News of the Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Women September/October, 2012
Reflection: Let us church ladies not be cranky about our work, nor self righteous, nor judgmental, nor overburdened. Rather, let us be joyful givers; let us serve with good humor. Help us to be the women other women seek to be.
I: What’s New
Craft Like You’ve Never Crafted Before This Saturday, September 29 9am – noon in the Vestry This year’s UMW Craft Day is lining up to be like no other craft day in recent history. (OK, even if you can’t remember recent craft days, trust me.) Mary Kennan Townsend—talented in arts and organization—has planned an event that’s sure to inspire and reveal those gifts in beading, sewing, knitting, that you never knew you had. If all else fails, you can hang out with your UMW pals and eat snacks. Regardless, we look forward to seeing you there.
Girl, You Rock! UMW Sunday was a huge success; people at church are still talking about the powerful services we held on Sunday, September 16. Thanks to everyone who played a role: from Suzanne Vieth who set the tone for the day by reminding us of the UMW’s strong history, to Drema McAllister Wilson who gave us a terrifically entertaining and inspiring sermon. To the thoughtful liturgists (well, at least Ann Michel) to the ushers who brought tears to many of our eyes as they walked forward carrying the offerings. Thanks to Circle 10 whose lunch filled us with great food and to our speaker, Trina Frundt of Courtney’s House, whose talk kept us rapt for an hour and kept us thinking for days afterwards. All around, a great day. Thanks to everyone who contributed. A podcast of Drema’s sermon can be found on Metropolitan’s website: www.nationalchurch.org
Another Autumn, Another Bazaar OK, it sounds ho-hum, and much of this annual event is a retread: The date—always the first Saturday in November, Saturday November 3. The sorting & Pricing: Tuesdays, 10am. The rules: Most donations (kitchen things, china, other collectibles, books/CDs/DVDs/tapes/records, puzzles, games, "attic treasures," Christmas decorations, unused nicer gifts, accessories eg. scarves, belts, handbags) delivered to UMW closet off Vestry; jewels delivered to the church office (Eugenia Evans (setevans@comcast.net , 301-320-4036) and Kelly D'Angelo <kellysclothes@aol.com are coordinating); boutique-quality jackets to Connie McWorkman (Call her to select a Sunday for the handoff 301-320-4242); No other clothing accepted, no furniture, no used electronics, no magazines, no textbooks. The Woman Behind the Event: Barbara Gaskill (202-244-3512 or Barbara@bgaskill.com) (with lots of help); The Big Load of Cash: The best part of this routine, every year we bring in tens of thousands of dollars to support our charities. But there is still room in the event for the less expected, the unpredictable. For instance, you never know what gem you’ll find in attic treasures or the jewelry cache. And we never know which of YOU will turn out to help before, during & after the big day! So put the date on your calendar, block out the hours between 7:30 am and 4pm, and plan to join us. We need lots of helping hands.
Staats Memorial Fund Accepting Grant Proposals Deadline: October 31 The Margaret Rich Staats Memorial Fund is accepting proposals for funding in early 2013. The Staats Fund is a committee of the UMW and supports programs and projects that help others, particularly children. Priority will be given to organizations in the greater DC area and to organizations where Metropolitan members are actively engaged (as volunteers, supporters, etc.). Send proposals by Wednesday, October 31 by email to Eliza Hamner-Koenig at eliza_hamner@yahoo.com. Please contact Eliza for recommendations on proposal content.
Lunch and More: Feasting, Fellowship and Fun October 18, November 15, December 20 Noon – 2pm (or thereabouts) Great Hall Light lunch followed by various activities—games such as bridge, discussions of current events and books, Bible study and so on. All ages, men and women. RSVP is not required, but helpful. If you plan to attend or have questions, contact Drema at dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900.
UMW Recognition Luncheon December 9, 12:30pm Great Hall Once again, we will be honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the church, the nation, the world. We are now seeking nominations; please submit yours to Phyllis Kokus at 202-362-7861 or pkokus@aol.com before October 30th. In addition to honoring these special women we will recognize new UMW members, celebrate babies born in our church family this year and remember those women who have died this year.
Save the Date 2013 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S RETREAT Priest Field Pastoral Center Kearneysville, WV February 8-10, 2013 “Journey to Inner Trust” Mary Elizabeth Marlow, Retreat Leader Of all the issues facing those of us on the spiritual journey, probably the most challenging is trust. We long to know when to, whether to, to trust. Join us for a week-end during which we confront this issue head-on through story-telling, guided imagery, drawings and ritual. …and where we reawaken innocence, trust in the moment and in ourselves. Retreat Leaders: Jeanie Mah, Mary Jo Marchant, Ann Michel and Barbara Tate Mary Elizabeth Marlow is an international speaker and seminar leader, storyteller and counselor. She is the author of several books including “Jumping Mouse: A Story About Inner Trust.”
UMW Circle Meetings Circle 2. Contacts: Charlotte Carter (char.carter@cox.net), Jane Cunningham JTC3rd@aol.com) Circle 3: Contact: Anne Bechdolt, abechdolt@msn.com or 317-331-6813. Circle 6: Meet October 11 at 7:00 pm in room 206 to discuss your favorite books read over the last year. Contact: Mary Jo Marchant (703-435-1715 or mjmarchant@verizon.net or Ann Michel (202-885-8582 or amichel@wesleyseminary.edu. Circle 8: meet on Tuesday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm at church to work on jewelry for the bazaar. Contact: Eugenia Evans, setevans@comcast.net Circle 9: Meet Wednesday, October 3 at 10:30 in the Choir Room. Karen Howard will tell us all about the recent VIM trip to Nicaragua. Please contact Bobby Turnbull, (301) 320-4154, bobbyturnbull@comcast.net. Circle 10: Meet Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in Room 204 at the church and then cook casseroles in the kitchen to be sold at the bazaar. Contact: Caralee Adams caralee.adams@verizon.net