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TRANSCRIPT
BRIDGES DISTRICT 2016
MISSION TEAM
All team members can be reached by going to
webpage address above and clicking on team
member’s name.
President
Orene Dunzweiler
Vice President
Mere T. Nabou
Secretary
Martha Parker
Treasurer
Jan Mathis
Secretary, Program Resources
Dianne Moody
Spiritual Growth
Iva Codrokadroka Turaga
Education & Interpretation
Carol Kremer
Membership, Nurture &
Outreach
Martha Gould
Social Action
Anne Bradeen
Communications
Robyn Jovalis
Nominations
Roberta Smith, Chair
Yasuko de la Torre
Karlene Haddon
Grace Johnson
Rosa Washington-Olson
Linda P. Wright
CA-NV Conference UMW
canvunitedmethodistwomen.org
National Organization UMW
unitedmethodistwomen.org
Connecting Bridges
Bridges District
California Nevada Conference
United Methodist Women
http://cnumwconference.weebly.com/bridges.html
United
Methodist
Women
Faith, Hope, Love In Action
Winter 2016-17
On behalf of the Leadership Team of Bridges District, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We are very proud of our work this last year and look forward to giving you a new year of learning, growing spiritually, serving and sharing. Our first opportunity will be January 28 at the Novato UMC. Our theme for this event is "Take My Hand, Come with Me...to the Bridges District Meet and Greet." We are starting earlier (9:30) and including a lot of time for group discussions and questions and answers. There will be breakout sessions for Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers, but since so many locals are now having to combine duties of the Mission Co-ordinators, we will work together to define the duties and help you figure out who should do what. Bring your questions and suggestions. We will also discuss things like fund raisers, membership ideas, "out of the box" activities to increase interest, how to use materials and anything else you can think of! This day is meant to be a time of meeting your leaders and getting to know each other a little bet-ter. We all have the same challenges, so let's share some solutions. We will also install/reaffirm our 2017 officers, have a worship service and, as always, sing a few songs. We will not have a special speaker, take a collection or serve communion. Lunch will be served at 12:30 and that will complete our time together. Please plan to join us onSatur-day, January 28. You do not have to be an officer to attend! All are welcome. The regis-tration form is in this newsletter. Feel free to make copies and pass them out to your Lo-cal. Blessings of the Season to you all,
Orene [email protected]
Orene Dunzweiler, PRESIDENT
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The new year is upon us as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child I am reminded that all gifts are pre-
cious no matter how large or small.
I so appreciate the Presidents, secretaries and Nominations Chairs who have sent me the changes in leader-
ship for your UMW Organization. Please send as soon as possible any changes.
It is helpful to email it to me if possible with UMW in the subject line. Send to [email protected] The new directory is scheduled to
be available at the January Leadership Meet and Greet gathering in Novato UMC, January. It will be fulfilling for all members who
come.
Thank you to the UMW organization in San Francisco who helped serve at the Mary Elizabeth Inn Tea this October. It was a special
event. If other organizations are interested in this special day you can contact me.
I also want to say a personal note of thanks to all the UMW organization who welcomed Katherine Parker our missionary serving in
Nepal and Marilyn Chan our missionary serving in Cambodia this past year. We have all learned so much about the importance of
making changes at home to create solidarity with women around the world.
One year ago November Bridges District sent Iva, Luce and me to Tennessee to witness to women in recovery with young children.
UMW continues to pray and communicate with this program in Knoxville and making these connections across the country is what
UMW is passionate about. Thank you again for all the service that takes place with UMW
Blessing in the New Year.
Martha [email protected]
MARTHA PARKER, SECRETARY
Greetings of the season sisters in Christ. I am sure we all survived the preparation, the cooking, the feasting and the celebration of Thanksgiving. It's that time of the year that we all love to decorate our homes. Most (like me) love to start early with the decorations and take it all down late. A galfriend visit-ed me with a beautiful bunch of roses this week. Roses somehow have a real significance to me. One of the names of Jesus in the bible is "the rose of Sharon" and so they remind me of Him. I love to decorate my tree with angels and other ornaments, but my fresh roses ( which I always have as my dining table centre piece) make it special. This holiday season lets be reminded that Christmas isn't about tinsel, trees, lights or gifts. It's about the birth of our Saviour and let's not get caught up in all the bling and the shopping. Let us keep our focus on the reason for the season. The next time you see a rose, you may think about Jesus. So whatever you have that reminds you of Him, go ahead display it and share its story when family and friends gather around. My manger ornaments and my Christmas roses do it for me. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys". Song of Solomon 2:1. Stay warm, dry and safe with your loved ones. Have a blessed Xmas and see you well and blessed at our Leadership Training in January 2017.
Iva Turaga
Spiritual Growth Co-ordinator
IVA CODROKADROKA TURUGA, Spiritual Growth
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Dear Sisters in Christ,
As the Coordinator for Membership, Nuture, and Outreach for the Bridges District, I want to thank all the lo-
cal UMW groups who participated in the 2015 Census. This was the first year for registering group counts online. The national
UMW office reported that registration reporting for the conferences increased from 60% in 2014, to 89% in 2015.
In the beginning of January I will send out the 2016 Census registration information, both by mail and email to local UMW presi-
dents/MN&O coordinators. It will include access to several instructional videos and tools to assist leaders in completing the Cen-
sus form. The reporting deadline will be March 30, 2017. The main numbers needed: 1. How many members/participants on
January 1, 2016 2. How many new members in 2016 3. How many transfers/deaths in 2016 4. Final total for 2016
In addition, the national UMW office is also introducing “myUMW” Membership Log, which is designed to capture each member’s
demographic information. Once the Membership Log is complet-
ed, the UMW member will receive a Membership Card for their
files. Yes, this is new for next year so I look at it as another
learning experience in 2017—your patience is appreciated!
Blessings,
Martha
Email: [email protected]
PS: I was fortunate to hear Katherine Parker, daughter of our UMW
Bridges District secretary Martha Parker, speak of her missionary work
in Nepal. She is here in the states for a few months, speaking at the
churches that support her work. I heard her presentation at Bethany
UMC in San Francisco.
MARTHA GOULD, COORDINATOR, Membership, Nuture, and Outreach for the Bridges District
Greetings. This has been a wonderful fall and I am anticipating a blessed Christmas Season and I am looking forward to January and a new and exciting year as a United Methodist Woman. It is time to make plans for 2017. Get as many members as you can for the Meet and Greet in Novato on Saturday, January 28, 2017. I will be there to talk about our Mission Today Goals. I am in charge of the scholar-ships for all of the Mission U Schools. I have attended Mission U for over 40 years and it is one of the high lights of the year. We have 4 Bridges District Scholarships and 2 Conference Scholarships. Talk to me regarding this wonderful free experience - everyone needs to go at least once. The forms will be available in May and there is a school near you. The weekend school is July 28-30, 2017. The one day schools have not been scheduled. Have a blessed Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in Novato in January.
Carol Kremer [email protected] or (916)428-1933
CAROL KREMER, EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION
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Greetings to All Bridges Members
Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season--a time to get together with family and friends. We’re also enjoying this wonderful
weather--some rain alternating with sunshine.
As usual, we are looking for more members for our nominating committee. If you want to join us on the committee or know of some-
one who would like to join us please let me or anyone on the committee know. We are always happy to welcome new members as
we did Judi Streeter, our newest member.
I hope to see some of you at Leadership Training in January. And please don’t forget the upcoming meeting in Carson City in March.
Seasons blessings to you for the holidays!
Roberta Smith
916-421-4511
ROBERTA SMITH, EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION
As you plan next year's meetings and events in your units, I encourage you to invite speakers to help your women educate them-
selves on the Social Action foci:
Maternal-Child Health
Income inequality
Climate justice
Racial and ethnic justice
I also hope that you will take pictures and share the social action events that you plan or the special programs that you have on the
Bridges website. Send pictures and articles to: Jan Mathis, [email protected].
In this newsletter you will find information about the Conference Legislative Event on Saturday, March 18. The event will take place
at the Carson City UMC from noon to 5pm. Lunch will be served at noon. Following lunch valuable information about how to lobby
for your social action concerns will be presented by three speakers; Suzie Johnson from UMW staff in Washington DC, Elsa Caffera-
ta, President and CEO of Nevada Planned Parenthood, and Sheila Leslie, former Nevada State Senator and Assembly Representa-
tive. A block of rooms has been reserved at a local hotel and transportation to and from the church have been arranged. Please do
not delay deciding to participate!
We have purposely planned our Conference Legislative Day to coincide with the Nevada Women's Lobby Days March 19 and 20.
You will have the opportunity to make your journey to Nevada even more enriching by extending your stay to participate in this event
as well. More information about Nevada Women's Lobby Days will follow.
I pray for you all a blessed Christmas Season and a wonderful New Year filled with the peace that can only come from including our
Lord in all our "busy-ness",
Anne Bradeen [email protected]
ANNE BRADEEN, Social Action
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Reading Program Timeline: September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017
You can order your books and materials from:
UMW Mission Resources, www.umwmissionresources.org.
Customer service telephone number is 1-800-305-9857.
Hours for ordering: Between 8 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Just give them a call if you should have any problems concerning any orders.
Please write each book you read in the correct category of your 2017 Reading Program brochure. Please write the year of the Read-
ing Program Catalog that the book appeared in.
2017 Reading Program Book Review:
There are so many good books that you can read this year but often the Recommended Reading List, on page 30, is not looked at.
There is one book listed there under the Spiritual Growth category that I feel that you should read if either you or a friend of yours has
breast cancer or is a breast cancer survivor. It is The Blessings and Bling; How Faith and Fashion Helped Me Survive Breast Cancer,
by Dr. Sheron C. Patterson.
Sometimes our greatest blessings come from the most unexpected places. If you’re facing a difficult life situation – including a cancer
diagnosis – you may be searching for a way to get through the day. This book gives an upbeat take on a serious matter and shares
real world tips for helping you cope. The author uses her story to help others facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
In this book, you will:
Find inspiration to face your challenge.
Get practical tips for dealing with a life-changing diagnosis.
Learn how to live in the moment.
Gain ways to turn your trial into a testimony.
Learn how to find purpose in pain.
Realize God has not left you, even though you’re shaken.
Find out how to use your interests, hobbies, and ideas to help you get through a difficult situation.
Find the Blessings and Bling Cancer Survival Guide.
When Sheron Patterson put off a shopping trip to drop by a medical center for her annual breast exam, she thought she’d be in and
out and back to shopping. But when her results came back positive for cancer, she was stunned.
This diagnosis eventually produced a life’s work focused on helping others face challenges. Bling – fashion – helped Patterson face
her cancer head-on. From the depths of despair, surrounding her diagnosis to a heart filled with gratitude as she looks back on her
journey, she tells the story of Blessings and Bling to help you see hope.
Dr. Sheron C. Patterson is author of eight books that empower and encourage women. She has been a radio and television host for
20 years. She is an ordained United Methodist pastor with 20 years as a senior pastor. A native of Charlotte, N.C., she is a wife and
the mother of two sons.
DIANE MOODY, PROGRAM RESOURCES
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JAN Friday, Jan. 6th, 3:00 p.m.. Conference team retreat
Saturday, Jan. 7th, 12;00 p.m.-Sunday Jan. 8th, 2:00 p.m. Conference Team Mtg.,
Committee meetings with District counterparts on Saturday morning: (E & I, SA, MNO)
Saturday, Jan. 14th
- Central Valley District Leadership Team Mtg. (Location TBA)
Saturday, Jan. 28th
– Bridges District Leadership Training – Novato UMC
FEB Saturday, Feb. 4th – El Camino Real District Leadership Training – Salinas UMC
Saturday, Feb. 11th – El Camino Real District Leadership Training – Castro Valley UMC
MAR Friday, 10th – Sunday, Mar. 12th Central Valley District Spiritual Retreat – ECCO
(Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst)
Saturday, Mar. 11th – Bridges District Spiritual Retreat – Wayside UMC, Vallejo
Saturday, Mar. 18th, 12 noon - 5:00 p.m. Social Justice Event – Carson City, Nevada (Location TBA)
UMW: Lobbying for The Welfare of Women and Their Children
Friday, Mar. 31st – Sunday, April 2nd – El Camino Real District Spiritual Retreat
Mission Springs, Scotts Valley
APR Saturday, Apr 8th, 1:00 p.m. - Sunday Apr. 9th, 2:00 p.m. Conference Team Mtg.
Committee Meetings with District counterparts on Saturday afternoon (Treas., CON Chair)
MAY Saturday, May 6th – Central Valley District Leadership Team Mtg. (Location TBA)
JUNE Wednesday, June 21st - Saturday, June 25th Annual Conference Session, Hyatt Hotel, Burlingame, CA
Saturday, June 24th, 7:00 a.m. UMW Breakfast (Location TBA)
JULY Saturday, July 8th, 9:00 a.m. - Sunday July 9th, 2:00 p.m Conference Team Mtg.,
Committee Meetings with District counterparts on Saturday morning (MNO, Treas, SA)
Friday, July 14th – Sun., July 16th Great Northern Retreat, Mercy Center, Auburn, CA
Friday, July 28th – Sun., July 30th Mission u, Carson Valley UMC, Gardnerville, NV
AUG Friday, Aug. 11th – Saturday, Aug. 12th Mission u, Asbury Livermore UMC
Saturday, Aug. 26th Mission u, Palo Alto UMC
SEPT Saturday, Sept. 16th – Great Northern District Annual Celebration, Carson Valley UMC, Gardnerville, NV
Saturday, Sept. 23rd – Bridges District Annual Celebration, Davis, CA
OCT Saturday, Oct. 7th – Central Valley District Annual Celebration – Reedley First UMC
Friday, Oct. 20th, 2:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. District Leadership Training Event (D’LTE), Loomis UMC
Saturday, Oct. 21st, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Conference UMW Annual Celebration, Loomis UMC
Saturday, Oct. 29th – El Camino Real District Annual Celebration – (Location TBA)
Conference & Districts 2017 Calendar
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Mission Giving Funds Midwife-ry Training Nearly 100 women have trained at the Nyadire School of Midwife-ry in Zimbabwe, thanks to mem-ber donations. Learn more.
End of Year Giving Your end of year Mission Giving will help fund United Methodist Women’s service and advocacy work at home and around the globe. Give a gift online
Advent Reflections United Methodist Women direc-tors, Program Advisory Group members, and personnel share their reflections and devotions for the season. There is one for each day of Advent! Read here
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Recipes from our Fall Event
POULET DE NORMANDIE 4 cups Stuffing mix (shredded, not cubed) – (Pepperidge Farm 7 oz. if you can find it) 1 cube margarine, melted 1/2 c. mayonaise 1 c. chicken broth 2 eggs 2 1/2 c. cut up chicken 1 1/2 c. milk 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 can cream of mushroom soup ½ cup chopped celery 1. Grease & flour 9”X13” pan 2. Mix together stuffing mix, margarine and chicken broth. 3. Put half in bottom of pan. 4. Mix chicken, celery, onion and mayonnaise. 5. Layer over bread mixture. 6. Top with rest of stuffing. 7. Beat 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cups milk. 8. Pour over all, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Stir mushroom soup until smooth and spread over top. Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Let stand a few minutes before
serving. Serves 10 - 12.
PUMPKIN PIE CRUNCH
1 can (15.5 oz.) pumpkin 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
3 large eggs 3/4 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup unsalted butter (1/2 lb.) 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 package yellow cake mix
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour 9”X13” pan. 2. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt & pumpkin pie spice. Pour into pan
3. Gently sprinkle cake mix powder over pumpkin mixture. Top with pecans or walnuts 4. Drizzle melted butter on top 5. Bake 25 minutes uncovered. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes more. 6. Remove from oven and uncover (steam will be hot). Cool completely. 7. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 15.
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Take My Hand,Take My Hand,Take My Hand,
Come with MeCome with MeCome with Me
Meet & GreetMeet & GreetMeet & Greet
Bridges DistrictBridges DistrictBridges District United Methodist Woman United Methodist Woman United Methodist Woman
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Novato United Methodist Church 1473 S. Novato Blvd., Novato, CA 94947
9:15am - 1:30pm (8:45am - 9:15am - registration)
$15.00 in advance; $17.00 at the door
Deadline: January 21, 2017
Name Email
Address Phone
City Zip
Home Church UMW Position held
Dietary Restrictions
If bringing children, how many? Age(s)
Child Care is available Please bring a sack lunch with child’s name on it
Come and meet your Bridges’ Leadership Team
Engage in discussions about issues in our organization
Learn about the position you have accepted
Ask Questions! Meet new people! Have Fun!
“Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Make a check or money order payable to Bridges District UMW
Mail registration form & fee to Martha Parker, 36 Catalpa Ave, Mill Valley, CA 95941
Phone (415) 383-2362 Check #_______ Amount Paid __________
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