2011 First Quarter Newsletter Online

The first quarter newsletter is online at www.wnccumw.org.
Go to Districts in the menu on the left, and then click on Gastonia.
You could go directly to the site by typing in this URL:

http://www.wnccumw.org/district%20news/gas_201101.pdf.

DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING

The Gastonia District Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 19. Registration begins at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Reservations ($7.00) are to be sent to Martha Houser, 2421 Country Club Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092 by August 13.

Our speaker will be Mildred Carter, WNCC UMW President. The Love Offering will given to Undesignated Mission Giving in honor of Deaconess Lynn Sloan Barnes, who led our Mission Study. We will be showing our love and prayerful support for Lynn as she battles leukemia.

The Hands-On Mission will be school supplies for Bethlehem Center.

The Gastonia District Annual Meeting will be held in the McKendree UMC Family Life Center in Lincoln County. It is located at Exit 28 off US 321. Traveling north, turn left at the end of the ramp. McKendree is about a quarter of a mile on the right. Alternately, from Lincolnton, take Old 321 toward Maiden. McKendree will be on your left just before new US 321.

MILDRED CARTER

Our speaker for the District Annual Meeting will be Mildred Carter, Western North Carolina Conference President.

LINDA CARPENTER

The Annual Meeting Program for August 19, 2010, is dedicated to Linda Carpenter, outgoing Communications Coordinator in graditude for her four years of excellent service to the UMW of the Gastonia District. Thank you, Linda!

DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - JULY, 2010

The July edition of the Gastonia District Newsletter is available online at http://www.wnccumw.org/District%20News/GAS_201003.pdf. The first link on the left will take you there.

DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - APRIL, 2010

The latest Gastonia District Newsletter is online at the conference website. You can go straight to the newsletter by clicking on the second link at the right.

2010 UMW LOGO

2010 THEME SCRIPTURE AND HYMN

SISTERS WITH A PURPOSE

District Prayer Breakfast - Sisters in Prayer

District Mission Study - Sisters in Mission

District Annual Meeting - Sisters Together

Scripture: I Corinthians 12: 4 - 7

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.
There are different abilities to perform service,
but the same God gives ability to everyone for their particular service.
The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
(Good News Bible - Today's English Version)

Hymn: "Many Gifts, One Spirit"

United Methodist Hymnal p. 114
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God of change and glory, God of time and space,
When we fear the future, give to us your grace.
In the midst of changing ways
give us still the grace to praise.
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise
One Giver, one Lord, one Spirit, one Word
known in many ways, hallowing our days.
For the Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!
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God of many colors, God of many signs,
You have made us different, blessing many kinds.
As the old ways disappear,
Let your love cast out our fear.
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise
One Giver, one Lord, one Spirit, one Word
known in many ways, hallowing our days.
For the Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!
xxx
Freshness of the morning, newness of each night,
You are still creating endless love and light.
This we see, as shadows part,
Many gifts from one great heart.
Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways.
In our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise
One Giver, one Lord, one Spirit, one Word
known in many ways, hallowing our days.
For the Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!

PURPOSE

DISTRICT MISSION STUDY PHOTOS

Gastonia District President Jane Smith and Mission Study Leader Lynn Sloan Barnes

Gift to Mission card display at District Mission Study

Part of Hands-On Mission donations to the Crisis Pantry at Lincoln County Social Sevices

2010 DISTRICT MISSION STUDY

The Gastonia District Mission Study was on Sunday afternoon, April 18, from 2 PM until 6 PM. It was sponsored by the Crouse UMW and the Pleasant Grove UMW at Crouse United Methodist Church. The subject of the Mission Study was "Food and Faith." The study leader was Deaconess Lynne Sloan Barnes from Wilkes County.

APRIL 2010 CONFERENCE GRAM

The April 2010 WNCC UMW Conference Gram is available on the conference website www.wnccumw.org or by clicking on the second link at the left.

Western North Carolina...
FIRST IN THE NATION IN 2009!

Mission Giving in Western North Carolina...
Western North Carolina leads the Nation in giving in 2009!

The United Methodist women of the Western North Carolina Conference continue to be NUMBER ONE...for the 9th consecutive year! We have received confirmation from Women's Division that the Western North Carolina Conference was FIRST IN THE NATION for 2009 in the following channels of giving through United Methodist Women:

• Special Mission Recognition
• Gift to Mission
• Gift in Memory
• World Thank Offering
• TOTAL UNDESIGNATED MISSION GIVING
• TOTAL GIVING!!

The United Methodist Women of our conference...YOU...have led the nation in Mission Giving for the last NINE years. Wow! It is an incredible thing to witness the generosity of United Methodist Women in this conference. It is always fun to celebrate being first...but the real cause for celebration is in the mission made possible by your giving. Because of YOU...sharing the love of Jesus Christ will be made possible in places across the country and around the world. Here are just a few of the ways that you are making that possible...many times in places where these things would not otherwise be available:

• By providing medical care, including joining the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Africa, and caring for HIV/AIDS orphans
• By providing scholarships, and education & enrichment opportunities for children and youth
• By supporting the Bible Women program...which provides training in basic healthcare and Bible study for women from rural communities in some of the poorest countries in the world. These women return home to share their faith and their knowledge with other women in their communities.
• By providing opportunities for at-risk youth to stay off of the streets, and away from drugs & violence
• By helping to meet basic needs, like clean water, food, and housing
• By providing support for national and international mission institutions and programs
• By working against injustice
• And, more....these are just a few...YOU are in mission around the world

We led the nation in giving again in 2009, and as a conference, we met and exceeded our $815,000 Pledge to Mission. giving a total in undesignated Mission Giving of $844,618.

We need to continue to tell the story of the mission made possible by our giving...at every opportunity! Our support for mission projects and personnel around the world makes mission possible...sharing the love of Christ, and touching the lives of women, children and youth.

Our nation and our world are experiencing very challenging economic times. It is a time when women, children & youth need the work of mission institutions and their programs the most. As we plan events and projects for 2010...in local units, districts, and as a conference...telling the story of Mission Giving needs to be a priority. It is not about being #1...it is about making mission possible, and knowing that women, children and youth around the world are being helped by our giving.

If you want to know more about where your money goes, check out the pages of each issue of Response Magazine!

Through your giving...YOU make mission possible, and YOU make a difference, every day, in the lives of women, children and youth around the world.

Thank you!

2010 DISTRICT PRAYER BREAKFAST

The Gastonia District Prayer Breakfast was on Saturday, March 6 at 8:30 AM at First United Methodist Church, Gastonia. The breakfast was prepared by the First-Gastonia Dining Room Staff. Hostesses were the UMW of Covenant, Epworth, and Trinity UMC.
The program began at 9:30 AM. District President Jane Smith presided. The Memorial Service was conducted by District Spiritual Growth Coordinator Rebecca Garner. The offering was collected by District Treasurer Libby Mize. The offering was designated to go to missions in memory of our 2009 deceased UMW. The speaker for the service was our District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Lyn Sorrells.
The Hands-On Mission was Crisis Assistance Ministry of Gaston County. We were asked to donate non-perishable foods, paper products, and toiletries.

PHOTO WEBSITE

Pictures taken at UMW events are posted at

v

www.flickr.com/photos/libby324

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Doubleclick on the United Methodist Church collection of albums at the right. Then click on United Methodist Women.

Then doubleclick on the album you want to look at.

You may view as a slideshow, save individual photos to your computer, e-mail them to share with others, print them on your own printer, or order prints from Flickr.

Check back often for new uploads to the photo site as time permits.

2010 GASTONIA DISTRICT OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

JANE SMITH

*

VICE-PRESIDENT

PRISCILLA WISE

*

SECRETARY

TERESA SELF

*

TREASURER

LIBBY MIZE

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MISSION COORDINATORS:

*****

EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION

JOYCE WHITE

*****

MEMBERSHIP, NURTURE, OUTREACH

CAROLYN MOSTELLER

*****

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

BECKY GARNER

*****

SOCIAL ACTION

CAROLYN HUSKINS

*****

COMMUNICATIONS

LINDA CARPENTER

*****

SECRETARY, PROGRAM RESOURCES

PENNY BARKER

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COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS:

*****

BETTY JACONSEN, CHAIR

*****

*****

DIANNE GRASS

DORIS BROWN

BEVERLY WASSON

PENNY GALES

JUDIE EAKER

CAT CHAMBERS

CONNIE CHAMBERS

DIANNE WHISNANT

SALLIE LEACH

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APPOINTED OFFICERS:

*****

MEMBER AT LARGE

BONNIE EDWARDS

*****

HISTORIAN

LINDA RAXTER

*****

PARLIAMENTARIAN

LINDA REEP

*****

SUB-DISTRICT CHAIRS:

*****

CLEVELAND COUNTY

NELDA FISHER

*****

GASTON COUNTY

LAURA McDONALD

*****

LINCOLN COUNTY

MARTHA HOUSER

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LIAISON FROM WNC CONFERENCE

SANDY HIERONYMUS

CONFERENCE UMW SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR

2009 DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING

First UMC-Gastonia UMW President Martha Frederick brings greetings from the host unit.
District President Martha Houser presides over the business meeting.
"A Gathering of Women" skit acted by District Mission Team recalls the beginnings of UMW on the 140th anniversary of United Methodist Women.

2009 DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING

First UMC-Gastonia pastor George Freeman and Gastonia Disatrict Superintendent Lyn Sorrells look over the District Annual Report.
Installation of officers for 201o
WNC Conference UMW President Amy Johnson speaks on "Called to Serve" at Annual Meeting

GASTONIA DISTRICT'S THEME FOR 2009

2009 THEME

"CALLED TO SERVE"

mm

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

"Servevvv

Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

mm

Hymn: "The Summons"

The Faith We Sing, page 2130

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1. Will you come and follow me

If I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know

And never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown,

Will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown

In you and you in me?

q

2. Will you leave yourself behind

If I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind

And never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare

Should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer

In you and you in me?

vv

3. Will you let the blinded see

If I but call your name?

Will you set the pris’ners free

And never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean,

And do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean

In you and you in me?

vv

4. Will you love the ‘you’ you hide

If I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside

And never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found

To reshape the world around,

Through my sight and touch and sound

In you and you in me?

vvv

5. Lord, your summons echoes true

When you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you

And never be the same.

In your company I’ll go

Where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow

In you and you in me.

x

CCLI #1693623

SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION

Introducing the WNC Conference UMW Officers

Professor Sandrea Williamson (second from left) in her class mission study on Sudan with her guests from South Sudan, Dominica Itto, Sunday Taabu, and Joseph Akoon.

Rev. Angela Pleasants led the study on "Food and Faith."