United Methodist Women members mobilized in every conference using the Internet, toll-free calls, smartphone mobile giving, mailed-in checks and pledges to participate in the organization's first annual "A Day of Giving" on March 23. The effort is a part of United Methodist Women's five-year celebration of its 150th anniversary in 2019 by strengthening and passing on its legacy of mission.
Social media played a significant role in promoting A Day of Giving with March 23 Facebook posts reaching more than 40,000 with 2,500 "likes and shares," and United Methodist Women's website getting 6,800 "hits" on that day. United Methodist Women's website received more than 15,000 "hits" from March 22 to March 25.
A Day of Giving gifts totaled nearly $100,000 with more than 60 percent of the $83,056.67 received given online and another $11,314 in pledged gifts given by phone and mail.
And gifts are still arriving daily. If you did not participate in March, do so now!
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the groundswell that this has started," said Martha Sherman Knight, treasurer of United Methodist Women. "Online giving tripled in the month of March even before we reached the actual Day of Giving."
Ms. Knight said because of Day of Giving preparations, United Methodist Women is now set up online for recurring gifts, gifts in honor of a special person and for members' gifts to be credited to their respective districts and conferences.
A Day of Giving also opened new lines of communications with United Methodist Women members, Ms. Knight said.
"I received a call from a member who said, 'I didn't get the A Day of Giving announcement postcard, but my friend did, and she told me about the event. You must not have my information.' She gave her gift over the phone, updated us with her new mailing and e-mail addresses, and she also renewed her subscription to response."
Another caller told a story about the rug that was in the parlor of Tremont Methodist Church in Boston, Massachusetts, when United Methodist Women foremothers met there to organize for mission March 23, 1869. "The caller said, 'They might want to know that I'm caring for this rug,' " Ms. Knight said.
A Day of Giving and other 150th anniversary gifts are designated for The Legacy Fund, a forward-looking permanent endowment to undergird future generations of United Methodist Women as they engage in mission with the women, children and youth of their day.
The Legacy Fund's income will ensure a regular source of support for the core expenses of being in mission. It will provide for administration of United Methodist Women's grants, scholarships, mission personnel, membership nurture, leadership development and technological updates of data and communications operating systems. The Legacy Fund's provision for such expenses will free future generations of United Methodist Women to raise and budget their Mission Giving dollars in different ways that enable them to connect even more directly with women, children and youth.
Throughout the five-year 150th anniversary celebration, every member of United Methodist Women is invited to contribute to The Legacy Fund. While any amount is welcome, members are asked to consider commemorating the year United Methodist Women foremothers first organized for mission with gifts in increments of 1869—$18.69, $186.90, $1,869, etc., or honoring United Methodist Women's years of service with gifts in increments of 150—$15, $150, $1,500. Members are also invited to name United Methodist Women's Legacy Fund in their will or as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or pension.
Mother / Child Retreat Information and Schedule
Directions to Camp Rockfish –
Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, 226 Camp Rockfish Rd. Parkton, NC 28371
From I-95
From Exit 41, turn west towards Hope Mills. Follow this road (Main Street) until you reach Camden Road (Approximately 4 miles). Take a left, and follow this road until it ends at a T intersection at Davis Bridge Road (Approximately 6 miles). Turn left onto Davis Bridge Road, and you will see a Dollar General on your left with a dirt road just past it. Turn left onto this dirt road and drive through the gate. You have arrived at Camp Rockfish.
GPS address: 147 Davis Bridge Road, Raeford, NC 28376
Mother Child Retreat - 2015
September 18th - Friday
4:00 - 9:30 pm Registration
6:00 - 7:30 pm Mother/Child fun and games
8:00 pm - Campfire
September 19th Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast in Dining Hall for all participants
8:45 am Registration
9:15 am Welcome, Introduction of Teachers & Directions & Questions
9:45 – 11:30 Children’s Workshops
10:00 – 11:30 Adult Workshops
12:30 LUNCH
1:30 - 5:30 Free Time – swimming, skating, knee boarding, tubing, canoeing, kayaking,
archery, fishing, volleyball, soccer, nature trail hikes, high rope, climbing tower, Zip line and environmental education.
4:00 – 5:30 Mother/child craft
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Hayride and all outdoor activities
7:30 to 8:30 Ice Cream Social, & all fun time activities
10:00 Quiet Time/Bed time
September 20th Sunday
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Devotions - Teachers & students give highlights of class.
10:00 Dismissal
2015- Registration Form - Mother Child Retreat
Camp Rockfish - Sept.18, 19th & 20th
2015 Theme: "God Is Calling Us to Protect”
Plan Ahead!! Come on down to Camp Rockfish for a great, fun-time weekend. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to bond and to spend quality time with your child (children). Registration begins at 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon. NO FRIDAY DINNER MEAL IS PROVIDED. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!! Saturday Breakfast is served at 8:00 am. Saturday registration will begin at 8:45 am. Teacher's introduction & instructions will begin at 9:15 am. Workshops start at 9:45 am. All registrations must be received by August 8, 2014. Forms received after this date will be honored only if space is available. Directions and a tentative agenda are on the reverse side.
The adult workshops are – (choose only one workshop)
___ Personal Spiritual Growth ___ "God Is Calling Us to Protect"
___ Challenge Course ___ Craft
Children’s workshops will include Bible lessons, games, crafts, singing, nature walks and preparation for the Sunday morning Worship Program. Saturday afternoon is free time for everyone. Activities available during Free Time: swimming, skating, knee boarding, hay riding, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, archery, fishing, volleyball, soccer, nature trail hikes, high rope, climbing tower, Zip line and environmental education. After dinner we will have a gala ice cream social.
All campers should bring the following: Bibles, linens (Twin for bunks), blanket, towels, washcloths, soap, various personal items, swimsuits, flashlight, bug spray, rain wear, & coins for vending machines. The camp store will be open at various announced times.
Our Registrar is Betsy Westbrook. Please make your check payable to NC Conference UMW and mail registration
form and check to: Betsy Westbrook, 823 Greenbrier Road, Kinston, NC 28501.
Camp time includes: Two nights, four meals & the Ice Cream Social. No refunds after August 13th as we have to give the camp director a firm number.
For further information please contact:
Kendall Chalmers, Membership Nurture & Outreach Coordinator: 12340 Barnes Bridge Rd, Laurinburg, NC 28352 email- / Telephone # 910-384-1525 or Betsy Westbrook, 252-527-3914.
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Rates: 2 nights + 4 meals - Children 5 thru 12 - $94.00 per person; adults - $94.00 per person
Children ages 3 & 4 - $25.00 per person - Eligible ages for Children to attend are 3 thru 12.
Name ____________________________________________E-mail ________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________Phone # ________________________________
Child’s Name (M) (F) __________________________________________________________________ age_______________
Child's Name (M) (F) ___________________________________________________________________ age_______________
Child's Name (M) (F) ___________________________________________________________________ age_______________
I will arrive Friday _________:_________PM I will arrive Saturday _________:_________AM
District______________________________ CHURCH_________________________________________________
Amount enclosed $_____________ Handicapped or Special Needs________________________________________
Cabin Mate desired _____________________________________________________________________________
Churches who wish to room together should send in registration forms together.