UMW joins together for April 2
The United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers and Northern Illinois conferences are uniting on Thursday, April 2, for the UMW Illinois Legislative Day.
Legislative Day has being endorsed by the members of the IGRC Church Board & Society. Many other groups with similar interests including the various children, ILCAAAP and United Voices for Children have expressed an interest in promoting and lending their support to the day’s activities.
United Methodist Women have a longhistory in caring for women, children, and youth. With the support of UnitedMethodists throughout two conferences and our sister organizations we can be a powerful voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Participants are asked to contact Linda Trent, Social Action Coordinator for IGRC United Methodist Women at chucktrent(at)peoplepc.com or drop a note to 307 E. 6th St., Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 or call 618-262-7083 andleave a message prior to Wednesday, March 25 to have a headcount for handouts and box lunches.
Legislative Day will begin gathering at the Conference Center at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts, sponsored by the Board of Church and Society. Updates and presentations will be given between 10 a.m. and noon on several key issues of concern for United Methodist Women, including immigration; drugs, alcohol and gambling; and health care (S-HIPS).
Thursday, those wishing to participate in the day’s event will begin gathering at 9:30 am at the Conference Center for Coffee and Donuts sponsored by the Church Board and Society. Between 10:00 am and noon there will be updates and presentations on several key issues of concern for United Methodist Women including Immigration; Drugs, Alcohol, & Gambling; and Health Care (SCHIPS) in Illinois. Where there is a group of individuals planning to visit the same legislators, spokespersons will be determined to maximize use of time. Following a box lunch at the Conference Center (price TBA) the group will travel to the state Capitol for legislative visits. Each individual and group will be asked to report back about their visit.
All persons are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to contact their legislators prior to April 2 and let them know you will be at the Capitol April 2 and to let them know who you represent – i.e., UMW, ILCAAAP, United Voices for Children, etc. While name tags will be provided, it would also help if those joining in the Legislative Day would wear garments (tees, polos, caps) to further distinguish us from other groups and organizations in the Capital’s Rotunda that day. Bring cameras and take pictures for releases in your local newspapers when you return home.
A worship time and prayer vigil will be held at the Conference Center April 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Jame Hahs, chair of the IGRC Board of Church and Society will lead this service.
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.
There are 52 local units of United Methodist Women in the Illinois River District. These groups are looking to involve more women between the ages of 19 and 40 by training mentors who will work with young women to develop groups that meet their needs. Mentors will be paired with new group leaders to assist their groups in making choices about their group composition; to communicate with the church's pastor; and to make personal invitations to prospective group members. The mentor will also provide a link to any existing UMW unit.
Mentors should be enthusiastic United Methodist Women commited to both mission and inclusion. If this describes something you would be interested in, please contact the district office at ilriverumc(at)sbcglobal.net.