United Methodist Women

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The United Methodist Women is an active group that meets on the second Monday of each month, excluding January and August, at 11 a.m. At times the group meets in members' homes, often in the Wesley Room of the church, and occasionally at a restaurant.

Each get together includes lunch as a group. Most often, attendees bring their own sandwiches and hostesses provide coffee, tea and dessert. A long table is set and decorated to make each luncheon an event. At times everyone brings a dish to pass, perhaps as a picnic or as a meal at someone's home.

A program is presented at every UMW meeting, and although topics vary widely, each program leaves one with food for thought. Topics covered in the past have included prayer, human trafficking, reports on retreats and district meetings, and the stories behind favorite hymns. Every year one program is the assembly of kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief and another involves the creation of harvest baskets to be delivered to church members who are not as mobile as they used to be. Still other programs include opportunities to reminisce and reflect. Games and fun often play an important part in fellowship.

There is also business to be conducted, as the UMW ladies are active in local and global missions. They create kits for UMCOR, support missionaries and non-profits, provide scholarships and contribute toward church activities such as Sunday school and youth group. They co-host the church's yearly family picnic and sometimes offer adult fellowship activities such as pizza parties at a local restaurant. They also plan evening activities just for women, and send cards and flowers to ailing church members.

The UMW has invested in a small library of books on Christian topics, such as spiritual leadership, prayer, social issues, and nurturing for community. All church members are invited to sign out and read books.
In times of need, the UMW provides refreshments after funerals and helps support the church's weekly coffee hour. Funds are provided by the group's busy hands: The UMW hosts two bake sales and a Brooks Barbecue each year.
This UMW unit has been recognized as a five star unit by the Catskill-Hudson District annually for the past twenty-five years.

Anyone interested in the group's current activities may check the bulletin board in the Wesley Room of the church or contact any UMW member. The current officers of UMW are: Judy Wright, president;Karen Boice, vice-president; Carolyn Savery, secretary; and Mary Bear, treasurer.