CONTENTS ARTICLE PAGE-

Calendar…..……….…………..16

Officer Article President……..……...………......1 Vice President……..….………....2 Treasurer…………..……….........5 Education & Interpretation.……..5 Nominations Committee….….....2 Program Resources…….……..11 Social Action……………......…...6 Spiritual Growth…….…………...6

Mission Parade..………….……….3 Paul Webster………………..…….3 Peace Week……………………..13 Northcott House……….…….......12 School of Christian Mission…..7-10 Young UMW Members…………...4 UMW Sunday….….…………14, 15

Dear Capital District United Methodist Women,

I hope you had a good Easter. Hopefully the warm weather will be here to stay soon. The Midwest Distribution Center needs health kits. The Hmong House of Good News needs our support. Watch for a new fundraiser involving Kwik Trip milk and juice caps and Glazer donut price oval stickers. Details for this fundraiser and other giving opportunities will be coming this summer. Continue collecting labels for Northcott. These are all mission projects everyone can be involved with.

It will be time for School of Christian Mission before we know it. This year’s theme is “All Things Made New.” This year it is the first week of August. The four-day school is August 2-5 and drive-in day is Saturday, August 6. It will be at the Ramada Inn at Stevens Point. If you have never attended school, I encourage you to try the drive in day. Registration forms can be found in this newsletter on pages 9 and 10.

I hope your church is planning to have a UMW Sunday in 2011. September 25 is the date recommended by the conference. Some suggestions for this worship service are included on pages 14 and 15 in this newsletter.

Have you scheduled your visit with your sister yet? We would like to visit all units this year. This is how we get to know all of you and find out what your unit is doing. We want to support you in any way we can. Don’t hesitate to contact your sister with any ques-tions you have. She will help you find the answers you need.

Be sure to make plans to attend both the District and Conference Annual Gatherings this fall. The District Gathering is October 8th in Madison at Asbury UMC. It will feature our Wisconsin mission pro-jects. The conference gathering is October 21-22 at Black River Falls. It will feature the successes of the Wisconsin local units. I hope to see you at these events.

Blessings, Linda Whitelock Capital District President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

4-day School of Christian Mission Tuesday—Friday August 2-5, 2011

Drive-In Day, Saturday, August 6 (See flyer pages 7—10)

Keeping Capital District United Methodist Women Informed

SUMMER, 2011

UMW Capital District Newsletter Wisconsin Conference

2 Capital Comments

FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT ~ MISSIONS IN OUR MIDST

CAPITAL DISTRICT ANNUAL GATHERING-OCTOBER 8, 2011-ASBURY UMC, MADISON

When will spring arrive in Wisconsin? In the Capital District we know that there are some things we can count on in spite of the fickleness and dangers of the changing seasons. One of those things is our District Annual Gathering which is held each fall. Please mark your calen-dar for Saturday, October 8, 2011. Asbury United Methodist Women in Madison will be hosting our event this year. Our theme will be Faith, Hope and Love in Action-Mission in our Midst.

The missions in our midst will be the Hmong House of Good News (HHGN) and the Northcott Neighborhood House. Women and youth asso-ciated with HHGN will present our keynote, will prepare our lunch and will sell egg rolls to raise funds for the mission. Staff from Northcott will present a morning and afternoon workshop. By the time you read this the 50th Anniversary of Northcott Neighborhood House will have been celebrated. Whether or not you were able to at-tend the celebration, please come and learn how this mission makes a major difference in the lives of people in its neighborhood.

We will have a workshop on the School of Chris-tian Mission spiritual growth study—The Jour-ney. There will be a social action workshop which may include an immigration update. There will also be leadership development and book talk workshops. As part of the leadership development segment, we plan to ask our Con-ference Hispanic Language Coordinator to share her work and to possibly do Spanish language translation for us.

Our afternoon celebration will include students and staff from The Crossing who will provide an update on their mission/Quest trips. For those

who attended last year’s Annual Gathering you’ll recall that we featured them as “mission future.” The Crossing is an ecumenical campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In addition we will have our annual business meeting and memorial service to honor our sis-ters and brothers who are no longer with us. Our day will be filled with opportunities for soul and spirit rejuvenation. Please join us. Be on the lookout for our Fall Capital Comments. It will have details on our presenters, registration ma-terials and the egg roll fundraiser for the Hmong House of Good News. See you in October.

In mission together,

Sue Plasterer Capital District Vice President

Needed: A few good women willing to come to the aid of our Great Capital District! We are grateful for those who already have said yes to the challenge of being part of an awesome team, but we still need a few more women willing to join us. If you feel God calling you to this challenge, please con-tact one of us on the nominating committee.

In Christ, Nancy Hansen-Bennett, Chair, 915 N. Garfield Ave., Janesville, WI 53545 (608.752.9149)

NOTES FROM NOMINATING

SUPPORT UMCOR

As I write this, spring is struggling to arrive in Wisconsin. My daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are blooming but not too long ago they were bur-dened with snow. For one shining weekend in early April we experienced a wonderful taste of summer so we know warm weather is coming even though it is taking its own sweet time. Even with our cold, gray skies and snow we are very fortunate given the terrible, destructive weather our sisters and brothers are suffering in the South. How blessed we are to have UMCOR at work helping out in areas where disaster has struck. Please support their work with your prayers, relief supplies and your funds. For more information please go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ Thank you so much for your generosity.

In mission together, Sue Plasterer

Summer 2011 3

Missionary Paul Webster Coming Soon

Paul grew up on a farm near New Richmond, Wisconsin, and attended UW - Superior before serving as a volunteer in the Peace Corps. He was commissioned a missionary for the GBGM in 1992 and works as a rural development specialist.

Currently Paul co-manages with Tshala Mwengo, the Mujila Falls Agriculture Center in Zambia, Af-rica. He and an agricultural student from Zambia will be visiting Capital District churches from June 16 to June 20. Paul will have many interesting stories to tell of the amazing accomplishments he and Tshala have made on a 2,000 acre farm in the middle of African bush country and the resulting positive impact for Zambian families in the area. Following is Paul's schedule at Capital District churches. It is likely that there will be additions to the schedule in the coming weeks.

Anyone who would like to attend one of Paul's presentations, please contact me and I will give specific times and travel info and find out if guests are welcome. Also, since Paul is renting a car, it might be possible for them to make short visits along the way. They might appreciate a lunch and conversation with some UMW members. Marge Lyford, Capital District Mission Secretary 608-233-5930 mclyford@att.net

OUR CAPITAL DISTRICT MISSION SECRETARY ANNOUNCES:

Thursday, June 16 Milton UMC Supper and evening presentation Friday, June 17 Evening at Whitewater Saturday, June 18 A.M. brunch and presentation at Whitewater Sunday, June 19 A.M. worship at Concordia UMC, Prairie du Sac/ 5:30 P.M. Supper and presentation Bethany, Madison Monday, June 20 Pardeeville, Supper and evening presentation

I would like to invite you to share your mission story at the Conference Annual Gathering this fall. This year’s theme is “From Mission to Mission: From Knowing to Doing.” Instead of workshops the afternoon will feature a Mission Parade. During this parade, units will share their special mission projects and activities. All districts will be represented. Does your unit have a mission project to feature? Are you willing to share? The size of the unit does not matter. Each presentation will be 3-5 minutes long and can include pictures. If your unit is interested, send me an email or letter describing your mission project. I need your information by June 15. The District Team will select the projects to submit for entry in the parade. Let’s show how Capital District is involved in mission! Linda Whitelock, Capital District President 6137 Dell Drive, Madison, WI 53718 whitelocklinda@att.net

JOIN OUR MISSION PARADE AT CONFERENCE ANNUAL GATHERING

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As a new member at Milton United Methodist Church, Cherie Salzman, a young mother of four, was in a bible study group two years ago when a UMW member invited her to attend a UMW circle. At 33 Cherie was clearly the youngest one at the circle and she really didn’t know what to expect. After only five minutes, however, it was clear to her that this was where she belonged. Cherie says, “These women opened their hearts to me and invited me in and I felt like part of a bigger family.” Cherie came to realize that UMW does SO much more than she originally thought. She feels that they bring together women of all ages and help out in all areas and she is amazed at the work they do.

Jolyn Stenkus and her family (her husband has two teenage daughters and together they have two preschool sons) joined the Milton church a year ago. Jolyn immediately began volunteering to help out with many UMW events. She decided to join the group after working at a UMW garage sale. She likes the way UMW is open-minded to doing new things in the community. She likes being part of a larger organization and now feels a kinship with UMW units in other churches.

Cherie and Jolyn very quickly became close friends. One day as they were talking about a need they saw in the community of Milton these active and outgoing women decided to do something about it. Thus began M.O.M.E. (Moms on a Mission Exchange). This is a once-a-month free clothing exchange in the church fellowship hall where all people are invited to bring a bag of good used cloth-ing to exchange for clothing that they need. Their goal is to enable families to cut the cost of buying clothing so that they can use the money saved for other necessities.

Three months into their project both women are still passionate about this mission and feel it fits the purpose of United Methodist Women. Prior to beginning this venture they met with the executive board of Milton United Methodist Women to explain their idea and seek support and approval. The board quickly gave them their blessing and a pledge of support for the project. Cherie and Jolyn have already established a network of contacts for the project throughout the community both from people who have clothes to donate and schools and others who are aware of families with specific needs. So far the two women have been able to organize and handle the work themselves, but month by month attendance is steadily growing. Now they are finding that other young women both within and outside the church are contacting them volunteering to help.

Cherie and Jolyn feel that our United Methodist Women need to work harder to get the word out to other young women that even though they have young children they can still help. They think that once the women see that this is a great opportunity for them to be a part of a VERY spiritually-fulfilling group they will realize that it is well worthwhile. The two women bring to the unit their youth and a sense of hope for continuing the traditions that have already been set in place. They also bring new ideas. Being the mothers of young children makes their involvement in UMW sometimes difficult, but they feel it is worth it. They urge UMW units to be more responsive to the need for child-care to allow more young mothers to participate. Units also need to be flexible for young mothers and be aware of the reality that a sick child may mean the mother suddenly has to put her UMW in-volvement on hold. However, with extra effort and flexibility on both sides women of all ages will reap great rewards.

Two Young UMW Moms on a Mission

Jolyn (left) and Cherie (right) have begun their own mission in Milton.

This is the second in a series featuring some of our younger UMW members in Capital District. Do you have a story to share about ways young women in your church are finding to be a part of your unit or circle? Please email them to marilyn_eyster@msn.com or mail them to 122 East Cox Rd, Edgerton, WI 53534. Marilyn Eyster, Editor, Capital Comments

Summer 2011 5

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Jo-anna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” -Luke 8:1-3 These women were members of a community of faith. Their commitment to their faith enabled them to provide their money and their time to support God’s mission as followers of Jesus. It is our responsibility today as followers of Christ to participate in God’s mission. We United Methodist Women respond to God today as we are involved in mission by our gifts through Mission Giving. Through our faithfulness to God’s mission, we are committing ourselves and our gifts to ministries that help relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for women, children and youth. This brings to mind the article, “How Are the Children?” (page 4), in the April Response magazine, by Maggie Jackson, Ph.D. I quote: “We are called to be ambassadors and interpreters for children and their families. Our goal is to find a way to be in community with these families. Through our Mission Giv-ing support of national mission institutions and empowerment programs around the world, United Methodist Women helps to build bridges of hope for children and their families.” As women in mis-sion we are communicators of love in action. I invite you to read the entire article and learn how we are making a difference with our mission giving. God bless the local units of United Methodist Women, this is where it all begins, our love in action! Dayle McGarvie Capital District Treasurer

FROM YOUR TREASURER—FAITHFULNESS TO GOD’S MISSION

At a recent Circle meeting one of our members read us a story meant for kids. It was called Kiki’s Hats and it was about a woman knitting hats and giving them away and encouraging others to give them away and getting more hats. This is like United Methodist Women and their mission projects giving to those in need around the world.

Mission giving has always been a part of our faith whether it is pennies or a gift of clothes or food or prayers.

I would like to thank all the units that have re-turned their Mission Today forms. Each unit is important to the Capitol District. If your unit has not sent me the completed form, please do so now.

Remember a great program would be someone reading the children’s book Our Gifts Live On and On…Kiki’s Hats by Warren Hanson. It is what United Methodist Women do. We give and share all the time. Remember our gifts live on and on whether we are there or not.

In God’s love continue UMW action.

Char Brereton, Education and Interpretation

EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION—GIVING, A PART OF OUR FAITH

Mission giving has always been a part of our faith, whether it is pennies or a gift of clothes or food or prayers.

6 Capital Comments

THE JOURNEY: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION

“Ah, you have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed,” many a mother has noted about her child. Grunts and groans fill the room...the day has be-gun, but the question really is, how will it end? This mother’s child has grown up...in fact, she is now a mother, a grandmother, a sister, or a friend. And the question remains, how will anger and hurt end?

Our journey toward living a life of reconciliation began at the Capital District Spiritual Growth Re-treat led by the inspirational Barbara Dick on April 9. It follows with the very readable book entitled, The Journey: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation. Lines from this book that jump out to me include: On the journey of recon-ciliation, there comes a time when one who has offended needs to engage the other and make things right (pg 143). Confession...Repentance. (page 145.

The third step in our journey will be available by attending SOCM August 2-4 or August 6 at Ste-vens Point, where teachers will lead us through the details, the crossroads and intersections of forgiveness. The remaining steps on this journey will be bringing this study back to the women in our unit and circles...and reconciling with those in our lives. “The only one I can change”, Barbara stated, “is me”. Reconciliation can only begin with a personal change within.

Looking forward to making this journey with you.

Mary Friederich Spiritual Growth

If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you...but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

Restorative Justice is one of the recommended areas of study included in the United Methodist Program Book for 2011. Initially, I had never heard of restora-tive justice, but I imagined that it would be a good thing for us. Fortunately, one of the classes offered by our Society for Learning Unlimited (SLU) in Beloit this summer, was entitled, "Rock County Law En-forcement." The 2-hour session led by Neil Dupree and Dr. Robert Fizzell, was indeed, focused upon re-storative justice, a growing world wide social move-ment of reconciliation. The emphasis is upon treat-ment rather than only punishment.

The questions asked in criminal justice are: "What law was broken? Who did it? and, What do the offenders deserve?" On the other hand, the questions asked in restorative justice are: "Who was harmed? What are the needs of the victims and offenders? and, Whose obligations are these?"

David Wildman, author of the restorative justice pro-gram in our 2011 program book, urges us to work to-ward a change in our values toward fairness and jus-tice in our homes, communities, countries, and the world. Wildman uses biblical stories and references to help us better understand how loving God can help us in our mission of working toward restoring justice and healing in our troubled world today. He declares that we must change from a "thing" oriented society to a "person" oriented society. Using the story of the

Good Samaritan, Wildman would like us to transform the "Jericho Roads of injustice and violence" that are so evident in the racism, materialism, and militarism prevalent in our world today.

I was pleased to learn of the many innovative pro-grams described by Dupree and Fizzell to transform our criminal justice system in Rock County. There are many alternative treatments such as veterans court, drug court, bracelet monitoring, weekender jail terms, and juvenile interventions. The costs for such pro-grams are much less than the costs of incarceration, and can help heal and restore people back into soci-ety. Dupree and Fizzell tell us that many of these pro-grams need community support. They urge each church to take on one offender by providing support while in jail, and continued support after he/.she is out. We, as United Methodist Women, should en-courage each of our home churches to provide this much needed support.

For more information and suggestions in starting your church support, contact Neil Dupree, Chair, Rock County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. www.co.rock.wi .us/index.php/about-the-cjcc or 608-757-5510. Jane DeSoto Social Action

SOCIAL ACTION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Summer 2011 7

8 Capital Comments

Summer 2011 9

10 Capital Comments

Summer 2011 11

Want to be part of UMW on-line or read UMW district newsletters from all over the state? Just go to:

http://www.wisconsinumw.org

This new website, created by Stacy Ganzer, takes the place of the old one. Check out the informa-tion about SOCM 2011, find useful UMW forms, and view all of the helpful links to other important sites. The latest issue of Catch the Vision is there, too.

Last month I wrote about being able to choose to read from either 4 or 5 of the 5 categories for this year. Next year the rules will be revised to clarify the requirements. This month I have two more items which have been part of the discus-sions on the UMW on-line reading program re-cently.

SOCM Mission Study Books: Mission study books are part of the reading program and each fits under one of the five categories. The Jour-ney: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Rec-onciliation goes under Spiritual Growth; the geo-graphical study, Haiti — Challenges and Hopes, is under Education for Mission; and Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity may count as either Education for Mission or Social Action.

As always I hope to see all of you at School of Christian Mission (SOCM) this year. For several years my teen-age daughter and I have attended the four-day school. We have bonding time in the car driving to the Ramada Inn in Stevens Point together because when she gets up there she is off with the other teens working on mis-sion projects and taking a class with the good friends she has made. I also have had the joy of presenting my experiences at SOCM to the ladies Monona UMW and Mt Zion-Janesville UMW. Call me if you would like me to come to your unit and talk about SOCM or the reading program.

When you go to school my advice is to read your books ahead of time and do your other home work in the hot tub in the evenings. Did I men-tion the hot tub before? Want another fun thing to do? Find a teen in your congregation (or maybe a mother and daughter) whom you can support in coming to SOCM with you this year. It’s great to meet other women who enjoy learn-

ing about and supporting the mission of our church.

What happens to the profits from our district and conference book sales? Brenda Thomp-son reports that the money spent on Reading Program books purchased through the Mission Resource Center is used to produce and distrib-ute the resources United Methodist Women use at events: mission studies, program books and calendar, and free resources. They are set up to print, bind, fill and mail these items to individuals and to events on consignment. So the money spent with MRC goes back to United Methodist Women. The Mission Resource Center is not an outside company; they are a part of United Methodist Reporter (UMR.org) and our partner in mission.

UMW Sampler A reminder: Order your UMW Sampler soon. You will get a good deal deliv-ered to your door twice a year. Order UMW sampler renewal subscription stock # 6012 or UMW Sampler new subscription stock # 6011. It will include the program book, the prayer calen-dar, date book and this year the spiritual growth study book with the country study book all for $35.00. To order this or any other resources call 1-800-305-9857 or on-line www.missionresourcecenter.org. Contact me with questions you have or to submit a review of a book you have read for the reading program to include in my article next time.

Keep reading!

Karen Mayeshiba

Program Resources

(608) 277-1883 or

kamayeshiba@yahoo.com

PROGRAM RESOURSES—UMW’s ON-LINE READING PROGRAM

12 Capital Comments

Address: 2460 North 6th Street

Milwaukee, WI 53212-2756

Phone number: 414.372.3770

Website: www.northcotthouse.org

NORTHCOTT HOUSE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS!

Labels for Northcott must

include the UPC Code to be counted.

Include the LABELS FOR EDUCA-

TION symbol, also. (See sample at

right.)

Last night (May 1) was the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Northcott Neighborhood House, and what a grand occasion it was! My husband and I attended along with over 200 other people, includ-ing several of our Capital District officers. Held at the Hyatt in downtown Milwaukee, we opened the program by singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and then enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner (which in-cluded irresistible desserts).

The theme, “Cherish Our Past – Create Our Future,” was carried through the evening as we paid tribute to Wilma Hampel, the driving force behind the establishment of Northcott in 1961. Named after then-Bishop Clifford Northcott, the facility had humble beginnings in several downtown Milwau-kee locations until moving to its current site at 6th & Wright. Many United Methodist churches, UMW units, the Wisconsin Conference and the General Board of Global Ministries supported and continue to support this vital multi-purpose community center.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was in attendance, and he proclaimed May 1 as Northcott Neighbor-hood House Day. Rev. Dan Dick from the Conference office spoke about the history of Northcott, how it is a witness to the people of Milwaukee, and the importance of being in ministry with people rather than for or to them. Congressional Representative Gwen Moore acknowledged that extensive federal budget cuts will require facilities such as Northcott to be even more creative and rely heavily on volunteers in order to maintain the much-needed programs they provide. She also challenged churches to connect their members with the moral obligation to help those in need and to provide enhanced charitable giving.

Over and over, recipients of Northcott services thanked the staff and volunteers for giving them hope and giving them a future, for loving their children, for just being there in times of need, and for being a manifestation of God in the world.

The meeting ended by the singing of “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” a fitting conclusion to an inspiring celebration.

On that note, I want to get the word out that the collection at this year’s School of Christian Mission Drive-In Day on Saturday, Aug. 6, will be for Northcott. Adriane Griffin, Special Programs Director, indicated they are most in need of office supplies (copy paper, stamps, highlighters, pens, electric pencil sharpeners, staplers and staples, etc.). They also can use shovels, rakes, garbage bags, gar-bage “grabbers,” surgical-type gloves for cleaning, and small tools. Pampers of any size would be a welcome donation, and, of course, monetary donations are always appropriate.

Please publicize this list in your local churches. I’d like to fill my van on Saturday, Aug. 6! I’m sure that those attending the week-long school can also bring items. The next Capital Comments won’t come out until after SOCM is over.

Any questions or comments can be directed to me at tayloc@centurytel.net or call me at 262-495-8625. Barb Taylor Northcott Neighborhood House Rep.

Summer 2011 13

As part of a week-long series of events to pro-mote a just peace in Israel and Palestine, Pales-tinians and Israelis will be praying for peace in front of several Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the separation wall, and in houses of worship in Jerusalem and across Palestine.

They will be part of a worldwide effort to affirm the human dignity and rights of all peoples through the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, an initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecu-menical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches (WCC), taking place from May 29 to June 4, 2011.

The aim of the week for peace is to encourage concerned communities and individuals to make a common witness by participating in worship, educational events, and acts of advocacy in sup-port of a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.

"With the Palestinian-Israeli peace process at a standstill, people of faith are increasingly search-ing for ways to express their support for a just and lasting peace for all in Palestine and Israel," says the Rev. John Calhoun, the convener of the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel. "The WCC has set aside this period of seven days to encourage churches and individuals to worship and pray, to educate and be educated, and to take action in support of a peaceful and just end to the occupation of Palestine, in accordance with United Nations resolutions."

The common focus of this year's events is Jeru-salem. Policies and actions taken by the Israeli government in occupied East Jerusalem continue to threaten the future of Jerusalem as a viable home for two peoples - Palestinians and Israelis - and three faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Furthermore, the restrictions on access by Pales-tinians to places of worship in Jerusalem, the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusa-lem in order to expand illegal settlement building, and the denial of Palestinians' right to family re-

unification in the city, as well as the withdrawal of the residency permits to many Palestinians, as is the case with Bishop Suheil Dawani of the Angli-can Church in Jerusalem, constitute grave viola-tions of basic human rights.

The activities planned for the week demonstrate the initiative's commitment to peaceful action in support of a resolution to this long running con-flict. Local church groups and peace activists will advocate with government officials and commu-nity leaders through educational seminars, open forums and public demonstrations focusing on the urgent need to bring to an end the ongoing injustices taking place in the region.

The WCC invites member churches, religious and community organizations, and all people of faith to join with peacemakers in the region and around the world by participating in the events of the week.

For more information on the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, and to view a list of events being planned by country, please visit the initiative's website at www.worldweekforpeace.org, or send an email to the convener, Rev. John Calhoun, at calhoun.wwppi@gmail.com WCC media contact: Michel Nseir, Michel.Nseir@wcc-coe.org (+41-22-7916052) or Ranjan Solomon, ranjan.solomon@wcc-coe.org, Website of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum: pief.oikoumene.org.

Janet Lahr Lewis, our UM Liaison in Palestine and Israel, sent this article with the note: “We have events planned for the week here in Bethlehem including an ecumenical worship service and candle light peace march. I hope you will participate in an event in your area or at least coordinate prayers in your local congregation (Janet’s photo with some of the children from Bethlehem is on the cover of our UMW Handbook. An article about her appears in our April, 2007, Response magazine.)

Worldwide Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel—May 29 to June 4

The World Council of Churches promotes Chris-tian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 mil-lion Christians in over 110 countries.

14 Capital Comments

Women’s Division provides ideas and guides for UMW Sunday in your FINDING PEACE-2011 Program Book pages 69-74. The following are suggestions as you author your special ser-vice.

UMW Purpose: Bulletin insert and/or use Call to Worship on page 71 of Program Book. We sug-gest making the latter final response be more inclusive for a congregation by having the last “All” response state…May we, the children of God, take this mission… Songs: FAITH WE SING p. 2172, 2176, 2178, 2184, or 2186 UNITED METHODIST HYMNAL p. 583, 569, 584, 593, or 432

Opening Prayer: UMH- “Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola” p. 570 Celebratory Psalm: Psalm 8 UMH pages 743-744 (could have liturgical dance when read)

Children’s Sermon: Possibly…have children tell something good they could share with someone. It is exciting to tell people good news. or Ask children if they have ever done something good for someone. What was it? Be sure to listen to the scripture being read this morning.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:1-10 (Women first to know and tell the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection) or Luke 10: 25-37 (Love in action for those in need) Sermon: The following Wisconsin Conference UMW facts might be included in the message: Some UMW supported special projects:

� Northcott Neighborhood House (50 years) - Milwaukee � Hmong House of Good News (2 years) - Milwaukee � Harbor House (homeless shelter/apartments) - Superior � United Methodist Children’s Services (housing, childcare, etc.) (50 years)(1962 -

Madison, 1970 opened maternal home and 1981 all programs- Milwaukee)

� There are 306 units in Wisconsin. Through the connectional local units and districts, the Wisconsin Conference UMW pledged $350,000.00 in 2010 to maintain mission projects, support missionaries, and develop women leaders. With gratitude, $393,839.40 was collected and $302,336.64 was sent to Women’s Division. Women’s Division, always budgeting from pledge money from the previous year, will distribute this money in 2012.

Some mission stories to share: Darlene Anderson-Medford, WI- Some people say why send our mission money overseas? We should invest in our own communities and keep our money in the United States. The Bible tells us in John 3:16…For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son that any who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. And in Matthew 28:20- we are told…Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you, and be sure of this-that I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Our foremothers understood that God loves the world and wants disciples in all nations not just in our country of origin or citizenship. Before I was born, the Women’s Society of Christian Service

2011 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN SUNDAY

Summer 2011 15

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was active making disciples, supporting educational and medical training for young people in India. The sacrifices those women made established a program that trained a young man who would have otherwise had no opportunity to go to school. He became a medical doctor and moved to the United States. My path crossed with this young man about thirty years ago when he was practicing medi-cine in a small rural community. He was my doctor and he delivered both of my sons who have now grown into healthy young men.

In my mind this is Mission Money that came full circle. Thank you to each woman that continues to make personal sacrifices to support the ministry and missions of UMW and United Methodist Church around the world. Our God is awesome and we never know how our obedience to God will be used to bless future generations.

God loves the whole world and knows no boundaries or boarders.

Choose missions supported by UMW Mission Giving monies found in the RESPONSE maga-zine. Faith, hope, love in action…praise God for the missions supported. The following are some examples:

� Opportunity School- education available to 140 special needs children in Chennai, India.

The wonderful story is in RESPONSE- September 2010.

� FOUS(4-Us)Girls Club—Evergreen Park, IL—RESPONSE-July/August 2010

� Casa de Esperanza– St. Paul, MN—RESPONSE-June 2010

� Haitian Artisans for Peace International (HAPI) RESPONSE—August 2010.

A great introduction to our School of Christian Mission Haiti study.

BLESSINGS TO ALL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO GOD.

Shaker Potato Soup 8 medium potatoes, peeled 2 teaspoons salt 2 onions, chopped 1 teaspoon pepper 1 and 1/2 stick butter 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 cups cold milk 1 teaspoon thyme 4 cups scalded milk 1 teaspoon marjoram 2 cups potato water 4 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Cook potatoes and onions together in saucepan until potatoes are tender. Drain and save potato water. Put potatoes through ricer. Melt butter in heavy 6 quart pan. Add parsley, thyme, marjoram. Blend in flour, salt, potato water and sugar. Gradually stir in cold milk. Add scalded milk and potato water. Cook over medium heat; stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly. Stir in potatoes and onions. Heat. Serve in tureen. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 12 cups.

Recipe from April 2011 Spiritual Growth Retreat

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CAPITAL DISTRICT

2011 UMW EVENTS CALENDAR

School of Christian Mission August 2—5, Tuesday-Friday Four-day school

August 6, Saturday-Drive-in day

at the Ramada Inn, Stevens Point, WI

Capital District Annual Gathering October 8, Saturday

at Asbury UMC, Madison, WI

Wisconsin Conference Annual Gathering October 21 & 22, Friday-Saturday

at Black River Falls UMC, Black River Falls, WI