Women's Ministries at First Church
We invite you to become a part of First Church’s Women’s Ministries. We
offer bible study groups; a knitting/crochet prayer shawl group; book study
groups; local and global mission groups; and program/action/fellowship groups.
Below is information and scheduling about each ministry. This is an opportunity
for you to get to know the women of the church and become involved with us in
ministry. Join in!
Fellowship; local and global mission support; and action are important to
all of these groups. Scroll down through the below for detailed information on
meeting times and general focus of each of the following groups.
Women in Mission - United Methodist Women
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.
Women
at the Well
Meets every Wednesday of the Week
10:00AM in the Church Youth Building
Women of every age are invited to join us any Wednesday you are available for
this time of fellowship, worship and study. We meet in the youth building across
the street from the main campus with fellowship at 10:00. Worship and study
begins about 10:15 and we are finished by 11:30. This spring we will be looking
at the Gospel of Matthew. Drop in and check us out.
Contact Rev. Karen Evans 850.432.1434
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Meets every Wednesday of the Week
12:30PM, Room 233, in the Wright Place
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of women who are knitting and crocheting
up a storm. Prayer Shawls are presented to men and women who need the assurance
of God’s love and comfort during high and low spots in their lives. The shawls
are called prayer shawls because the maker prays while knitting, that the shawl
will bring comfort, strength and knowledge of God’s love to the wearer.
Even if you can’t attend, we ask for your help. Many talented people in the
congregation are willing to help but may not be able to attend our Wednesday
gatherings. If you are willing to make a Prayer Shawl for our Ministry, it would
be greatly appreciated. The directions can be found on our church website, or
any of our knitters can provide them to you.
Beginners, experienced, and those wanting to learn are all welcome to join
this group of loving and caring “knitters” as they participate in one of the
newest outreach ministries of First Church. Come join
us - - we need you.
Contact Karen Bower 850.469.1032
Feed the Hungry
Meets on scheduled Monday’s around 5PM
At the Church
This group of women has very recently organized and is, so far, 24 members
strong. We provide workers and supplies to already-existing efforts to feed the
hungry in our community. The needs are great, and we are ready to jump in and do
what we can to make a difference. Our goal is to add a
Second day of the week to serve lunch to the homeless at FUMC and,
long term, we would like to provide a Daily
meal.
We are doing things like: volunteering at Manna to receive food donations
that are picked up by Post Office trucks throughout the community; supplying all
the desserts for the Second Sunday Loaves and Fishes dinner; and, donating
desserts to be sold at the local Quilt Show to raise money to feed the hungry.
FUMC’s meals for the hungry are currently unfunded (not in the church
budget). In John 6:12, Jesus said, "Now gather the scraps, so that nothing is
wasted." And twelve baskets were filled with the leftovers! Barbara
Vititow carefully saves everything that is left after Wednesday dinner at the
church and when there aren't leftovers she still finds a way to provide
Thursday’s lunch meals at no cost. For example, she made egg salad sandwiches
out of Easter eggs, added chips and pickles that were donated, and we had enough
to feed every person that showed up. She is amazing and we want to do anything
we can to help her in these efforts.
Anyone who wants to get involved is welcome to join us.
Contact Christine Bilbrey 850.995.0494
(home); 850.450.9224 (cell)
Sacred Heart Women's and Children's Hospital Volunteers
Every Monday of the Week
Either 9AM to Noon, or Noon to 3PM
at the information desk
The Sacred Heart volunteers work at the information desk of the Women’s and
Children’s Hospital. A volunteer tends the desk every Monday, either from 9AM to
noon, or noon to 3PM. Duties include answering the phone and assisting incoming
patients and visitors with information such as directions to doctors’ offices
and medical testing rooms. This information is found in the desk information
book or on the computer. An orientation session and occasional training sessions
are required by the hospital. We would love to have others join us.
Contact Miriam Birdwhistell 850.477.0263
Suit Yourself Ministry
Located in FUMC’s Outreach Ministry Building
This ministry provides much needed clothing and accessories for women
entering or re-entering the work force. Clients come by referral only, from all
types of sources. Some of the items provided are clothing, shoes, purses,
hosiery, jewelry, as well as casual clothing for their use, especially blue
jeans. All clothing and accessories are donated.
Our goal is not only to provide clothes and accessories, but to show them our
love, and help them with their self esteem. Our hearts are so full when we see
how happy these ladies are. Our Lord has really blessed this ministry. The more
we give away, the more we get back. We believe you cannot outgive God.
Two important ways you can help the Suit Yourself Ministry are by donating
clothing and accessories or by volunteering your time.
Contact Bobbi Baughn 850.432.1434
Eleanor Nichols Group
Meets every Fourth Monday of the Month
10:00AM at the Church
The Eleanor Nichols Group is a growing group of women who have a heart for
missions. We have educational programs and guest speakers to inform us of the
needs in mission and how we can take action. After our meetings, we have
fellowship over lunch at various local restaurants.
This past year, our emphasis has been on children’s resources. We focused our
local efforts on The Parents’ Place, helping with art supplies for their day
care, donating and cataloging stuffed animals and toys for their parent store,
preparing meals for their mothers’ classes, and donating funds to their program.
Internationally, many of us have children we sponsor through Compassion
International. Our emphasis for 2008 will be on the homeless. We will
participate in projects at Manna Food Pantry, volunteer at FUMC’s Thursday lunch
outreach to the homeless, and volunteer at the Second Sunday meal for the
homeless at Loaves and Fishes.
We encourage all who have a heart for missions to join this warm and friendly
group.
Contact Jane Weekley 850.932.2350
Ruth
Braden Group
Meets every First Thursday of the Month
Noon, for lunch in the Wright Place (kept to 1 hour)
The Ruth Braden Group’s goal is to grow in faith through prayer, Bible study,
reflection and interaction with others. Our main mission focus is the Milk and
Honey Outreach Ministry. We support that children’s program with our prayers,
financial gifts, and materials needed for their projects. We share prayer
partners, and in March we fill a time capsule with our prayers for the upcoming
year. The next March we open the capsule and rejoice to see what God has done in
our lives. Guests are always welcome.
Contact Nancy Shealy 850.969.1793
Friendship Group
Meets every First Tuesday of the Month
7:00PM at a Member’s Home
The Friendship Group meets in the evening, enjoying a mixture of program
meetings, mission focus meetings, and supportive fellowship. On the event of
each of their birthdays, we provide a $25 gift card enclosed in a birthday card
for each girl residing in the UMC Girl’s Residency Home in Milton. To fund this
mission project, once a year we have an auction of wrapped gifts. In 2008, we
will focus mission efforts on Christmas Creations, providing leadership, support
workers, and organizational assistance. We will spend two of our meeting times
making cheese straws for the Christmas Creations Gingerbread House. Guests are
welcome.
Contact Diane Worley 850.983.0905
Marjorie Hart Group
Meets every Second Tuesday of the Month
5:30PM at a Member’s Home
The Marjorie Hart group is named after a member of our group who exemplified
the purposes of United Methodist Women. Our group’s focus is supporting mission
to women and children in the community and around the world. We study and learn
about these causes through programs and direct contact with those in mission and
respond to needs through gifts of money and service. We also have a strong
spiritual fellowship, sharing a meal together often. Guests are always welcome!
Contact Jane Roberts 850.438.7966
Copelan Group
Meets every Third Thursday of the Month
6:30PM at a Member’s Home for a covered dish supper
The Copelan Group’s mission focus is supporting and helping children,
especially those that may not have enough to eat. In support of the Backpack
Ministry, we hand out food bags to school children that are on the school lunch
program to ensure they have weekend meals. We conduct “poundings” to raise money
for our special projects.
We are a group of women, willing to do what is needed and getting it done. We
welcome new members.
Contact Janie Moseley 850.484.2749
God
Stories Group
Meets every Second Tuesday of the Month
7:00PM at a Member’s Home
During our meeting we discuss a short story that all of us have previously
read. We look at the characters and the plot from both a Christian and a secular
perspective. We started by reading the short story collection, God Stories,
followed by Faith Stories. Our current anthology is The Best American
Short Stories of the Century, edited by John Updike.
Our mission outreach for this year includes monthly contributions of
nonperishable items to Manna Food Pantries. We also make health kits when they
are needed. Our group continues to help Ronald McDonald House with “pop tops,”
Favor House with toiletry items, and Children’s Services Center with various
requests.
God Stories Group welcomes any woman who loves to read and enjoys the
fellowship of other women with “inquiring minds.”
Contact Ruth Sneed 850.968.6839
Lunch
Bunch Group
Meets every Fourth Tuesday of the Month
11:45AM in the Wright Place
Each person brings their lunch to our meeting. We are a study/information
gathering group with a variety of teachers and presenters. We are active in UMW
unit projects, and we adopt specific projects which are carried out by the
group. Gulf Coast Kid’s House is one of the local organizations we support on a
regular basis. Our meetings are over at 1:00PM, making it possible to
participate during the lunch hour. Guests are welcome!
Contact Nettie Joseph 850.433.6487
Bookworms Group
Meets every Fourth Wednesday of the Month
6:30PM at the Church
We read all types of “best sellers:” fiction, non-fiction, and spiritual. We
set our book rotation every November for the upcoming year. We meet in a
member’s home for our December meeting, sharing a holiday meal, and “swap” a
new, gift-wrapped paperback book.
We support a number of UMW mission efforts with our prayers and monies, but
our main project is serving a luncheon each Spring to all the women of the
church who are eighty or more years of age. The tables are set with china,
silver, crystal and fresh flowers. We serve a gourmet meal and entertain our
guests. We provide transportation as needed. As a follow-up to our luncheon,
throughout the year, we sign and send a birthday card to each of the church
women eighty or more years of age.
Contact Peggy Sielski 850.433.5109
UMW
Book Club
Meets every Third Wednesday of the Month
6:00PM in the Children’s Library located in the Church Education Building
The UMW Book Club (a.k.a. The Book Club Babes) reads and discusses a variety
of both spiritual and secular books. We meet in August or September to establish
the year’s schedule. We go out to eat for our December meeting. Guests are
always welcome!
Contact Wendi Best 850.432.4981
First United Methodist Church Pensacola
FL
E-mail
Phone:
850.432.1434 Fax: 850.432.5749
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