First United Methodist Church/UMW

The Rev. Patricia Green is a talented musician who serves as Pastor of the Madison Heights United Methodist Church. Last summer she was leader of the Spiritual Growth Study of Music and Mission at the Detroit Conference School of Christian Mission. Women in mission have been singing the songs of mission for more than a century. Our foremothers realized that mission was not just overseas, that human need for hope, love and healing is everywhere. Today the sounds of mission hymns take on the rhythms and languages of people around the world. Come and sing with Rev. Green. Bring your friends; all are invited.

Reservations for lunch may be made with Marjorie Sutherland.

Help Those in Need!

United Methodist Women is currently involved in the following missions to help women and children in need:

	God’s Country Cooperative Parish, a group of 7 small United Methodist churches in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula that share ministers, programs, and projects. The UMW is currently collecting clean, gently used or new sweat pants and socks, sizes 2T through children’s XL. These items are distributed to elementary schools in the central U.P. so the children can have clean, dry pants and socks to wear when they arrive at school. They currently need 50 pairs a month. Your donated items may be placed in the marked tub in the narthex. This will be an ongoing collection.
	UMW’s Ingathering Project for this year is collecting new handmade or purchased blankets (sizes 45”x45”, 50”x50”, 50”x60” or 60”x60”) for abused women and children. These items can be placed in the marked tub in the narthex by September 30.
	Fall Coat Drive. Please save your gently used coats for our fall coat drive. Please note: We will not begin collecting coats until the fall.

Thank you for your continued and heartfelt support. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Riggs, Social Action Chairperson.

Ink Jet Cartridge Recycling Continues

Thank you to all who have donated empty printer cartridges. This is an ongoing fundraiser, so please continue placing your empty cartridges in the bucket located in the church office. We can now accept Epson cartridges. Please put the empty cartridge in the original box or a Ziploc bag to keep it safe from damages and spills. Thank you, in advance, for helping us recycle those old ink cartridges and participating in this fundraising program. If you have any questions, contact Marge Youngs.

UMW Collections for Missions

Please note that we are no longer collecting tea tags, postage stamps, or Betty Crocker coupons.

The following items may be deposited in the Kitchenette in either the cupboard or drawer next to the window:

	Aluminum can tabs
	Trading stamps
	Manufacturer’s coupons (pet products, tobacco, adult diapers, or items unattainable with food stamps)
	Box Tops for Education
	Campbell’s, Franco-American, and Prego UPC labels
	Greeting card pictures (fronts only)
	Medical equipment large and small (medicine samples and unused prescriptions, prescription bottles with straight sides, eyeglasses)

Cell phones and old ink cartridges (no toner cartridges, please) may be placed in the receptacle in the office.

Cookie Walk Update

A big “Thank you” goes out to everyone who made the event a success – cookie bakers, set-up, event workers, clean-up, and shoppers. Our total from the Fish Dinner night and the following 2 Sundays during Fellowship Time is approximately $1,000. Great job everyone! What a gift to missions.

UMW Collecting Items for World Medical Relief

Give it to us when you’re done with it:

1. Do you have extra medicine samples, food supplements, or eyeglasses you don’t need?

2. Has your prescription been changed and you have some of the other one left?

3. If you’re finished with crutches, wheelchair, hospital bed, or other equipment, they can be used by others.

4. After you remove the label, bring in your prescription bottles. World Medical Relief can use the plastic ones (usually yellow or brown) with straight edges. The medicine bottles with narrow necks (such as what vitamins or aspirin come in) should be put in your recycle bin; they can’t use them.

These small items should be brought to the kitchenette, between the parlor and mechanical room. Put them in the last drawer on the right, next to the window. That is where United Methodist Women collect all the items we send on to a variety of missions. Other items collected are Campbell’s labels, box tops for education, pop can tabs, redemption stamps and cents-off coupons (especially those for items that can’t be purchased with food stamps – adult diapers, sanitary products, pet food, etc.).

UMW Reading Program

The purpose of the UMW Reading Program is to encourage United Methodist Women:

to expand understanding of and participation in God’s mission;

to increase sensitivity to all human beings – their needs, interests, and concerns;

to encourage critical thinking about issues facing humanity today;

to grow in understanding of Scripture as it relates to Christian faith in contemporary life;

to enhance self-knowledge and to act from that knowledge;

to strengthen involvement in local and global Christian mission.

Any person wishing to participate in the UMW Reading Program should follow these guidelines:

Ø Read 4 books each year, 1 from each category (Spiritual Growth, Education & Interpretation, Social Action, and Membership Nurture & Outreach)

Ø Selections from the 1998-2006 reading lists including children’s books (if not included in previous reports)

Ø Regular reading of Response

Please sign your name on the “Reading Program” list in the library. Any questions, contact Marge Youngs, Chairperson of Program Resources.

An invitation to join in fellowship

For the woman-

	who finds meaning in her church and is drawn to fellowship.
	who wants to develop creative, supportive fellowship.
	whose life is packed full of activity and obligations and who needs a supportive group to affirm her own sense of prayer.
	who wants to grow with and help expand mission concepts through participating in global ministries of the church.

Circles:

	Charity Circle Meets the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor. We have a short business meeting, devotion, light snack and guest speakers. Twice a year we have a potluck luncheon. We have a mix of ages in our circle, and baby-sitting is provided.
	Knowledge Circle Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the members’ homes. Dessert is served followed by a business meeting and an inspirational program. Programs include speakers, hands on creative projects, and other events combining fun and fellowship.
	Peace Circle Meets on the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the members’ homes for a short meeting and a program. Guests are always welcome.
	Love Circle Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:45 a.m. in the church library or parlor. A business meeting is followed by a program after which we attend the UMW Unit luncheon, meeting and program. On the months there is no Unit meeting, Love circle either goes out for lunch or picnics in the church.

If you have any questions about the United Methodist Women at Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, please call us at (248)541-4100 or write to us at the church address.

First United Methodist Church
320 W. Seventh St., Royal Oak, MI 48067 USA
Telephone: (248) 541-4100
FAX: (248) 541-0192
E-mail: office@rofum.org