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.
UMW is a national membership organization with nearly one million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise approximately $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the US A and more than 100 countries around the world!
Membership in Ashland UMW is open to all women. We nurture and encourage one another through small groups or CIRCLES.
Circles and the UMW Unit participate in local and district missions.
Ashland UMW 2009 Leadership
Officers:
President: Gay Winter
Vice-President: Susan Dickinson
Secretary: Karen Nates
Treasurer: Nina Newcomb
Secretary of Program Resources: Linda Wilkins
Chairperson of Nominations: TBD
Communications: TBD
Pastor: (ex-officio) Rev. Joel Jones
Mission Coordinators:
Spiritual Growth: TBD
Social Action: Ruthanne Robbins
Education & Interpretation: Susan Von Nessen
Membership, Nurture & Outreach: Beth Wilkinson
Circle Chairleaders:
Faith – Erin Harrelson
Friendship – Jane Foster
Harmon – Ruth Graczyk Noontime Seekers – Peggy Lynch
Sunshine – Susan Dickinson
Susannah Wesley – Candy Cantrell
UMW Circles at Ashland United Methodist Church
Circles meet at different times of the month for fellowship, devotions, Bible study,programs and mission work. Circles welcome new members at any time.
Friendship meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the home of a member. Monthly mission projects have included Bingo parties and refreshments with the residents of Asbury Arms and Killingsworth, card ministry and visits with Ashland shut-ins, support of Salkehatchie Summer Service and various local mission ministries. Contact Jane Foster
Noontime Seekers meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. for a bag lunch and dessert at a member’s home. Mission projects include support of SC missions, card ministry to Ashland's shut-ins, Asbury Arms, making prayer bracelets for cancer patients and various community missions. Contact Peggy Lynch
Sunshine meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Ashland, Rm. 138; Mission projects include Killingsworth Home , collection of soup labels for the McCurdy School in New Mexico and a meal for Wesley Foundation, Contact Susan Dickinson
Faith meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Ashland or a member’s home. Mission projects include the collection of school supplies for children, the annual Mother's Day and Father's Day mission fundraisers and monthly mission collections., Contact Erin Harrelson
Harmon meets on the second Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at Ashland or a member’s home. Mission projects include support for various church and community missions and providing breakfast for the residents of Asbury Arms. Contact Ruth Graczyk
Susanna Wesley meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at a member’s home. Mission projects include baby baskets for Ashland's new mothers and support of Sharing God's Love and the Killingsworth Home. Contact Candy Cantrell
Local Unit Events for 2009: To Be Announced
District Events for 2009:
- Jan 11 2:30 PM Grace UMC - District / Local Officers Training
- Jan 23 11:15 Brookland Baptist – Church Women United Annual Meeting
- Mar 4 Capitol Day Frances Burns UMC
- Mar 7 8:30 AM Brookland UMC – Spiritual Growth – Day Apart
- May 1&2 or 2&3 Lake Junaluska - Spiritual Growth Retreat
- July 23-26 School of Christian Mission
- Sept 19 Asbury UMC- Columbia District Annual Meeting
- Nov 12 Killingsworth Gala
- Dec TBA Bethlehem Community Center Walk-A-Thon
UMW READING PROGRAM
The purpose of the Calendar Year Reading Program is to encourage United Methodist Women:
- to expand understanding of and participation in God's mission;
- to increase sensitivity to all human beings-their needs, interests, and concerns;
- to encourage critical thinking about issues facing humanity today;
- to grow in understanding of Scripture as it relates to Christian faith in contemporary life;
- to enhance self-knowledge and to act from that knowledge;
- to strengthen involvement in local and global Christian mission.
The Women's Division recommends a diverse range of books with the intention of broadening exposure to a variety of concepts.
The division does not intend that United Methodist Women accept each word or idea contained within each volume. Some books you may agree with. Some you may not. Either is all right. At the least you know the Women's Division cares and wants you to be a knowledgeable and caring Christian about the issues of the day.
Participants choose a reading plan and commit to read books selected in each of four categories:
1) Education for Mission
2) Nurturing for Community
3) Social Action
4) Spiritual Growth
Reading selections are made from approved Women Division Reading Lists for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. 2008 and the new 2009 list.
These lists are available in the Church library, or by contacting the Church office.
They are also available on Women's Division web page:
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/ReadingProgram.
- A First Timer's Report on the UMW School of Christian Mission
The new president of Spartanburg Methodist College welcomed 270 women of mission to Spartanburg Methodist College for the 2009 School of Christian Mission. Read the "First Timer's" report of the event presented by Ashland's Gay Winter. read full article
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For additional information on Ashland UMW contact Gay Winter, President