Local UMW Projects
Projects- ideas of successful projects from other local UMW
TWIN CITIES DISTRICT
1) Days for Girls - Brooklyn UMW: creating feminine hygiene products and undergarments;
2) ENS Resident Room Refresh – Hennepin Ave. UMW: cleaning, painting, shopping for new décor to refresh a resident's room;
3) Babies Need Boxes-Hennepin Ave. UMW: assembling boxes of supplies, toys, and educational literature for new moms/babies;
4) Faithful Servants-Hillcrest UMW: assisting a limited church staff to perform Sunday worship needs;
5) Prayers of Rev. Joyce Rosene-Centennial UMW: promoting the sale of an illustrated book of prayers by a beloved retired pastor.
Glenville UMW has been sewing pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa. They found an article in the Guideposts magazine about Little Pillowcase dresses for Africa girls. The UMW women took off with this running! The amazing women did 59 dresses in two months! They are a small church with membership under 45 people. Their UMW has six members but they are active and very willing to work. They challenge other UMWs to pick up this project as their mission!
Big Waters District
The Park Paper Arts Ministry group has been a blessing to Park Church and the Brainerd community for 5 years. Their purpose is to gather in friendship and faith, sharing their talents in the presence of God. Hundreds of cards have been sent since its start. Park UMW is both proud and appreciative of our Paper Arts Ministry group for their mission work. Park UMC of Brainerd. Contact: Mary Jane Reetz: mjrconservation@yahoo.com
North Star District
Grace United Methodist Women of Pequot Lakes were selected by North Star. Every December, the unit writes and produces an original Advent drama followed by a luncheon. They invite the near-by UMC churches as well as the community. We selected this project for its originality, its spiritual component and its support of mission. Contact: Ardie Morris, 218 963 2972 can tell you more of the story.
River Valleys District
Hastings UMW was selected by River Valleys because of their monthly Saturday Mugs & Muffins (use coffee mugs) with guest speakers or musical entertainment also. Promoted in local paper; 50-60 in attendance each month, childcare offered. Contact: Marty McNunn (mmcnunn@embarqmail.com)
Southern Prairie District
Waseca Faith UMW was selected for cutting, assembling, and sewing reusable menstrual pads, shields, and drawstring bags for school girls in Haiti, so they can continue to go to school when they have their periods. Contact: Sherry Scholljegerdes 507-835-4304 sgscholl2@yahoo.com www.daysforgirls.org for directions and patterns.
Twin Cities District
Simpson UMW, Simpson UMC, Minneapolis was selected by Twin Cities District for their Book Club. The book club is a monthly reading group for elementary school-aged children at Simpson United Methodist Church using the UMW Reading Program children's book list. Simpson Book Club is all about books, but has gone beyond the pages of the books to support youth in a myriad of ways. Contact: Person submitting: Patty Sample 651-578-3270 patty.sample08@yahoo.com
BIG WATERS DISTRICT
1. Book Review/Discussion of King Peggy, a UMW Reading Program Book.
The UMW Reading Program partnered with the Adult Christian Education Team to facilitate an evening book review/study of King Peggy of Ghana, led by Dr. John Arthur, a professor at UMD, member of their church and who was raised 20 miles from Peggielene Bartel’s village of Otuam. Asbury UMC of Duluth. (Jan Akervik: jgakervik@aol.com)
2. Spring and Fall Rummage Sales.
Twice yearly Rummage Sales, 100% income goes to missions, each sale raising $6000-$8000, with most items unpriced and sold for donations only. Anoka UMC. (Annette Brandner: 763-413-1979)
3. Prayer Shawl Ministry.
A ministry that brings God’s comfort to the suffering, while undergoing medical procedures, during illnesses and recovery. Forbes UMC of Proctor. (Betty Johnson: bjinthewoods@yahoo.com)
4. Quilts for Kids.
Quilting group makes a cozy quilt for each student in the Head Start Class that meets in the church, to be used at nap time and taken home at the end of the year. Forest Hills UMC of Forest Lake. (Kay Bergerson: 651-462-5601)
5. Church Fellowship Suppers.
UMW serves community fellowship suppers for a free will offering, which supports expenses and mission giving, and provides good food, good fellowship and great community involvement. Graham UMC of Rice. (Esther Hackett: 320-393-2689)
6. Serve Brunch to Christian Women.
Each month the UMW serves brunch to this non-denominational Christian Women’s organization of 70-100 members. Milaca UMC. (Audrey Bowe: 320-982-1280)
7. Park Paper Arts Ministry. CHOSEN BY THE COMMITTEE TO BE SUBMITTED TO CONFERENCE.
The Park Paper Arts Ministry group has been a blessing to Park Church and the Brainerd community for 5 years. Their purpose is to gather in friendship and faith, sharing their talents in the presence of God. Hundreds of cards have been sent since its start. “Thinking of You” cards are sent to express concerns. Beautiful sympathy cards go to Park members who have lost a loved one. Graduation, new baby, congratulations, friends in faith cards are sent. Many, many “Thank You’s” and birthday cards are shared also. They reach into community as well as the church family. Cards have been sent to military, veterans, nurses and others for their service. Holiday cards are donated through Social Services for unfortunate families at Christmas. Cards have also been donated to the Annual Craft and Bake Sale each fall at Park Church. Park UMW is both proud and appreciative of our Paper Arts Ministry group for their mission work. Park UMC of Brainerd. (Mary Jane Reetz: mjrconservation@yahoo.com)
NORTH STAR DISTRICT
1. The Aitkin unit sponsored a church wide drive to collect office supplies, sleep wear, personal care items and
kitchen items for a domestic violence shelter. Annette Von Bargen at 218 927-6390 can share more details.
2. The members in Herman sewed and shipped 100 pillowcases to military personal serving all over the world. If your
unit is interested in sending a little touch of home to women and men on active duty, call Sharon Austvold at 320 677 2583 for the “how to”.
3. Our sisters at the Rosendale helped their fellow church members become more intentional about doing good deeds
around town. The goal was “125 plus Good Deeds” to celebrate the congregation’s 125th anniversary. If you want to
know how, Norma Holmgren at 230 974 8592 can tell you.
4. In Detroit Lakes, each child receives a quilt from the UMW on the day of his or her baptism. The quilts are tokens of the church’s support for young families. Reva Husby at 218 847 8662 will tell you more.
5. Just down the road from Detroit Lakes you will come to Park Rapids, there the Riverside UMW needed a simple way to raise funds for the local projects they support. They held a “no bake” bake sale and brought in nearly five hundred dollars for local missions. Do you think your unit could pull off such an event? Call Sandy Drury, 218 652 2558 and she’ll clue you in.
6. Up in Fosston, the church hosts a monthly community meal, but the kitchen needed updating, in fact they reported the floor was ready to collapse. The UMW took the lead in fund raising, hired the contractor, negotiated with suppliers and over saw the work, which was completed on time and on budget. If you want to know how these impressive women did it, talk with Garnet Aanenson at 218 563 2753.
7. The unit that submitted the project selected as “District Unit Project of the Year” is Grace United Methodist Women of Pequot Lakes. Every December, the unit writes and produces an original Advent drama followed by a luncheon. They invite the near-by UMC churches as well as the community. We selected this project for its originality, its spiritual component and its support of mission. Ardie Morris, 218 963 2972 can tell you more of the story
RIVER VALLEY DISTRICT
1. Top Choice: Hastings UMW-Monthly Saturday Mugs & Muffins (use coffee mugs) with guest speakers or musical entertainment also. Promoted in local paper; 50-60 in attendance each month, childcare offered. Contact: Marty McNunn (mmcnunn@embarqmail.com)
2. Harmony: Bringing comfort to children undergoing treatment for illness at the Ronald McDonald House by making
pillowcases. Contact: Anne Koliha (bramkoliha@harmonytel.net)
3. Chatfield: UMW driven donations collected by the CUMC congregation to the mentally challenged residents of Maple Leaf Services including personal care collection, Christmas gifts and quilts. Contact: Amy Zincke (amyzincke@gmail.com)
4. Ridgeway Witoka: Fall Harvest Luncheon served followed by music and speaker. Free will offering went to Camp Winnebago. Contact: Kay Vanderzee (kvanderzee@goacentek.net)
5. Rosemount: Made pairs of pilgrims cut from wood and painted; decorated with felt collars and hats. Sold for $20.
SOUTHERN PRAIRIE DISTRICT
1. Alden UMW Rosalie Albers 507-653-4413 rlalbs@bevcomm.net
Since the community of Alden does not have a coffee shop, from mid-April to mid-October, we serve coffee and goodies to the community every Wednesday, thus providing a place where seniors can get together, and a free will offering that goes back to the community.
2. Amboy UMW Janice Lee 507-674-3626 Janielle@hickorytech.net
We sponsor a Mother-Daughter Banquet, which, for 68 years, has been a gathering for women in our community with a Christian social atmosphere.
3. Balaton UMW Verlane Ross 507-734-2143
We sew mission hospital gowns, with a sleeveless top and matching shorts, from donated material and thread, with all 205 (this year) gowns going to the Midwest Distribution Center.
4. Blooming Grove UMW Carolyn Kanne 507-332-2901 bckanne@fmwildblue.com
We sell concessions at the church tractor pull in order to raise money for scholarships for graduating seniors.
5. Buffalo Lake Zion UMW Norma Syverson 320-582-0382
Our unit has book reviews of Reading Program books at each meeting, thus enabling seven of our 9 members to participate in the reading program.
6. Glenville UMW Karnella Schwierjohann 507-383-3857 karnella77@gmail.com
We provide “goodie” trays to senior citizens and shut-ins to our community and church people.
7. Jeffers UMW Hilda Brand 507-628-465
We gather medicine bottles and ask people to fill them with coins for mission work at Red Bird Mission.
8. Madelia UMW Connie Rollings 507-549-3652 rolcajj@hickorytech.net
We serve a fancy tea party, where women were encouraged to wear hats, with a program by the Emma Norton UMW representative, with all free will offering going to support Emma Norton Services.
9. New Ulm First UMW Susan Gluth 507-354-2773 gluth@newulmtel.net
We created a Diaper Depot and Feeding Station at the Brown County Fair so families with small children have a place to change diapers, feed babies, and have a quiet space at the fair.
10. New Ulm Oakwood UMW Renee Ubl 507-354-2233 rubl@comcast.net
We help sponsor a yearly community baby shower, providing devotional booklets for the gift bags, purchasing snacks, helping pay for daycare, and providing hands on assistance at the event.
11. Trimont UMW Lorelie Ploehn 507-847-3986 jlploehn@yahoo.com
Our mission is “to help others” so we clean our closets throughout the year and bring “our treasures” to the church and spend a week sorting and displaying the items for our annual rummage sale, with all the proceeds going to missions
12. Waseca Faith UMW Sherry Scholljegerdes 507-835-4304 sgscholl2@yahoo.com
We cut, assembled, and sewed reusable menstrual pads, shields, and drawstring bags for schoolgirls in Haiti, so they can continue to go to school when they have their periods. daysforgirls.org for directions and patterns.
TWIN CITIES DISTRICT
1. Fridley UMW, Fridley UMC Fridley, MN
Birthday Bag Blitz-UMW members learned when working with the Cheerful Givers Organization, that many families using food shelves cannot afford a cake or gifts for their child's birthday. This project focuses on the gifts, putting together bags of donated gifts for local food shelves, so that parents can give their child a gift on their birthday. UMW members make this a Sunday event with a children's sermon, lunch, birthday cake, and varied ages of volunteers from the congregation putting together the bags of gifts. Cake mixes are also donated.
Dawn Bushnell 763-755- 0845 dawn.bushnell@USONCOLOGY.com
2. Lydia Circle of Hennepin Avenue UMW, Hennepin UMC Minneapolis, MN
Name of Project: Hennepin Heartwarmers- Hennepin Heartwarmers is an invitation to make Christmas heartwarming for loved ones by providing a selection of alternative gift-giving choices. Persons have the opportunity to make donations to up to 10 local and global nonprofit organizations on behalf of people on their gift lists. A handmade card is provided to announce the gift. One hundred percent of contributions go to the organization(s) selected. Janelle Vaubel 952- 922- 3449 cjvaubel@yahoo.com
3. Brooklyn UMW, Brooklyn UMC, Brooklyn Center, MN
Fall Bazaar-For nearly 40 years the Brooklyn United Methodist Women have been raising money for local, state, national, and international missions with our annual Fall bazaar. The bazaar includes a variety of vendor tables, UMW handmade crafts, Bake Sale, Christmas Room, baskets for silent auction, used books, used clothing and jewelry, and the Korner Kitchen for snacks and a hearty lunch. Our goal in raising these funds is to contribute to missions that make a difference in the lives of women and children all over the world. Carol Foster 763- 537- 3678 grumpytf@aol.com
4. Centennial UMW, Centennial UMC, Roseville, MN
Centennial United Methodist Women's Blog-The blog, through our church's web site, is an educational effort to reach more people with the UMW's mission as stated in our "Purpose". This project was initiated with the idea of reaching more people using current technology, highlighting material from "Response", UMW Reading Program, and National UMW website with links to articles and videos. Mary W. Hopkins 651- 628- 9713 mwhop@aol.com Phone number: (651) 628 9713
5. Centennial UMW, Centennial UMC, Roseville, MN
Refugee-Immigrant Relationships and Skills Training- The project connects UMW volunteers and others to immigrants for conversational English and sewing skills. The project targets areas of interest to both immigrants and volunteers and that might provide income generation in the future for the refugees. This has resulted in sections for learning conversation, knitting and machine sewing. Mary W. Hopkins 651- 628- 9713 mwhop@aol.com Phone number: (651) 628 9713
6. Discovery UMW, Discovery UMC, Chanhassen, MN
Nothing but Chocolate or NBC-We prepare our favorite chocolate recipes to sell the Sunday before Valentine's Day. The fundraiser shares the love of UMW members with those that purchase and those that receive these beautiful, edible, affordable gifts. The event generates generous free-will contributions. Kathy Kohn 952-361-6223 kakohn1@gmail.com
7. Simpson UMW, Simpson UMC, Minneapolis
The book club is a monthly reading group for elementary school-aged children at Simpson United Methodist Church using the UMW Reading Program children's book list. In 2011 the youth at Simpson and children at Joyce Church began to read one book a month from the UMW Reading Program, working closely with Book Club coordinator, Bev Bickelhaupt to select books that reflect the Reading Program categories. Participants in the club have benefited from emphasis on literacy, writing, art, group discussion, listening and respecting each other. The group has expanded beyond books to writing a song, public speaking (participants share a review of the book of the month with the congregation), and cooking for UMW members (recipes are from One World Cookbook on the Reading Program list). In addition, leadership development is growing. Two of the club participants who are now teens, have named themselves United Methodist Teenagers, are co-leading the Book Club with Bev, and providing essential nurture for the younger members. Simpson Book Club is all about books, but has gone beyond the pages of the books to support youth in a myriad of ways.
Patty Sample 651-578 -3270 patty.sample08@yahoo.com