I'm totally blown away by the amount of Mission done by the United Methodist Women of Missouri. Much to the chagrin of our local pastors, the women of our churches are doing "all the good they can, to all the people they can, anywhere that they can". (sound familiar???? I sure hope so!)
Take for example the women and men of the Della Lamb Auxiliary. For years these diligent folk have spent hours performing grunt work for this mission organization in the heart of Kansas City. They stuff appeal envelopes, invitations, and fold flyers to be sent to supporters of the Lamb.
The Lamb was founded in the 19th Century by Methodist Women as an outreach to immigrant women and their children. Today it serves the urban poor and immigrants in the same area of the city where it was founded. In addition, the Lamb now operates an Elementary Charter School. The Lamb is an official United Methodist Related Institution, but members of the Auxiliary come from many denominations. They know that the work of Della Lamb Services is a worthwhile cause.
Curious about the work of Della Lamb?...need a program? Visit their website.
Then, just think about all of the community food banks, thrift shops, and tutoring that is done by members of United Methodist Women in Missouri. After that think of all the funeral dinners, teas, coffees, etc,, that we do for our local churches. We are doing and living our Mission Purpose. AMEN.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Mr. Israel
Some of you know that I am a Professional Substitute Educator by profession. I'm in Middle and High School Classrooms in the North Kansas City School District two to three times a week. Lots of kids from age 12-19 know me as that crazy little old lady substitute. Actually, I prefer to be labeled as the "substitute from Hell".
Most school subjects, at any level, can be taught by an experienced substitute. I will teach everything on the schedule EXCEPT woodworking (no teenagers with sharp objects) and boy's gym (smelly sweaty boys).
So last Tuesday, I was assigned a morning of business classes at Oak Park High School. One of the classes was an upper level computer programming class. This class had a teacher's assistant who was so helpful to the other students, it was hard to believe that he himself was a high school student. I was really impressed by his patience, his knowledge of computers and his encouraging manner to the entire group.
In talking with the young man, I learned that he was a senior and he plans on attending JUCO in Moberly this Fall. AND, that he is the son of a UM Pastor. What a plesure it was working with him. I just know that he is headed for grand and glorious things.
Thank you Rev.David Israel and wife for raising such a terrific kid!
Most school subjects, at any level, can be taught by an experienced substitute. I will teach everything on the schedule EXCEPT woodworking (no teenagers with sharp objects) and boy's gym (smelly sweaty boys).
So last Tuesday, I was assigned a morning of business classes at Oak Park High School. One of the classes was an upper level computer programming class. This class had a teacher's assistant who was so helpful to the other students, it was hard to believe that he himself was a high school student. I was really impressed by his patience, his knowledge of computers and his encouraging manner to the entire group.
In talking with the young man, I learned that he was a senior and he plans on attending JUCO in Moberly this Fall. AND, that he is the son of a UM Pastor. What a plesure it was working with him. I just know that he is headed for grand and glorious things.
Thank you Rev.David Israel and wife for raising such a terrific kid!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Identity Crisis
Many of you readers may have participated in last year's UMW Spiritual Growth Study, "I Believe in Jesus." One of the activities suggested in that study was to look at our own personal, social, and spiritual identities. Then after doing that, we were to look at Jesus' personal, social and spiritual identities.
It is a great exercise in that we all bring our individualities to the faith table. All of us use our identities to assign to Jesus many different traits.I believe that we "believe" in Jesus in different ways and for different reasons, because of our own identities.
Another activity was to create our own "creed". This was amazing, because if you really work at doing this, your creed may be radically different than the creeds we find in our hymnals.
As we approach Lent, I challenge you to write your own creed. What exactly do you believe and why? A majority of us, I bet,(oops, we UM's don't bet,do we)would have a difficult time putting our faith into words.
Try it, and let me know how it went.
BTW, this study makes an excellent small group or Sunday School Class topic.
It is a great exercise in that we all bring our individualities to the faith table. All of us use our identities to assign to Jesus many different traits.I believe that we "believe" in Jesus in different ways and for different reasons, because of our own identities.
Another activity was to create our own "creed". This was amazing, because if you really work at doing this, your creed may be radically different than the creeds we find in our hymnals.
As we approach Lent, I challenge you to write your own creed. What exactly do you believe and why? A majority of us, I bet,(oops, we UM's don't bet,do we)would have a difficult time putting our faith into words.
Try it, and let me know how it went.
BTW, this study makes an excellent small group or Sunday School Class topic.
Monday, February 9, 2009
HOG WILD
Frank-ly, Scarlet......Do you know anything about feral hogs? Well, you should.
For the record, the "Missouri Conservationist" Magazine has recently reported a serious infestation of feral hogs in Reynolds and Iron Counties. Feral hogs are domestic hogs that have been released in the wild.
Releasing domestic hogs into the wild is illegal in Missouri. Feral hogs are mean and dangerous. If you run across any feral hogs, call the Missouri Department of Conservation. Do not call me!
As President of Missouri United Methodist Women, I have experience herding wild groups of enthusiastic and sometimes out of control women. I don't do livestock.
By the way (and you pastors might make note of this) it is legal to hunt and kill feral hogs by any means you can dream up. Baiting and dogs are permissable.
The best way to deal with United Methodist Women is to REALLY listen to what they have on their minds. Channel their energy, appreciate their good intentions, and support their mission projects. They will in turn support all that you do. No traps or dogs needed.
By the way, our next event in the 2009 Legislative Event. We have over 100 Action Minded Men and Women Registered. Our Legislative Event is the oldest event of its kind in any Conference.
The date is March 3 and 4 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jeff City. Check our www.moumethodist.org/umw
Hope to see all of you there.
For the record, the "Missouri Conservationist" Magazine has recently reported a serious infestation of feral hogs in Reynolds and Iron Counties. Feral hogs are domestic hogs that have been released in the wild.
Releasing domestic hogs into the wild is illegal in Missouri. Feral hogs are mean and dangerous. If you run across any feral hogs, call the Missouri Department of Conservation. Do not call me!
As President of Missouri United Methodist Women, I have experience herding wild groups of enthusiastic and sometimes out of control women. I don't do livestock.
By the way (and you pastors might make note of this) it is legal to hunt and kill feral hogs by any means you can dream up. Baiting and dogs are permissable.
The best way to deal with United Methodist Women is to REALLY listen to what they have on their minds. Channel their energy, appreciate their good intentions, and support their mission projects. They will in turn support all that you do. No traps or dogs needed.
By the way, our next event in the 2009 Legislative Event. We have over 100 Action Minded Men and Women Registered. Our Legislative Event is the oldest event of its kind in any Conference.
The date is March 3 and 4 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jeff City. Check our www.moumethodist.org/umw
Hope to see all of you there.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Recycling Rubish
Are you into recycling? I imagine that most of us (UMs being Socially Conscious in the Wesley Tradition)do our share. We fill our recycle bins with the right types of plastic, cans and paper. (KC does not take glass.) We make sure our bins are at the curb on the right day.
It seems that more and more people are shunning plastic shopping bags and are carrying reususable ones to do their toting. The women of the MO Conference UMW Mission Team all have hand crafted, one of a kind, recycled tote bags. I hope that they are using them.
But, somebody tell me, where is the corporate world on this recycling thing? Explain this to me. Why are there so many empty shopping malls and empty strip mall buildings? Yet, there are more shopping centers and strip malls being built every day. In my community alone there are 2 huge malls standing empty. And, in the same community there have been built three completely new shopping areas. Just last Spring, a new Lowe's and an Office Depot popped up (like overnight) on a beautiful patch of virgin pasture land.
Is it okay to recycle paper and plastic and not entire buildings? WHAT KIND OF FOOTPRINT IS THAT LEAVING FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN? I cannot see how what we are doing makes sense financially. What makes a 5 year old building unusable? My house is 50 years old, for Pete's sake! And, trust me, it's quite liveable. Cluttered, but liveable. And, speaking of Pete, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is centuries old. Nobody is talking about replacing that one.
So, what's a gal to do? The recycling that I faithfully do doesn't amount to a hill of beans, when compared to the hundreds of unused, unrecycled buildings in this country. We can reuse notebook covers and cut down on paper copies till we are blue in the face and we'll never be able overcome the useless waste of an 40 store, 3 story mall!
Let's stop the madness.
It seems that more and more people are shunning plastic shopping bags and are carrying reususable ones to do their toting. The women of the MO Conference UMW Mission Team all have hand crafted, one of a kind, recycled tote bags. I hope that they are using them.
But, somebody tell me, where is the corporate world on this recycling thing? Explain this to me. Why are there so many empty shopping malls and empty strip mall buildings? Yet, there are more shopping centers and strip malls being built every day. In my community alone there are 2 huge malls standing empty. And, in the same community there have been built three completely new shopping areas. Just last Spring, a new Lowe's and an Office Depot popped up (like overnight) on a beautiful patch of virgin pasture land.
Is it okay to recycle paper and plastic and not entire buildings? WHAT KIND OF FOOTPRINT IS THAT LEAVING FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN? I cannot see how what we are doing makes sense financially. What makes a 5 year old building unusable? My house is 50 years old, for Pete's sake! And, trust me, it's quite liveable. Cluttered, but liveable. And, speaking of Pete, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is centuries old. Nobody is talking about replacing that one.
So, what's a gal to do? The recycling that I faithfully do doesn't amount to a hill of beans, when compared to the hundreds of unused, unrecycled buildings in this country. We can reuse notebook covers and cut down on paper copies till we are blue in the face and we'll never be able overcome the useless waste of an 40 store, 3 story mall!
Let's stop the madness.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Year's Plans
I'm not in the habit of making "New Year's Resolutions". It's not my thing. However, I always have a list of projects that I plan to do as soon as January appears on the calendar.
For my first project of 2009, I plan to create a new Address Book. I'm writing here about the old fashioned paper kind of address book. Believe it or not, I still take time to send a greeting card or write an occassional letter. Now, our old family and friends address book isn't that old, but boy is it a mess!
I need to create a NEW address book because our friends and family are constantly changing phone numbers. People have land phone numbers, or sometimes land and cell phone numbers, then they drop the land phones and go to only cells. Then they switch back. So, I have lots of cross-outs and added munbers. As a kid, my family had the same phone number for years, 3208R!
Then, there is the issue of changing addresses. Our 4 kids have moved 20 times in the last couple of years. I've used up all of the K space in my current book and now half of the L space is filled with Kincaids. And, Scott and I have been at the same address in KC North, for over thirty years.
Lastly, there is the issue of changing spouses and significant others. (We can't be the only family with this issue.) I actually use my address book to remember the names of the people that my kids are currently married to or presently living with.
So, I'm going to enter information into my NEW address book. Put in the right phone numbers, correct addresses and make sure all of the Mr., Mrs. and Ms notations are correct. However, nothing gets in my NEW address book unless it is written with a #2 pencil. I may love all of my noted friends and relatives, but they aren't going to be permanent!!!!
For my first project of 2009, I plan to create a new Address Book. I'm writing here about the old fashioned paper kind of address book. Believe it or not, I still take time to send a greeting card or write an occassional letter. Now, our old family and friends address book isn't that old, but boy is it a mess!
I need to create a NEW address book because our friends and family are constantly changing phone numbers. People have land phone numbers, or sometimes land and cell phone numbers, then they drop the land phones and go to only cells. Then they switch back. So, I have lots of cross-outs and added munbers. As a kid, my family had the same phone number for years, 3208R!
Then, there is the issue of changing addresses. Our 4 kids have moved 20 times in the last couple of years. I've used up all of the K space in my current book and now half of the L space is filled with Kincaids. And, Scott and I have been at the same address in KC North, for over thirty years.
Lastly, there is the issue of changing spouses and significant others. (We can't be the only family with this issue.) I actually use my address book to remember the names of the people that my kids are currently married to or presently living with.
So, I'm going to enter information into my NEW address book. Put in the right phone numbers, correct addresses and make sure all of the Mr., Mrs. and Ms notations are correct. However, nothing gets in my NEW address book unless it is written with a #2 pencil. I may love all of my noted friends and relatives, but they aren't going to be permanent!!!!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Stick a Fork In It
Well, one more day and we are finished with 2008. It's done, people. Time to look forward to a glorious, God-given new year. Aren't we blessed to be alive?
Today, I read a newsletter from Women's Division. In it were listed the Women's Division Grants for Special Mission Projects. One that caught my eye was a grant amounting to a couple of thousand dollars for TATOO REMOVAL.
(I told you it caught my eye.) So, being thoroughly stunned, I read further.
Now, here is an aside.......years ago, I proposed that an interesting fund raiser might be temporary UMW tatoos....we could sell them like Mission Ribbon Corsages....well, that was quickly poopooed!
Back to the Tatoo Removal Grant. The Grant went to a group that helped newly immigrated persons, who might have Gang related tatoos(and would like to have them removed) pay for removal, to help them lead more productive and safer lives.
WOW. That's thinking outside the box, fellow UM's.
What an interesting Mission.
And, you pastors think UMW is for little old ladies, who never do anything new! Open hearts, open doors, OPEN MINDS.
Today, I read a newsletter from Women's Division. In it were listed the Women's Division Grants for Special Mission Projects. One that caught my eye was a grant amounting to a couple of thousand dollars for TATOO REMOVAL.
(I told you it caught my eye.) So, being thoroughly stunned, I read further.
Now, here is an aside.......years ago, I proposed that an interesting fund raiser might be temporary UMW tatoos....we could sell them like Mission Ribbon Corsages....well, that was quickly poopooed!
Back to the Tatoo Removal Grant. The Grant went to a group that helped newly immigrated persons, who might have Gang related tatoos(and would like to have them removed) pay for removal, to help them lead more productive and safer lives.
WOW. That's thinking outside the box, fellow UM's.
What an interesting Mission.
And, you pastors think UMW is for little old ladies, who never do anything new! Open hearts, open doors, OPEN MINDS.
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