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Mohawk District

United Methodist Women

Newsletter

Wow!
The local units in the Mohawk District have been busy.
I just finished making out my annual report about the activities of our district mission team and the activities of our local units. Thanks to all of you who filled out reports and let us know what you’re doing and how you’re doing. While this sort of paperwork is far from the top on my list of favorite things to do, it has been good to look back on what UMW has been doing during the past year and to hear about what you’ve been up to.
Among the highlights submitted in some of the reports were:
- Having a program presented by a unit member who had been on a short-term mission trip.
- Starting a Prayer Shawl ministry.
- Taking surprise baskets to staff at local schools.
- Sponsoring a luncheon and inviting members of other local units to attend.
- Knitting chemo caps and baby hats.
- Donating sweatshirts for Christmas baskets.
- Helping youth attend church camp.
- Giving gifts to Neighborhood Center.
- Raising money to help hurricane victims.
- Making health kits.
- Seeing miracles result from prayer chain.
There were lots more, but you get the idea.
United Methodist Women right here in our district are forming a creative, supportive fellowship, they are supporting mission work with their dollars, and doing mission work that impacts people locally and around the world.
We’re hoping the programs the District UMW Mission Team plans for this year will help you in your local units to continue to look at new ways of learning about and becoming involved in mission work.
Our spring meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 21, at Clinton UMC, will focus on refugees. What is it like to be a stranger in a strange land? What services to local agencies offer? What can we do to welcome the strangers in our midst? Hopefully, this program will answer these questions and more. Come join us for what promises to be an informative and challenging program.
This year’s Evening Apart is scheduled for June 13 at 6 p.m. at West Winfield Federated Church. A clown ministry program is on tap. If this sounds a lot like last year’s program, it is. That’s because last year’s program had to be canceled when flooding closed many of the roads in the area. We were so looking forward to this program; we thought it was worth trying again, hopefully with better results. Bring a salad to share and feel free to invite your spouse or a friend for great food and an enjoyable evening.
Please put these dates on your calendar now, along with the fall district meeting Sept. 29; the conference annual meeting Oct. 13 at Rome First UMC and the local officer update Nov. 3. We’ll have more details on these later.
We look forward to seeing you at the spring meeting.

(Area Code is 315 unless otherwise noted)

Volunteers welcome; please contact any current officer for additional information

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15.

School of Christian Mission gives us the opportunity to follow the words found in 2 Timothy.

There are three choices of study this year. The Spiritual Growth study is Music and Mission. The Mission study is Israel/Palestine. The Social issue study is Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives Year 2.

Music and Mission: John Wesley gave instructions on how to sing: "Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength." When we sing the songs of mission we can do no less. Joyce Sohi’s book on our theme reminds us of the passion brought to mission work by our forbearers and expressed in the hymns of then and now. The study will examine songs we now sing, songs we sang and the people who sing these songs- songs of justice, love, mercy. And freedom that have changed so many situations of hopelessness.

Israel/Palestine: Leah Mae Carlisle will be leading this study. The study will help the participants learn about the history and complexities of relationships between Israel and Palestine. WE will explore and understand the concepts of security and freedom that dominate the lives of these people. The study will challenge participants to move through tolerance and respect to achieve a just peace.

Globalization: Its Impact in Our Lives: Jean Roy will be leading this study. This is the second year of this study, which has great implications for our lives in today’s fast-paced, "I want what I want now" society- a study every Christian should take to heart. Where and how do the economic policies of globalization touch the lives of ordinary people? If United Methodist are to "manifest the gospel values in the economic order", as a General Conference Resolution maintains, then we need a better understanding of how and where contemporary issues of economic justice touch our lives, and how and where our decisions for responsible actions can be made. Economic policies are only as good as the human values that inform them. Because we are both local and global citizens, we will look for opportunities to be the change that we want to see, using tools like solidarity, fair trade, and human rights to build global communities in our own communities and around the world. "It is time we manifest gospel values in the economic order. It is, after all, our calling." General Conference Resolution 208

Youth and children are also invited to attend mission school. Children learn though hands on activities that help make mission real for them. Youth have the opportunity to learn about what United Methodist are doing around the world to spread the good news and help alleviate suffering. So, bring the whole family and join in on the best kept secret of the NCNY Conference. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

There is scholarship available to first time attendees of School for Christian Mission. Scholarship information can be sent to Betty Barth. If you have questions please contact Betty Youmans at 736-2827 or bettyhartzyoumans@yahoo.com.

The Conference Annual meeting will be held right here in our very own district. The inspirational speaker will be Julia Tulloch. She is the Women’s Division Staff Executive Secretary for Leadership Development. Please encourage those in your units to attend this event.

Join an online community of over 1000 women. Share and discuss ideas with United Methodist Women and others from across the country and around the world. Find resources on the website to use to further your commitment to mission. Look through the following sub-communities: Membership Development, Supporting Mission, Faith Explorations, Assembly 2006, Environment, Immigration and the Reading Program. Spread the word and invite United Methodist Women, potential members, pastors, friends and family to join. Jan Love, the Chief Executive of the Women’s Division states, "Through this ministry, women from all across the country and the world will share testimonies of faith, creative approaches to mission, models for effective education , and any ideas they find helpful to participating in Christ’s mission with women, children and youth." Please join us at:

The Neighborhood center’s board is made up of 1/3 Methodists, 1/3 community members and 1/3 constituents. Any one interested in joining the board?

The spring meeting of the District UMW will be April 21^st at Clinton UMC. Our theme is Refugees. We will discuss the Refugee Center in Utica, how it started and what it’s doing now. We will have some guest speakers as well. Rev. Barbara Beaudry will speak to us. Please see the flyer, on one of the following pages, for directions and such.

Our Evening Apart program is schedules for June 13^th at West Winfield. Maybe, this year we won’t get flooded out. The program will be our Clown Ministry with Mark Kohlbrenner. It’s a salad supper, so all you have to do is bring a salad and have a good time. Please save this future date on your planning calendar.

In 2006, we held a SERRV (Formerly called Sales Exchange Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation) sale at the spring meeting. This year it will occur at the fall meeting. There will be catalogues available at the spring meeting and the evening apart if you would like to do some advance shopping. If there is something specific you would like, we will be sure to order it for you. SERRV brings fair trade handcrafts and foods from around the world: it strives to promote living wages, women’s rights and eco-friendly production through partnerships with small scale artisan and farmer groups. No child exploitation is used to make these products. SERRV International (formerly called Sales Exchange Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation) is a non-profit organization, which promotes the social and economic progress of people in developing regions of the world by purchasing and marketing their crafts in a just and direct manner. Originally established by the Church of the Brethren in 1949 to assist World War II refugees, this organization has been creating a strategic marketplace based on fairness for over fifty years. More than 3,000 one-of-a-kind items made by artisans from over thirty countries are available from its catalog. In the alternative trade community, they are known for their outstanding customer service and quality control. When you buy a handcraft from SERRV International you become part of a global partnership of justice and hope. Your purchase brings dignity and needed income to a developing world artisan. You receive a one of a kind quality product at an affordable price. Presently, SERRV International is marketing around $6 million annually.

I am in my last year as the Vice President. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to meeting more of you at the District meetings.

As keeper of the records of the unit, the secretary should work with the president in making sure that the unit fulfills the "unit responsibilities" on page 13 of the NCNY Conference UMW Directory.  Especially important is having the election for next year's officers in October, so that the new officer list can be sent in on time.  She should also have a copy of the "Mission Today" criteria in the center of the directory, which can be used in planning programs to meet some of the goals.  Check off activities as they occur, instead of trying to remember in November what occurred earlier in the year (especially if you have "senior moments" like me!).  Any questions can be directed to me at 315-337-1816 or psanzone@romecsd.org.

This is my first year as the Social Action Mission Coordinator and only my second year on the district mission team. I have learned a lot in my first year. The social action item I am most passionate about right now are the fees the credit card companies charge when getting a payment with a check by phone. Almost everyone has had a credit card and has gotten behind a time or two. The credit card company calls and offers a great thing, payment with a check by phone. What they don’t tell you is that in order to pay by check over the phone there is an additional fee. So, you pay your bill then they take an extra couple of dollars in fees for the "convenience" of using the check by phone option. I think we all should call our senators and have them pass a bill that won’t allow credit card companies to charge this fee. They get enough of our money with the percentage rates, late fees, overdraft fees and any other fee they can come up with; they don’t need to charge the extra to get the payment too. The phone company, NIMO and other utilities are now doing the same thing and we should find a way to stop them... Hopefully there will be more information on this soon.

Anyone who would like to serve on the District Mission Team for 2008 should contact any member of the Nominations committee, as listed on page two, to discuss the possibilities. Any UMW can serve and it is only a four year commitments as we have term limits.

Great News. Our district mission pledge for 2006 was $25,000 and we made it over that pledge by $119.65. We have many faithful workers in our district.

Our pledge for 2007 will remain $25,000.

This year we only had four "5 Star Units". Remember each part of the mission giving counts toward our district pledge. This year the "Special Recognition" pin will be $40. This is a wonderful way to recognize the work of a special person and it does count toward our pledge. We will again be having the "Candle Burning" project. The cards (Birthday, Thinking of You, Baby, In Service of Christ, Congratulations and Christmas Cards) are available for $5.00. "Gift in Memory" cards are a wonderful way to recognize the passing of a person. You can get cards from me and have a supply on hand for the times they are needed and pay for them after they are used.

All pledges for 2007 should be sent to Mary B. Cheney, 6185 Airport Rd., Oriskany, NY 13424 by December 15. The checks should be made out to Mohawk District UMW.

To become a Five-Star Unit you need to:

Not sure what your pledge to the District UMW should be. Set a dollar amount for each member and try to meet it, then if it was met easily, raise you r pledge for next year. Your units pledge to the District UMW helps us serve those in the district and conference.

I NEED YOUR 2006 READING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION!! Please mail your 2006 reading lists to me at 7355 Sally Road, Waterville, NY, 13480, so I can prepare your Reading Certificate in time for the Spring District meeting. Plan #1 is reading 4 books in one year, one from each category, and regular reading of Response magazine. Plan #2 is reading 10 books in one year, at least 2 from each category, plus regular reading of Response and New World Outlook magazines.

I’m really looking forward to the Spring District meeting! I have the biggest selection of books and free materials at the Spring meeting, and Clinton UMC is such a nice location – I’ll have lots of room to display my "wares." I have already purchased Gambling: Don’t Bet on It for myself. For our unit, I’m thinking of purchasing either The Blessings of Brokenness by Charles Stanley, or Max Lucado’s The Gift for All People.

Suggested reading for the Israel & Palestine study at this year’s School of Christian Mission is Bethlehem Besieged. Reading Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships is a book that will keep you involved in the UMW Campaign for Children. Troubled Water: Saints, Sinners, Truth and Lies about the Global Water Crisis will equip you with knowledge about water’s crucial role. Discussing this book with your unit and watching the Water for Life DVD would complete item #12 toward becoming a Mission Today Unit.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in Clinton!

The NCNY School of Christian Mission will be held at Cazenovia College on July 20-22. The three course offerings are: Globalization: It’s Impact on Peoples lives: India & Pakistan (2^nd yr.) and Music and Mission: See Page 3 for more information about mission school. Scholarships are available, contact Betty Barth if you are a first time attendee to mission school.

Every year your district officers are challenged to make contacts with every local unit and to visit local units. When our district expanded, and gas prices rose, we were challenged even more.

Last October, I attended a meeting with Membership, Nurture & Outreach (MN&O) co-coordinators from other districts in the conference. One of them shared an idea, which I have adapted for the Mohawk District. Your mission team members will be praying for each local unit this year. A prayer schedule has been set up which lists three or four units to pray for each week. I asked team members to let you know when your unit comes up on the prayer list.

I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that great things can happen when people pray together. Prayer is one way to remain connected to each other.

The 2007 Program Book "Rise, Shine, Glorify God" has a wonderful meditation written by Kyung Za Yim, President of the Women’s Division. It is entitled "Fear Not, Pray Earnestly." In that meditation she says, "Fervent group prayer can be productive as a way of claiming or reaffirming our individual and collective faith."

Our group may be spread out around the district, but coming together in prayer during the same week, praying for the same units, will keep us connected and focused on our purpose.

I invite you to join your mission team in praying for your sisters in mission, locally and world-wide.

The newsletter has joined the modern age. Those of you who have shared your e-mail address with the district mission team are now receiving your newsletters by e-mail. Snail mail is still the way of the majority though. In an effort to save money, both printing and mailing costs, we ask that if you have an e-mail account please share it with me so I can add you to our e-mail list. I know that al lot of you are wary of giving your e-mail address out, afraid it will be given out to others or possibly gotten by someone else who has hacked into a computer, or used any other form to get your information. I understand these concerns and I want to let you know it won’t happen. My computer is protected by an anti-virus, a firewall and by anti-spyware software. Your e-mail will only be shared with those who have to have it, and only within the confines of the district mission team. I hope we will soon have more on the e-mail list than the snail mail list. Questions? Contact me at 315-942-3714 or onlineprg@yahoo.com.

Quest Speaker: Rev. Barbara Beaudry

Also we will learn all about the Refugee Center,

How it started and what it does

There will be singing, worship, & fellowship.

Also Reading Program Certificate presentations and other business will be included.

Advance Luncheon Reservations by April 16^th; call 315-853-3358(church)

Lunch cost is $5, payable upon arrival

Childcare will also be provided (advance registration required; specify child’s name and age when

you call to register; pack a bag lunch for each child).

Accessibility: The building is handicapped accessible; our goal is to accommodate any person

with special needs. Please let us know when you register how we can help.

Directions: See Map Below: Utica Rd is also known as Route 12B

The closest intersecting street is Robinson Rd. If this doesn’t provide enough for

you to find your way, please use MapQuest.com and get driving directions

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