then compas-

sion for these strong and courageous women. They have fought for equal rights and for the income equal for the posi-

tion they hold as men are given. Unfortunately this comes with hardships if one is a mother. Some have degrees but

choose to work close to home to take care of their families. Food

and medicine are limited to each household so a woman has to

be a good budgeter and save for emergencies. The monthly in-

come may be $27 and that is considered high. Their faith is

strong as they help one another and they are happy with what

little they have. That is the true meaning of the song “They Know

We are Christians by Our Love”, wouldn’t you say?

The presentation of The Special Mission Recognition Award was

given to two recipients this year and presented by Nikie Johnson

to : Carolyn Carroll and John Marrs. Carolyn has held positions

in the UMW, Chancel Choir participant as well as a soloist, Sun-

day School Teacher, UMW Rummage Sale helper, Paint your

Heart Out participant, beautifying our church grounds on sched-

uled weekends, remodeling the children’s classrooms and many

other endeavors that she is honored for. John has been engaged

in all levels of the Church Board, Sunday School Classes, Men’s

Prayer Breakfast, family events, mission trips, Paint Your Heart

Out, a Trustee

of the church

and so many

hours of volun-

teering for his

church he

loves. Both

were worthy of

the recognition.

The Scripture Romans 12:9-13 tells us to really love others. Honor

each other and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be ready and eager to

practice hospitality to God’s people who are in need, rejoice in confi-

dent hope, be patient in troubled times and keep on praying.

Altar Arrangement—UMW Sunday Jan-

uary 18, 2014

THE GRAPEVINE 7


Christ United Methodist Women’s Retreat was held at Stonewall, Louisiana on Saturday

April 5, 2014.

A book review “The Calling: Living Sacramentally,

Walking Justly” was presented by our very own

UMW President, Peggy Ev- ans. The 16 present

were comprised of repre- sentatives from all UMW

Chapters and two visitors, Jan Rose from the

Ruston District and Frances Wolf from Brookwood

Baptist. The two areas of discussion were those of

Baptism and Holy Commun- ion in which the book

related biblical verses to help explain the true

meaning of each as our God intended. Handouts

helped with note taking and the sharing of small

group discussions. When you have Christian La-

dies together, there will al- ways be open discussion

and tears to follow.

The highlight was the visual reliving of the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. Peggy, with her

quiet and gentle voice , relived the moments prior to Christ baptism with each of us experiencing

this wonder as a bystander seeing this moment come to life. It brought chills to all as we shared

through this visualization. A time for sharing personal baptism experiences helped us as partici-

pants see each other from the first moment of christening for some, age 12 when many joined the

church, or later in life when Methodism was the choice we openly committed to. Two stories were

shared that were certainly heartwarming. One was shared by Diane McDonald when she was actu-

ally in the Holy Land and saw the Jordan River for the first time. She described it as a dirty riv-

erbed but was so moved to walk in and feel the water come over her and emerge with a new con-

viction of life. The other was shared by another member whose family comes together for special

events such as Baptism and meets at their old homestead to share in this event. The homestead is

now owned by a private owner but they are allowed to do this. What amazing stories that would-

n’t have been shared unless at a retreat. We may have retreated to seek his word quietly in scrip-

ture and meditation but we openly share the good news.

The first covenant and the understanding of the “sacrificial lamb” was that of Abraham and his son

Isaac. Abraham’s faith was accepted by God as his promise with God. We begin to understand our

faith in God began long before our lives existed. Communion with God is not to be taken lightly

but earnestly and seeing truly what scripture tells us what it means to be in communion. Do not

partake as told in scripture if you are hungry but that it fills your soul and you thirst not.

WALK JUSTLY AND GOD PROMISES “ A FULL LIFE”. THANKS BE TO GOD.

Articles for Christ UMC submitted by Anne Auschwitz, CUMC UMW Board Secretary

Peggy Evans and

Mary Nell Miller

THE GRAPEVINE 8


President Loretta Haskins 3405 Pine Haven

Circle

Haughton, LA 71037 390-

6812

bandchig@suddenli

nk.net

Vice President Thomasas Jernigan 6053 Fox Chase Trail Shreveport, LA 71129 686-

9769

tcvsandy14@bellso

uth.net

Secretary Lanette Butler 804 E. Palmetto Ave Plain Dealing, LA 71064 326-

4203

[email protected]

Treasurer Connie Wasson 125 Rachel Lane Bossier City, LA 71111 747-

9411

was-

son.connie@yahoo.

Spiritual Growth Jan Nelson PO Box # 98 Ida, LA 71044 422-

1130

janmelnel@hotmail

.com

Education & Interpretation Marilyn Turnley 201 Frankie St. Plain Dealing, LA 71064 286-

4237

[email protected]

m

Membership Nurturing

Outreach

Mary J. Lewis 6170 Keithville/

Springridge

Keithville, LA 71047 210-

1908

No email

Social Action Linda Resendez 4398 Parkridge Dr. Benton, LA 71006 965-

9971

[email protected]

m

Program Resources Clara Hemmings 4756 Richmond Shreveport, LA 71106 868-

2105

cash42@bellsouth.

net

Communications Jo Molnar 10036 Heritage Dr. Shreveport, LA 71115 459-

7197

jomolnar29@yahoo

.com

Nominations vacant

BUMW and Soul Sisters Circle

hosted a Pot Luck Supper as a

benefit for Gabriel’s Closet on

Sunday, March 9th. Helen Smith, member and volunteer at Gabriel’s Closet

gave an informal talk on the interdenominational charity and it’s services to

impoverished mothers and children of Shreveport. All members were asked

to bring lightly used items of clothing for donation. The Circles collected

several large bags of clothing, toys, and blankets and delivered them to Ga-

briel’s Closet in Cedar Grove. Soul Sisters is a relatively new Circle of active

women at Broadmoor and Lisa Dupree is their Leader. As a welcome gift,

the Unit presented them with a one year subscription to Response Maga-

zine. Twenty five people attended, both young and old and everyone had a

great time. There is a Baby Crib kept in the hallway outside the Broadmoor

UMC offices to accept donations to this charity on an ongoing basis.

Article submitted by Ruby Stewart, acting President of the BUMW.

Broadmoor United Methodist Women

Shreveport

Shreveport District UMW Executive Board

THE GRAPEVINE 9


Money Moments

“...for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,

self control: against such there is no law.” May you be blessed every season with this promise.

Treasurer’s Report—Connie Wasson

Remember the last quarter for your unit to fulfill

the qualifications for the “2014 5-Star Awards” is

August 15. At that time you will also need to send

information about contributions for the Mission

Candle and Retired Officers. I must have your

Mission Candle information by September 1st so I

can get the names to the Conference Treasurer to

be included in the Mission Candle Book at the

Annual Meeting. Please contact me if you have a

question.

Unit Treasurers please remember when you send money to me: you need to send a completed Re-

mittance Form for all Treasurers. The form says “Mission Giving” (1-5) and “Designated

Gifts” (6-7). There are some blanks toward the bottom where you can write in a specific project

(i.e.UMCOR,MacDonell Children’s Services, North Rampart, Dulac, etc). Please do not send a check

without the completed remittance form. Write all checks to Shreveport District UMW and

mail to 125 Rachel Lane, Bossier City 71111. Remember you can write “one check” for

all your contributions. If you are ordering an SMR pin, paying your pledge, and ordering some

mission cards—-you can fill out the correct forms for each and send one check for the combined

amount. Has your unit remembered to send their A.&M.D. (Administration and Membership Devel-

opment) money? Each unit sends $1.00 per member each year. The district uses these funds for dis-

trict expenses and reaching out to help units increase membership and help :new units” get started.

The School of Christian Mission for the conference will be held in July. Many women and young girls

are able to attend for the first time because of our support of the Estelle Dameron Scholarship.

Please encourage your unit to remember to support this wonderful mission. Many from our district

have received this scholarship and keep going back each July for a wonderful time of study and fellow-

ship. Young girls —-our future leaders—-also receive a scholarship to attend the school. Please sup-

port this scholarship program.

SMR pins can only be ordered through your district treasurer. The pin that can be ordered through

the Resource Center is a membership pin and does not qualify for the 5-Star Award.

Enjoy the summer. Please save the date November 6th and attend the District Annual Meeting. LELT

(Local Elected Leaders Training) will follow the annual meeting. Every unit treasurer needs to be in

attendance for this informational meeting.

In Christ’s Love,

Connie Wasson/ District Treasurer 125 Rachel Lane Bossier City LA 71111 318-747-9411

THE GRAPEVINE 10


Clara Hemmings— Program Resources

Hello again to all the churches in the Shreveport District. It has been a busy Spring.

Patty Lindsey, from FUMC Shreveport, and I attended Assembly 2014 in Louisville, KY

in April. There were about 40 women from the Louisiana Conference present. We

joined together to worship and be inspired with up to 8,000 United Methodist Women

from across the country and around the world. It was amazing! More women from the

Shreveport District should plan now to attend Assembly2018 which will be held in Co-

lumbus, Ohio. It only happens every 4 years, so you have plenty to time to plan ahead.

We have several important dates to talk about. First, the end is at hand for our 2014

Reading Program. Some of the books I have enjoyed most this year are The Dress-

maker of Khair Khane by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon and Awake: Doing a World

of Good One Person at a Time by Noel Brewer Yeatts. Try to find these books if

you have not already read them. Your reading reports are due to me by July 8th at the

latest. Please send them to me at: Clara Hemming, 4756 Richmond Av., Shreveport,

LA 71106. Zwolle UMC was the first one to turn in their report last year. I’ll be watch-

ing the mail for your report. You don’t want me to have to call you, do you???

The next important date coming up for our District is Mini Mission u on August 16,

2014. Remember, this very important event is an overview of our mission studies for

the year, and your chance to get your copies of the mission study books without any

postage fees. What a great deal! I would appreciate it if UMW units would let me

know before the middle of July, how many copies they will need of our new studies.

The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility and Ad-

vocacy and How is it With Your Soul? Also, if anyone still needs The Roma of

Europe, I will order it for you for Mini Mission u.

I believe we will again be able to pre-order our Program Books and Prayer Calendars

just as we did last year. Did that work out well for everyone who ordered? Contact me

via email at [email protected] with any questions or comments you may have.

Clara Hemmings— Program Resources and Reading Program

THE GRAPEVINE 11


EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION— Marilyn Turnley

Many have participated in the Roma mission study, but you still must get your reports

with the follow-up to me. The sooner you do so, the sooner you can then forget it. As far

as I know, much less of your units have experienced The Call Study. The book is well

worth your time reading if you missed out on the study. That book will still count toward

your reading list for Spiritual growth. By the time you receive this newsletter, I hope many

will have taken advantage of St. Paul’s invitation to The Call on May 10. Do plan to attend

Mission at the Wesley Center July 23=26, 2014. For anyone attending for the first time,

you may apply for a scholarship.

Marilyn Turnley 318-286-4237 201 Frankie, Plain Dealing, LA 71064

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR—GRAPEVINE EDITOR Jo Molnar

Hello everyone. As you can see, we’ve had a lot going on the last 3 months.

Thank you so much for your submissions. Your input makes the newsletter

better.

It is so much better if you can email the pictures. I don’t do well getting the

pictures inserted if they are hard copies. I try, but they don’t look as good.

(Sorry about that!!)

If you have any comments or suggestions for improving the Grapevine,

please let me know.

Have a great summer everyone!

THE NEXT GRAPEVINE IS TO BE PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 2014. Please

have info to me by August 2nd. Thanks !!

THE GRAPEVINE 12


THE GRAPEVINE Shreveport District UMW

Shreveport District United Methodist Church

Louisiana Conference

PO BOX 41188

SHREVEPORT, LA 71134-1188

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Shreveport, LA

Permit No. 163

Save the dates—

MINI MISSION u August 16th

Wesley UMC in Homer

8:30—12 noon—Bring a sack lunch

Millie Moore will lead the Disabilities Study

And

Shreveport District Annual Meeting - November 6th

If you wish to be added to the mailing list or receive the Grapevine

via email , Please contact Jo Molnar

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