Purpose of United Methodist Women
The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Pledge of United Methodist Women
I pledge my prayers that I may experience growth and renewal in my relationships to God and to my sisters and brothers; my time that I may respond to human need through study, action and reflection; my gift through United Methodist Women that I may share in the global ministries of the church.
President - Carol King - 704-477-6259
Vice-President - Gayle Park - 704-732-0536
Treasurer - Chris Ausband - 704-732-4259
Past President - Rosalind Welder - 704-472-0128
Committee on Nominations
Vickie Andrews - 704-742-6291
Mary Anna Rankin - 704 240-2333
Mission Coordinators
Spiritual Growth - Diane Hames - 704-735-3605
Education - Kay Lowe - 704-735-5054
Social Action - Patty Blackwell - 704-740-6539
Membership/Nurture/Outreach - Kathy Dedmond - 704-735-2963
Program Resources
Lisa Cherry - 704-735-4792
Circle Chairs
Jill Owen - Vickie Andrews - 704-742-6291
Gratefully Helen Combs - Betty Parker - 704-435-9042
Ruth Quinton - Joann Parker - 704-477-1791
Bible for Newborns
Rita Cronland - 704-732-2764
Memorial Garden
Jody Cronland, Chair, Lisa Cherry, Rita Cronland, Lois Lineberger, Sherry Noles
Nursing Home Contact
Susan Boyd - 704-732-2769
Bereavement Contact
Mary Ann Rankin - 704-240-2333
Pastor
Tony Matthews - 704-918-3585
LENTEN MEALS FOR 2019
Community Lenten lunches for 2019 will be served beginning on Wednesday, March 6 and continuing through Wednesday, April 10. Meals prepared by the UMW circles will be served at noon in the Fellowship Hall followed by a Lenten service by one of the pastors from Lincolnton. A $5.00 donation is suggested.
READING PROGRAM
The UMW Reading program encourages members to read one book in each of five categories – Social Action, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Spiritual Growth, and Education for Mission – during a calendar year to qualify for Level 1 of the program. In 2018 eight readers qualified: Cheryl Cole, Kathy Dedmond, Jane Finger, Carol King, Pat Lawing, Letha Owen, Gayle Park, and Rosalind Welder. Books are available for check out on the UMW bookshelf in the church library.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Each circle participates in sponsoring a birthday party or two at a local nursing home for the residents who have a birthday on a particular month. Residents are treated to cake, chips, and a beverage in addition to small appropriate gifts and interaction with circle members.
BEREAVEMENT MEALS
Bereavement meals are served to bereaved families by small groups of volunteers. The plan is flexible in that the meal may be served at the church or in the home, whichever is more convenient for the family. Carole Howell is the chair of this committee.
CHURCH WIDE BREAKFASTS
Twice a year the UMW sponsors a church wide breakfast and enlists the UMM to cook the breakfast. These well attended events feature a speaker, a hands-on mission, a table offering for a mission, and often the children’s choir. Past speakers have included John Hall, director of the Hesed House, and Deb Richardson-Moore, pastor of Triune Church in Greenville, SC and author of The Weight of Mercy, one of the reading program selections.
NEWBORNS HONORED
When a member of First United Methodist Church enjoys the special honor of becoming a parent to a newborn the UMW presents a Bible Story Book to each new baby.