Table topic Aprons worn by United Methodist Women from Muldrow reflect the Annual Meeting theme of "Come to the Table." From left are Theresia Lasiter, Josie Sargent, and Anna Shackelford. The aprons were gifts made by a former member of their UMW unit.

Pledges total $310,000

By Holly McCray

A group of Oklahoma women have vowed to give $310,000 to the Church’s missions in 2010.

Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Women made that pledge Oct. 3 at St. Paul church in Muskogee, during their Annual Meeting.

"This is a declaration of confidence in the dedication of each local member to the mission to share with each other and with women, children, and youth here at home and around the world," stated Treasurer Betty Prentice.

The day’s offering of almost $2,300 boosted the 2009 Pledge. Gift cards collected by units throughout the year were dedicated; they were valued at about $17,000. The cards will be used by Cookson Hills Center and Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) in Oklahoma.

In 2008, Mission Giving by UMW members throughout the denomination reached $16.5 million, Prentice reported. That amount was an increase of $180,000 from the previous year.

During the Pledge ceremony at Muskogee, the 12 district treasurers told how those funds make a difference. Among their stories:

• UMW money went to a New Orleans community center, where a child learned to swim. That child rescued a family member from drowning during Hurricane Katrina.

• In Cote d’Ivoire, Africa, a project helps impoverished women generate income for their families. Micro-loans enable them to purchase equipment such as sewing machines and trucks and to establish small businesses.

• A partnership with a theater collective in Kingston, Jamaica, helps people explore issues of drug and sexual abuse, parenting, disrespect, and crime. Violence has declined and people are giving their lives to God, according to reports.

"Come to the Table" was the theme for the event in Muskogee. A total of 242 people accepted the invitation.

"We come to nourish not only our bodies but also our spirits," said morning speaker Inelda Gonzalez of New York. She is president of the Women’s Division of the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries. Ann Needham of Norman directed the installation of the 2010 officers. She is a former treasurer of the Women’s Division.

"We are fed in many, many ways. We are made in the image of God. What are we feeding that image?" Nancy Whittaker asked in an afternoon small-group session. She promoted the UMW study "Food and Faith." The six-session study book includes recipes, and its first chapter is about Holy Communion.

Bishop Robert Hayes Jr., the afternoon speaker, noted that World Communion Sunday would be celebrated Oct. 4—the next day—by billions of believers around the globe. He said a table to accommodate them all would have to be 25,000 miles long. Then he welcomed those in Muskogee to the Lord’s Table, and the UMW Annual Meeting culminated with the Communion ritual.

The 2010 Conference UMW officers are: Kathy Caldron of Ponca City, president; JoEllen Reed of Oklahoma City, vice president; Cindy Hull of Waynoka, secretary; Betty Prentice of Pryor, treasurer; Becky Brown of Madill, secretary of program resources; Julie Wood of Yukon, communications coordinator; Donna Toeller of Woodward, nominations chairperson; and four mission coordinators, Annette Loos of Collinsville, Jacci Freno and Janice Bryan, both of Oklahoma City, and Nancy Whittaker of Madill.

Two events remain on the 2009 UMW calendar: Toole Tyme, Nov. 13-15, at Cookson Hills Center in eastern Oklahoma; and Neighborhood Santa Operation, Dec. 5, at NSO in Oklahoma City.

(Web site: www.gbgm-umc.org/ok-umw)