UMW Newsletter THE METROPOLITAN CHURCH
October 2016 Metropolitan Memorial, St. Luke’s & Wesley United Methodist Churches 202-363-4900 (MMUMC office) MetroUMW@gmail.com
Mark Your Calendar October
pg
10 M
UMW Board Mtg (7:158:45pm, Conference Rm)
15 Sa
Greater Washington District UMW Annual Mtg (9am-noon, Good Hope Union UMC, Silver Spring, MD)
December
pg 150th
10 Sa
BW UMW Conference Legacy Celebration (11am) BW Conference Center, Fulton, MD)
11 Su
UMW Recognition Sunday & Dedication of new officers (DATE change!!!)
17 M
AARP Meeting (12:30pm, Vestry)
9
12 M
UMW Board Mtg (7:158:45pm, Conference Rm)
20 Th
Lunch & More (noon, Great Hall)
9
24 Sa
Christmas Eve
22 Sa
BWC UMW Annual Meeting (9am-2pm, Towson UMC)
25 Su
Christmas
January
23 Su
Congregational Crafts and Art Show (Great Hall)
10
30 Su
Pre-Bazaar Jewelry Sale to church members (10am)
2-4
November 5 Sa
UMW Bazaar
13 Su
UMW Board Mtg (12:302pm, Wesley UMC)
20-22 Su-T
Blanche Powell Memorial UN Seminar 2016 (NYC)
24 Th
Thanksgiving
4
2-4
7 Sa
UMW District Officer training (10-noon, Conference Center, Fulton,MD)
Highlights Bazaar preparations, p. 2-3, and schedule, p. 4 Recognition Luncheon date change and nomination deadline, p. 4 New UMW members, p. 6 Circles, p. 11 Appendix, UMW Sunday photos, p. 1217
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News UMW Bazaar Pre-bazaar Jewelry Sale (parishioners only): Sunday, October 30 between services Bazaar: Saturday, November 5, 8am-3pm Why do the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan “Bazaar” each November (yes, we’ve been doing it so long, it’s become a verb)? Bazaar season actually begins in July, when about 6 - 8 women gather each Tuesday, for an hour or two, to begin sorting and pricing donations. This weekly ritual of chipping away against a Sisyphean mountain of gentlyused merchandise connects us to our roots as United Methodist Women. The UMW of today started in 1869, when two missionary wives shared their witness of the neglected spiritual, medical and educational needs of women and girls in India with a group of only 8 women. From this tiny assembly, a larger, committed group grew, which collected “Pledges to Mission” of 5 cents each – via snail mail! – ultimately raising enough money to send a female educator and a female doctor to India. As part of our call as a UMW unit, we pledge over $6,000 each year to support the U.S. and international missions sponsored by the wider UMW. These missions intentionally focus on the health and education of women, youth and children (see http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/what-we-fund).
Donation deadline: Sunday, October 23 Our unit also has a tradition of “local” giving in order to support women, youth and children close to home and close to the hearts of our members. Local mission donations have supported organizations like Courtney’s House, a safe haven for youth who have been trafficked; Sasha Bruce Youth Works for homeless youth; Bright Beginnings, childcare and early learning for homeless families; and Health in Harmony (“Saving the Rainforest with a Stethoscope”), to name just a few. But the other reason we love to “Bazaar” is that it’s just plain fun! We get to see friends whom we haven’t seen all year and with whom we keep meaning to catch up. We’re also bound to meet new friends while browsing for “Attic Treasures.” It's a church-wide event, and beyond. It's a time of fellowship for our community, in the broadest sense of the word. Women and men, boys and girls, teens and pre-teens, all pitch in to make it happen, from sorting and pricing sessions to bazaar set-up and shopping on bazaar day, all the way through to clean up. Whether you love to browse or simply relax with a steaming hot cup of Harvest soup and a sandwich, drop by the Bazaar and drop a few nickels on us. You never know how far they’ll go – maybe to India and back. Can you volunteer on Nov. 5th or the week before? Contact Bobby Turnbull / bobbyturnbull@comcast.net. Have questions about items to donate? Contact Barbara Gaskill / BETQGaskill@gmail.com. ~ Barbara Bazaar Coordinator Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News UMW Bazaar: What can you donate? What’s for sale? All manner of gently-used items, such as: Things for the kitchen / China and other Collectibles / Puzzles and games / “Attic Treasures” / Christmas decorations / New and like-new items for the Gifts boutique / Hand-made crafts / Accessories, Scarves, Belts, Handbags. All of the preceding categories may be dropped off at
any time outside the UMW closet.(on the mezzanine level through the double doors at the end of the Vestry). Closet is kept locked for security reasons and holds only items that the sorting and pricing team has already boxed up.
Jewelry (Must be delivered to the church office. Do not deliver to the UMW closet
Boutique-quality ladies’ wear such as jackets, sweaters and gowns (please hold on
area. Thank you.)
to these for now; do not drop with other donations outside the UMW closet area since we lack appropriate space to store them adequately) . Contact Connie McWorkman (301-320-4242) if you have boutique-quality items to donate.
The Bake Sale, as well as Lunch on site featuring our renowned Harvest Soup and more, will continue! Also continuing will be the Alternative Gifts table, where you may purchase a gift that will directly support a specific UMW-sponsored project. What we don’t take:
No furniture (we have neither storage nor display space)
No used electronics or old phones (these don't sell well)
No books (Save them for the spring book sale; we don't have storage space to take them now. The only exception: We will
take children's books for sale in the children's section at the bazaar. Again, children's books only.)
No clothing (Except for Boutique-quality ladies’ jackets, sweaters, and gowns. See above. But again, do not drop these at the UMW closet -- we don't have good
storage space for these.)
Questions, ideas, want to join in? Contact bazaar coordinator Barbara Gaskill: BETQGaskill@gmail.com We look forward to seeing many friends, old and new! See next page for schedule
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News
BAZAAR SCHEDULE 2016 Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon through October 25 -- sorting & pricing -- ALL ARE WELCOME! Sunday, October 23 -- final deadline for drop-off of donations Sunday, October 30, morning -- Jewelry pre-bazaar sale, for church members only Sunday, October 30, late afternoon -- Rafael and crew set up tables for bazaar Monday, October 31 -- empty closet and tweak table set-up (including tablecloths) Tuesday, November 1 through Friday, November 4 -- "Bazaar Week" (bazaar set-up) Saturday, November 5 -- BAZAAR DAY 7:15 – 7:45 workers arrive; gather at 7:50 for prayer and updates/reminders 8:00 – 3:00 bazaar open to public 3:00 – 5:30 (approx.) full clean-up of Christie Room Choir Room & Stage. Some items remain in Vestry for Sunday post-bazaar sale to church members only. Sunday, November 6 10:00 – 1:00 post-bazaar sale of leftover "better" items from crafts, gifts & collectibles; lunch served in Vestry (advertised to and open to church members only) 1:00 – 3:00 final clean-up Monday, November 7 -- National Children's Center picks up leftovers
Recognition Lunch Sunday, December 11th, 12:30 p.m. Nominations due by October 15
Each year the UMW of Metropolitan Memorial hold a Recognition Luncheon honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the church the nation, and the world. This year the luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 11th at 12:30 p.m. Please note the We are seeking nominations of outstanding women to honor this year. Please submit nominations by October 15 to Beverly Fleming at Beverly.fleming@gmail.com.
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
date change to December 11th
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UMW News UMW Sunday, September 25 United Methodist Women celebrated our strong unit at Metropolitan with worship led by women, a wonderful lunch, and a presentation from an organization that has received major financial support from our UMW. T.C. Morrow (photo, right) spoke movingly about our congregation's vision statement calling us to Pursue Justice. She noted the importance of acts of compassion, so well represented in our Serving ministries, and in the work of the UMW around the globe. And, she noted the importance of advocacy to address injustice resulting from policies and politics that result in oppression of marginalized groups. If you missed it, you may listen to T.C.'s sermon via the podcast posted at our website:
http://www.nationalchurch.org/Uploads/file/podcast/2016/09_25_16Sermon.mp3 Our fall Welcome Back luncheon was one of the best attended in recent years, thanks to the splendid work of Caralee Adams and Phyllis Kokus. Please see their report below--and give thanks. We have 9 new members, thanks to their inspired outreach to our sisters in the congregation who are not yet members. Our experiment with formation of a volunteer Hospitality corps seems to have been very successful, as women from several circles were able to work together. And the results were seen in the lovely use of "the good china" for our place settings, as well as the appetizers, salads and desserts added to the purchased entree. Many thanks to Ann Michael, Jeanie Mah and all of the volunteers who helped with set up, food donations and clean up. And thanks to Anita Seline, who arranged for our speaker, Corinne Cannon, Director of the DC Diaper Bank (photo, left), who inspired us with her energy, her commitment to work that has become a calling for her, that helps to supply diapers that make a difference for children and that helps to link families to other services that can make a difference. As the weather gets cooler (at last!) we turn our energies to the Annual Bazaar. I encourage you to get your donations in ASAP, and to sign up for volunteer shift. And I encourage to look at the other events listed in our calendar, to consider where you might engage in the work of the United Methodist Women. Wishing you the blessings of Peace and Good Work! ~ Ellen Bachman UMW President For more photos from UMW Sunday, see the Appendix, pages 12-17 Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News Outreach & Membership News The UMW Welcome luncheon on Sunday Sep. 25 was a huge success. We had over 20 guests attend including several American University students from our new AU Circle. Also it was so nice to have our other new Circle 1 (mainly Wesley members but not all) in attendance. If you know of anyone who wants to become a member please invite them to your circle or let Caralee or myself know and we can be in touch with them. If you do get a new member please let us know so we can add them to our database. We are pleased to welcome the 9 new members into the UMW and expect to have even more from the guests who attended the luncheon. For new members and those of you who want a hard copy of the UMW directory they are in the copier room off the business office. For those who already have the directory please add the names below to your directory. Caralee Adams, caralee.adams@verizon.net; Phyllis Kokus, pkokus@aol.com NEW CIRCLE MEMBERS Circle 1 Stephanie Quammen; squammen@nationalchurch.org (Stephanie is our Global Fellow and works primarily with our Service Pillar) Circle 9 Millicent Wasell; mwasell@yahoo.com Circle 10 Kesha Hillary; kishahillaryl_1@hotmail.com Michelle Query; michelle.queryl@yahoo.com Heidi Winn; hdcwinn@verizon.net NEW AT LARGE MEMBERS Margaret Halpin; halpinm50@msn.com Dana Lehmer; danalehmer@msn.com Nancy Riker; rikernancy@yahoo.com Gretchen Smith Mui; lrgsm83@aol.com
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News
UMW Sunday Luncheon (photo by Jeanie Mah)
For more photos from UMW Sunday, see the Appendix, pages 12-17
A Note from the Wendt Center The UMW supported the Wendt Center through our recent Service Day teddy bear project.
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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UMW News UMCOR School Kits
Do you ever wonder what happens to the school kits you put together for the United Methodist Committee on Relief? An August 9, 2016 article in the United Methodist News Service Daily Digest by Dam Tithiavan gives us a glimpse of how UMCOR is changing lives in Cambodia. Article:
http://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2016/august/0809schoolkitscambodia For kit assembly instructions, click here : http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies Hat tip: Ann Michel
Metro Players Dedicate Fall Production to UMW Coming Soon November 2016 The Metro Players are delighted to dedicate their Fall production of On the Verge to Metropolitan’s UMW. Inspired by playwright Eric Overmyer’s Victorian-era women explorers; by the rise of women as leaders in our country; and by the UMW’s long history of educational leadership on social and economic issues, the Players are proud to salute the work done by the past and present members of the UMW. Join us in November as our three intrepid sojourners (portrayed by Carol Bartlett, Trish Long, and Liz Clendenin) set out on an adventure that takes them to darkest Africa, highest Himalaya, and Terra Incognita. Mel Gussow, in his New York Times review of the premiere of the play in 1985, wrote: “The playwright is an ecologist of language and a shrewd observer of our quest to control our environment — and the environment of others … A frolicsome jaunt through a continuum of space, time, history, geography, feminism, and fashion – a serendipitous journey.” Watch for further details about the play in the November issue of the UMW Newsletter, or follow us on Facebook at “metroplayersdc.” Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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Metropolitan & Community News Crafts and Art Show Show on Sunday, October 23
The deadline for the Arts Council's Congregational Crafts and Art Show is October 2. However, if you were on another planet or were just struck with a sudden inspiration after the deadline, we can probably make room for what you want to exhibit. As we've said previously, we're interested in displaying crafts and art in all mediums: fabrics, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, wood carving or fabrication, photos, paintings, drawings, glass, ceramics, baskets, weaving -- and this is not a complete list. Items that can be hung on walls can be left in place for a few weeks, but the three-dimensional pieces will be on view for just a single day. If you want to participate, send your information RIGHT AWAY (medium, approximate size, no. of items) to one or more of the following: Carol Schleicher, rschlei@verizon.net.
AARP Meeting Monday, October 17, 12:30pm, Vestry
Please join us on Monday, October 17 in the Vestry. Idriys Abdullah, a Consumer Protection Advocate from the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking, will present the “Money Smart� program to update us on financial fraud and financial elderly abuse. Social time is at 12:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 1:00. Refreshments will be served. Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
Lunch and More Thursday, October 20, noon, Great Hall
Join us Thursday, October 20. After eating together, we will have the opportunity for playing a game like Banana-grams, Trivial Pursuits, bridge, or watch a movie. If you committed to bringing a game, don't forget!!! Also, bring a friend! Contacts: Phyllis Kokus, pkokus@aol.com or Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net or Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org. Page 9 of 17
Metropolitan & Community News
Food for Thought Wednesday evening adult Christian formation programs Dinner 6 pm; Classes 7 pm Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church
www.nationalchurch.org/Learning/Adult Food for Thought: Every Wednesday, Every Week Every Wednesday evening, you're invited to a community dinner in the Vestry between 6pm and 7 pm. Enjoy a chef-prepared meal with friends old and new. After you feed your body, feed your mind and soul with a mid-week study. Food for Thought features two different study opportunities: a Bible study and a topical study. Studies change monthly, so you can choose a Bible study one month and a topical study the next, without missing pieces of either. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, Director of Christian Education (jcraswell@nationalchurch.org). Fall Session 2: October 19-November 16, 2016 Bible Study: Isaiah led by Rev. Dr. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson One of the ‘major prophets’, the book of Isaiah contains the thoughts of two or three different prophets or prophetic schools. The New Testament quotes Isaiah more than any other Hebrew prophet, and passages from Isaiah have been vitally important to Christian understanding of Christ’s birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection. We will look at Isaiah both within its historical context and how it has been understood over time. Topical Study: What Methodists Believe led by Rev. Janet Craswell The Methodist church is a big tent that contains diversity in theology, worship styles, scriptural interpretation, and the ways we live as Christians in the world. But what are the core ideas that make us Methodist? How do we differ from other Christian denominations, and what do we hold in common? In this course, we will examine the theology and practice of John Wesley, distinctive Methodist theology, the Methodist general rules, our emphases on grace, personal holiness, and social justice, and the Methodist method (yes, there is a method to Methodism!) for making ethical decisions.
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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Circles
AU
The AU UMW Circle meets Fridays at 7:00 p.m. in the "AU Lounge" at Metropolitan. Contact Tori Lynn Gilkeson VP@aumethodists.org
1
Contact Helene Lilly j718hel@aol.com
2
Circle 2 will meet on October 12th at 10 at the home of Suzanne Clewell where Suzanne and Carolyn will share photos and memories of their wonderful trip to Alaska. Contact Charlotte Carter, char.carter@cox.net
6
Mark your calendars for November 5, it is that time of that year, the UMW Bazaar, Ann and I need your support in the kitchen/lunch counter. A schedule will be circulated closer to November 5. Also, please save December 4 for our annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. We will meet after the second service. Additionally, Ann and I need for you to consider leading one of the topics chosen for this year’s discussion: Women of the Bible (January 29-Ann Michel); Founding Mothers (March 12); Early Women’s Rights Movement (May 7); and Women as Leaders (June 11). We now meet quarterly, please consider taking responsibility for one of these and let us know, Mary Jo Marchant mjmarchant@verizon.net or Ann Michel amichel@wesleyseminary.edu
8
We will meet Tuesday, October 4 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Phyllis Kokus’ home for a presentation by Ann Michel on her work at the Wesley Seminary. All are welcome! Contact Kelly D’Angelo kellysclothes@aol.com
9
Circle 9 will meet on Wednesday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. Stephanie Quammen, our church’s Global Mission Fellow, will speak with us about what she and other Fellows do. Please contact Bobby Turnbull bobbyturnbull@comcast.net
10
We will meet Sunday, October 16 from 5-7 pm in the kitchen for fellowship and to prepare food to sell at the UMW Bazaar. All welcome! Contact Caralee Adams caralee.adams@verizon.net
The next UMW Board Meeting is Monday, October 10. Newsletter prepared by Alexandra McPherron alexmcph@gmail.com To add items to the next newsletter, email alexmcph@gmail.com by Thursday, October 27, 2016.
Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2016
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Appendix UMW Sunday Photos By Jeanie Mah and Ellen Bachman, September 25 , 2016
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Appendix
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Appendix
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Appendix
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Appendix
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Appendix
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