Sally McGrath, President / James River District UMW
THE CMPASS
January 2016
Pattie Arwood, Editor
What’s in this issue:
Page 2 –
Secretary
Page 3 –
Treasurer
Program
Resources
Page 4 –
MNO
Social Action
Page 5 –
Leadership
Development
Page 6 & 7
Spring Retreat
Page 8 –
Calendar of
Events
Page 9 & 10
UM Day at
General
Assembly / Wonderful Women of Faith,
Whew! It’s January – the New Year – 2016. So much happens in January – resolutions, a clean slate for the year, plans for the year ahead. You will all be meeting this month for the first time in 2016 – planning meetings, making pledges, assigning tasks. January is not JUST a time to renew our monetary pledges to the UMW, but a time to renew our call to this organization we hold so dear. A time to renew our commitment – take just a few minutes and consider the question – WHY is United Methodist Women of value to you?
Many of us who attended the District UMW Advent Retreat chose a prayer partner for 2016 from a basket of names. Don’t forget your prayer partner – include her in your prayers and devotions – and send her a card on her birthday.
The District Mission Team is hard at work designing programs and inviting speakers that we believe will be meaningful to you. If you have an idea for a speaker or program topic, please let one of us know. We are always interested in what you think and what is important to you.
Sally
Sally McGrath
434-246-8022
SECRETARY
Candee Speirs / 804-834-8905
I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to all 2015 secretaries for the timeliness you showed in submitting your unit’s 2016 Officer List. I began receiving the lists as early as the second week in September – how nice it was to return from vacation and have mail! In August of 2016 your District Mission Team will again mail to your unit president or contact person the forms due back to the team for Annual Meeting preparation. It is my hope we will have a good response with timely returns again this year.
As we begin 2016 I encourage you to remember the duties of the Secretary – page 23 in the year book:
The Secretaryshall:
- Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the unit and its Executive Committee and give notice of these meetings;
- Serve as custodian of all records and official papers;
- Sign, with the president, all orders on the treasury and all official and legal papers, making certain each is properly dated;
- Keep an accurate up-to-date roll of membership;
- Send the completed Officer Form for the next year to the district Secretary by Nov. 1st;
- Send the name of the newly elected President and Secretary of Program Resources to the Mission Resource Center;
- Serve on the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Membership, Nurture and Outreach Committee, if one exists.
Please take note of the Leadership Development article in this issue of The Compass. I hope to see many, if not all of you, at that time. I will be available for questions and comments you would like to share with me. BUT more importantly, please remember I am available to you via phone or email at all times. If I don’t have the correct answer to your question, we will find out who does.
I find encouragement with Proverbs 16:3 ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.’ I pray for each of you a very successful 2016.
Candee
TREASURER
Marie Hawks / 434-246-3609Happy New Year ladies!
As the first quarter begins, a couple of reminders for you treasurers:
- Please remember to remit funds based on your membership as of 12/31/15 ($2 per member). This money supports our district budget.
- Also include money for yearbooks that you should already have received. ($2 per book covers cost of printing)
- Deadline for first quarter is March 10
Also, now is the time to encourage members to become a Rainbow Woman. One Rainbow Woman can help your unit achieve 5 star status. (Yep) Think of someone in your unit or church that could use a pat on the back for all the work they do. If you need forms or have questions, give me a call.
Please plan on attending the leadership training event on January 30. I plan to be there to answer your questions and have a packet of forms for treasurers.
Marie
PROGRAM RESOURCESDebbie Elder / 804-751-0371
I hope you enjoyed the holidays. Now that the weather has turned cold, it is a good time to curl up by the fire with a good book. We have started the 2016 Reading Program, and I hope that you will participate this year. Just want to remind you there are five categories in the Reading Program (Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, and Spiritual Growth). To complete Plan I, you must read five books (one from each category). This year they made two changes to the Reading Program. You can read books from the 2011-2016 reading list and you can read children and youth books in all five reading plans.
I look forward to seeing you at the District UMW Leadership Training on January 30th. I will have additional information for the Reading Program.
Debbie
MEMBERSHIP, NURTURE & OUTREACHMARY RENNEY / 757-870-8515
And we know that all things work together for good, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
The United Methodist Women are called by God to serve Him in the areas of missions, giving, visiting the sick and those alone, the hungry, and in many other areas. Prayerfully daily seek God to guide you in His service, give you the strength and ability to accomplish the task before you. Nothing is impossible with God’s love and guidance.
In January, make plans and goals for 2016 to inspire others to become and enjoy the rewards of being United Methodist Women. God calls us to be leaders.
Mary
SOCIAL ACTIONDiana Harbarger / 804-526-4807
Happy New Year! Another year has come and many have made resolutions. Some have already been abandoned. One of my year's resolutions is to go out and make a difference in lives. We may not think that what we do is really doing anything or it is not enough especially with all of the "bad stuff" that is going on in our world today.But I believe everything helps and the easiest thing to do is pray for those out in the field and for those who are receiving the assistance and also knowing that God is with everyone at all times. I hope to be able to help any UMW member/unit with a mission or social action or at least point them into a direction. Just let me know.I do hope you prayerfully consider coming to the events that are already in the works including membership development at the end of January and the United Methodist Day at the General Assembly on Feb. 4th. Invite a friend to come or bring a youth. My mom and I are bringing our minister and 3 youth to this event. The registration is easy, and the day is a fantastic learning experience. Hope to see you soon!
Diana
JAMES RIVER DISTRICT UMW
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL EVENT
JANUARY 30, 2016
10:00 AM
Magnolia United Methodist Church (1764 Wilroy Road, Suffolk VA)
It’s January – so it must be Leadership Development time! Every member of United Methodist Women at every church on the district is invited to attend. This is NOT just for officers, but for any women who is interested in what the UMW does and how it does what it does (did you follow that?!) and how we could do it better.
Our special guest will be Monica Sprague, the Conference Coordinator for Social Action. Monica has been asked to discuss several topics that are on the minds and in the hearts of every United Methodist Woman – how do we attract new members ~~ how do we make UMW relevant to younger women ~~ how do we inspire women to become leaders in our local units ~~ as well as some other problems we all encounter.
The mission emphasis for this event will be food for the food pantry located at Magnolia Please bring food items only – no paper products, etc.
This event will be run a little differently than in past years. EVERYONE will hear Monica speak and have the opportunity to ask questions. EVERYONE will hear the presentations from each district officer and receive handouts to take back to their local units. And then, EVERYONE can join us for lunch at Bunny’s Restaurant near the church to continue our fellowship.
Directions to Magnolia are as follows. The exit for Magnolia UMC is just past the intersection of Route 460 and Highway 58 if you are going east and just before that intersection coming from the west.
Coming from the west:
- Take Highway 58 East toward Virginia Beach
- Take the Wilroy Road/Route 642 exit
- At the end of the exit ramp, turn left at the light onto Wilroy Road
- The church is just down on your right
Coming from the east:
- Take Highway 58 West toward Emporia
- Take the Wilroy Road/Exit 642 exit
- At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, turn right on Wilroy Road
- The church is just ahead on your left
NO RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS EVENT!!!! I hope to see you there as we develop our leadership capabilities and renew our commitment to United Methodist Women.
Sally McGrath
DISTRICT UMW SPRING RETREAT PLANNED
The District Mission Team has planned a wonderful spring retreat for you! It will be April 16 at Courtland United Methodist Church with the Rev. Myrtle Frances Hatcher, pastor at Main St. UMC in Suffolk, as retreat leader. Mission Emphasis for the event is items for the Wesley Community Service Center. All this information is on the registration form on page 7.
One thing that needs to be very clear - we are limited to 100 people attending due to the size of Courtland’s social hall. Please don’t wait until the last minute to register!
We will begin the morning in the social hall, so it will be easier for you to use the side entrance, rather than enter through the sanctuary. The ladies at Courtland are preparing a sumptuous home cooked breakfast for us!
Here are directions to Courtland UMC (22416 Main Street, Courtland VA):
From the west:
Take 58 East to Southampton High School and then turn onto the Courtland 35N Exit
Go 3 miles
At the blinking light, turn right
The church is one mile on the right
From the east:
Take 58 West
Take the exit for 58 Business
Go 3 miles
The church is a brick church on the left
From the north:
Take I-95 South
Take the Courtland, 35 South Exit
Travel 35 miles into Courtland
1 mile past the railroad tracks, the brick church will be on the right
SPRING RETREAT
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2016
COURTLAND UMC
8:30 REGISTRATION
9:00 BREAKFAST
9:45 SHORT BUSINESS MEETING
10:00 – 12:00 RETREAT AND COMMUNION
Mission Emphasis: WESLEY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
(bleach {any size/any brand}, floor and wall cleaning liquid {such as Mr. Clean, Spic & Span, etc.}, Pine Sol type deodorizing cleaners {any size/any brand}, dishwashing liquid {any size/any brand}, Awesome spray cleaner, quart and gallon size plastic bags {zip-lock kind preferred}, 8 & 13 gallon size trash can liners) OR you may make a financial donation to WCSC (make your check payable to WSCS).
REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST - $13
REGISTRATION ONLY - $5
REGISTRATION DEADLINE – APRIL 10
ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED TO 100 PEOPLE DUE TO THE SIZE OF COURTLAND’S SOCIAL HALL
Payment due with registration; payable to “James River District UMW"
SendRegistration to Marie Hawks, 300 Rustic Drive, Carson VA 23830
UNIT:______BRANCH: ______
CONTACT NAME:______PHONE NO.:______
PLEASE PRINT AS NAME TAGS WILL BE MADE FROM THIS LIST
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
NAME:______$13 ___ $5 ___
2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTSJanuary 30District UMW Leadership Development – Magnolia UMC – 10 am
February 1Deadline for submitting membership data on-line or to Sally McGrath
February 4United Methodist Day at the General Assembly, Richmond
March 101st Quarter Treasurer’s Report due – send to Marie Hawks (don’t forget
$2 for each Yearbook and $2 for each member for A&MD Fund)
April 1Deadline for “The Compass” – send to Pattie Arwood
April 16Spring Retreat – Courtland UMC
April 20-May 1Spiritual Life Retreat - Blackstone
June 102nd Quarter Treasurer’s Report due – send to Marie Hawks
June 11UMW Day at Ferrum College
June 17-19Virginia Annual Conference – Roanoke VA
June 18UMW Breakfast at Conference
July 29-31Mission Encounter 2016 – Blackstone
August 6District Mission Team – First UMC, Hopewell
August 7Deadline for “The Compass” – send to Pattie Arwood
September 8Deadline for Candle Burning to Sally McGrath
Deadline for Living Into Our Purpose to Sally McGrath
Deadline for reading achievements to Debbie Elder
Deadline for names of deceased members to Sally McGrath
Deadline for 5 & 6 Star info and Rainbow Giver to Marie Hawks
Elect officers in local units for next year
September 103rd Quarter Treasurer’s Report – send to Marie Hawks
September 16-17Young Women’s Event – Blackstone
September 25District UMW Annual Meeting – 3 pm – Place TBA
October 1Deadline for “The Compass” - send to Pattie Arwood
October 29-30Conference UMW Annual Meeting – Blackstone
November 1Deadline for submitting 2017 Officer List to Candee Speirs
November 6District UMW Fall Day Apart – 3 pm – Place TBA
December 3Advent Retreat – Blackstone
December 104th Quarter Treasurer’s Report – send to Marie Hawks
COMPASS –JANUARY 2016 Page 1