THE FLAME
A NEWSLETTER FOR ARKANSAS CONFERENCE
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
“…I now remind you to stir into flame the gift of God which is within you…” (1 Timothy 1:6)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
LaDonna Busby, Editor Volume 8, Issue 1 March 2010____
Every time I have tried to wrap my mind about what to write in this edition of The Flame, images from the past few weeks come into my mind and I cannot seem to get past them. Images of the pain, suffering,
fear, and loss that confronts people facing disaster of unimaginable proportions. A small nation that now faces years and years of rebuilding—not just of buildings but of the lives and the livelihood of those who
have survived. And even in the midst of recognizing the suffering of the people of Haiti, we grieve with the families of the two dedicated UMCOR servants who died in the disaster. So, where is the hope? That
is what I have struggled with. Where is the hope in the midst of all the images that have come uninvited into our homes and into our consciousness? Our hope is in the faith we have in a God of infinite love and
mercy whose presence is right now in the midst of all the chaos and turmoil that exists in a small country in the Caribbean. That same presence, or Holy Spirit, is with the families who grieve and with the families
who rejoice. It is with those who need help and with those who are helping. We serve a great God who has given us the perfect example of love through Jesus Christ. And our response to that love is to
become the hands and the feet that God needs to bring about healing in our world. We can and we will respond because we are gospel people. And the world needs the gospel. So what is the image I see in
my mind right now? I see United Methodist Women carefully gathering supplies for health kits, making sure that everything obtained is just what is requested, and then lovingly assembling the items together and
sending the kits on the way to Sager Brown! We know how to respond—we have a long history of responding. And, besides, there’s a lot of gospel and a lot of hope in a health kit!
Judy Mattox, Conference President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Russellville First UMW did a fantastic job hosting the 2009 UMW Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 14. They worked hard making all the arrangements and it showed. They have a beautiful facility
and they made it a beautiful meeting of the Arkansas Conference United Methodist Women. Our keynote speaker Harriet Jane Olson, Deputy General Secretary of Women’s Division of the General Board of
Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church challenged each of us to be very intentional in inviting prospective members to our meetings. We each need to remember the importance of personally
contacting each woman – not just putting an announcement in the bulletin or church newsletter. It was a special honor to have Harriet in Arkansas for our meeting.
Judy Jacobs, Conference Vice President
“Get Together"
My memories of Haiti and the Haitian people are precious. Most of the memorable moments occurred as we gathered around the table in the compound in Pignon, Haiti. We would get together to eat, share
stories, laugh and pray.
One night as we were praying for an engineer to help with the water well project, we heard footsteps on the stairs. A small, black man walked to our table. He introduced himself by saying, "My name is
Bonadoom Natale Baye, and I'm an engineer." He was an engineer from Chad, Africa and he felt God calling him to Haiti! Bonadoom was also a consultant for the United Nations. He was able to stay with us
and his help was invaluable. Isn't God wonderful? God knew our immediate need and provided the help.
As we get together in our UMW units, shouldn't we pray for our immediate needs? We get together for the business of UMW but we must always get together for the emotional and spiritual needs of our
church and our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Prayer: Our loving God, You know our every need. Help us, as we get together, to open our hearts and minds to the needs of our sisters and brothers in Christ. We lift their needs to you, O Lord, knowing that
You are always there--waiting, listening and answering.
Terry Gregory
Spiritual Growth Coordinator
<><<><<><<><<><<><<><><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><
Would you like to serve on the Conference Mission team? The Nominating committee will be looking for new officers. Contact me or a member of the Committee if you are
willing to serve.
Barbara Alexander, Chairperson Nominations Committee
870-574-0133 lbalex@oeccwildblue.com
101 N. Mustin Lake, Camden 71701
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO BE AHEAD OF THE GAME!
Even though we’re are still in the midst of winter, it’s never too early to start planning for your summer by marking July 29- August 1 for this year’s Arkansas Conference School of Christian Mission. The
planning team is currently making preparations for this to be the best school yet (but we say that every year, don’ we?) and we don’t want you to miss a minute of it!
If you know of someone- adult, youth, or child, male or female- who might need financial assistance please get a copy of the new scholarship guidelines from your district Education and Interpretation
Coordinator as soon as possible and get the application submitted soon! The sooner we know how many are in financial need, the more efficiently we can serve those who need our help. The guidelines set
forth by the conference UMW in August, 2009, should help to assure that all who truly need financial assistance will be served.
One of the greatest joys as scholarship chair for the school is to meet the new participants who have been able to attend due to receiving a scholarship So, please encourage any new UMW members or those
who have never attended School of Christian Mission to complete an application and send it in quickly.
Summer will be here soon and we don’t want this opportunity to pass you by!
Grace and Peace,
Diana Hendricks, Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation
dianah1954@hotmail.com
Hello Ladies of Mission:
I hope that everything is going well with each of you this year. I feel that this will be a wonderful year for us as United Methodist Women. Paulina and I are excited about the Assembly that is coming up very
soon. I hope to see a lot of you if St. Louis. I understand that there will be a large delegation from the Arkansas Conference representing our state.
I presented to the Conference Mission Team in January information about our 2009 standing with Women's Division and I am presenting it to you now. The Arkansas Conference did not make its pledge of
$300,000.00. For the past few years we have not met our pledge. We were $38,500.00 short. If you attended the Annual Meeting in Russellville, AR, you may remember that I pointed out that the
Conference had reduced its pledge to Women's Division for 2010 to $275,000.00. The Finance Committee felt that we would be able to attain that this year. I believe that we can. We are putting steps in
place that we can reduce our spending and meet our goal. I am asking that each District and Local Units do likewise.
District Treasurers: One thing that we are hoping will work for us this year is to have the Conference Finance Committee Meeting during the School of Mission while most of us will be in Conway. The meeting
will take place on Saturday, August 1. We could have a private room to have lunch and continue through the Break Time. I may be asking a lot of you to give up your personal time, but this will cut back on
having to pay travel for you to come to another meeting. For those who are not coming to the School of Mission, you may come for the meeting only, which should be just a few ladies. I have had some
feedback from the District Treasurers but not all. I am hoping that you will respond soon. This would cause each District to have an earlier Finance Meeting to set their budgets and make pledges to the
Conference. Overall, I think that we will come out ahead with this move. I am hoping that we can work together with this and if you have any ideas or suggestions on other cost-saving measures we can take,
please let me know.
I do apologize for the problems that we had last year with our SMR orders, but I do believe that we have gotten through that crisis. Please continue to honor your ladies with the pins because that helps us with
our Mission Giving. Also, collect those pennies for Mile of Pennies. They make a difference!!
I am optimistic about this year and hope that you will join me in helping to make it a great year for the ARKANSAS CONFERENCE UMW!!!!
Jo Webber, Conference Treasurer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> <>< <>< <>< ><> <><
ETW ~ Why Think “Early”?
Many times units plan to donate scholarships to the ETW fund so that children and youth may attend Arkansas Conference School of Christian Mission and many times the unit uses the action to qualify for the
Charter for Racial Justice Club. Has your unit considered doing this in the first quarter of the year so that those monies would be available early to fund scholarships for the coming year?
Consider that the deadline for scholarships is June 15 and funding of scholarships is based on monies received by the conference treasurer prior to that date. If a unit doesn’t send a scholarship in until after June
15 it sometimes doesn’t reach the conference treasurer until well after all scholarships have been awarded. Therefore, that money/scholarship can’t be used until the following year. Please consider this and plan
accordingly. All donations to the ETW Fund, either as a scholarship or as $1.00 per member donations, should reach the conference treasurer (by way of the district treasurer) early in the UMW year to be
fully utilized within that year.
Diana Hendricks, Scholarship Chair, Arkansas School of Christian Mission
<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><
Reading Program Results 2009
The North District did it again!! They are to be congratulated for having the largest number of reading participants in the AR Conferencefor 2009!!! (a position they've had for a number of years) The
Northwest District had the most readers for Plan IV and the Central District had the highest increase of participants--62%. Total of reading participants for 2009 was 605 , total books read 4,216. The
secretaries of program resources did well in promoting the reading program resulting in a 12% increase from the previous year!
What a way to broaden one's knowledge and strengthen the involvement concerning today's issues.
Have you read "William Henry is a Fine Name"---check it out..............................
Goldie Haynes, Secretary of Program Resources
Racial Justice is one of many social action issues that United Methodist Women focus on to improve and empower the lives of all people of all races.
I encourage all units to strive to become a member of the Charter For Racial Justice Club. If you do not understand or know what to do, contact your District Social Action Coordinator. You must have the
current brochure, dated 'revised Aug. 2009' and the 2010 Action Report form, reporting period June 2009-June 2010, which you should have already received. All reports must be on the current form, no
exceptions. Also, all District Presidents and those who attended the Annual Meeting in Russellville received copies in their program book.
My deadline date is June 30, 2010. The District Social Action Coordinator's is June 15, 2010, to review and question reports before mailing to me. This date is set in case a unit’s action/program did not meet
the criteria. The unit will have an opportunity to complete an action or program to qualify.
Please continue to promote the observance of Children's Sabbath and search for volunteers to transport children in the MIWATCH (Ministries to Incarcerated Women and Their Children) program.
We are a people of PURPOSE, and that PURPOSE calls us to action. Let us continue to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ.
Mary Blassingame, Mission Coordinator for Social Action
><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>
THE FLAME IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER!
Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women
#2 Trudie Kibbee Reed Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
OUR PURPOSE:
The organized unit of UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
shall be 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 expand concepts of
mission through participation in the global
ministries of the church.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LITTLE ROCK, AR
PERMIT NO. 2015
RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED
This newsletter sent with a prayer for
YOU!
A NEWSLETTER FOR ARKANSAS CONFERENCE
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
“…I now remind you to stir into flame the gift of God which is within you…” (1 Timothy 1:6)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
LaDonna Busby, Editor Volume 8, Issue 1 March 2010____
Every time I have tried to wrap my mind about what to write in this edition of The Flame, images from the past few weeks come into my mind and I cannot seem to get past them. Images of the pain, suffering,
fear, and loss that confronts people facing disaster of unimaginable proportions. A small nation that now faces years and years of rebuilding—not just of buildings but of the lives and the livelihood of those who
have survived. And even in the midst of recognizing the suffering of the people of Haiti, we grieve with the families of the two dedicated UMCOR servants who died in the disaster. So, where is the hope? That
is what I have struggled with. Where is the hope in the midst of all the images that have come uninvited into our homes and into our consciousness? Our hope is in the faith we have in a God of infinite love and
mercy whose presence is right now in the midst of all the chaos and turmoil that exists in a small country in the Caribbean. That same presence, or Holy Spirit, is with the families who grieve and with the families
who rejoice. It is with those who need help and with those who are helping. We serve a great God who has given us the perfect example of love through Jesus Christ. And our response to that love is to
become the hands and the feet that God needs to bring about healing in our world. We can and we will respond because we are gospel people. And the world needs the gospel. So what is the image I see in
my mind right now? I see United Methodist Women carefully gathering supplies for health kits, making sure that everything obtained is just what is requested, and then lovingly assembling the items together and
sending the kits on the way to Sager Brown! We know how to respond—we have a long history of responding. And, besides, there’s a lot of gospel and a lot of hope in a health kit!
Judy Mattox, Conference President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Russellville First UMW did a fantastic job hosting the 2009 UMW Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 14. They worked hard making all the arrangements and it showed. They have a beautiful facility
and they made it a beautiful meeting of the Arkansas Conference United Methodist Women. Our keynote speaker Harriet Jane Olson, Deputy General Secretary of Women’s Division of the General Board of
Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church challenged each of us to be very intentional in inviting prospective members to our meetings. We each need to remember the importance of personally
contacting each woman – not just putting an announcement in the bulletin or church newsletter. It was a special honor to have Harriet in Arkansas for our meeting.
Judy Jacobs, Conference Vice President
“Get Together"
My memories of Haiti and the Haitian people are precious. Most of the memorable moments occurred as we gathered around the table in the compound in Pignon, Haiti. We would get together to eat, share
stories, laugh and pray.
One night as we were praying for an engineer to help with the water well project, we heard footsteps on the stairs. A small, black man walked to our table. He introduced himself by saying, "My name is
Bonadoom Natale Baye, and I'm an engineer." He was an engineer from Chad, Africa and he felt God calling him to Haiti! Bonadoom was also a consultant for the United Nations. He was able to stay with us
and his help was invaluable. Isn't God wonderful? God knew our immediate need and provided the help.
As we get together in our UMW units, shouldn't we pray for our immediate needs? We get together for the business of UMW but we must always get together for the emotional and spiritual needs of our
church and our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Prayer: Our loving God, You know our every need. Help us, as we get together, to open our hearts and minds to the needs of our sisters and brothers in Christ. We lift their needs to you, O Lord, knowing that
You are always there--waiting, listening and answering.
Terry Gregory
Spiritual Growth Coordinator
<><<><<><<><<><<><<><><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><
Would you like to serve on the Conference Mission team? The Nominating committee will be looking for new officers. Contact me or a member of the Committee if you are
willing to serve.
Barbara Alexander, Chairperson Nominations Committee
870-574-0133 lbalex@oeccwildblue.com
101 N. Mustin Lake, Camden 71701
><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO BE AHEAD OF THE GAME!
Even though we’re are still in the midst of winter, it’s never too early to start planning for your summer by marking July 29- August 1 for this year’s Arkansas Conference School of Christian Mission. The
planning team is currently making preparations for this to be the best school yet (but we say that every year, don’ we?) and we don’t want you to miss a minute of it!
If you know of someone- adult, youth, or child, male or female- who might need financial assistance please get a copy of the new scholarship guidelines from your district Education and Interpretation
Coordinator as soon as possible and get the application submitted soon! The sooner we know how many are in financial need, the more efficiently we can serve those who need our help. The guidelines set
forth by the conference UMW in August, 2009, should help to assure that all who truly need financial assistance will be served.
One of the greatest joys as scholarship chair for the school is to meet the new participants who have been able to attend due to receiving a scholarship So, please encourage any new UMW members or those
who have never attended School of Christian Mission to complete an application and send it in quickly.
Summer will be here soon and we don’t want this opportunity to pass you by!
Grace and Peace,
Diana Hendricks, Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation
dianah1954@hotmail.com
Hello Ladies of Mission:
I hope that everything is going well with each of you this year. I feel that this will be a wonderful year for us as United Methodist Women. Paulina and I are excited about the Assembly that is coming up very
soon. I hope to see a lot of you if St. Louis. I understand that there will be a large delegation from the Arkansas Conference representing our state.
I presented to the Conference Mission Team in January information about our 2009 standing with Women's Division and I am presenting it to you now. The Arkansas Conference did not make its pledge of
$300,000.00. For the past few years we have not met our pledge. We were $38,500.00 short. If you attended the Annual Meeting in Russellville, AR, you may remember that I pointed out that the
Conference had reduced its pledge to Women's Division for 2010 to $275,000.00. The Finance Committee felt that we would be able to attain that this year. I believe that we can. We are putting steps in
place that we can reduce our spending and meet our goal. I am asking that each District and Local Units do likewise.
District Treasurers: One thing that we are hoping will work for us this year is to have the Conference Finance Committee Meeting during the School of Mission while most of us will be in Conway. The meeting
will take place on Saturday, August 1. We could have a private room to have lunch and continue through the Break Time. I may be asking a lot of you to give up your personal time, but this will cut back on
having to pay travel for you to come to another meeting. For those who are not coming to the School of Mission, you may come for the meeting only, which should be just a few ladies. I have had some
feedback from the District Treasurers but not all. I am hoping that you will respond soon. This would cause each District to have an earlier Finance Meeting to set their budgets and make pledges to the
Conference. Overall, I think that we will come out ahead with this move. I am hoping that we can work together with this and if you have any ideas or suggestions on other cost-saving measures we can take,
please let me know.
I do apologize for the problems that we had last year with our SMR orders, but I do believe that we have gotten through that crisis. Please continue to honor your ladies with the pins because that helps us with
our Mission Giving. Also, collect those pennies for Mile of Pennies. They make a difference!!
I am optimistic about this year and hope that you will join me in helping to make it a great year for the ARKANSAS CONFERENCE UMW!!!!
Jo Webber, Conference Treasurer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> <>< <>< <>< ><> <><
ETW ~ Why Think “Early”?
Many times units plan to donate scholarships to the ETW fund so that children and youth may attend Arkansas Conference School of Christian Mission and many times the unit uses the action to qualify for the
Charter for Racial Justice Club. Has your unit considered doing this in the first quarter of the year so that those monies would be available early to fund scholarships for the coming year?
Consider that the deadline for scholarships is June 15 and funding of scholarships is based on monies received by the conference treasurer prior to that date. If a unit doesn’t send a scholarship in until after June
15 it sometimes doesn’t reach the conference treasurer until well after all scholarships have been awarded. Therefore, that money/scholarship can’t be used until the following year. Please consider this and plan
accordingly. All donations to the ETW Fund, either as a scholarship or as $1.00 per member donations, should reach the conference treasurer (by way of the district treasurer) early in the UMW year to be
fully utilized within that year.
Diana Hendricks, Scholarship Chair, Arkansas School of Christian Mission
<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><
Reading Program Results 2009
The North District did it again!! They are to be congratulated for having the largest number of reading participants in the AR Conferencefor 2009!!! (a position they've had for a number of years) The
Northwest District had the most readers for Plan IV and the Central District had the highest increase of participants--62%. Total of reading participants for 2009 was 605 , total books read 4,216. The
secretaries of program resources did well in promoting the reading program resulting in a 12% increase from the previous year!
What a way to broaden one's knowledge and strengthen the involvement concerning today's issues.
Have you read "William Henry is a Fine Name"---check it out..............................
Goldie Haynes, Secretary of Program Resources
Racial Justice is one of many social action issues that United Methodist Women focus on to improve and empower the lives of all people of all races.
I encourage all units to strive to become a member of the Charter For Racial Justice Club. If you do not understand or know what to do, contact your District Social Action Coordinator. You must have the
current brochure, dated 'revised Aug. 2009' and the 2010 Action Report form, reporting period June 2009-June 2010, which you should have already received. All reports must be on the current form, no
exceptions. Also, all District Presidents and those who attended the Annual Meeting in Russellville received copies in their program book.
My deadline date is June 30, 2010. The District Social Action Coordinator's is June 15, 2010, to review and question reports before mailing to me. This date is set in case a unit’s action/program did not meet
the criteria. The unit will have an opportunity to complete an action or program to qualify.
Please continue to promote the observance of Children's Sabbath and search for volunteers to transport children in the MIWATCH (Ministries to Incarcerated Women and Their Children) program.
We are a people of PURPOSE, and that PURPOSE calls us to action. Let us continue to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ.
Mary Blassingame, Mission Coordinator for Social Action
><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>
THE FLAME IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER!
Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women
#2 Trudie Kibbee Reed Drive
Little Rock, AR 72203
OUR PURPOSE:
The organized unit of UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
shall be 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 expand concepts of
mission through participation in the global
ministries of the church.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
LITTLE ROCK, AR
PERMIT NO. 2015
RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED
This newsletter sent with a prayer for
YOU!
 |  |  |  |
