Oxford United Methodist Church
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

United Methodist Women

 

 
On this page
 
Thanks for program
Holiday Shop
     Morning circle
     Afternoon circle
     Sara Norris circle
     Pecans
     Luncheons
     Rummage Sales
 
 
    

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.
 
For more information about United Methodist Women visit www.gbgm-umc.org/umw
or join the UMW online community at www.umwonline.org
which provides an interactive platform for engagement in mission.
 
 

Thanks for Christmas program


Thanks to Becky Heckert, Nancy Kane and Jo Will for their Christmas program of stories and carols for the December guest luncheon.  It was very much appreciated and a wonderful addition to the Advent season.
 

Holiday Shop in Fellowship Hall


The Holiday Shop in Fellowship Hall will be open on Sunday mornings after both services.  Stop by and browse this unique assortment of holiday items from angels, candles and cookie cutters, glassware and mugs, to Santas, a sled, snowmen and trees, as well as everything in between.  There are also items suitable for gift giving, all at a reasonable price.

 

Small groups

 
All women are invited to join in the fellowship and programs of one of three small groups, or circles, which meet as follows in December.

Wednesday, December 14  (moved up one week)

 
Morning Circle
Morning Circle meets at 9:30 at the home of Carolyn Wengler, 4250 Nichols Road (523-3495).  Sue Holmes is the assistant hostess.  Donna Sargent will continue with discussion of Chapter 2 in the study book – The Journey: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation which uses stories from the Bible to illustrate the redemptive power of forgiveness.

Afternoon Circle
Afternoon Circle meets at 2:45 in the Assisted Living Country Kitchen at the Knolls of Oxford.  For more information, or to request transportation, contact Carolyn Wengler at 523-3495.

Wednesday, December 21  (usual 3rd Wednesday)

 
Sara Norris Circle
Sara Norris Circle meets at 2 p.m. at the home of Barbara Clawson, 4141 Oxford Reily Road (523-6022).  Diane Perry is the Assistant Hostess.  Contact Alice Miller at 523-2710 for more information.
 
 

Hazel Merrill honored

 
United Methodist Women each year honor someone with a Special Mission Recognition for their service and many contributions.  When a person is so honored, a monetary gift is sent to the Women's Division for mission work in the honoree's name and the honoree receives a small gold lapel pin and a certificate.

The honorees do not know of their selection until they are surprised at a luncheon.  This year's honoree was Hazel Merrill [pictured (R) with Ethel Hock, UMW President who made the presentation], honored at the luncheon in November before her move to Florida to live near her son, Scott, and his family.

When her many years of service were read, Hazel was heard to remark, "My goodness, I didn't know that I had done so much."  Yes, Hazel, you did, and thank you for your many years of service and dedication to Oxford United Methodist Women.

Hazel joined our church in 1979 and she soon became an active member of the morning circle.  She also served in a variety of different positions over the years.  In 1981 Hazel was the UMW Key Woman for Church Women United, as well as from 1985 to 1988.
 
In 1982 and 1983 Hazel was the circle leader for the morning circle.

For four years, 1990 thru 1993, Hazel served as Treasurer of United Methodist Women.  And for another four years, from 1995 thru 1998, she was the Secretary.

In 1999 and 2000 she was again leader for the morning circle as well as the Project Leader for our church cookbook with recipes from the wives of former pastors and illustrations by our artistic member Martha Blackiston.

When the afternoon circle was started at the Knolls, Hazel changed to that circle where she was responsible for the Fellowship of the Least Coin, keeping the bank and reading the selections at each month's meeting.

Hazel has also been faithful working at the Spring and Fall luncheons and Rummage Sales.

Hazel will be missed but we wish her the best in her new home in Florida.  And we know that she takes with her many fond memories of her 32 years of involvement in, and commitment to, Oxford United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.  Thank you, Hazel. 
 
Hazel's new address is 425 20th St., Apt. 323, Vero Beach, FL  32960, and her phone number is 772-567-4754.
 
 

Fund raising

Pecans and cashews

 
The 2011 Fall crop of pecans has arrived.  There is a price increase this year, but appearance and flavor continues to surpass pecans available in retail stores.  The one pound bags are $9.00 and they can be purchased in the church office, at UMW meetings, and at the Apple Tree.

These attractively packaged pecans make a great hostess gift, or stir up a quick batch of Sugar and Spice Pecans and give them as a gift in an attractive container.  Recipes are available.
 
There is also a limited number of bags of salted and roasted cashews, selling for $9.00 for a one pound bag as well.  Contact Ethel Hock at 523-3689 to purchase cashews.

Pecans stored in the refrigerator will keep for about nine months.  In the freezer they will remain in good condition for two years.  Pecans can be frozen again and again without affecting quality or texture.  Open the bag when thawing.
 
Research shows that pecans have the most antioxidants of any nut.  They are also rich in cholesterol-lowering plant steroids and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.  So enjoy pecans!
 

Luncheons Spring and Fall

 
Oxford United Methodist Women hold two fund raising luncheons in Fellowship Hall each year -
 
the Spring Food Fair was held on
          Wednesday, April 27, and the
 
Fall Soup and Salad Luncheon was held on
          Wednesday, October 26, 2011.
 
The Spring Food Fair features turkey and spinach salads and a help-yourself buffet of many other salads as well as beverage and choice of dessert.  Served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the cost is $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children.  A bake sale and a Treasures sale are also held from 10:45 until 1:15.
 
The Fall luncheon features minestrone and vegetarian soups along with the help-yourself salad buffet, beverage and dessert.  The cost is $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for children.  Again, a bake sale and a Treasures sale are held from 10:45 until 1:15, along with a Holiday Shop.
 
Thanks to the many women and men who work to make the luncheons a success. Monetary donations (checks payable to Oxford UMW) can be put in the offering plate or left in the church office.

Rummage Sales twice a year in May and September

 
Fall 2011 Rummage Sale Report 
 
The Fall, 2011, Rummage Sale was held in mid-Septermber. Proceeds currently are about $2,500.  Thanks to contributors, workers and shoppers.  Leftover items were donated to the Family Resource Center Thrift Store in Oxford, The Lighthouse Thrift Store in Hamilton, Meander Thrift in Middletown, and Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky.
 
Among the projects that Oxford UMW supports are Oxford Summer Clubhouse, missionaries Kevin and Carol Seckel in Germany, and projects of the Women's Division both in the United States and abroad.  See the budget figures below.
 

2011 Budget – $10,000

 
Estimated Income
 
Pledges and gifts
Spring Luncheon
Fall Luncheon
Rummage Sales
Pecans
 
 
 
$2,000
2,000
1,500
4,300
200
 
 
Budgeted Expenditures
 
Missionary support - Seckels
 
Ohio River Valley District
     Pledge to Mission
     In Remembrance gifts
     Special Mission Recognition
     Baby Welcome cards
 
Oxford Summer Clubhouse
Otterbein Lebanon Auxiliary
Wesley Education Center
Lincoln Crawford Nursing Care
Women's Ministerial Scholarship
Oxford Church Women United
Program expenses and
     membership development
 
 
 
$   900
 
 
6,000
70
80
50
 
500
500
500
500
300
200
 
400
 
 
 

Funeral luncheons/receptions

 
Provides a luncheon or reception at the church for the family and friends of the bereaved. A Guide for Families Planning Funeral Meals is available in the church office.  Contact one of the pastors, the church office, or Barbara Clawson at 523-6044 to make arrangements.
 
 
 

Christian play group on hiatus

 
The Christian play group offered at the church on the second and fourth Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 will not be meeting during the Spring semester.  If you are interested in participating in the Fall of 2011, call Carolyn Wengler at 523-3495.

Children through kindergarten age are invited to participate. Parents or care givers are expected to stay with the children during the first hour of activities, but there will be other adults to supervise the children while playing during the second hour so that parents/care givers can spend time together without children.
 
The following tentative schedule will be utilized, but loosely.
 
         9:30 -  arrival and craft time
       10:00 - singing and story time followed by a snack
       10:30 - social time for parents/caregivers
                  supervised playtime for children
 
        (Moms with infants only may come at 10:30 a.m.)
 
     All families are invited – friends are welcome, too.
     The importance of Christian values will be emphasized.
 
For more information about the program, or to volunteer to  help on any Tuesday morning, contact one of the following United Methodist Women.
 
     Carolyn Wengler at 523-3495
     Ethel Hock at 523-3689
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Past events

Field Trip began at One Way Farm Children's Home in Fairfield

 
One Way Farm is a state certified non-profit organization serving children who are abused, abandoned, neglected, or troubled, and who may also have physical disabilities. The primary objective is to break the cycle of abuse or disruption to help every child live a normal and fruitful life.

More information can be found at its web site, www.onewayfarm.org, including financial statements.

The second stop was for lunch at nearby Symmes Tavern on the Green on Wessell Road.  There is a wide variety of choices on the menu with moderate prices and the women enjoyed a private dining room.  View the complete menu at www.symmestavern.com

The third stop was Heritage Hall Museum located in the former Hamilton Municipal Building at 20 High Street immediately east of the High-Main Bridge.  This art deco building completed in 1935 provides a permanent location for the collection honoring local author and illustrator Robert McCloskey.  The beauty of the building is enhanced by its impressive array of stone bas-reliefs which were modeled by the young McCloskey at the age of 19, and which depict the spirit of civic growth within his hometown of Hamilton.

 Nearby Lentil Park has a statue of Lentil from McCloskey's first children's book published in 1940.

More information about the museum can be found on its web site, www.hamiltonheritagehall.org.

Thanks to  Dorothy Avery for planning this event.
 

Two women honored at Christmas luncheon


United Methodist Women each year honor two women with a Special Mission Recognition for their service and many contributions.  When a person is so honored, a monetary gift is sent to the Women's Division for mission work in the honoree's name and the honoree receives a small gold lapel pin and a certificate.  The honorees do not know of their selection until the Christmas luncheon when they are surprised with the presentation.  The women honored this year were Nancy Shaw and Karen Montgomery.

Nancy Shaw


Nancy's presentation was made by Carolyn Wengler, who described Nancy as a Sunday School teacher and a faithful participant in United Methodist Women in a variety of ways.  She has been a circle leader, a worker at luncheons and Rummage Sales, and was responsible for the program at the Christmas guest luncheon for several years.
 
Twice a month Nancy could be found in a preschool room being a friend to Moms and kids participating in the UMW Play Group.  She also provided a craft and storybook for each session appropriate to the season and ages of the children.
 
United Methodist Women are pleased to recognize Nancy Shaw with a Special Mission Recognition for her contributions to the work and programs of our Oxford UMW unit and our church.

Karen Montgomery

Karen's presentation was made by Dorothy Avery, who described Karen as a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, employee, student, and a friend to many; a multi-tasker with new projects always waiting in the wings.  Recent projects include the college student ministry at the Campus Ministry Center, introducing the puppet ministry to the congregation, and pairing youth with mentors for the 2011 confirmation class.

She is a hard worker, creative and persistent about whatever she undertakes as is evident by her academic record and completion of a Master of Divinity degree in December.  United Methodist Women have called on her to provide retreats and programs but she has also been seen volunteering in the kitchen at UMW luncheons.
 
So congratulations to Karen Montgomery, a deserving recipient of a Special Mission Recognition.  We hope that your pin will spark a memory of us as time goes by.
 

Mini-retreat on Ghana in June — a glimpse of the family


Karen Montgomery shared her recent experience in Ghana with insights of family relationships, including extended family, roles of women and children, and sense of community within the village.

Lunch was provided, including a traditional Ghanaian dish which Karen prepared.
 

Thanks to Spring Fest participants

 
The evening of the 7th annual Spring Fest in May was enjoyed by all who attended.
The food was delicious and plentiful and the varied talents of the participants provided a wonderful program.  Many thanks go to:

Linda Augspurger for being MC and interspersing the program with Christian humor;

Amy Hudepohl who played "Theme from Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven on the piano;

Becky Heckert, who first explained the unfamiliar words and then read "A Ballad of the Boston Tea Party" by Oliver Wendell Holmes;

Howard Krauss for unveiling his painting for The Bridge ministry center and then giving a demonstration of how to begin a water color painting; and

Jessica Smith and her parents, Lois and the Reverend Joseph Smith, for their whistling duet, poetry, and two musical medleys, “Precious Memories” and “Mountain Medley.”
 
 

Field Trip to Bunker Hill Haven for Boys in April

 
Bunker Hill Haven for Boys is a private, non-profit group home for teens, situated on 130 acres just southeast of Reily.  It was opened in 1973.  It employs the “family-model” approach to helping young men pursue life changing choices. The boys are expected to cooperate in the family by doing their chores, keeping their rooms clean, studying during the designated study times, and following the rules set up by Bunker Hill. The staff, in turn meet all of the boys basic needs both physically and emotionally, thus setting up an inherent system of “trust" and stability which allows them the freedom for reflection, and hopefully change in their lives.
 
Lunch was enjoyed at the Indian Creek Tavern in Reily on the return trip to Oxford.