WELCOME TO THE DURHAM DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
In God’s Mission We Are Sent Out…!
Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” and with that, he breathed on them and said,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”--John 20:21-22 NIV
2009 – to Create
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
The cross is the central structure of the kite and is the center of creating a relationship with God through the redeeming love of Jesus. Creating means keeping a fresh perspective and looking with new eyes at programs, needs and resources.
2010 – to Carry
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
The power of the Holy Spirit carries us up as the wind carries the kite, and, as we seek God’s will and guidance, God’s mission becomes our mission. We are called to communicate, challenge and stretch ourselves for more. Staying the same loses ground.
Call for Prayer Shawls and Baby Blankets
A shawl of any kind provides warmth. A prayer shawl provides not only warmth, but also compassion and caring. To make such a garment, the only tools needed are needles, thread or fabric. The resulting shawl means warmth and love, both for the wearer and for the creator.
Across the United States, United Methodist Women members are knitting, crocheting or sewing prayer shawls to give to people in their communities in need of compassion and caring, warmth and love. When shawls are completed, they are blessed during brief services in local churches, and then distributed nearby.
In the months ahead, Assembly 2010 planners are urging United Methodist Women members who have skills in knitting, crocheting or sewing to create prayer shawls and baby blankets for those in need. The shawls and baby blankets may be made from fabric, knitting or crocheting yarn. Suggested sizes for the prayer shawls are: triangle 65’ long and 32’ center back, rectangle 19” x 69” or 14” x 70”. These are suggested sizes and shouldn’t limit your creativity.
In the months immediately ssembly 2010 (April 30- May 2), United Methodist Women members should take completed prayer shawls and bpreceding Baby blankets to their local churches to be blessed. Then send the shawls to Linda C. Douglas, Women’s Division, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1504, New York, NY 10115 by March 1, 2010.
Prayer shawls and blankets will be on display in the Experience Hall area of Assembly 2010. At the end of Assembly, the shawls will be distributed to those in need. Some of the shawls will be available for purchase for a minimum $25 donation with proceeds going to United Methodist Women’s Mission Giving.
In a spirit of Faith•Hope•Love in Action, use your talents and skills to share warmth and love with others.
Please complete and return this form (PDF, 48K) “Call for Shawls” to Linda C. Douglas at the address on the form. For more information, contact: Linda Douglas at ldouglas@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3753
Plan to attend Assembly 2010!
For more information click here
2010 Reading Program list is available here!
The Purpose of United Methodist Women
The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is
• to Know God and
• to Experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ;
• to Develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and
• to Expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church
Message from the President
Grace and Peace to each of you in this wonderful Advent season. As I am trying to get all my decorations up for Christmas, I realize how late I am and some of these decorations will have to wait until 2010! I must start earlier next year!!! Yes, I will miss some of what I usually set up: the tree in the parlor, the holly and lights on the dining room mantel, the twinkling trees by the stairs, the garland on the stair rail. If I have time, I might get some more of it out! But I do have a tree in the den for the children (and me) and the tree is on the pond (a Christmas tradition from my Mom and Dad). The Christmas cookies and fruitcakes have not been made and the presents are not wrapped—some have not been bought! And with all that is left undone, I am on vacation! Ron and I have gone to visit his sister in Maryland—a trip we have been meaning to take for some time, and have finally got around to it! I do realize that all the wrappings and bows do not matter if my heart and mind are not in the right place for this Christmas Season. Family and friends are more important than that extra tree in the parlor, and preparing for the birth of the Christ Child is more important than garland and twinkling lights. During this Christmas season, take time to remember the real meaning of Christmas. Take time to “prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.” Take time to do something for someone less fortunate than yourself. Take time to “love your neighbor as Christ has loved you.” Don’t get “wrapped up” in all the wrappings of Christmas. Keep it simple! Keep Christ in CHRISTmas!
My wish for each of you this Christmas is that you find peace and joy in all that you do and experienced the best Christmas ever. “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.”
Let’s get prepared for a great year in 2010! See you at your Sub-district meeting!
Blessings,
Martha Caves
Durham District President
Durham District United Methodist Women
316 Victoria Lane
This page was last modified on Sunday, January 03, 2010 09:16 AM