A note from Anne Winn...
President’s Report - March
So much has happened since our last Trumpet Sound. I suppose that 2021 will be a “New Beginning”. However, we have not conquered Coronavirus yet. I know that many of you have had your vaccine but not me. We will continue to use Zoom Meetings until there is assurance that it’s safe to meet publicly. Actually, I’m spoiled. I like not having to drive all over the East Central District. Also, it’s been interesting having 2 hour meetings rather than half a day meetings. On the flip side, I like seeing you in person and I like the fellowship of “coming to the table” and sharing a meal. As we all know, “it’s in God’s hands”.
We had a great turnout for the Leadership Development Event. We spent our first hour learning about the dimensions of Leadership. The second hour we learned about the many resources available to us from National United Methodist Women. A Welcoming Toolkit was reviewed. The purpose of both hours was to energize our units with Hope, Love, and Action and to remind us that United Methodist Women can be just as vital as it was 150 years ago. Our “glory days are not behind us be before us!" The specific Officer Training was done separately by District Officers.
Our 2021 Calendar has been updated. See the changes in this issue of Trumpet Sound and on the District Website (www.fledcumw.org). Please note the changes and mark your calendars for upcoming District and Conference event.
Scripture message: Luke 16: 19-31. This is the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus (read for yourself the details). Often when Jesus tells a parable, he stops the story without a “clear” ending allowing the audience (us) to figure out what the point of the story really is. Despite the rich man’s entitlement, he really was a “good guy”. Two examples show his goodness. He let Lazarus sit outside his gate to beg, and Lazarus had sores over his body. These were two Jewish laws broken. However, the rich man never created a relationship with Lazarus. (He walked by without recognizing the humanness of Lazarus). The point is—it’s not enough to be good, but we need to love others as ourselves.
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Vice President’s Report:
Anne Winn (interim Vice President)
Plans are underway for several District wide opportunities. Let me highlight several. All events will be by Zoom until we have the “go ahead” to meet in person.
1. The Women’s Spiritual Retreat date has changed. We will celebrate together on via Zoom on March 27, 2021 from 9:45 am to 12 noon. You will receive more information about this event closer to the date. Don't miss out on this event, register online at the District Website (www.flecdumw.org).
2. There will be a Cluster Mission Study virtual events being scheduled. The study is Finding Peace in an Anxious World. The book has 4 chapters and we will study one chapter per week. Please register for this Mission Study on the District Website (www.flecdumw.org). Please obtain the book and read each chapter prior to attending the weekly study.
3. On Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 9:45 am to 12 noon there will be a presentation on the Charter for Racial Justice. Two women (Linda Cook and Jeanine Christian), who are North Central District officers, will conduct this workshop. This is important for unit to attend an learn more on what this document means and to complete your Mission Today Racial Justice box on the Mission Today Annual Report. You can find registration information on the District Website (www.flecdumw.org)
4. Mission u will meet this year (barring any catastrophe). There will be 3 ways to attend Mission u:
- June 19, 2010 and 26, 2021 Virtual meetings. There will be two hour sessions in the morning and in the afternoon for both dates. This will be for the Pushout Study.
- There will an in-person event on July 15-17 at the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) in Fruitland Park.
- There will be a hybrid event that is partly in person and partly online (more details coming at a later date.
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2021 Calendar (updated)
March 27, 2021
Women's Spiritual Retreat
9:45 am - Noon
Zoom
May 1, 2021
District wide Charter for Racial Justice
NCD Presenting Program
TBD - Zoom or In Person Setting
May
Date TBD
Cluster Mission Study
June 19 and 26, 2021
Mission U
Virtual via Zoom
July 15-17, 2021
Mission U
On-site at Life Enrichment Center - Fruitland Park
September 10-11
Conference Spiritual Retreat
Life Enrichment Center - Fruitland Park
October 9, 2021
The District Annual Meeting
TBD - Zoom or In Person Setting
November 6, 2021
Annual Conference Meeting
Location TBD
May 20-22, 2022
Assembly
Orlando, FL
If you are interested in receiving the latest event updates in the East Central District, please sign up at www.flecdumw.org
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Charter for Racial Justice District wide Event
Presented by Linda Cook and Jeanine Christian
Atlantic Central District Officers
May 1, 2021 10 am-noon by Zoom
If you ever wondered about the history and current focus of racial justice with United Methodist Women you want to gather your unit and join in for this short 2 hour Zoom session!
It is important for unit to attend an learn more and to complete your Mission Today Racial Justice box on the Mission Today Annual Report. You can find registration information on the District Website (www.flecdumw.org)
Racial Justice: Advocacy and Education
Because We Believe…
United Methodist Women is deeply committed to the ongoing work of racial justice. We seek to be in right relationship with one another. We work together for the transformation of church and world, following the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. To learn more about our racial just work:
Contact the office of Racial Justice
Emily Jones:
Executive for Racial Justice
phone: 212-870-3773
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Updates from around the district.... |
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The First United Methodist Church United Methodist Women in Clermont is presenting a Mission Study - We Are On A Mission to Do God's Work, on Zoom.
This is an in-depth study of Mission Opportunities through the United Methodist Women.
The study will be divided into two parts.
Part 1 - April 10, 9:30 - 12:00 pm
Part 2 - April 17, 9:30 - 12:00 pm
Zoom 101 will be presented at 9:30, and all experienced guests are asked to sign on at 9:45. The study will begin at 10:00
There is no fee but we ask that women register before the event. For questions email Linda Welander at luweland@gmail.com.
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United Methodist Women at New Horizon Church in Haines City continue to social distance and follow Covid 19 guidelines but we are still "Knitted Together" for God's Good Work and remain committed to Faith, Hope and Love in Action.
Our December 7th program centered around being a Mentor, which is to teach, guide, offer friendship, as well as welcoming hospitality. Prior to the program the women prepared gift bags for residents at Palm Krest Assisted Living Facility here in Haines City and continue to provide a monthly birthday cake for the celebration at the facility. In addition, again this year we supported thru donations, Heartland for Children and Gifts for Kids in our local area, as well as, support our Church which hosted a Halloween and Christmas Mobile Drive thru.
Blessings to all in the New Year ahead...from...NHC/UMW
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United Methodist Women, Friendship Unit of St. John’s Support the C.A.R.E. Train
This exciting ministry which was started in August 2020 came about from a calling and vision from God, in order TO CARE for primarily front-line people, but also others adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus (and that would be everyone).
God always holds us in the palm of His hand; and St. John's C.A.R.E. Train is a way to show His love and care.
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C.A.R.E. equals Care and Refresh Everyone!
St. John’s United Methodist Women placed a shopping cart in our Narthex about one and a half weeks prior to our event and it was filled to overflowing with all kinds of goodies donated by our awesomely marvelous group of United Methodist Women plus some from people of St. John’s Church.
Because of the super generosity of everyone there was also enough to provide baskets out to many areas in our community as shown in the pictures.
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SOCIAL ACTION
Gillian Wolfe - gillianwolfe@hotmail.com
Oh, my goodness, where do we begin? There are so many options and opportunities to pick for getting involved with social justice issues in this time of retreat and renewal.
The two United Methodist Women's social justice mission priorities for 2021-2024 are:
- Climate justice with an emphasis on Just Energy for all
- Racial Justice with a focus on the criminalization and incarceration of people of color - a continuation of the school to prison pipeline initiative.
This is where we will concentrate our energy and resources over the next four years. But within those two broad initiatives are many different areas to tackle, so we will need to be discerning about where God is calling us to serve as individuals, as UMW units, and as a church body.
The first step is education. We need to become familiar and informed about the issues we are passionate about, because then we can work intelligently and do the most good together.
There are resources, ideas and opportunities to be found in many different places depending on your interests and abilities:
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You can sign up for interesting discussions that are very informative on any number of subjects at www.JustFaith.org
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Or perhaps you are wanting to help feed people. Take a look at www.fillthetableflorida.org for suggestions, encouragement and opportunities to contribute.
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These websites are just a few of the many resources available to us to help us get started. As Harriett Olson said in the sustainable living Just Faith talk on January 7, 2021 - "now is the time to engage differently" to pay attention to the needs around us, to take small steps and move towards a vision of renewal, restoration and justice for all.
Social Justice is God's Kingdom work and we are the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in this time and place. None of us can do it all, but each of us can do something, and together we can and do make a difference!
Where do we begin?
Blessings and Peace
Gillian Wolfe
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PROGRAM RESOURCES
Patricia Harrell - patriciaharrell.umw@gmail.com
Program Resources Coordinator
PRAYER CALENDAR
Did you know the beloved United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar has its own Facebook page? Follow the page today for daily mission focuses, birthdays of mission personnel and holidays to include in your prayers. The Prayer Calendar lets you know what is happening in mission and moves you to put your faith, hope and love into action.
FAITH TALKS
Three Faith Talks count as two books in the Spiritual Growth category.
BOOKCLUB
Our United Methodist Women East Central District book club meets the second Tues. evening of every month from 7pm until 8:30. Join us every month or just occasionally.
Here’s what we are reading and sharing for the rest of 2021.
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March 10, The Bird Boys, by Lisa Sandlin, Nurturing for Community
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April 14, Anxious to Talk About It, by Carolyn B. Helsel Leadership Development
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May 12, Sleep, Pray, Heal, by Donna Fado Ivery, Spiritual Growth
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June 8, Girl Gone Missing, by Marcie R. Rendon, Social Action
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July 13, A House in the Sky, by Amanda Lindhout, Education for Mission
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August 10, Not Your Princess, by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, Leadership Development
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September 14, What Comes With the Dust, by Gharbi M. Mustafa, Social Action
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October 12, A Road Called Down Both Sides, by Caroline Kurtz, Education for Mission
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November 9, The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas, Nurturing for Community
- December 14, SURPRISE MEETING, JUST COME, NO PREPARATION NEEDED.
If you have any questions regarding Program Resources, or would like training for Program Resources Coordinators, please just email me at: PatriciaHarrell.umw@gmail.com
I hope you’ll join us!
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Articles for Next Trumpet Sounds
The Trumpet Sounds would like to request news updates from your units! Submit by Monday, May 16th, to be included for June.
If you have something news worthy here are a couple tips to be sure your article makes it in:
- Short paragraph on event or update - a few sentences
- A picture - please include a picture
- News worthy - consider it something that another unit could also learn from.
Please send your articles to: dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com using the Subject Line: Trumpet Sounds - November.
Submit by Monday, May 16th!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com
We invite you to view the website now: Either copy this link into your browser: https://flecdumw.org
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President, Anne Winn
annewinn.umw@gmail.com
Communications Coordinator, Diane Abresky
dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com
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