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 Due to concerns about outdated toothpaste, we are now asked to substitute $1 for a tube of toothpaste.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.