UMW IN CUBA Do you ever wonder about United Methodist Women in Communist countries? Well, a small group of United Methodist women from Mandarin United Methodist in Jacksonville, FL, recently returned from visiting their “sister” church outside of Havana. There they discovered that their sisters in Christ were actively participating in many of the same activities as they were “back home”. The Eternal Youth group, as they affectionately call themselves, meets regularly in their local Methodist church to study the Bible, praise God, have covered dish suppers, create beautiful crafts to raise money, help out around the church, as well as help the needy in their communities. Resources are very limited so they rejoiced upon receiving copies of Response articles in Spanish, plus multiple copies of United Methodist program books and materials, all in Spanish, that were donated by their sisters from Jacksonville. They plan on using the materials on UMW circles to expand the number of active circles and include more women of all ages. Both groups were truly blessed to share in the love of God. Dios le bendiga (God bless you)
Mission News from the Sonshine Circle of Baldwin United Methodist The Sonshine Circle of Baldwin United Methodist church was formed in April 2006. Comprised of a group of active women, this group has quickly established outreach projects within the local schools. One on-going project is working with a handicapped child who uses a great deal of batteries in her daily living, which can be a drain on the family budget. Being severely handicapped and in a motorized chair, the child utilizes many tools and aides. The Circle has pledged a monthly support of $25.00 to the family. Mrs. Verna Hunt, Treasurer, acts as liaison for this project. Mrs. Hunt is a teacher of many years at our local elementary school, Mamie Agnes Jones. Mrs. Hunt has also made the circle aware of a young boy who has been diagnosed with leukemia. The Circle has elected to be a pen-pal with the youngster, and provide gift bags and cards throughout the school year. Another means of reaching out to the community through the schools is that many of the Circle members have aligned with the Baldwin Senior-Middle School in the role of mentors. Each month the mentors meet with a sophomore child for one hour, providing encouragement and conversation. The principal, Dr. Richardson, shared with the mentoring group that last year all but one child excelled above their previous grade period and finished the school year in fine standing. Also, the program received an award from the PTSA organization at the state level. This Circle went outside their immediate community by assisting in providing hygiene kits pillow cases and various other needs for Camp AMP,. This has been adopted as an on-going program, and will again be prepared for next summers campers. Magazines and lap robes are delivered to Shands Hospital in Jacksonville. One new member is now crocheting lap robes to be included in the holiday gift baskets for our shut-ins at Christmas. Believing in ‘go ye into all the world”, this Circle has taken on many projects and prayer concerns for our community and nation. Study of many other cultures will be done through out the Circle year, with prayer being a major tool. Our pastor, Rev. Candy Martin, is a strong supporter of the UMW circle and governing board, and works closely with our projects. |
