Executive Board Minutes:
Murray First United Methodist Women’s Executive Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
In attendance: Jackie Beauchamp, Monica Bogle, Nancy Doty, Carol Finn, Margaret Fritts, Kay Gupton, Pat Harris, Effie Kemp, Courtney Newman, Jan Nutter, Linda Short, Carol Wimberley, Debra Fannin
The meeting was called to order by Jan Nutter, President. She lead the group in reading the UMW Statement. Jan thanked the UMW for their support of the recent mission study and for the Lenten lunches. She followed with a reading from Philippians 1:3-11, “Thanksgiving and Prayer.” Meeting was then opened with prayer. The meeting deviated from the original agenda to allow some members to leave early to assist with the program “Call to Prayer & Self-Denial” which followed the board meeting.
Wesleyan Circle Report - Carol Wimberley reported. Wesleyan Circle provided an honorarium for Marge Crass. Meal was provided for the Wesley Foundation and for the Wednesday Lenten lunch. The Wesleyan Circle visited special friends and provided Easter gifts. The Wesleyan Circle is planning a trip to The Arboretum at Murray State University as an upcoming meeting.
Carol also reported that April is National Prevent Child Abuse Month and distributed pamphlets which defined types of child abuse, causes, and how to report suspected child abuse. April 20th has been designated as a day to wear blue or display a blue light bulb to help raise awareness of child abuse. Carol handed out blue ribbons that can be worn and urged everyone to be more aware of the dangers of child abuse, especially in April.
Tucker-Frost Circle Report - Margaret Fritts reported. Circle provided Monday’s Lenten lunch. All the dresses that were cut out for the Sew-a thon have been picked up but there are still some shorts left to be finished. Some of the dresses were used in a display during the Mission Study. Items that have been turned in have already been shipped. Heavier material will be used for blankets for the Henderson Settlement. The Circle is planning to go on the Quilt Trail in May.
Education Mission Coordinator Report - Pat Harris reported. March's Response magazine focused on Women’s History Month. She reported that the “Message From the President” included the fact that United Methodist Women were organized in March in 1869. In April's Response magazine she reported on the article “Brightlights” which describes a mission project started by Betty Udy using her homemade message t-shirts.
The group was reminded that reading Response magazine is a requirement of the UMW Reading Program, and that the next reading level also requires reading New World Outlook. Previous issues of Response are available in the UMW Reading Room and Nancy Doty has copies of New World Outlook.
Sunshine Report
Not available due to the absence of Judy Tucker.
Devotional
Devotional was provided by Linda Short. From the UMW Prayer Calendar she reported on a tutoring program in Phoenix, Arizona, the Wesley Community After School Program, and on a New York program dealing with cerebral palsy. Also included in the devotional was a reading from Secrets of the Vine which focuses on seeing God through a grape vine as described in John 15. We are reminded to abide more deeply with God because like the vine, if we do not abide we wither and die .
Motion was made (Effie Kemp) and seconded (Carol Finn) to approve the minutes from the February Board Meeting pending a clarification that the Outstanding Youth award is sponsored by the UMW.
Thank you notes from the Calloway County Family Resource Center and from Murray Calloway County Habitat for Humanity were read.
Treasurer’s Report
Monica Bogle presented the Treasure’s report for February 2015/March 2015. The balance forward was $3527.92. Income received from Circle pledges and account interest was $765.06. Total expenses for the period were $989.88 which included a payment of $120 for Conference Missions. Motion was made to accept this report (Pat Harris) and seconded (Margaret Fritts). Treasure’s report was approved.
Program Secretary Report
Jackie Beauchamp reported that books for Mission U and for the UMW Reading program are available. Included are the books When Preachers Prey and Bully.com.
Unfinished Business
UMW Reading Program and Book Club Updates
Carol Finn reported. The selection for January was The End of your Life Book Club and Jackie and Carol were the only attendees. February’s selection was Finding God in a Bag of Groceries but the February meeting was cancelled due to snow. Three were present for the March meeting to discuss Kind of Kin which is a novel set in Oklahoma that deals with the undocumented population from the point of view of two families. The selection for May is Sum It Up. It was noted you can benefit from attending the meetings even if you haven’t yet read the book being discussed.
Outstanding Methodist Woman and UMW Sunday Report
Courtney Newman thanked everyone for help in making Women’s Ministry Sunday a success. There were seven nominees for Outstanding Methodist Woman and Linda Short was selected for this honor.
Sew-a-Thon Report
Effie Kemp reported that a shipment of dresses has been sent and there will be another shipment in November since there are so many dresses available. She also reported on auctioning three dresses to raise funds for shipping costs.
Backpack Program
Jan provided a report for the Backpack Program that was held in March. In 2 hours, 32 volunteers completed 968 meals that were distributed to Murray and Calloway County Preschools, to Murray Elementary and Murray Middle School, and to Calloway Elementary Schools.
District Mission Study
The District Mission Study was hosted by Murray First United Methodist Church on March 28th. The speaker was Virginia Monhundro and the program was “Joy and Christian Living.” Improvements for future meetings were discussed. It was noted that there are two different keys that are used to secure the building. We need to ensure that both keys are available since we did not have the key to the kitchen door after the study. The key was finally obtained but someone had to stay in the building until the key was available. The question also arose as to whether individual circles will continue to pay for food for events such as this or whether the cost should come from a UMW account. At this point there will not be any reimbursements since some circles cover the cost of food and in other circles, individuals provide the food. It was suggested (Nancy Doty) that we should consider budgeting an amount for a meal and this will be discussed prior to hosting another study.
Lenten Lunches
There was a very good turnout this year for the Lenten Services and Lenten lunches. No suggestions for any changes were noted.
New Business
Shawl Ministry
Debra Fannin provided an update concerning the shawl ministry. A check for ten dollars was received from a Church account that had been designated for the shawl ministry, and that check was given to the UMW treasurer.
Prayer & Self Denial
A program dealing with “Prayer and Self Denial” will be held immediately following the April Board Meeting.
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday will be observed on April 26th at both services. At that time the Outstanding Youth will be announced. Since this is an annual award from the United Methodist Women a representative from UMW will present the award. Jan will not be able to attend that day so Courtney Newman will make the presentation.
Candle Burning Service
The UMW Candle burning Service will be on May 24th. Nancy Doty has the submission form on her computer and will update the form with the date for this year’s service. Jan will print copies of the form on colored paper. The forms will be available in the UMW mail box and in the Welcome Center. The deadline for submission is May 15th. Names for the Candle Burning Service are sent to District. Nancy will provide information concerning the Candle Burning Service for the Church bulletin.
Women’s Celebration
This year’s Women’s Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd. The theme for the event was discussed, and it was decided that this year’s event would feature a global theme. One idea was to have a table set up with a display showing what women in other countries do to support their families. The organization Trades of Hope was mentioned, and it was stated that they have a booth at Trends and Treasures. It was also suggested that the event incorporate activities for children. Decorations and games and activities from other countries could be used for the Celebration. Tickets or passports and tour guides could lead groups around the world. Monica Bogle, Effie Kemp, and Courtney Newman will serve on a committee to plan the event. Each circle will focus on a different country and have an activity such as a game or book focusing on their country. Monica agreed to contact Trades of Hope to incorporate global items. The Celebration will feature a potluck meal.
Babysitting Fund
The possibility of setting up a fund for babysitting to help mothers was mentioned as a possible line item in the budget. The group was asked to consider and pray about the item which will be discussed at the next Board meeting.
Dates to Remember
Next UMW Board Meeting - Tuesday, June 2, 2015
District Board Meeting - April 11, 2015, 10:00 - noon
Conference Spiritual Growth Retreat - Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Lakeshore with leader Sue Engle
District Mission Study - “The Church & People with Disabilities” at Trinity United Methodist Church, Paris , Tennessee, April 25, 2015 from 9:00 - 2:00
Memphis Annual Conference - May 31-June 3, 2015 at Jackson, TN
Conference Mission U - July 17 & 18, 2015 at Brownsville/Milan First United Methodist Church
Mission Coordinator Reports
Membership & Nurturing
No report available due to Rhea Coleman’s absence.
Education
Listed earlier in these minutes.
Historian
Amber Meadows was absent so there was no report. It was suggested by Effie Kemp that a picture or ceramic model of the old church could be used as a fund raiser.
Spiritual Growth
Linda Short read from the book, Garden Blessing which related gardening as a spiritual activity.
Circle Reports
Tucker-Frost Circle - Listed earlier in these minutes.
Hope Circle - Monica Bogle reported. The group geld a soup ministry in February and took soup to their Caring Friends. March’s meeting dealt with card making. The theme for April’s meeting will be a discussion on the Shawl Ministry and there will also be a Disaster Awareness program.
Friendship-Hannah Circle - Kay Gupton reported. The group held their annual Sweet Heart Dinner in February at the Fresh Market in Paris. The circle also provided a salad luncheon following the Lenten service on Thursday.
Ruth Wilson Circle - Jackie Beauchamp reported. Group did not meet in February due to weather. They are considering a possible trip in the summer. They sent cards to missionaries and have received responses back from two.
Wesleyan Circle - Listed earlier in these minutes.
Meeting was closed with a reading from Psalm 139: 23-24.
Minutes submitted by Debra Fannin, Secretary
Murray First United Methodist Women’s Executive Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
In attendance: Jackie Beauchamp, Monica Bogle, Nancy Doty, Carol Finn, Margaret Fritts, Kay Gupton, Pat Harris, Effie Kemp, Courtney Newman, Jan Nutter, Linda Short, Carol Wimberley, Debra Fannin
The meeting was called to order by Jan Nutter, President. She lead the group in reading the UMW Statement. Jan thanked the UMW for their support of the recent mission study and for the Lenten lunches. She followed with a reading from Philippians 1:3-11, “Thanksgiving and Prayer.” Meeting was then opened with prayer. The meeting deviated from the original agenda to allow some members to leave early to assist with the program “Call to Prayer & Self-Denial” which followed the board meeting.
Wesleyan Circle Report - Carol Wimberley reported. Wesleyan Circle provided an honorarium for Marge Crass. Meal was provided for the Wesley Foundation and for the Wednesday Lenten lunch. The Wesleyan Circle visited special friends and provided Easter gifts. The Wesleyan Circle is planning a trip to The Arboretum at Murray State University as an upcoming meeting.
Carol also reported that April is National Prevent Child Abuse Month and distributed pamphlets which defined types of child abuse, causes, and how to report suspected child abuse. April 20th has been designated as a day to wear blue or display a blue light bulb to help raise awareness of child abuse. Carol handed out blue ribbons that can be worn and urged everyone to be more aware of the dangers of child abuse, especially in April.
Tucker-Frost Circle Report - Margaret Fritts reported. Circle provided Monday’s Lenten lunch. All the dresses that were cut out for the Sew-a thon have been picked up but there are still some shorts left to be finished. Some of the dresses were used in a display during the Mission Study. Items that have been turned in have already been shipped. Heavier material will be used for blankets for the Henderson Settlement. The Circle is planning to go on the Quilt Trail in May.
Education Mission Coordinator Report - Pat Harris reported. March's Response magazine focused on Women’s History Month. She reported that the “Message From the President” included the fact that United Methodist Women were organized in March in 1869. In April's Response magazine she reported on the article “Brightlights” which describes a mission project started by Betty Udy using her homemade message t-shirts.
The group was reminded that reading Response magazine is a requirement of the UMW Reading Program, and that the next reading level also requires reading New World Outlook. Previous issues of Response are available in the UMW Reading Room and Nancy Doty has copies of New World Outlook.
Sunshine Report
Not available due to the absence of Judy Tucker.
Devotional
Devotional was provided by Linda Short. From the UMW Prayer Calendar she reported on a tutoring program in Phoenix, Arizona, the Wesley Community After School Program, and on a New York program dealing with cerebral palsy. Also included in the devotional was a reading from Secrets of the Vine which focuses on seeing God through a grape vine as described in John 15. We are reminded to abide more deeply with God because like the vine, if we do not abide we wither and die .
Motion was made (Effie Kemp) and seconded (Carol Finn) to approve the minutes from the February Board Meeting pending a clarification that the Outstanding Youth award is sponsored by the UMW.
Thank you notes from the Calloway County Family Resource Center and from Murray Calloway County Habitat for Humanity were read.
Treasurer’s Report
Monica Bogle presented the Treasure’s report for February 2015/March 2015. The balance forward was $3527.92. Income received from Circle pledges and account interest was $765.06. Total expenses for the period were $989.88 which included a payment of $120 for Conference Missions. Motion was made to accept this report (Pat Harris) and seconded (Margaret Fritts). Treasure’s report was approved.
Program Secretary Report
Jackie Beauchamp reported that books for Mission U and for the UMW Reading program are available. Included are the books When Preachers Prey and Bully.com.
Unfinished Business
UMW Reading Program and Book Club Updates
Carol Finn reported. The selection for January was The End of your Life Book Club and Jackie and Carol were the only attendees. February’s selection was Finding God in a Bag of Groceries but the February meeting was cancelled due to snow. Three were present for the March meeting to discuss Kind of Kin which is a novel set in Oklahoma that deals with the undocumented population from the point of view of two families. The selection for May is Sum It Up. It was noted you can benefit from attending the meetings even if you haven’t yet read the book being discussed.
Outstanding Methodist Woman and UMW Sunday Report
Courtney Newman thanked everyone for help in making Women’s Ministry Sunday a success. There were seven nominees for Outstanding Methodist Woman and Linda Short was selected for this honor.
Sew-a-Thon Report
Effie Kemp reported that a shipment of dresses has been sent and there will be another shipment in November since there are so many dresses available. She also reported on auctioning three dresses to raise funds for shipping costs.
Backpack Program
Jan provided a report for the Backpack Program that was held in March. In 2 hours, 32 volunteers completed 968 meals that were distributed to Murray and Calloway County Preschools, to Murray Elementary and Murray Middle School, and to Calloway Elementary Schools.
District Mission Study
The District Mission Study was hosted by Murray First United Methodist Church on March 28th. The speaker was Virginia Monhundro and the program was “Joy and Christian Living.” Improvements for future meetings were discussed. It was noted that there are two different keys that are used to secure the building. We need to ensure that both keys are available since we did not have the key to the kitchen door after the study. The key was finally obtained but someone had to stay in the building until the key was available. The question also arose as to whether individual circles will continue to pay for food for events such as this or whether the cost should come from a UMW account. At this point there will not be any reimbursements since some circles cover the cost of food and in other circles, individuals provide the food. It was suggested (Nancy Doty) that we should consider budgeting an amount for a meal and this will be discussed prior to hosting another study.
Lenten Lunches
There was a very good turnout this year for the Lenten Services and Lenten lunches. No suggestions for any changes were noted.
New Business
Shawl Ministry
Debra Fannin provided an update concerning the shawl ministry. A check for ten dollars was received from a Church account that had been designated for the shawl ministry, and that check was given to the UMW treasurer.
Prayer & Self Denial
A program dealing with “Prayer and Self Denial” will be held immediately following the April Board Meeting.
Youth Sunday
Youth Sunday will be observed on April 26th at both services. At that time the Outstanding Youth will be announced. Since this is an annual award from the United Methodist Women a representative from UMW will present the award. Jan will not be able to attend that day so Courtney Newman will make the presentation.
Candle Burning Service
The UMW Candle burning Service will be on May 24th. Nancy Doty has the submission form on her computer and will update the form with the date for this year’s service. Jan will print copies of the form on colored paper. The forms will be available in the UMW mail box and in the Welcome Center. The deadline for submission is May 15th. Names for the Candle Burning Service are sent to District. Nancy will provide information concerning the Candle Burning Service for the Church bulletin.
Women’s Celebration
This year’s Women’s Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd. The theme for the event was discussed, and it was decided that this year’s event would feature a global theme. One idea was to have a table set up with a display showing what women in other countries do to support their families. The organization Trades of Hope was mentioned, and it was stated that they have a booth at Trends and Treasures. It was also suggested that the event incorporate activities for children. Decorations and games and activities from other countries could be used for the Celebration. Tickets or passports and tour guides could lead groups around the world. Monica Bogle, Effie Kemp, and Courtney Newman will serve on a committee to plan the event. Each circle will focus on a different country and have an activity such as a game or book focusing on their country. Monica agreed to contact Trades of Hope to incorporate global items. The Celebration will feature a potluck meal.
Babysitting Fund
The possibility of setting up a fund for babysitting to help mothers was mentioned as a possible line item in the budget. The group was asked to consider and pray about the item which will be discussed at the next Board meeting.
Dates to Remember
Next UMW Board Meeting - Tuesday, June 2, 2015
District Board Meeting - April 11, 2015, 10:00 - noon
Conference Spiritual Growth Retreat - Friday, April 17 - Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Lakeshore with leader Sue Engle
District Mission Study - “The Church & People with Disabilities” at Trinity United Methodist Church, Paris , Tennessee, April 25, 2015 from 9:00 - 2:00
Memphis Annual Conference - May 31-June 3, 2015 at Jackson, TN
Conference Mission U - July 17 & 18, 2015 at Brownsville/Milan First United Methodist Church
Mission Coordinator Reports
Membership & Nurturing
No report available due to Rhea Coleman’s absence.
Education
Listed earlier in these minutes.
Historian
Amber Meadows was absent so there was no report. It was suggested by Effie Kemp that a picture or ceramic model of the old church could be used as a fund raiser.
Spiritual Growth
Linda Short read from the book, Garden Blessing which related gardening as a spiritual activity.
Circle Reports
Tucker-Frost Circle - Listed earlier in these minutes.
Hope Circle - Monica Bogle reported. The group geld a soup ministry in February and took soup to their Caring Friends. March’s meeting dealt with card making. The theme for April’s meeting will be a discussion on the Shawl Ministry and there will also be a Disaster Awareness program.
Friendship-Hannah Circle - Kay Gupton reported. The group held their annual Sweet Heart Dinner in February at the Fresh Market in Paris. The circle also provided a salad luncheon following the Lenten service on Thursday.
Ruth Wilson Circle - Jackie Beauchamp reported. Group did not meet in February due to weather. They are considering a possible trip in the summer. They sent cards to missionaries and have received responses back from two.
Wesleyan Circle - Listed earlier in these minutes.
Meeting was closed with a reading from Psalm 139: 23-24.
Minutes submitted by Debra Fannin, Secretary
