United Methodist Women – June Update
The Parkwood UMW met at the home of Charlotte Thompson on Thursday, May 24. Our special guest and speaker was Lisa Bachman, a resident of Durham and a commissioned Deaconess in the UMC. We first learned about Lisa when her name appeared in the Prayer Calendar. Charlotte gave us what information was there, and Vice President Florine Layman arranged for her to be at this meeting. Lisa shared with us church history focusing on John Wesley and his recognition and encouragement of women in the church. The office of deaconess has been a part of Methodist churches since 1888. In the beginning the women who served were much like nuns wearing long black dresses and living apart from families as they serves their communities. Today they are called for “full-time ministries of love, justice and service.” Their motto is: I serve neither for gratitude nor reward but from gratitude and love; my reward is that I may serve. Lisa left brochures and articles giving more details of the position and the work they do.
When the program was completed, we enjoyed a time of fellowship and the refreshments prepared by Charlotte and co-hostess Pat Nestler.
May was a busy month for UMW. We polished silver so that it will sparkle whenever we need to use it. Bev Whitmore’s blanket making workshop has produced seven blankets with a few more to be completed soon. Treasurer Pat Nestler reported that we made $196 on the bake sale. In other treasury related business, we selected this year’s honorees for our Candle burning donation. After a brief discussion about school kits, we decided to send a donation to Robeson County Church and Community Center in lieu of making and delivering school kits.
As always we shared our joys and concerns, and we ask for continued prayer for those families that are still in health related treatment.
Our next meeting will be on June 28th at the home of Betty Byrd. Our speaker will be Martha Caves, District UMW President. She will answer our questions relating to the new district alignment. We hope to see some new faces there! All women are invited and encouraged to become a part of UMW.
