Check out what is happening on Women's Division Websites

Real Beauty for Response Magazine


Hi! This is Barbara Wheeler, editor of Response magazine. The March 2008 issue of the magazine will focus on real beauty. In preparing for the issue, we want to hear from you. Visit the United Methodist Women Online Community at www.umwonline.org and go to the "All About United Methodist Women" community. Discussion questions on "real beauty" are in the "Q & A" section. We plan to reprint some of these responses in the magazine. Please spread the word about this conversation and let us hear from you!
(While online here check out other communities and all the information available. There is a lot out there you may not know.)

Barbara WheelerEditor/Response Magazine
United Methodist Women's Division
475 Riverside Drive, Room 1501
New York, NY 10115
212-870-3628 or 212-870-3755


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Check out umwmission.org. This is the national site for United Methodist Women.
There is a survey going on about a possible new logo and tagline for United Methodist Women. You'll want to see what it looks like and weigh in on what you think about it. Make sure your vote is counted.

OFFICER TRAINING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Officer Training for 2008 local unit officers will be Saturday, November 10 at First United Methodist Church of Mineola. Registration is 9:30. The meeting will begin at 10:00. Lunch will be at noon. President Cindy Bennett will contact every unit president this weekend for a count of the number attending from each unit for preparation of programs, and for Mineola to prepare food. Please call Cindy by Sunday night, if she hasn't been able to reach you. (903-584-3747 hm;903-724-2480 cell)

Northwest UMW District Offering Goes to UMCOR

The Northwest District United Methodist Women met on October 13 at First United Methoidst Church in Jacksonville. These in attendance were treated to a special treat with Kathy Kraiza, executive director of UMCOR Depot at Sager Brown as the featured speaker. Kathy shared what is happening at the Depot and the continuing need for Hands On Kits. Flood Buckets are particularly needed this time of year. She also shared two new modifications in two of the most popular kits which groups like to assemble. Due to concerns about outdated toothpaste, we are now asked to substitute $1 for a tube of toothpaste. Many brands of toothpaste have expiration dates and some have been subject to contamination so the Depot will now be buying toothpaste in bulk. In School Kits, we are to delete the contruction paper and add a third pack of lined writing paper. The kits currently calls for two packs of lined paper and the new kits should contain three packs. Kathy was able to return to the Depot with a car load of kits brought by members of UMW units in the District.

The offering collected during the meeting totaled $309.00, and this money will be sent to UMCOR.

Attendees also were able to shop at the Mission Store with JoAnn Lund. We were lucky to have her at our event. JoAnn has maintained this Mission Store for many years. Volunteers bring items back from their mission trips to places such as Africa, Mexico, South America and places in the United States. All proceeds go back into the mission fund for the conference.

Ubuntu Journey to Hong Kong & China

Calling all United Methodist Women - Ubuntu Journey to Hong Kong & China

Applications are now being accepted for the Ubuntu, Hong Kong & China Journey, led by Jeanie Blankenbaker. The trip is scheduled for September 2-13, 2008 and there are 10 openings for United Methodist Women across the church. Ubuntu eXplorer Journeys

In Hong Kong, team members will meet and share with clients of Bethune House. Supported by the Women's Division, Bethune House provides counseling and legal assistance to female migrants who have been mistreated or harassed at work and a temporary shelter for those awaiting their legal cases to be processed. Following worship on Sunday at the Methodist Church, lunch and fellowship with members of the Methodist Fellowship of Women Migrants will be provided.

On Monday, the group will travel to mainland China by ferry then by domestic flight to Guizhou Province, a scenic mountainous province in southwest China where ethnic groups still keep their old customs and traditions. The group, met by Amity Foundation staff, will learn about development issues and the scope of Amity's work in this remote province. Visits will include the bio-gas, safe drinking water and reforestation projects. Participants will engage in a discussion/learning session with the village women's Development Foundation and beneficiaries of micro-credit projects; learn about the distance education project for village teachers; and visit rebuilt primary schools and "back to school" students. Participants should be prepared to walk since the road does not extend into the village. Before returning to Hong Kong, the group will visit spectacular Huangguoshu Waterfalls, the largest in Asia.
The deadline for applications is December 1, 2007. Cost is $2500, exclusive of USA domestic airfare. For team member application forms and additional information go to www.missionvolunteers.org then to Programs >Ubuntu Explorers Journeys > Forms. Or, you may contact Jeanie Blankenbaker at jbumvimny@aol.com

Northwest District Fall Meeting --October 13

Come join us in Jacksonville for the Northwest District Fall meeting on Saturday October 13. We begin registration at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. The program will be presented by Kathy Kraiza from Sager Brown and the UMCOR Depot. Bring a health kit to share with her.
If you need directions, please call First Methodist in Jacksonville -- 903 586-2494.

Edom UMW Health Fair -- September 29

Edom UMW invites you to their health fair on September 29.
EDOM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
at the intersection of
FM 279 and FM 314
Edom, Texas

A variety of events will give you an opportunity to check out your health.

1. ROSS BREAST CENTER MOBILE UNIT MAMMOGRAM
*Make you appointment by calling Suzanne McDougle @ 903 469-3498

September 17 is deadline for making an appointment.

2. DONATE BLOOD

Stewart Regional Blood Bank

10:00-2:00
In Parking Lot

3. DISEASE PREVENTION and TREATMENT

Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure Testing

Information about
Osteoporosis
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Alzheimer's
Cancer
Tobacco use
Sun protection
Physical fitness

4. LIFE CHANGES

ELDER CARE

Retirement Centers
Assisted Living
Nursing Facilities
Alzheimer’s Facilities
Medicare/Medicaid
Hospice Facilities

5. HELPFUL PRESENTATIONS
in Sanctuary of Church

10:00 a.m. Copeland Group—everything about Medicare
1:00 p.m. The Hampton's– memory care wellness in the mind, grief
counseling for caregivers, new Home Care program

Report Your Reading Program Accomplishments

Been reading all year? Time to report what you've read.

Let Elva Anderson know what you or members of your unit have read.
Tell her how many books in which category of the reading program you have read.

Send your information to:

Elva Anderson
7155 CR 4613
Athens, Texas
75752

Call her at 903 675-3902 or 903 477-1383
Email her at elva@mycvc.net

What are your fall plans??

Share what is happening this fall in your unit. Do you have a bazaar in the works? Tell us your favorite speaker. Did you go to School of Mission at Lon Morris in July? Planning to go to Lakeview in the Fall for Fall Festival? How many kits have you put together so far?

Check out the News Blog for the Texas Conference UMW. Read the letters from Bill and Jerri Savuto. Leave your ideas and comments here and there.

Share! Share! Share!

Share What Is Happening In Your Local Units

On of the great things about a blog is that you can share and learn from your friends around the district. What has your unit been doing this summer? What special event did your group participate in the Spring or what's coming up this Fall? What did you learn at the Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission?

In the comment section below, let us know what is happening with you and your unit. Check in often and read all those comments (we hope) from others.