UMW NEWSLETTER JANUARY VOLUME MARCH ISSUE 2015

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

Greetings United Methodist Women, I am thankful to God for all his blessings. It is an honor and a

pleasure to be your President. It is our goal for this year to become more unified, committed to our church, our families and most of all faithful to God. With that said, we are having the clergy and lay persons to speak on the topic of Unity for 10-

15 minutes each quarter. Our theme for 2015 is “The Spirit of Unity.” I would like to invite all women of Covenant Glen as well as visitors to attend one or all of our monthly meetings that are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Hope Chapel. Currently we have assisted the following ministries: Family Promise, Southwest Mission Project, and American Cancer Society, Relay for Life and Sister Network Cancer Foundation. We do have other projects in process. The Mother and Daughter Tea and Fashion Extravaganza will be Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. All are invited. Tickets are $15 for Adults, and $5 for children 12 and under. Additional information is forthcoming. Please come out and support us. Once again I would like to thank UMW for electing me as President. In His and Your Service, Ruby A. Swan

NEW OFFICERS INSTALLATION

nited Methodist Women of Covenant Glen began the New Year on January 15th with the installation of several new officers. After prayer and hymn singing, Vice President Corliss Walker

asked all members to stand and to read the UMW purpose in unison. Following the reading of the purpose, Sharon Terry, Past President, was asked to come forward to perform the installation ceremony of the newly elected officers. The new officers and their positions are Ruby Swan, President; Vita King, Spiritual Growth Coordinator; Billie Washington, Social Action Coordinator and Lola Davis, Coordinator of Membership, Nurture and Outreach. After the reading of a litany on leadership, the new officers received their charges and were warmly greeted by the members of the UMW

body.

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“Turning Faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children, and youth around the world.”

UMW NEWSLETTER JANUARY – MARCH 2015

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 6

From left to right: Lola Davis, Billie Washington; Vita

King, Ruby Swan & Sharon Terry

Theme Scripture: Psalm 133: 1-3

133 How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head and ran down onto his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew on Mount Hermon, on the mountains of Israel. And God has pronounced this eternal blessing on Jerusalem,[a] even life forevermore (TLB)

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day This day of advocacy is observed on January 11th each year.

Learn more about modern day slavery and how we can all work to prevent

and stop human trafficking. www.umwonline.org

www.umwonline.org

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+133&version=TLB#fen-TLB-13957a

http://www.umwonline.org/

http://www.umwonline.org/

Covenant Glen United Methodist Church – Dr. Robert Childress, Senior Pastor

401 Present St * Missouri City, TX 77459 * (281) 499-8788 Volume 1 Issue

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401 Present St * Missouri City, TX 77459 * (281) 499-8788 Volume 1 Issue 5

MESSAGE FROM: SPIRITUAL GROWTH LEADER

Greetings & Blessings United Methodist Women It is such an honor to be a part of such a great group of women – women with a Godly purpose and mission. I was so excited when approached by the nominating committee to fill the position of Spiritual Growth Leader vacated by Ruby Swan for my local group. Excitement was then greeted by fear. I wondered if I would do a good job or if indeed I was the right person for the job. I basically knew the duties from observing the previous leader. I started thinking I can’t pray like that or speak that well. My spirit told me to answer the call and accept the position. I said yes. I knew God would give me the right words to say, guide me and prepare me. All fear is gone. In a meeting in February 2015, the message was received regarding unity. We each committed to stand by each other as we went through an exercise and received the message “Stand by Me”. This confirmed I was not alone and my sisters would always be there to help me with my weaknesses. Thus, my focus as the spiritual Growth Leader began. First, I had to understand what was meant by the term Spiritual Growth. I learned that it comes from within but we must have the desire for growth. Spiritual Growth is how we view our life circumstances and our pursuit of peace, love, happiness and understanding through our beliefs and relationship with Jesus. The question still remains in my mind: how can I enhance my group’s spiritual growth? There are recommended books for readings. What else could I do? My answer is to share with you the path I have taken and pray it will help someone else. My path begins each day studying God’s Word. I use the Pray Calendar for daily scriptures and read the monthly Response Magazine to stay updated on the different missions (local & global). I share the word of God and our mission purpose whenever

the opportunity presents itself. Sharing increases your knowledge and strengthens your faith. As part of United Methodist Women, I have been so fulfilled in our mission to help. This is Lent season. There is no better way to grow spiritually with God than the fasting and praying during this time. Let us pray for unity within all the mission groups and all our mission leaders. We are women on a mission and that mission is to k now God, grow in His word and support all mission ministries around the world. Let’s invite others to join us for this fulfilling and rewarding experience through United Methodist Women to support those in need locally and globally. Vita King

2015 TEXAS CONFERENCE UMW

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT OFFICERS TRAINING

The members of United Methodist Women at Covenant Glen were pleased to host the 2015 Texas Conference United Methodist Women of the Southwest District Officers Training on January 15, 2015. The Southwest District consists UMW units from 18 different churches from Matagorda to Bay City. UMW-CG is proud to note that five of its members are serving as officers on the District Level. They are Ella Colvin, Mary Flemming, Brenda Johnson, Ruby Swan, and Gilda Williams. (See pictures on page 5)



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2015 PLEDGE CEREMONY

FEBRUARY MEETING RECAP

Minister Sandra Jones presented a message on "The Spirit of

Unity" at the February 12, 2015 UMW-CG meeting. The message, entitled “Stand By Me…I Need You to Survive”, was based on Exodus 17:8-16. Minister Jones led all of the ladies and the newly elected president, Ruby Swan, in a responsive reading based on the scriptures in Exodus 17.



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On February 13, 2015, Local/District MEI Coordinator, Brenda Johnson & Conference Social Action Coordinator, Krystal West, attended an event on Human Trafficking sponsored by Ft. Bend Connect. Keynote speaker was Catherine French, Founder & Executive Director of Elijah Rising, a nonprofit Christian organization in Houston whose mission is to combat Human Trafficking by rescuing victims and helping victims on their journey of physical, emotional & spiritual healing. Other speakers were Rachel Alvarez, Program Case Manager, YMCA International, and Dustin Claborn, Investigator, Fort Bend County District Attorney's office Many opportunities are available to show the love of Christ to victims being rescued and to support Elijah Rising ministry. Also items handmade by rescued victims can be purchased, with funds going toward victims' recovery process and to assist in helping them with their new beginning in life through the YMCA International. Let’s continue to lift up our prayers for divine intervention in the safe rescue of human trafficking victims and in combating this inhumane crime. For more information, click www.elijahrising.org.

By Brenda Johnson

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

On Feb. 11, 2015, a fundraiser/silent auction was held at the Hawthorne Inn & Suites in Missouri City, Texas for Ft. Bend Habitat for Humanity. The event was sponsored by the Tri-City Business Alliance. Habitat builds are

currently in progress. Many opportunities are available for fundraising, assisting with registration during build days, onsite hands-on building and assistance at the Ft. Bend Habitat Restore. Donations of food for

working volunteers and monetary donations are much needed ongoing, and very much appreciated. Local/District United Methodist Women Coordinators, Brenda Johnson & Gilda Williams attended in support of

Ft. Bend Habitat for Humanity. By Brenda Johnson



MARCH Evelyn Calvin – 01st

Gilda Williams – 08th

Beverly Harris – 09th

FAITH IN ACTION

http://www.elijahrising.org/



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2015 UMW

Board Members

Ruby Swan, President

Corliss Walker, Vice-President

Christine Burns, Secretary

Frances Jackson, Assistant

Secretary

Deidra Taylor, Treasurer

Frances Jackson, Secretary of

Program Resources

Vita King, Spiritual Growth

Brenda Johnson, Education &

Interpretation

Lola Davis, Membership, Nurture &

Outreach

Billie Washington, Social Action

Gilda Williams, Communications

Maureen Mobley,

Communications

Debra Celestine, Nominations Co-

Chair

Carolyn B. Franklin, Nominations

Co-Chair

Nominations Members:

Debra Burns, Ericka Burns,

Evelyn G. Calvin, Tannee’

Newton

Brenda Campbell,

Parliamentarian

Cynthia Clay, Historian

OUR VISION

Turning faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.

OUR MOTTO:

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.

If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.

OUR PURPOSE

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.

…to our recently retired board members:

Ella Colvin, Mary Flemming and Carole Moseley. We appreciate the hard work and dedication you demonstrated as officers of United Methodist Women-Covenant Glen. We wish you the best of God’s blessings as you begin your new walk of service.



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$1,500.00

$1,391.00

$780.00

$200.00

$500.00

$100.00

$300.00

$900.00

UMW PLEDGE DOLLARS &

CONTRIBUTIONS

AT WORK

UMW-CG Pledge to UMW Southwest District

Committee on Relief Fund (Church family)

Local Mission Funds

Habitat for Humanity

Care & Concern (Bereavement) Plants

Wiley College Choral Tour (December 2014)

“Beans Over the Border” to Rio Bravo, Mexico (Hispanic mission)

UMCOR Health Kits (approximately 73 kits)

Your Pledge Dollars &

Contributions at Work:

uring 2014, Covenant Glen United

Methodist Women contributed $5,191.00 through UMW funds and specific donations

to local CGUMC missions, community and national missions. CGUMW missions included Family Promise, Beans Over the Border, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald Carter Organ Donation Fund, The Women’s Carroll Unit (prison ministry); TSU Wesley Foundation, Glen Day of Giving, Wiley College Choral Tour and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

With your support in pledges and donations, United Methodist Women – CG can continue to benefit the lives of women and children both locally and globally. Please consider a 2015 pledge as part of your membership in United Methodist Women-CG.

“Hands On” (School Kits)

In some countries, children don't have books or school supplies. Many have no schoolrooms; classes are held in inadequate or half-destroyed buildings, tents, or even the open air. School kits may be these children's only educational resources. This project is designed to provide support for UMCOR’s global development work and make a tangible and blessed difference in people’s lives. Kits will include blunt scissors, paper, pencil sharpener; ruler, pencils, eraser, and crayons all in a 14”x16” cloth school bag. We can make an impact if we each would help support this cause. Stay tuned for more details. School Kit Value: $11 per kit

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NEW MEMBERS Janina Beyan

Bernadette Blair

FEBRUARY FIRST LADY DORIS CHILDRESS – 02ndH

MARGIE GIPSON – 02ND

KATHY BOUCHEE – 9TH

BRENDA CAMPBELL – 21ST

ESSIE GONZALEZ – 28th

MARCH BLANCHE HIGHTOWER – 8TH

Monday, April 6 - Serve Dinner to Families of Family Promise: 6:30pm

Friday, April 10 – Walk for Life-American Cancer Society; Constellation Field, Sugar Land, TX.

Saturday, April 11 – SW District Spring Celebration: 9AM – 1PM, Memorial Drive UMC, Houston TX

Saturday, April 25 – Sisters Network Breast Cancer Walk for The Cure; Discovery Green, Houston, TX

Saturday, May 2 – Wesley Foundation @ TSU – 3rd Annual Gala; Rev. Dr. Michael Bowie, Jr., Guest

Speaker. Contact Stacie Hawkins @ 713-313-1955 for more info.

Saturday, May 16 - Mother/Daughter Tea & Fashion Show, Covenant Glen UMC; Missouri City, TX;

Cost $15.00 adults and $5.00 children (12 and above)

Monday, May 25 – UMW Luncheon featuring Kathy Behrman – Hilton Americas Hotel , Houston,

TX– 11:30 am – 1pm. Cost: $30.00

Monthly Meetings:

2nd Thursdays @ 7:00 pm

Documents

UMW NEWSLETTER JANUARY VOLUME MARCH ISSUE 2015