Fresh Connection Mission u 2024

Edited from article by Tara Barnes on UWFaith website       United Women in Faith submitted 19 petitions to the United Methodist General Conference that met April 23 to May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Included among our petitions were those for uplifting women and children, protecting voting rights, and our historic. Charter for Racial Justice.      These included calls to action on racial and climate justice, gender equity, protecting the girl child, and supporting deaconesses and home missioners. Eighteen of our petitions passed on consent calendar, meaning they received 10 or fewer “no” votes in committee.      “We commend the church for uplifting women, children, and youth at the 2024 General Conference,” said General Secretary and CEO Sally Vonner. “When women’s voices are heard, positive changes follow.”       Our petition seeking annual conference voting rights ...

Seeking women desiring to attend Mission u but can’t afford it By Linda Kotschevar     The Minnesota Conference of United Women in Faith provides interested women an opportunity to attend Mission u through our Mission u Scholarship Fund. Getting women interested in mission at an early age and at new life stages is one way to insure the vitality and growth of an educational, mission-minded membership.      The Mission u Scholarship Committee is seeking women who desire to attend Mission u but cannot afford the cost and encouraging them to apply for a Mission u scholarship.       The scholarship would cover partial or full cost of Mission u; however, the study book and transportation are not covered. The amount of the scholarship will be based on individual need, funds available, and the number of applicants.       Please complete the application and/or urge women you know to apply. Ea...

Among 26 women and men who were consecrated at General Conf erence on May 29, 2024 was Shirley Durr. She joins the growing list of Deaconesses ( Mary C Gehrke, Kim Devon Harris, Leslie J Hobson, Cindy Saufferer, Nicole Weydt, Carolyn Diehl Winslow, and Amanda Zbacnik) and Home Missioners (Jak Henderson and Louis Porter II) in Minnesota.       After this newsletter goes to press, Shirley will be commissioned at Annual Conference to serve as the Justice and Service Advocate at Epworth UMC.  In that mission setting she is already  promoting Monthly Mission opportunities while creating and implementing active and passive social and educational programs with emphasis on diversity, service, and justice. She also serves as an active member of Minnesota Annual Conference’s Church and Society as well as Epworth’s representative to Minnesota Reconciling Congregations.       Shirley continues her life-long commitment of ...

Some of you will remember  Mary Maloney  of Lewisville, MN who passed away peacefully on March 17, 2024 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in Saint James. R emembering Mary Maloney,  Mary Yee  quoted from a hymn,  "For all the saints who from their labors rest" ( United Methodist Hymnal  #711). Mary was very passionate about, and active with, United Methodist Women. Her compassion and generous heart leave many wonderful memories for family, friends, and neighbors. Deaconess Pamela Johnson  of Aitkin died March 20, 2024 in Aitkin. Her husband, Andy, told the family, ““Pam had a meeting with Jesus, and she left with him.”   Remembering Pam as MN Conference UWFaith’s Spiritual Growth Coordinator, Shirley Durr recalls “a profoundly moving Prayer Retreat” that Pam planned and led. “I still have the rock Pam invited us to take,” Shirley said. “It always calms and comforts me as did Pam’s presence whenever we were in the same room – or Zoom.”  P...

Please update your contacts list if you have not already done so.  Elk River UMC 1304 Main St. Elk River, MN 55330 Mail sent to the former office will be returned to sender.  You can leave a message for Director Christopher Sylvah at (763) 777-9074 or reach him directly at (651) 295-0221 or email .   Continue sending checks (with Dakotas Advance #637 or Solar Oven Partners in the memo line) to: Solar Oven Partners PO Box 460 Mitchell, SD 57301-0460 Or donate online . Solar Oven Partners was created as a mission of the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Initiated by lay persons and built on trust over a 20-plus-year history, Solar Oven Partners   continues to be supported by contributions to Dakotas UMC Advance #637. Many UWFaith units are among those supporters.       Contributions fund materials and support training . Hands-on volunteers work at fabrication workshops in the Dakotas or through projects in their chur...

Tea with Emma, of course, was part of the gathering as well as a hands-on mission. “We collected enough items to assemble 45 UMCOR Menstrual Hygiene Kits,” said Linda Kotschevar .  “The generosity of United Women in Faith always amazes!”

Know Anyone Studying to go into Full Time Christian Service? The Emma Norton Designated Fund, set up by Emma Norton in the 1920’s, is offering scholarships to women going into full time Christian service.        Emma Norton specified that the interest from the Designated Fund is to be used each year, half for scholarships, and half to be sent to a National Mission.  Scholarships are available from $1,000 - $5,000 for the fall of 2024.        Whether going to seminary to become a deacon or elder, or other educational programs for Licensed Local Pastors, Deaconesses, Christian Education or Church Administrators, all can apply.  Applications are taken by the MN Methodist Foundation and reviewed by the MN Conference United Women in Faith.  The deadline to apply is July 1, 2024.   Click here for the scholarship application. Restoring Waters Grand Opening       Uni...

Deadlines coming soon Don’t delay registering for Mission u 2024. Your Mission u Team and Study Leaders are  hard at work finalizing details and preparing classes, worship, fellowship, and fun activities.   In-Person: Registration Deadline June 28 Click here to register .   This session will take place July 26-28 at Koronis Ministries  Christian Camp & Retreat Center  in Paynesville. Check in is 4 pm-5:30 pm on July 26 with closing worship 11 am-11:30 am on July 28.   Changes in housing, cost Due to a scheduling glitch at Koronis, there are fewer options for housing but the cost is lower. • Option #1 is Sunrise lodging, hotel-like room with two beds and in-room bathroom, now available for only $230 per person for a double. Also, there are limited single rooms available for $255.  • Option #2 is for commuters who are not staying at Koronis. The cost is still $150.  Prices include 5 meals (Friday dinner, 3 Saturday, Sunday breakfast) p...