Trumpet Sounds - December 2021

A Wishful Christmas Prayer
God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
–Wilda English
A note from Anne Winn...
President’s Report - December

2021 seems like a blur to me. We had our four District Meetings by zoom. Also, we had a special District meeting in May, presented by North Central District officers, about the Charter for Racial Justice. We had two versions of Mission u: In-person and virtual.

Enough about looking back!. What’s coming up?
1.  Here is a question that I need to know the answer from everyone. When you read this question, send me your answer by text (352-630-8033) or by email (annewinn.umw@gmail.com).
  • Here’s the question: Do you want to have District Meetings in-person or virtually? Your answer will determine how we do programs in 2022.

2.  Have you sent your officer’s list to Janet Blume? We need to make our directory and we need your information ASAP. Our directory always has a more detailed calendar (2022). Please try NOT to plan an event when the District is having an event. 

3.  Leadership Development is January 29th, 2022. Leadership training is not just for elected officers. We all need to learn how to be leaders!

4.  The Women’s Spiritual District, sponsored by the ECD District is March 26, 2022. We have a guest speaker (TBA) on Spiritual Growth and Soul Care.

5.  May 20-22,2022 ASSEMBLY. Check out the awesome National Website on this event!

6.  July 15-17 is Mission u. There will be in-person and virtual options

7.  October 8, 2022 is our District Annual Meeting (my last) so come and celebrate.

Oh, by the way, I didn’t share everything that’s happening this year. You need some surprises!





Dates will be coming for
Cluster Group Activities!

Upcoming Events
2022 Calendar
To download the calendar: District Calendar


January 29, 2022
East Central District Training
Who Should Attend: New and Returning Unit Officers
Time: 9:45 AM – Noon
Questions: Email janetblume.umw@gmail.com
 
 
February 2022
East Central District Cluster Gatherings
Get to know your Cluster gatherings!
Who Should Attend: TBD
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD

 
 
March 27, 2022
East Central District Spiritual Retreat
Time: 8:45 AM – Noon
RSVP: TBD
 

April 30, 2022
East Central District Cluster Mission Study
Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom of God
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD
  

May 20-22, 2022
United Methodist Women Assembly 2022
Orange County Convention Center – Orlando
To register and more information: Assembly 2022 Details - Click Here
 

June 20, 2022
East Central District Cluster Mission Study
Pushout
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD

 

July 15-17, 2022
Mission u
In-Person Location: TBD
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD


September 9-11, 2022
Conference Spiritual Retreat
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD



Saturday, October 8, 2022
District Annual Meeting
Who Should Attend: All Unit Officers and interested unit members
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
RSVP: TBD


November 2-4, 2022
SEJ Lake Junaluska
Link to Register: TBD
 
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Conference Annual Meeting
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Link to Register: TBD
 

Saturday, December 3, 2022
Conference Advent Retreat
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Link to Register: TBD


To download the calendar: District Calendar


News from your District Leadership Team
& Committees
Committee on Nominations
Phoebe Lustre
Committee on Nominations Chair

2021-11-01 Article for the December Trumpet Sound from Committee on Nominations (CoN)
Selections from a featured article from “You-Version Community,” recently seen by a member of the Committee on Nominations (CoN), were some thoughts regarding leaders, what leadership should be like and how important it is to pray for our leaders.

This is timely as we have just enjoyed time together at our District Annual Meeting. One of the key components of this gathering is the election and appointment of new and continuing leaders.

Can you imagine what would happen if everyone began praying for the people who’ve encouraged us? Can you imagine what would happen if everyone were to begin to honour the people who selflessly serve us by praying together for them? What a thought!

So could we take a moment to pray for our unit leaders, District leaders, Conference leaders, our church leaders and all those in leadership – offering them the guidance and discernment needed to lead with grace, fairness and purpose. It took strength to commit to lead; let us cover them with the prayers needed to help them walk with courage.

Let us thank God for placing Christian leaders in our lives who care for us and who help shape us by their wisdom, compassion, kindness, and selfless love. Let our expressions of gratitude remind them that they are seen, valued, and known.

To the amazing LEADERS of the East Central District Leadership team, know that you have been and will continue to be prayed for…the work continues...

“God, we ask that you will encourage them when they feel worn out, and renew their strength when they’re overwhelmed. Give rest to those who need it, and remind them of Your promises. Bless their families, strengthen their ministries, and expand their influence—for Your glory, and their good. Amen.”

Presenting Our 2022 - 2024 East Central District Leadership Team:

Elected Positions and Term:
President (Term 2022):
Anne Winn, Trinity UMC, Deland
Secretary (Term 2022-2023):
Janet Blume, FUMC, Clermont
Treasurer (Term 2022-2023):
Mary Ann Mueller, Community of Faith UMC. Davenport
Program Resources (Term 2022-2023):
Patricia Harrell, FUMC, Clermont
Chair, Committee on Nominations (CoN) (Term 2022):
Dorothy Mathias, FUMC, Clermont

Appointed Coordinators and Term:
Communications Coordinator (Term 2022):
Diane Abresky, Community of Faith UMC. Davenport

Education & Interpretation (Term 2022-2023):
Linda Welander, FUMC, Clermont

Social Action Coordinator (Term 2022-2023):
Gillian Wolfe, Community of Faith, Davenport

Membership, Nurture & Outreach (Term 2022):
Phoebe Lustre, Grace UMC, Lake Mary


CoN Class of 2022:
Phoebe Lustre, Grace UMC, Lake Mary; Email: phoebelustre.umw@gmail.com
Dorothy Mathias, FUMC, Clermont; Email: dancndotti@aol.com
CoN Class of 2023:
Doris Hatfield, St. John’s UMC, Winter Haven; Email: umw.dorishatfield@gmail.com
Frankie Edwards, Conway UMC, Orlando; Email: delanatwo@aol.com
CoN Class of 2024:
Tracey Perry, FUMC, Apopka; Email: tracey.perry@ocps.net
Kristi Carnesale, Sanlando UMC, Longwood; Email: kristicarnesale.umw@gmail.com
 
SOCIAL ACTION
Gillian Wolfe - gillianwolfe@hotmail.com


Are you feeling hopeful? Are you anticipating an exciting season of renewal, giving and transformation? Christmas is just such a time with gifts happily given and received. God gave us the gifts of love, forgiveness, healing and hope through the birth of Jesus two thousand years ago, and today it is our responsibility and joy to pass on those same gifts to others.

Social justice is about change, positive change for all of God's children and the UMW has always been at the forefront of that movement. Our UMW initiatives seek to address giving those gifts of hope by offering education, health care, voices for good, support and solidarity with those who are struggling and seeking after a better future. Our voices have called for stronger rules on methane emissions, shown support for an important federal bill for ending the Pushout Act, called for action for creation care, and demanded accountability at the Cop26 conference on global climate change. And that is only a small example of what we have done in the past couple of months! 

In the upcoming UMW Assembly in Orlando in May 2022 Social Justice issues will be front and center with key note speakers like Leymah Gbowee who won a Nobel Peace prize in 2011 for her work leading a women's nonviolent peace movement that helped to bring an end to the 2nd Liberian civil war. Michelle Alexander is also speaking and is a civil rights activist who is passionate about exposing and challenging racial bias in the criminal system. The children's defense fund founder, Marion Wright Edelman, will share her wisdom and experience as she has been an activist for children's rights since 1964! There is hope in the air because God is on the move through women, like these, who work tirelessly for others in big and small ways each and every day.

Wayne William Snellgrove, from the Fishing Lake First Nation, writes that "one of the biggest spiritual problems in our life is simply not showing up. We have to remember life is a participatory journey." (Daily Medicine 2019). I pray that you will give yourself the gift of hope this season by participating in the UMW Assembly, or getting involved with initiatives that bring gifts of hope to others. There are many ways to get involved and excited about!

Blessings on your Christmas season and all the very best in the new year!
with love, prayers and blessings
Gillian Wolfe
PROGRAM RESOURCES
Patricia Harrell - patriciaharrell.umw@gmail.com
Program Resources Coordinator

Did you know that UMW has a new Digital Resources Platform? Currently they are offering online discussions each month with the author of our new Program Resource (formerly Program Book) to help plan our monthly meetings? Connect here and sign up to receive other online resources. Online Resources Click Here


Also new this year is the Daily Prayer Guide 2022(formerly Prayer Calendar). I don’t think they’ve shipped yet, but I’m sure you won’t want to miss it. Place your order soonest.
 
 
Prayer Guide 2022
M3368 $14
Will ship in November 2021


Welcome to United Methodist Women's 2022 Prayer Guide! Our beloved Prayer Calendar has a new name to reflect its devotional features. Surveys indicated that there is less desire to use this annual resource as a calendar or appointment book and more to use it as a tool for reflection and connection.
Our hope is that you will encounter God and find joy through the stories and prayers provided here. God's love invites us into mission with our neighbors and this love has the power to transform the world.
This new devotional resource will inspire you daily through prayers and mission reflections that testify to the impact of United Methodist Women and Global Ministries outreach in the world and how those who serve encounter God and find joy through their work and calling.
 
I encourage you to place an order together with friends to save shipping. Many of us pick these up at Conference or District events, but there haven’t been any in-person events in a while.
 
Notice that both these resources have a new look. Less paper; no spiral binding. We are all making an effort to conserve.

If you have questions concerning Program Resources or the Reading Program, I am always happy to help.

If you have any questions regarding Program Resources, or would like training for Program Resources Coordinators, please just email me at: PatriciaHarrell.umw@gmail.com

Unit News...
Cluster Group 3
St John's UMC, Winter Haven
Submitted by: Doris Hatfield

On Sunday, November 14th, 2021 St. John’s United Methodist Church celebrated United Methodist Women’s Sunday at our 9:45 am service. Our Co-Presidents United Methodist Women Kitty Walker and Nancy Carver briefly spoke and then Nancy introduced our guest speaker Icel Rodriguez, Director of Global Missions for the Florida Conference of the UMC, who has oversight of Missionary Support and Conference Advance Specials. Icel Rodriguez and Kathy Kopp were each presented with a United Methodist Women recognition pin.

Our bake sale on this day had four tables filled with yummy baked goods and brought in $600. This was also the start of our two-week Church wide crib shower - we say our goal is to fill the crib three times because it is spiritual for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We check with each organization for their needs and provide a listing to our congregation. The items collected for the crib shower benefits Cornerstone Ministries in Tampa, Project Love of Eloise and our own St. John’s Preschool.  

In the picture from left to right Nancy Carver, Icel Rodriguez, Kathy Kopp and Kitty Walker

Community of Faith UMC, Davenport
Submitted by: Myra Rose, President

Being a Voice of Hope

The United Methodist Women of Community of Faith UMC Davenport, made the need for our banner, Voice of Hope, become fulfilled. 

The need was to provide 6 Thanksgiving baskets to local families in need. 

The UMW voted to move in the direction of making this need a blessing to these
families. Six baskets were filled with staples needed to make a Thanksgiving meal each family would love to share with each other. A gift card to Walmart was included to allow families to buy perishable items and meat for their dinner. We also included a puzzle for each family to enjoy and a new dish cloth for the cook to use to clean up after the meal.

We are so thankful that our United Methodist women who are so generous in
supporting the needs of our community and we thank each one of them for their
giving.
New Horizon Church, Haines City
Submitted by: Julie A. Weed, Unit Secretary

Staying Knitted Together
 
Following our May meeting the United Methodist Women stay knitted together here in Haines City and will meet again as a Unit in September 2021.  For the time being, we continue to help with other programs here at the Church. Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School was held on a limited basis Monday, July 19-Wed. July 21st in the evening from 6:30PM-8:30PM. We continue providing resident birthday cupcakes on a monthly basis to the local Assisted Living Facility that we have adopted.  Preparations for our upcoming Rummage, Book and Bake Sale on October 23rd and the Craft Fair on November 20th are ongoing. Blessings to all...
 
First Clermont UMC, Clermont
Submitted by: Dottie Mathias

UMW Holiday Bazaar and Sleep In Heavenly Peace, a Church-wide project
 
Celebrate Recovery at First United Methodist, Clermont partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, West Orlando chapter to build beds for children. There are many children who live in homes in our area but do not have a bed to sleep in. Funds were raised in the last two months to provide the lumber, mattress sheet, quilt and pillow for each bed. A complete bed cost $250. The goal was to raise $5,000 and build 20 beds. $11,000 was raised and 42 beds were built.

Saturday morning, November 13 the truck arrived with lumber and all the equipment necessary to build the beds. Once the truck was unloaded and stations set up about 100 volunteers went to work. There were children, youth, men and women all helping. There were jobs for everyone, some measured, some cut, a lot sanded, some drilled, some screwed, some stained, and some branded the Sleep In Heavenly Peace symbol onto the bed. It was very well organized and everyone did a great job. After two hour all the beds were finished, the equipment put away and the truck loaded. The beds will be delivered to homes where they will be assembled. They have a list of about 100 children waiting for beds. Everyone was invited to go sometime and help deliver a bed. The day ended with a delicious meal provided by a woman from our church.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a great organization, showing love in action by helping children in the community and throughout the world. This chapter’s next build is in December to build 50 beds that will go to an orphanage in Haiti. Check out their website and volunteer.
Bigger and Better Bazaar
First United Methodist, Clermont Unit has two large fund raisers to financially help support many local organizations, a spring luncheon and a holiday bazaar. Last year we were fortunate to be able to have our Holiday Bazaar in our more spacious Wesley Center. We all wore masks, kept social distancing and directed the flow of attendees.
Cluster Group 2
First United Methodist Church, Winter Park
Ruth Circle
Submitted by: Kate Kinsley

Annual Rummage Sale

United Methodist Women’s Ruth Circle at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park held our annual Rummage Sale on September 23-24, 2021. Ruth Circle spent 4 days receiving and organizing donations, from all over Orlando/Winter Park, to prepare for the sale. It was a lot of fun and we raised over $5800 to be dispersed to local charities. After the sale, The Boys and Girls Club collected a large truck-full of items - from furniture to home and kitchen appliances to clothing. In addition, children’s books were sent to The Friends of the Library in the rural mountain town of Burnsville, NC who gave them out as Halloween “treats” to children, many of whom have very few books in their home.
First United Methodist Church of Orlando, Orlando
Circle of Hope
Submitted by: Linda Palmer, Circle Leader, Charter Member

CIRCLE OF HOPE CELEBRATES 55 YEARS         

Circle of Hope of First United Methodist Church of Orlando began in late 1966 as a Wesleyan Service Guild. This was a group of 6 single working women. Thus we met in the evening. Becky Seals was our mentor and we named our group the Seals Wesleyan Service Guild. We welcomed working married women and our group grew in numbers. Even after children came along, our women continued to meet at night. Our name changed over the years, Circle 21, Circle 18, Circle 12, and in 2009 became the Circle of Hope. Our core of women stayed the same, we added members and we lost members. We now have 22 members ranging in age from 95 to 40. During the pandemic we had weekly zoom meetings that brought some of our former members from others states back together. Our fellowship and support of each other is important to us. We are now meeting in person and still including our out of state members. Our members are dedicated to the purpose of the United Methodist Women. We support missions, both locally and globally. Not just monetarily, but with our service to others. Monthly we do some type of service project such as, collecting school supplies, socks and underwear for school children, paper goods, and canned goods. The Russell Home for Atypical Children is a particular favorite. One of our local missions each year is to remember our Friends at Home. These are our church members that are shut-in or in elder care facilities. Each year we make a different festive container to fill with candy. We distribute these to let our Friends at Home that they are not forgotten and that they are loved.
We will be celebrating our 55 years with a luncheon on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 11:30 am at our church. Reservations are needed. Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 6th, to the church 407-849-6080. Cost $9. We welcome any former members or anyone who wishes to celebrate with us.
Conway United Methodist Church
Submitted by: Frankie Edwards

CONWAY PUMPKIN PATCH

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

The vision for United Methodist Women is to turn FAITH,HOPE AND LOVE
into Action on behalf of women, children, and youth in our community and globally.

So….while the CONWAY PUMPKIN PATCH. was in full swing Frankie
Edwards , President of the Conway United Methodist Women read a
Pumpkin Patch story to Ms. Goodman’s Conway Pre-K Class.

LOVE IN ACTION was most evident with the smiles on the children’s
faces. After the story the children were able to pick out a pumpkin for themselves and one for the classroom. What a fun morning for ALL.
Cluster Group 1
Oviedo First United Methodist Church
Submitted by: Cindy Sloan, Secretary

OVIEDO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WELCOMES
IN-PERSON WOMEN’S NIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS
 
As summer came to an end and our crazy lifestyle was somewhat back to normal, the FUMCO United Methodist Women were thrilled to be able to once again attend in-person programs at the church. The Faith Circle hosted the September Women’s Night of Fellowship in the church Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, September 14th themed for the American Cancer Society’s upcoming Relay for Life event. The evening included delightful fellowship of UMW members and their guests, delicious desserts and an informative ACS program as well as inspiring testimonies from FUMCO UMW cancer survivors and/or of their family members.
It was an evening enjoyed by all.
 
The Koinonia Circle hosted the Women’s Night of Fellowship on Tuesday, November 8th to a large number of UMW members and their guests. The program theme was “Turning a New Leaf.” Everyone was treated to yummy desserts as they visited with one another prior to the commencement of the evening’s program. UMW President Angela Relyea announced the 2022 Missions, the 2022 Budget, Reading Program Recipient, Special Missions Recognition, Gift to Mission Recipient, and the announcement of the 2022 Circle Chairs. The 2022 UMW Mission Team officers were installed and the World Thank Offering was collected. Even though there was a lot of business to conclude, it was a wonderful evening of fellowship by all who attend.
 
Grace United Methodist Church
Circle of Hope
Submitted by: Ladye Cox

Supporting Pledge to Missions, Local Ministries and Leadership Development

Grace United Methodist Women Circle of Hope participated in the Church’s Fall Festival in October. The booth sold many plants of all kinds that had been transplanted and grown by the members. The funds raised go into the total budget of the local organization to support the Pledge to Missions, local ministries and leadership development.
Articles for Next Trumpet Sounds

The Trumpet Sounds would like to request unit articles in which you used the Program Book to guide you. Submit by Monday, January 15th, to be included for February.

If you have something news worthy here are a couple tips to be sure your article makes it in:

  • Short paragraph on a unit event planned using the Program Book
  • A picture - please only submit one picture
  • News worthy - consider it something that another unit could also learn from.

Please send your articles to: dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com using the Subject Line: Trumpet Sounds - January.

Submit by Monday, January 15th!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com


Past Trumpet Sound Publications can be found on the website by following this link: Trumpet Sound Past Publications



We invite you to view the website now: Either copy this link into your browser: https://flecdumw.org
How Can You Reach Us
President, Anne Winn
annewinn.umw@gmail.com

Communications Coordinator, Diane Abresky
dianeabresky.umw@gmail.com