Purpose

United Methodist Women is 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 support local, national and global ministries. This is a Five Star UMW unit, which is a designation based on exemplary levels of giving to UMW missions.

Membership

The UMW welcomes all women to events and activities. The Executive Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 AM. General Meetings, programs and fundraising activities are announced throughout the year.

2010 UMW Directories are IN – Our new directories have arrived and can be found in the Welcome Center.  Look for the bright yellow cover. If anyone would like to have one mailed to them they may contact Linda Cargo at cargoph@aol.com.  Many thanks to Suzanne Baker for all the time and effort that she put in as our directory editor.

Do you ever wonder what the United Methodist Women do with the funds they raise throughout the year?  The following are just some of the organizations that our UMW supports.  For more information regarding our annual budget, please refer to the current UMW Directory. Copies are available in the Welcome Center.

Aldersgate Center – provides a camping experience for children and a retreat opportunity for adults at Aldersgate Camp in Swartswood, NJ.

Camp YDP – Christian Association for Ministry to People-Youth Development Program – an after school and summer whole day, life skill and general education program for the children of Paterson NJ’s north side.

Caring Hearts
Caring hearts is a program directed toward the nurture and support of our church community in our daily lives. Members of the Caring Hearts group reach out to congregational members experiencing difficult life junctures through phone calls, letters, cards, prayer and visitation.

Chaplaincy to Elderly – supports an interfaith chaplaincy service to the nursing home in Somerset County.

Church World Service (CWS) – works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. CWS supports sustainable grassroots development, disaster relief, refugee assistance, promotes fair national and int’l policies, and provides education resources.

Flynn Center (IHN) –Interfaith Hospitality Network – an interfaith ministry that provides shelter at member congregations, meals and assistance to homeless families.

Homespun Holidays

Every November, the UMW holds its largest annual fund-raiser, Homespun Holidays. It’s the season for giving, and there is nothing quite like the beautiful handcrafted quilts, craft items, homemade baked goods, and gourmet treats.

Jail Chaplaincy – provides an interfaith chaplain to minister to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the inmates of the Somerset County jail and their loved ones.

KIVA – provides micro loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world.  Beginning in January 2009, our unit decided to use $150.00 of our budget to provide micro loans to six women in the developing world through an organization called Kiva. These women each received $25.00 to be used in sustaining a business that provides them with an income to support themselves and their families. At this point in the year we are pleased to learn from our Kiva manager, Chris Pape, that one of our loans has been completely repaid and the others are making excellent progress.

With the money that has been repaid to date, we have invested again in two additional women. $25 has been lent to Shifubi Grace Namasule Group in Uganda. A 35 year old woman is in charge of this group, and she will use the money to pay the wages for her brickmakers and to buy items to sell in her retail shop. $25 has also been lent to Jeny, age 24 in Peru. She has been potato farming for years and will use the money to purchase fertilizers (chemical and organic) to improve her crop. She sells the larger potatoes to buyers for food and the smaller ones for seed. She has been making the payments on her father’s loans for several years and has decided to try her own loan to start her own business.

Please join us in keeping all of these women in our prayers that they may succeed in earning a wage that will support themselves and their families. To learn more about Kiva go to www.kiva.org.

Library Luncheons

Luncheons are served Mondays in the fall and spring to senior citizens participating in the Leisure Learning Series at the Bernards Township Library. The lunches are prepared and served by UMW members to over 60 participants.  Please click here for information.

Methodist Homes – Nine homes for seniors in NJ which serves the physical, mental & spiritual needs of their residents.  We support these homes and also provide Christmas gifts for their residents.

Red Bird Mission – a non-profit organization in the Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky that empowers individuals and advocates justice by providing educational, health and community outreach ministries to area low-income residents.

Resource Center for Women – serves the victims of physical and mental domestic abuse in Somerset County.

Ridge Oak Extended Care – provides for health care services and programs at the Ridge Oak senior citizen residence in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Rummage Sale
The UMW sponsors a rummage sale each year. This is usually held in the spring.

Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (S.H.I.P.) – serves homeless, near-homeless, working poor families and individuals in the Somerset County Region.  Provides emergency interim housing, counseling, and support services that enhance their chances of regaining self-sufficiency.

Somerset County Food Bank – The mission of the food bank is to distribute food and other items for those less fortunate in our community.

United Methodist Women – Circles

The UMW offers Circles composed of our church family members and their friends. One does not need to be a member of Bishop Janes in order to participate in a Circle, nor is it necessary to attend every meeting. The Circles provide opportunities for fellowship, support, mission, and study. Different emphasis suits the needs of each Circle’s members. The goal of the UMW is to provide a range of activities at different times to accommodate as many people as possible. Following is a list of Circles, with current membership roles, and meeting times which explains just how unique each Circle is.

Grace Circle           4th Tuesday of each month  — 9:30 AM -11:00 AM

Grace Circle meets for an informal brunch, discussion or activity.   Since many of our members work, we primarily stay connected by e-mail. We talk about what is happening in each of our lives and the life of the Church.   We discuss the Prayer List and offer to support Missions projects.

Anyone is invited to join our mailing list, and everyone is welcome to the tea and coffee, fruit, bread, and warm fellowship.

Naomi/Ruth Circle            3rd Tuesday of each month  — 7:00 PM

Our Circle is a mixture of women of all ages and interests.   Programs vary from discussions on current topics, participation in social service and mission activities.