President's Corner

Heartland District United Methodist Women February 2020_ President’s Corner

ere we are at the start of another year: 2020! I hope this finds all well, warm, and happy. This is the last remaining year of my tenure as your District President. I have been greatly H blessed by the women in this district far more than I will be able to express. Thank you so much for your support and prayers!

As I looked over some conference UMW reports, I realized some recognition is due. Heartland District readers (2019 annual report) are number one in both the numbers of readers and books read. This is awesome! If you have not been a part of the reading program, let this year be your start. The program books are an excellent way to educate yourself on current UMW issues. Leona Gilliam, our program resources coordinator (aka Book Lady) can assist you in how to obtain the books. Karen Fentress, the Conference Program Resources coordinator, is from the Heartland district. Leona and Karen: if I am wrong on this, please don’t correct me! Even if I am wrong (and that’s always a possibility), I still want to encourage you to participate in the reading program. I guarantee there will be something to touch your heart.

Here is our 2020 District Calendar of events:

March 13-14 Conference Spiritual Growth Retreat Camp Loucon March 23 All day UMW Day of Giving (supports Legacy Fund) March 28 9:00 am Day Apart & Team Meeting Stovall UMC April 17-20 SEJ Meeting Mobile, AL May 16 1:00 pm Blanket of Praise Memorial UMC July 1 Annual Reports Mailed July 9-12 Mission u Lindsey Wilson July 25 Annual Reports Due August 16 2:00 pm District Team Meeting Fern Creek UMC September 26 9:00 am District Annual Celebration Fern Creek UMC October 11 2:00 pm District Team Meeting TBD October 24 8:30 am Conference Annual Celebration Northern District

I am currently working on the speakers for our Blanket of Praise and Annual Celebration meeting. Melinda Ryles-Smith, the Vice-President of Development for the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Homes, will be our speaker at the Blanket of Praise meeting. I am also trying to get information on what size quilts they need at the Children’s homes as every child who comes there receives a quilt. At our conference meeting last year we were shown the dorms, and the beds there are twin size (however, I don’t know if they are twin XL or regular twin). If we make some for them, we can send those quilts with Melinda. We can work out details before the meeting on how to mark those quilts so we know which ones to send.

There was discussion about where the quilts seriously, as do our units, and errors upset all are now going since the Burchettes are no of us. Last year, we attempted to include longer able to distribute them. A committee reports received the week of the celebration, was formed from our district officers to and it was quite honestly a very difficult mess. determine how best to handle this. I will I’ve heard various reasons, and I know report back to you on what the committee has emergencies happen, but please plan to have determined to be an equitable distribution. your report mailed in time to reach me on July 25, 2020. On July 1st, I will be mailing annual reports to unit presidents. The deadline for reports to Please feel free to contact any district officer be included in the Annual Celebration with any questions you may have. If we don’t recognition is July 25th. A firm deadline is have an answer, we will contact our necessary to reduce the number of errors in conference counterparts to get that answer. I the bulletins we print for the celebration. The look forward to seeing you in March! district team takes this meeting very Wendy Tyree, President

A Word from the Treasurer intended to help you keep up with all the areas of mission giving throughout the year. Happy New Year, everyone! We are now in the First Quarter (December, I would like to remind everyone that the new January, February). Remittances for the first 2020 informational packets were handed out quarter will be due March 1, 2020. Thank you at the District Annual Celebration back in for your continued support and for getting September. If you were not there to get one, your quarterly remittances in on time. Please or if you have not received one in the mail, contact me with any questions or concerns. please let me know so I can get one to you. Marilyn Puckett, Treasurer The 2020 packet includes general guidelines Heartland District UMW for keeping records, current master copies of 9111 Royal Oak Drive remittance forms, deadlines for submitting Louisville, KY 40272 remittances and a “SAMPLE” copy of a “Your (502)935-7002 Mission Giving” form. The sample form is Email: [email protected]

Education and Interpretation Keep in touch electronically through these podcast and through Twitter and Facebook. Once again as the E & I district contact, I am alerting members to a new resource Susan Cross accessible to members. I learn something new each time I visit the webpage. I also Social Action watch for tweets from The United Methodist Women’s Twitter feed and posts from The Human Trafficking is an epidemic in our United Methodist Women’s Facebook account. nation, and the issue is growing faster than the infrastructure to help the victims. It is Faith Talks are monthly conversations with estimated that there are roughly 190 United Methodist Women hosted by Jennifer R residential shelters for victims of human Farmer, Spotlight PR. Each conversation trafficking in the U.S., but most of these are explores themes and resources that empower new and inexperienced, and there are no us to put faith, hope and love into action. minimum quality standards that have been established to help them grow. January 11 After the January 16th episode, there will be 9 was National Human Trafficking Awareness available for viewing on the UMW webpage. Day. Economic inequality is a key force Various ways of accessing are podcast driving women and men into circumstances of services Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google labor and sex trafficking. Lack of access to Podcasts, and other podcast services. Topics social support, education, and living wage for some of these include, 1)“Creation Care, jobs can force people to make hard decisions Sustainability Climate Justice, and How their that make putting themselves in potentially JUST ENERGY FOR ALL campaign can help,” dangerous situations worth the risk. Abusive 2) Janet Wolf explores radical discipleship relationships, extreme poverty or neglect, and from her study, “Mark and Radical life under violent circumstances can make a Discipleship,” 3)Carol Barton talks about life in trafficking seem like an improvement. “Women, Labor and Living Wage.” Economic equality is a focus for United Methodist Women. We should take time to Thursday, February 20 at 6:00 pm ET: Faith learn about the systems causing trafficking as Talks: Paid Family Leave we raise awareness of modern-day slavery.

Thursday, April 16 at 2:00 pm ET: Faith Talks: Throughout our existence, United Methodist General Conference & changes in the UMC Women has been a pioneer in the fight for racial justice. We need to address inequities As before, the #UMWFaithTalks will be held in our criminal justice system, anti-immigrant via Zoom Video Conference. You can register sentiment, and the various ways that systemic here: racism prevents people from attaining quality https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DiexE health care, education, and work. Work at the -73SViZ6YZd-HelhA. Upon registering, you’ll election polls, recycle, and spread kindness. have the option of joining by phone or computer. Cindy Clary

Wesley House Community Services

Welcome to 2020.

If you did not receive the press release, it is with sadness that I announce that Dr. Renee Campbell, President of Wesley House Community Services, has resigned effective January 31, 2020. We wish Dr. Campbell success as she enters a new chapter in her work life. Dr. Campbell is available if anyone would like to meet or talk with her. Her cell number is 502/418-0423 and her e-mail address, [email protected] will remain the same for several months. She plans to stay involved with Wesley House Community Services. A reception is being planned to honor her 21 years of service. An announcement will be made when arrangements have been completed. Clinton Bennett, a member of the Board of Directors, will be the interim Director while a permanent director is sought.

In November, an appeal for financial help in paying for needed repairs to the facility was sent. Thanks to Glendale UMW and the congregation of Glendale UMC for the generous donation. If there are other units or churches who answered this appeal, please accept my thanks for your support. Summit UMW has again donated paper products. These donations help by enabling finances to be used for programs rather than supplies.

As Wesley House Community Services enters the new year with changes taking place, finances remain a concern. Wesley House is among the other non-profits in Louisville who have lost funding from local sources. The primary source of income has been from grants; however, finding additional sources of income is paramount. If anyone has ideas for income , please contact me. This mission has existed for 116 years, and my hope is that it will be here for another 116 years. We are also looking for committed directors to advocate for this United Methodist Mission.

Joan Vance, Board of Directors [email protected] 270/862-3553 (h) 270/766-7837 (c) Press Release on Dr. Campbell’s retirement reprinted on page 6

I am only one, But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. Edward Everett Hale’s pledge to the Lend-a-Hand Society

Please join the Board of Directors of Wesley House Community Services in extending its best wishes to Dr. Renee Campbell who has announced her retirement from the organization to transition to the University of Kentucky, as Clinical Assistant Professor, in the College of Social Work.

Dr. Campbell is a native of Adairville, Kentucky and became a lifelong resident of Louisville after she received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work. She received her undergraduate degree from Kentucky State University, and Doctorate degree from Spaulding University. She will begin her new career in Higher Education at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work in February.

Dr. Campbell arrived at Wesley House with a lifetime of skills gained in the non profit community service. She was appointed as the agency’s President and CEO in 1998. During her tenure as the leader of the organization, Dr. Campbell has directed the integration of technology, established the agency website, implemented intervention, prevention and assessment of family domestic violence and abuse programs, created domestic violence threat assessment procedures, led the relocation of the agency and services to a community that was underserved. The agency’s relocation left an unprecedented legacy of diversity and inclusion which includes spearheading Wesley House’s revised nondiscriminatory statement to include LGBTQ provisions.

Dr. Campbell not only has provided years of outstanding service to Wesley House but the Greater Louisville community through her service on The Mary Byron Project Board of Directors, The Mayor’s Violence Prevention Task Force, Friends of Fourth Street Live, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, and an untold number of national and international volunteer and advocacy groups and projects. Dr. Campbell has been distinguished as a Center for Women and Families Woman of Distinction, Muhammad Ali Daughter of Greatness, featured in 100 Fascinating Louisville Women, Who’s Who in African American profiles and Black Louisville, and Business First “Aspiring Women Who Make a Difference.”

Board Chairman, Ray Hammock commented, “Wesley House became a diverse organization under Dr. Campbell’s leadership. I can speak for the entire board when I say we feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to work with someone of Dr. Campbell’s caliber. Her commitment to the goals and objective of Wesley House Community Services has touched many lives. She is one of a kind and will be sorely missed.”

Unit Highlights

Hodgenville Our Methodist Women had a very busy year (2019), as well as most of you. We ended the year with 11 of our ladies going to Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Ky. We took 55 large boxes filled with Bibles, devotions, gloves, scarves, blankets that some of our ladies made, hygiene items, and lots and lots of miscellaneous items. We were told that the boxes were given to residents at a nearby facility for disabled persons who otherwise would not have received anything at Christmas.

We were given a tour of their main building (that was once the hospital), saw how their food pantry operates, toured the school where scripture verses were painted on the walls, and visited their gift shop. Naturally, we managed to do some shopping, items that were locally made!!!! It was a very enlightening and informative day.

Blessings, Diane Lawless, President Hodgenville UMW

Praying and Loading Boxes

Unloading on dock at Red Bird

Reliving our day over a hearty meal

Memorial UMW Memorial's new Priscilla Circle gathers weekly on Wednesday evenings. The focus is on a "creative, supportive fellowship,” Bible Study, and mission projects. In December the Priscilla Circle prepared 30 Christmas gift bags for a local women's recovery home. The bags were delivered, and some Circle members were able to offer a hug and prayer with several recipients and their leaders.

Memorial's UMW had a busy and blessed holiday season with a Missions Bazaar, Church potlucks (and clean-up!), Cookie and Pecan Sales. Wonderful teamwork and holiday spirit made for a great year's end. Thanks to All Sisters in Christ!

Pat Dile, Co-Chair Memorial UMW

Mosaic

We had a productive and fun 2019 and are looking forward to a better 2020! In January we had our planning meeting on a stormy Saturday morning! We are planning many outreach opportunities. Some are: Blessing Bags, UL Gathering, Daycare Appreciation, Children's Sabbath Celebration, Hip Hop Cares, Grace Kids, and Volunteers of America Halloween Party! Some of our fundraisers are: dinner after church, Soup to Go, our fall Marketplace Bazaar and we are going to make a new cookbook! We set our meeting dates, programs and refreshments schedule and responsibilities. It is going to be a great year as we live out our UMW purpose! And to God be the Glory! Sharon Cook, Mosaic UMW President

Radcliff

The Radcliff United Methodist Women are working hard on their respective projects. There are two circles that are working on baby quilts for Blankets of Praise - the GLAD circle and the Smitchers. The Smitcher's circle has recently been helping a local girl scout troop learn how to sew for a badge, which of course they are learning while working on the baby quilts. The Yarns Of Peace group is diligently making prayer shawls to be given out as requested. We also have a Mats for the Homeless circle who is working on crocheting water proof sleeping mats out of plastic bags.

Meredith Linscott

Stovall

Our Wesleyan Circle had a very successful Christmas Bazaar and soup luncheon to wind up 2019. We always enjoy seeing our many repeat customers from the community who faithfully attend each year and share the time with us. Thanks to the ladies of our Golden Circle who pitched in to help in the kitchen and café for the event. Additional hands make the work much easier. As is their usual practice, the Golden Circle members purchased lap robes for residents at the local nursing and rehab center and brought them to their Christmas luncheon to be delivered during the Christmas season. Our Stovall quilters continue to meet each week to cut, sew, and bind their quilts while sharing fellowship together.

Our first joint UMW meeting of 2020 will be in March when we have our program for a “Call to Prayer and Self Denial.” We look forward to hosting all the ladies of the district for our Day Apart program on March 28. Be sure to mark your calendars for this event. We look forward to seeing you. Edwina Drake, President

Valley Station (Bethany and Prairie Village)

We are pleased to report that 2019 was a productive year, and that we are looking forward to 2020!

Our very successful “Socktober” project yielded 554 pairs of socks of all sizes. Socks were distributed to the Family Resource Centers at Stonestreet and Medora Elementary Schools, as well to the Backside Ministry at Churchill Downs. We are grateful to the congregations for their overwhelming support.

We participated in the Red Bird Conference shoe box ministry at Christmas. Again, with our supportive congregations, we completed 25 shoe boxes and received some monetary donations which were forwarded to Red Bird.

Our December meeting was held at Bethany UMC. All the ladies of the churches were invited to attend and we were pleased to have a good turnout. A light brunch was enjoyed, followed by a craft time where we made 48 Christmas ornaments to give to each of the children in the VINE after school program.

Submitted by Marilyn Puckett

Don’t forget to save the date! March 28, 2020 Happy Valentine’s Day Apart Day Stovall UMC Day

More information to follow

2020 HEARTLAND DISTRICT OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Wendy Tyree 270-325-4223 437 Hawkins Rd., Hodgenville , Ky 42748 270-765-9777 (c) [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT Vacant

SECRETARY Sharon Cook 502-448-5057 6303 Buckskin Place, Louisville, Ky. 40216 502-599-5728 (c) [email protected]

TREASURER Marilyn Puckett 502-935-7002 9111 Royal Oak Dr., Louisville, Ky 40272 [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS Edwina Drake 270-351-0409 COORDINATOR 233 Johns Road East,Radcliff, Ky. 40160 [email protected]

SECRETARY Leona Gilliam 270-234-6971 PROGRAM 204 S. Miles, Elizabethtown, Ky.42701 RESOURCES [email protected]

SPIRITUAL Ruth Sauter 502-377-5534 GROWTH 6512 Warner Ave., Louisville, Ky 40207 [email protected]

SOCIAL ACTION Cindy Clary 502-448-2867 (H) 2902 Pioneer Rd., Louisville, Ky 40216 502-641-3261 (c) [email protected]

EDUCATION & Susan Cross 270-351-6156 INTERPRETATION 211 Stovall Church Rd.,Radcliff, Ky 40160 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP Sherry Mattingly 502-262-2973 NUTURE &OUTREACH 3007 Lynnwood Way, Jeffersontown, Ky 40299 [email protected]

HISTORIAN Nancy Brumback 502-267-6041 9616 Old Six Mile Lane, Louisville, Ky 40299 [email protected]

PARLIAMENTARIAN Bennie Lou Hammons 270-862-9625 340 Nache Pike, Cecilia, Ky 42724 [email protected]