Giving was the central theme to the Dec. 12 United Methodist Womens meeting in Iola.
Members gave a year-end donation to Hope Unlimited, while district and conference gave donations to the Five Rivers District UMW and to United Methodist Church Mission Shares.
Joann Maxwell shared from the Prayer Calendar about a United Methodist mission in Africa. Gerry Uphoff will pray for missions and missionaries listed each day until the groups next meeting Jan. 23.
In giving the Response Moment, Donna Grigsby shared an article 4-Footed Ministry, about therapy dogs ministering in hospitals and other caregiving facilities.
Pastor Jocelyn Tupper shared a CNN article, awarding Freweini Mebrahtu the CNN Hero of the Year Award for her work to remove the cultural stigma in developing countries around the world about the menstrual cycle. Mebrahtu and her team produces reusable pads in a factory in Ethiopia, similar to those the Iola unit have made.
President Linda Johnson gave the program by sharing four versions of the symbolism behind the Christmas wreath. She gave each member a wreath ornament, with a short message attached.
Linda ended her program by reading a childrens story as told by the animals as they discovered what they contributed to Baby Jesus.
Regina Woodworth, secretary, shared thank-you notes from college students JaLea Horning and Chassis Hoepker for We-Care boxes unit members assembled. Thirty such boxes were distributed locally to those associated with the church.
Gerry passed out the new unit handbooks for 2020.
The meeting ended with a secret sister gift exchange. New names were drawn for next year.
The Jan. 23 meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church. Gerry will have the program; Marty Meadows will host.
