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Table of Contents

News From Your District Officers………………………….2

Dates to Remember……..4

News from Around the District……………………………5

Hi – FlyerAtlanta Decatur Oxford District

North Georgia Conference United Methodist Women

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Please send news about your local UMW unit for the Winter issue of the Hi-Flyer to Lauren Spikes at [email protected] or 1447 Pine Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30087 by December 2, 2015

Hey Wonderful Ladies of the ADOX District United Methodist Women!

I am tremendously grateful and honored to lead our District. You are the most God driven, Spirit led, loving, caring women I have ever met, and to be your sister in Christ is much more of a blessing than I could ever have imagined. Thank you for being who and whose you are!

I have several very important reminders for you to mark on your calendars:Please plan on attending the Conference Annual Meeting at LaGrange First UMC on Saturday, October 3. The program will be each District President and District Superintendent sharing something great about their District and praying over it. Of course, y’all know how easy that was for me to write.

Our District Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 18, at 3:00 pm, at OusleyUMC. Sharma Lewis will be our guest speaker. This will be a wonderful afternoon of celebrating and honoring our work and members.

Please also go ahead and mark your calendars for either January 25 or January 30 from 10-2 for our first ever District Wide Eat and Learn Mission Study. I have worked closely with Jo Harbert, our Education and Interpretation chair, to plan a District mission study event. As long as your church has at least two members present, you will receive credit for having a mission study. I will lead the Latin America study both days at Snellville UMC. You will bring your own sack lunch, and the Snellville UMW will provide the drinks and desserts. I am offering it twice, so that it should be convenient for those not working who can come on Monday and those who are working who can come on Saturday. We will l ink a sign-up on the Snellville UMC website. There is no charge, but we will need to know how many will attend. The Monday session will also have the children’s Latin America study taught by Sue Raymond. If this is well received, Jo is working on offering another Eat and Learn Mission Study in the spring.

The only other thing I want you to be praying over is our District training event. We will offer classes for every position that local UMW units have, so please make sure to share this information with all of your ladies. We are trying to bring them what they want and need. Please email your suggestions and comments to me at [email protected]. Our job is to serve you.

Thank you for all that you do. I love visiting with your local units and look forward to all of our future times together. Please know I am yours whenever you need me.

Your Sister in Christ,

Kathy CookADOX UMW [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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News From Your District Officers


Vice President’s Report: Greeting in the name of the Father, we are so

grateful that God has spared us another day. This is my first year as Vice

President, and I am praying for God’s guidance that I may step into this

position with the confidence to do HIS will. The year has gone by so quickly

and our excitement has taken another level.. We are excited about the

celebrations to come, a new beginning and “A Fresh Wind Blowing”.

Faith, Fun, Everyone at Snellville UMC was a wonderful day filled with

activities and spiritual growth experience. Thank Snellville for your

hospitality.

In May the United Methodist Women enjoyed a weekend at Rock Eagle for

the Spiritual Growth/Social Action Event. I was not able to attend, but I

understand that it was an uplifting, heartwarming, educational, and spiritual

growing experience.

In June we attended the North Georgia Conference UMW Breakfast, great

breakfast, great fellowship, and information presented by our president, Sue

Raymond and Vice President, Tryphenia Speed. We really need to encourage

our young lady to participate in our local UMW, or the Limitless Task

Force. The health kits were collected by UMCOR and there were lot.

Congrats to those who attend Mission u at Fayetteville First United Methodist

Church, they really took care of us. There were more than 200 women, youth

and children that attended. I attended the “Created for Happiness:

Understanding Your Life in God” class session and had a great time interacting

with the other ladies in the class. We had a lot to ponder and engage

ourselves knowing and understand that happiness is God. Living the life that

Jesus has taught and loving our neighbor and loving God with all our

heart. The UMW update/Global Ministries Opportunities was very

informative. God bless our Mission Teams.

We are now looking forward to our UMW Annual meeting in Lagrange, Ga on

October 3,2015 and District Annual Meeting October 1, 2015 at Ousley UMC.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your gentleness be

evidence to all. The Lord is near.” Phil. 4: 4-5

Cassie RugerADOX Vice President

[email protected]

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Communications Report: Thank you to everyone who submitted articles for this issue of the Hi Flyer! We recently received a request from a local unit to provide more lead time on information requests related to the Hi Flyer, so we have looked ahead and planned out the following Hi Flyer publishing schedule for the rest of 2015 and all of 2016. The table below lays out when the Hi Flyer will be published and the deadline to send any articles or updates you’d like included in each quarter’s Hi Flyer. Note that this schedule will be available on the “Resources” page of the ADOX UMW website soon. Also, please share the following links with your local units as these places will have the most up-to-date information about upcoming events and news from around the district:

You can view our website at: https://adoxumw.wordpress.com/You can join our Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adoxumw

Social Action Report: Ladies let us continue in our effort to bring awareness of issues of Social Justice: Immigration, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Climate Justice. What is being done to alleviate these problems by those in authority, and what we as United Methodist Women can or will continue to do that will improve the quality of life for women and children. We will respond to any legislative petitions that need our support by informing our Representatives of our concerns. Through the United Methodist Women District or Conference Facebook page, we can follow issues and actions that are currently talking place. Ladies let us work to be “ A Fresh Wind Blowing,” for Justice, Kindness and Love, as we walk in humility with God.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 (NRS)

Lauren SpikesADOX Communications [email protected]

Iris GreenADOX Social Action

Coordinator [email protected]


Hi Flyer Publish Date: Send Articles & Updates to Lauren by:

Friday, December 4, 2015 Monday, November 30, 2015

Friday, March 4, 2016 Monday, February 29, 2015

Friday, June 3, 2016 Monday, May 30, 2015

Friday, September 2, 2016 Monday, August 29, 2015

Friday, December 2, 2016 Monday, November 28, 2015

https://adoxumw.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/adoxumw

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Education & Interpretation Report: Greetings from Jo Harbert

We knew there was a Fresh Wind Blowing at Fayetteville First UMC, July 17 and 18 at the North Georgia Conference Mission U from all the excitement that was generated there. Were you there? If you weren’t you missed a great time with a larger than usual crowd attending, learning and enjoying the Mission Study Classes. This year, the study classes included “Latin America, “Created for Happiness" and “People with Disabilities”. If you missed it I hope you can come next year.

To continue to respond to the Fresh Wind of the Holy Spirit, the ADOX District UMW is now making plans to do something new. To help you fulfill your unit goal of providing a mission study we’re offering ADOX District-wide Mission Studies. We already have plans for 2 opportunities for you to attend a study on “Latin America” which will be held at Snellville UMC on Tues., Jan. 26, 2016 and Sat., Jan. 30, 2016, with Kathy Cook as facilitator. And we’re still making plans for another study “Created for Happiness” to be held at a different location in the spring. If 2 or more women attend from a church/UMW unit, that unit can receive credit. Isn’t that exciting!!!? Especially for, but not limited to, our smaller UMW units and churches. More announcements will follow.

To help your UMW interpret what happens to the money they pledge to missions, don’t forget to have a Pledge to Mission program this fall. You can use the Pledge to Mission program suggestion in the new 2015-2016 UMW Program Book, “Growing in Blessedness”. Remember your Pledge to Mission is sooooo important! It means you are making a commitment to support mission locally, nationally and globally, including projects and programs in more than 100 countries around the world. Together we can be lifted up on that Fresh Wind and do great things.

Jo HarbertADOX Education & Interpretation [email protected](404) 313-6045

Event Date Location

North Georgia Conference Annual Meeting October 3, 2015 LaGrange First United Methodist Church

ADOX District Annual Meeting October 18, 2015 Ousley United Methodist Church

ADOX District Officer Training November 21, 2015 Decatur First United Methodist Church

ADOX District Executive Team Meeting December 5, 2015 Colombia Drive United Methodist Church

Dates to Remember


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News From Around the District


Upcoming Events

Glen Haven United Methodist Church’s

Women's Celebration WeekendSeptember, 26-27, 2015

Saturday Sept, 26thWomen’s Tea 11:00 am

Sunday Sept, 27Celebration 4:00 pm

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Patricia PacePastor of Redan UMC

Cedar Grove UMW’s

Annual Yard Sale & Fish FrySaturday, October 10, 2015

9 am – 3 pm

Portions of the proceeds from the event go to support victims of Domestic Violence and Human

Trafficking.

DECATUR FIRST UMW: The women of Decatur First UMW had a very special covered dish supper meeting in August this year. We welcomed special guests from Columbia Drive UMW, East Lake UMW and Cascade UMW. We all enjoyed delicious dishes prepared by our UMW chefs, and after dinner, we were treated to a delightful performance from the Decatur First youth choir led, by John Cowden, our music director. All in all, it was a memorable evening of fun, food, and fellowship.

Local Unit Reports

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CONYERS FIRST UMW: The United Methodist Women of Conyers First have been busy with annual spring events. On Sunday afternoon, April 19, the Candle Burning Service was held in the church Fellowship Hall. Nine women who had passed away in the previous twelve months were remembered. A candle was lit and short biographies of each woman were presented as friends and family members looked on. The program included a responsive reading, scripture, and two beautiful solos. Afterwards, the UMW members served refreshments and enjoyed fellowship with family members.

On April 28, the Elizabeth Circle (Chairman Lisa Irwin) feted church members who reside at Remington House in Conyers. Remington House is a retirement home which has both assisted living and private apartments. Circle members provided beautiful table decorations and treated residents to a delicious dinner.

The final spring event was the annual Honor Thy Mother Banquet and Fashion Show which was held on Tuesday evening, May 3. Although the Priscilla Circle (Co-Chairmen Jessica Smith and Julie Rogers) was in charge of the event, many other UMW members contributed by decorating festive tables and providing adult and children’s door prizes. The Fashion show featured young ladies from four to twelve years old. As they “strutted their stuff,” on the runway, our pastor’s wife, Teresa Benson, told about their families, interests, and their outfits. Teresa was assisted by Sara Catherine Rogers, granddaughter of Rebecca Circle member Pat Rogers and daughter of Priscilla Circle member Julie Rogers.

SNELLVILLE UMW FAITH CIRCLE SUMMER TEA: Faith Circle members and their guests enjoyed a “High Tea” the afternoon of August 9th. Table linens and fine china graced the tables with special decorative tea pots at each table to serve the three tea choices. Circle member Judy Pfannkuche provided us with a history of tea and explained the different types of teas available to us today. All ladies present exchanged tea cups/saucers – each one as beautiful as the next. A fun afternoon with good conversation and scrumptious food was had by all – what a great way to introduce our guests to United Methodist Women!!

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Cedar Grove UMW: The Esther Dorcas Unit of Cedar Grove UMW

has had a very blessed year. In the Spring were honored to have

our District President Kathy Cook attend our monthly meeting, she

shared with us her goals for our District and also shared with us

her mission involvements and the adventurous trips she has taken.

Continuing our efforts to fulfill and support the UMW Purpose,

several unit members have been involved with a program for eight

weeks which teaches under privileged children healthy eating

habits. The program teaches them the importance of how to

select healthy foods, and how to prepare them. Unit members

have also been committed to support our Pastor Rev. Alexander in

our fairly new food pantry at the Church which supports the

community. This year in addition to the pantry, we have been

blessed to offer a Clothes Closet for families that may help in that

particular need.

To expand our knowledge and awareness of the UMW focus, this

summer we invited Bishop Mary Winfrey from her organization

called “Safe Haven”. She presented a program on Domestic

Violence and Human Trafficking, it was very informative and it will

assist us in making decisions on how we can help as a unit and

individually.

We were so excited this year, with the help of our congregation

were able to almost triple the number of the UMCOR kits for

Annual Conference, and we were delighted to have our youth

involved in the preparation of the kits.

In August, we held our fourth Women’s Prayer Breakfast we used

our district theme “A Fresh Wind Blowing”. Our speaker was Elder

Harriet Gordon she gave us an encouraging message about the

power of Prayer. We followed on 8/16 with our Women’s Day

Service “Justice in the hands of a Godly Woman”. Our speaker was

Rev. Dr. Shirley Browne she delivered a powerful message about

Deborah which came from the book of Judges.

This Fall we will be having our Annual Yard Sale/Fish Fry on 10/10

from 9am-3pm. Portions of the proceeds from the event go to

support victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking.

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OUSLEY UMW: This has been a very exciting year for our Unit. In February, some of our members attended the Columbia Drive UMW’s book review. Several books were reviewed and all who attended gained credit for reading theses books for their Unit for Tier 1.

One of our newest members, Yolanda Womack, treated our Unit to a soul stirring Mission Study, “How is it with your Soul?”, in March. This study examined ones’ Spiritual Life. The study focused on four main areas, your prayer life, learning how to study God’s word, being a mentor and being mentored, and the transformation of one’s life after going through this study. There were activities given so you could have a physical example of what your prayer life looked like. Our goal after this study was to become a mentor! Ms. Womack did an outstanding job!

In April, at the Faith, Fun, and Everyone event held at Snellville UMC, members of our Unit as well as participants from throughout the District enjoyed the workshops. Gail Jenkins from our Unit taught the Zumba Workshop. Participants danced to music from the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and the U.S.

On April 22nd, Ousley UMW and the Outreach Ministry held their Annual Senior Luncheon. This year was the best attended ever! Over 100 attendees enjoyed singing by some of Ousley’s Choir members, dancing by the Dance Ministry, and a nourishing lunch served and prepared by our wonderful UMW! Each participant was given a colorful bag containing a potted plan as a gift from the event.

Ousley United Methodist Church’s Women’s Day celebration was on Sunday, August 16, 2015. Ms. Yvette Kim Richards, National President of UMW, was our soul stirring guest speaker. She graciously expounded on the theme “Women of Ousley Missionaries for the Lord” with emphasis on 1st Corinthians 15:58. She also stressed the importance of recognizing and encouraging children and youth.

The Unit’s annual Fall Yard Sale will be Saturday, October 10, 2015. Come share in a day of fun and fellowship!!

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White’s Chapel UMW: A fresh wind is blowing at White's Chapel UMC in Conyers, Ga, God blessed us with us with everything new in this growing season: A watering through God's seed of a new Pastor and a new experience for us because we have not ever before had a female Pastor. She is a breath of fresh air for us and the community. Since she has been at White's Chapel we sprouted and grew by nine new church members and all of them women except one. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 3:6 that says " I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow." Of course, the gentle breeze from the fresh wind blew those women to become active UMW participants. We also have new officers who are very excited and they are riding the wind with their enthusiasm and hunger to become involved and know more about the United Methodist Women. We know that our working together for God and being one with Him will continue to cause us to grow exponentially and spiritually. We are growing in love for one another an we thank God for His increase.

Mountain Park UMW Missions Project: In August Mountain Park’s UMW donated 144 book bags filled with school supplies to both the Lilburn Co-operative Ministries and the Gwinnett Department of Family and Children Services. Special thanks to all of the UMW women who helped us stuff each donated bag and to all of the faith-filled members of our congregation who helped make this mission a success through their donations and support.

Our UMW sisters also participated in Mountain Park’s Lunches of Love mission this summer by helping to prepare and serve lunches for children in four Stone Mountain neighborhoods. Over the course of the summer this mission served more than 16,000 lunches to hundreds of kids in need of a healthy lunch.

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ZOAR UMW: In Aug the UMW of Zoar United Methodist Church hosted a Gratitude and Hospitality program, and we were thrilled to have ladies from other UMW groups from neighboring churches join us for the event. Ashley Jameson led a short program and then our special guests took the floor. The names and likeness of our guests must be blurred because missionaries are not allowed in Laos and identifying them too closely on the internet could be dangerous for them. They shared the work they are doing to build churches, help villagers learn occupational skills and above all share the gospel. Everyone agreed that it was such a blessing to hear of the important work being done in Southeast Asia in the name of Christ.

It’s been a busy summer here at Zoar starting with a well deserved fellowship retreat at Collinswood at Aldergatein April. Iris Green (ADOX Social Action Coordinator) led the group in a wonderful program about Disabilities and ADOX UMW President Kathy Cook led the music and played the flute. The program was great and everyone agreed that the program and the fellowship was fun and spiritually renewing.

Earlier this spring some of our UMW ladies toured Murphy Harpst Children’s Home in Cedartown and brought back great information on the incredible work this group of dedicated teachers and counselors are doing for At Risk children who have endured unimaginable difficulties in their short lives. Many of us were uninformed about Murphy Harpst and now that we know more about it, we are very interested in educating others about the Home and the challenges they face. The May edition of Response Magazine has an article about Murphy Harpst.

Missions have been top of mind for us at Zoar UMC this summer. The Football Lap Blanket fund raiser exceeded everyone’s expectations and the Health Kit project was a huge success. Zoar was able to collect supplies for 200 Health Kits which were taken to the UMCOR warehouse in Decatur, Al. The Night Circle made sandwiches for the Summer Manna program which supplies lunches for children who rely on free school lunches during the school year but need assistance during the summer months. The latest project at Zoar is completion of Breast Cancer Pillows that will be donated to hospitals in the area. These pillows are specially designed to help bring comfort to women going through a very difficult and painful recovery. The ladies of Zoar have pledged 80 pillows and are working to get those done. This project is being led by Kathy Stempien. Any donations of material or pillow stuffing are greatly appreciated.

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