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Volume XXI Number 3 AUGUST 2013

United Methodist Women National www.unitedmethodistwomen.org

United Methodist Women Mission Resource Center

www.umwmissionresources.org

Iowa UMW website www.iaumc.org/umw

August Scripture is: Psalm 7:5 commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act. NRSV Philip Yancy in his book, "Disappointment With God," has said, "Without God you cannot, without you God will not.

It would be great if all we had to do was pray about problems in the world and things would change but we live in a very complex world with a lot of evil, primarily greed. Everything begins with prayer and in our study, "The Call," at Mission u we concentrated on our baptism, our involvement with God in communion and God's call to go outside our circles and invest in the lives of those who are suffering not only in the U.S. but around the world. We also studied the Roma of Europe. It is such an interesting study and one we should all take even though it is so sad when you learn what their lives are like. It challenges us to stand up to prejudice, and no one can look into the eyes of a child, any child, and not

despair when they are hungry and homeless. The church is their only hope for education, health care, and often times, food and clean water. Please invite a friend to attend your district annual meetings and learn in a fun way about the deaconess program. Conference annual meeting follows that. On October 5th let's fill Mt. Vernon church, sing together, and hear one of our deaconesses speak about her life and how she serves God. Invite young women to come with you this year to fall Mission u, Oct. 18 - 20. It's over a week-end, so offer a scholarship or two for them to attend together. There are also district scholarships available. At district and conference annual meetings you will be able to register for Assembly on a computer, so bring your credit card, check book and a stamped self-addressed envelope, and receive assistance registering on the computer. With God we are going to live rejoicing every day

Rita Vallery, President

2818 Eisenhower, Ames, IA 50010-4304 515-232-6413 [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Hello all, I am excited to fill you in on this fall’s programming news! This year the Conference Officers of United Methodist Women are privileged to be presenting part of your District Meeting programs. We will be presenting a fun and historical look at the Deaconess ministry. This year the Deaconess ministry is celebrating its 125th Anniversary. Did you know that Shesler Hall in Sioux City was originally a Deaconess home? At the Iowa Conference Annual Meeting in Mt.

Vernon on October 5th, 2013 we will be honored to have a Deaconess who is currently serving her community in this capacity. Look for the flyer for Annual meeting in this newsletter to register for the

day. We will have a display of Deaconess History also. I have started reading through the material that has been

United Methodist Women

Iowa Conference

C O N N E C T I O N

http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/

http://www.missionresourcecenter.org/

http://www.iaumc.org/umw

CONNECTION page 2 AUGUST 2013


lent to us for this day and “oh my”, what a life these women have led.

Something different this year at Annual meeting will also be a silent auction to help raise scholarship funds to help a first timer to attend Assembly next spring in Louisville Kentucky. Plans are being made for buses, hotels, and travel routes for April as we will travel together to Assembly. I am so looking forward to be in the midst of United Methodist Women from around the

world as we worship, learn, laugh, and raise our voice for our Purpose and for women and children around the world of ours.

Cheryl Weesner, Vice President

3335 E 49th St. Des Moines, IA 50317-5011 515-782-1196 [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________ We had a great experience at Summer Mission u. I have a report on money received during the event.

The Gift to Mission card sale totaled $235.00. GTM cards are a

wonderful way of honoring someone special with a gift to mission in their honor. The district treasurers will give the units credit for the cards purchased; so treasurers, you may have more money on your report of giving than you expected. That’s a nice problem to have—better than the alternative!

The Mission Night offering was $3,654.00. Thank you for your generosity.

Miss Piggy received $191.05. This included $20 donated for a Twinkie! Ask Becky if the new Twinkies measure up to her expectations. All these donations go toward our mission giving pledge to help women, children and youth. Through June,

$268,234.40 has been sent to the National Office toward our $625,000 pledge.

As women in the church we wear two hats. As United Methodist Women, we support our Iowa missions as well as a hundred national missions and another hundred international missions to benefit women, children and youth. We follow in the footsteps of the courageous women who founded United Methodist Women with mission in mind. As a member of the United Methodist Church, we can support Advance Specials, Ingathering and other projects of the church. If you have questions about what we are able to support through United Methodist Women giving channels, please contact your district treasurer.

Thank you for all you do for mission.

Betty Posz, Treasurer

919 Old Denmark Hill, Fort Madison, IA 52627 319-372-5436 [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

United Methodist Women is seeking a woman who is energetic, has experience in social media and organizing and a

concern for social justice to fill a two-year internship with the organization. This will be the Inelda Z. Gonzalez

Domestic Violence Internship in honor of the president of our organization during 2009-2012. It has been a tradition

in United Methodist Women to honor outgoing presidents with an internship which focuses on an area of their interest. If you are looking for an opportunity to work with a supportive network of women on the issue of domestic

violence, want to assist with planning events to raise awareness, can utilize social media for the dissemination of

resources and the coordination of advocacy, then contact Julie Taylor, Office of Child and Family Advocacy, United Methodist Women, Church Center for the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza, 11

th Floor, New York, NY

10017, 212-682-3633, ext. 3106, [email protected] . Resumes will be received until October 1st.

Position to begin in late Fall 2013. Stipend and work-related travel will be paid. Membership in the organization of

United Methodist Women preferred, United Methodist background required. This is a US based position.

mailto:[email protected]




Romans 12:2 Bible verse for 2013-2014 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect. NRSV

Please use this verse for one of your devotions. Apply it to our studies: Roma of Europe; Poverty; The Call: Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly.

The May thru September verses are the District Spiritual Growth Coordinators favorites.

Fall Mission u -Oct. 18-20

If you missed Summer Mission u, you must make it to the Fall Mission u:) The studies are outstanding, study leader’s knowledgeable, delicious food and the conference officers are a hoot:) Plus lots of break outs.

Try Pilates – we stretch and strengthen the core. Mats are provided. And don’t miss the Meditation Room! Enjoy and relax in a gravity chair, read, pray, listen to music, study, worship the Lord. But most important, write out your prayer

joys, concerns, needs, and desires. Put them in the basket and we will pray over them on Sunday afternoon. “Where 2 or 3 are gathered…….”can you finish this verse? Know where it is in the Bible?

Rita Thatcher, Spiritual Growth Coordinator

PO Box 255, West Bend, IA 50597-0255 515-887-5959 [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________ We have a great year ahead in Mission Education! If you were able to attend Mission u in July, you experienced the challenging studies for the coming year--the second year on Poverty, the first year for the Roma study, and the spiritual growth study, The Call,

Living Sacramentally, and Walking Justly. Please encourage your district United Methodist Women members to attend fall Mission u and/or the Mission Days in their own district.

Please be sure that the revised forms for Mission Today and for the study classes are available to all units. The study on Immigration in the Bible can still be done and immigration is the theme for the studies for Youth and for Children at fall Mission u. There are separate texts for these studies and can be obtained at Mission u or from the Mission Resource Center in Atlanta.

Shirley Pfeifer, Coordinator for

Education and Interpretation 2471 Highway 92, Washington, IA 50010-4304

319-653-5283 [email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Hello District Secretaries! It is time to start thinking and planning for the next year. I know your nominations committee has been hard at work all year long to set the best nomination ballot for your district. District annual meeting are scheduled just around the corner. It is an exciting time to be part of United Methodist Women! New this year will be the creation of the 2014 Iowa Conference Directory by November 2013 instead of January 2014. I will need everyone’s help to get this project completed. You can do your part by sending in the elective ballot to me no later than October 1, 2013. I will be putting the names, addresses, committee lists, National Office information, and Standing Rules together for printing in early November. Distribution will take place at the November 2013 Mission Team meeting. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. – Shalom,

Linda Blazek Garvin, Secretary

606 Phillips St., Polk City, IA 50226-2017 515-681-1752 [email protected]





Back-To-School Time How are you observing Back-To-School season? Are your children or grandchildren starting to get excited about school (or at least shopping for school)? Are you watching for sales to complete Ingathering School Kits? Are you helping a college student pack and get ready to start new adventures? Are you in prayer for our teachers, students, bus drivers, administrators, custodians, and others as they prepare for a safe and productive school year? Are you registered for Fall Mission u, AND are you inviting and encouraging others to attend? We have an awesome weekend planned for Fall Mission u. Marshalltown is the place to be October 18-20. The Spiritual Growth Study, "The Call: Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly" will guide you to better understand the sacraments of baptism and communion, especially what they mean to you personally. The Issue Study, "Poverty" will be taught in 3 languages -- English, Spanish, and Korean. Discover the challenges of a misunderstood minority group in the

Geographical Study, "The Roma of Europe". Youth and Children will explore "Migration" with many hands-on learning and sharing opportunities (for more information, see the flyers included in this edition of The Connection). Child care is also available. We WELCOME EVERYONE! Many Districts still have scholarships available, and don't forget the Diversity Fund as a means for financial assistance. You can be part of "LEARNING TOGETHER FOR

TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD." IN 2013, Back-To-School can be life changing! See you at Fall Mission u

Becky Heeren, Mission U Dean

610 East Ross Street, Toledo, IA 52342-2502 641-484-3879 [email protected]

641-751-6024 cell

"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." The Summons (The Faith We

Sing #2130)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi to everyone! What a great summer we have had in Iowa but it will soon be fall and so many exciting things happening. It was good to see so many at Mission u and now look forward to visiting with folks at the District Annuals and Conference Annual meeting, and finally Fall Mission u. It will be fun to see what new things will be in the Resource Rooms for 2014. Most everything is to be available by the new order blank. Also, Fall Samplers are to be sent this month yet. The new resource center has been very helpful in this transition time. If any questions, you may call Mission Resource Center at 800-

305-9857 or contact me. Judy Beckler, Program Resources Secretary

PO Box 229, Tiffin, IA 52340-0229 (319-545-2867) [email protected]




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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.

United Methodist Women Iowa Conference Newsletter The United Methodist Church-Iowa 2301 Rittenhouse Street Des Moines, IA 50321-3101

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