Report highlights UMW year
BY REV. SANDI MINOR
Vista Ridge UMC, Lewisville
NTC United Methodist Women (UMW) president Ruth E. Robinson, Hamilton Park UMC, Dallas, shared past accomplishments and future goals at the 2007 annual conference.
The NTC UMW continued their tradition of setting the theological foundations for their work in mission as they gathered for their Spiritual Growth Retreat in Jan.
Facilitated by conference Spiritual Growth Coordinator, Trining Yadav, officers and leaders gathered and experienced a powerful retreat entitled "Resurrection Women." Fifty-four women were in attendance.
Campaign for children
All six districts were in ministry simultaneously to one organization that served at-risk children in each local city/town.
Project HHUGS (Help Hold Up Growing Souls) received over 1,000 boxes to support children in flight from abusive situations. Each box included basic clothes items, underwear, toiletries and a stuffed toy at an average cost of approximately $50. This service benefited The Child Protective Service Programs in the counties of North Texas.
CHIP Campaign
In concert with the work of Texas Impact, The UMW community touched as many supporters as possible along with multiple, continuous contact with our legislators to push for the full restoration of the provisions for health care for the children of Texas. The Senate Passed the CHIP Restoration bill just before the close of the last legislative session.
Bethlehem Center
This year, the UMW will do ministry with the Dallas Bethlehem Center (DBC) as it completes the celebration of being in ministry to the South Dallas community for 60 years. DBC will be their service project throughout the year culminating with the UMW's Annual Meeting and Galaxy of Stars Fundraiser in October for the Center. The goal is to make a substantial financial donation to the center in multiples of 60 for their years of service.
Recently, DBC has been awarded national certification for its Child Care program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. For the first time, the center's enrollment in its child care program was at capacity of 84 children. The Board has asked for that number to increase to 128 in 2008. UMW provide on-going support to the center. They sponsor an Annual Spring Book Review and Easter Basket auction to raise much needed funds to support the day-today programs at the Center.
Peace & justice issues
UMW will continue to promote activities that will lead to fully enact the Charter for Racial Justice within and throughout the structures of their own organization, churches, and communities.
Fourteen women from NTC UMW assembled in Austin to attend the 19th UMW Legislative Event. They met with legislators to address economic, social and environmental justice issues that particularly affect the marginalized women and children of communities and state, including restoration of the CHIP program; the effects of the proposed coal mines that would be located in various communities throughout the state; maintaining support for funding for public schools in our state; and concerns around the issue of immigration.
The UMW Legislative event is planned by the six Social Action Coordinators from each conference in partnership with Texas Impact chaired by Rev. Mel Caraway. Sue Murray, Social Action Coordinator for NTC serves on the planning committee for this event and will provide leadership in assisting UMW in furthering work on behalf of these issues.
Conference set
The UMW will be working with other groups of women in our community to create meaningful dialog around the issue of peace. They are prominent among the supporters of the 3rd International Women's Peace Conference, organized by Peace Keepers, Inc. They will also participate with the planners of the International Peace Conference sponsored by Church and Society of GBGM to be held in Ft. Worth in Nov., 2007.
Study focuses include: Spiritual Growth --- Music & Mission; Geographical– Israel and Palestine, and the Contemporary study will focus on Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives. The School will be held at Lovers Lane UMC on July 16-19.
UMW is ever mindful of the importance of involving our Youth/Teens in the life of our organization.The Women's Division has assigned a Genie Banks Intern to work with College/Teen women in the NTC for the 2007 program year. Courtney Jones is the new Intern and will be working with UMW Coordinator for Membership, Nurture and Outreach, Kathy Corley, to develop programs and events to stimulate interest and participation in UMW activities by these special groups.
A Back to School Gathering is being planned for August with Deanna Stovall, the UMW conference youth representative, serving on the planning committee.
The collective gifts and graces of the officers of the NTC UMW Mission Team truly reflect Christ's love at work in the world. They give witness to their faith and the call on their lives to be in Mission to women and children by the outstanding guidance they provide to their district and local counterparts. We give thanks to God for their untiring Ministry.
Resurrection Women celebrate a strong dynamic membership in the NTC of 6,566 members. They met and exceeded their 2006 Pledge to Mission. Women's Division recognizes the NTC for outstanding financial gifts to ministry and celebrating the generous spirit of these women who are called to be in ministry to women and children who need to experience God's love in their lives.
UMW affirm that, "The Word of God guides us, the spirit of the Resurrection Women has revitalized us, and the oneness of our Purpose sustains us."
