HERE ……NEED ME?

Two of our Circles have read and discussed the book “Here If You Need Me” by Kate Braestrup.  It is on our recommended reading list.

In the book the author, Kate, shares her life’s journey from the time her husband, a Main state trooper,  was killed in an auto accident through her grieving and fulfilling her husband’s dream –serving as chaplain for search-and-rescue missions in the Maine woods, giving comfort to people whose loved ones are missing and to the wardens who sometimes have to deal with dreadful outcomes.

She recounts her remarkable journey from grief to faith to happiness.  Dramatic, funny, deeply moving, and simply unforgettable.  It is a story about finding God by helping others and offers proof of the miracles that happen every day when a heart is grateful and life and love are restored.

Full of tragic events, humor, and excellent thoughts, quotes, and expressions for discussion.

This book is available in our Church Library.  It is also available in single copies or Book Club in a Bag (10 copies) from the public library – making it convenient  for a group.

Reviewed and recommended by Pauline Richards.

SEWING PROJECT

“Can a sewing project make a difference half-way across the world?”

As a Grandmother who likes to sew, I was curious about Lacy Little Bird and her project to help Grandmothers in Africa.   Lacey Little Bird loves spending time with Kahasi, her Grandmother, who is an elder on their reserve.  From her, Lacey is learning about their people, the Siksika Blackfoot tribe of Alberta, including the art of beadwork.

Lacey hears about a project to help Grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren because their parents have died from AIDS.  Even though Africa is far, far away, Lacey wants to help and writes to the organizers with a plan to raise money by selling handmade bags and purses.

What difference can a young Blackfoot girl from North America make in the lives of grandmothers in Africa?   A lot, as Lacey discovers.  Her decision to help will bring about amazing changes in her life and her community.

“Lacey and the African Grandmothers” by Sue Farrell Holler, is based on true events, real people, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmother to Grandmothers campaign.  It is a Kids’ Power Book – a series inspired by real stories of young people who have taken action to make their lives, and their world, better.

“Lacey and the African Grandmothers” is on the UMW Education for Mission category book from the UMW 2012 Reading Program list and is available in our church library.

Consider reading this book reviewed and recommended by Jo Slifer.

MICAH MOMENTS

“God has told you. O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NRSV

Also read the New Testament Reading:  Luke 6:30-31

In the February 2012 RESPONSE the author Elizabeth Calvin writes:

“As I worked around the world, I came to understand very quickly that the hard work was being done by the local women of the ground and that our task as United Methodist Women was to be still so that we could listen to them.  Our job was to be fully present while women shared their experiences with us – then know when to boldly act.  Women and women’s organizations simply wanted us to ‘be present’ and understand their justice struggles and the challenges they and their children faced daily to simply live. “

“This type of ministry is called ‘accompaniment’ and ‘being in solidarity.’  We do not engage this mission as bankers or carpetbaggers or ‘experts’ but as women striving to understand our sisters’ plight so that together we can create appropriate responses to poverty, food insecurity, health care needs, environmental degradation, racism and sexism, inadequate education or lack of school fees and uniforms, especially for girls, or human rights violations, sex trafficking, forced labor, substandard housing, caring for widows and other elders, disaster relief – to any injustice.”

As you meditate on the scriptures from Micah and Luke consider the following questions.

-When has United Methodist Women led the church to call out injustice and stand up for justice?

-When have you or your local, district or conference UMW “accompanied” women in need?  When did you make a decision to act boldly?

-Are there any economic policies that you are willing to challenge?  What are they, and why would you be willing to take action?

-What are some present day “Micah moments” calling women of faith to action?

Write your own prayer for the women around the world who struggle to meet their daily challenges.

CRISIS

“The Horn of Africa is facing what’s being called the worst drought in 60 years. “

13 million

“U.N.  estimates of the number of people facing severe food insecurity in drought-hit parts of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

$2.4 billion

“U.S. dollars needed to feed people affected by this food crisis.

$7.6 million

“Amount raised in four months by ‘Kenyans for Kenya,’ a self-help initiative for drought relief by private citizens in Kenya.   Many of the donations came via mobile phone cash transfers, some as small as 10 cents, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

42

“Number of droughts in the Horn of Africa since 1980.

750,000

“Deaths from the drought that led to famine in the Horn of Africa in 1984-1985. “

See the UMW Bulletin Board to read the article entitled “Crisis in the Horn of Africa” and “Act” or read on page 21 and 44 of the January 2012 RESPONSE.

READING GROUP – This Child Will Be Great

Our United Methodist Women has a Reading Group that meets at the Church at 9:30 am the third Monday of the months of March, April, June, August,  October, and November.   The books that are discussed relate to the UMW studies.  These books are available in the Church Library as well as some are available from the Public Library.

Recently I read one of the  books entitled THIS CHILD WILL BE GREAT by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and recommend it for your reading list.   It is the memoir of the remarkable life of the author who in January 2006 became the first woman president of the Republic of Liberia after 14 years of brutal civil conflict.

The Washington Post wrote:  “Exceptionally well written, this timely book, essential for anyone who hopes to understand West Africa in general and Liberia in particular, is a lesson in courage and perseverance.”

Sirleaf shares the story of her rise to power; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice.  She reveals her determination to succeed in multiple worlds from her studies in the US to her work as an international bank executive, to campaigning in some of Liberia’s most desperate and war torn villages and neighborhoods.

She said:  “Through it all, whether in the small, close cell at the Sheflin Camp or the dank, cold room at Central Prison, whenever I was in trouble, whenever I was in a dark moment I would close my eyes and the words my mother used to quote from the Bible would come to me: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’    Those words gave me strength, always.  Each time they came to me, each time I thought of my mother, somewhere deep inside a feeling would grow that made me know I would survive.  Somebody up there was taking care of business and I knew that to be true.”

By telling her story Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to pursue leadership roles at the highest levels of power and gives us all hope that we can change the world.

Consider reading this book and join the Reading Group on March 19.  Recommended by Pauline Richards.

LIGHTENING THE LOAD

“I just need my car fixed so I can get to work, so I can provide for my kids,” a single father of three told Julie Gray (Southside’s activities director in San Marcos TX) when she asked what his family wanted for Christmas.  Each morning, he had been putting his kids, 9, 7, and 5 years old, on the school bus, then he too would take a bus to work, causing him to be late many times.  ‘I feel like I’m almost at the point where I’m going to be fired,’ he said.

“As part of the Christmas gift program, Southside Community Center in San Marcos, Texas, was able to repair the man’s car.  Now he’s on time to work, has kept his job, and is able to continue paying his rent and bills to provide for his children.”

The Christmas gift program at Southside has evolved over more than 50 years in giving families a choice of presents.  The gift request range from toys to washers and driers and household appliances   One child requested a mattress.

Southside serves more than 2,000 people with Thanksgiving dinner – that’s a lot of turkey – more than 70 large turkeys!

Through the generous support of friends and neighbors, Southside is able to lighten the load on struggling individuals and families.

ANOTHER WAY UMW MISSION DOLLARS ARE AT WORK. 

(Read more in the December 2011 issues of RESPONSE.)

GROOTS – Kenya

 

“The father of a 14-year old with three younger siblings dies of AIDS.  Three months later, the mother dies as well.   If the children are fortunate, their extended family will take them into their home.  If they’re less fortunate, they’ll become yet another eldest-child-headed household among more than 20,000 AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa.

“United Methodist Women-supported GROOTS Kenya makes material and spiritual assistance available to AIDS orphans and others living with and affected by HIV and AIDS across Kenya.   …GROOTS Kenya was founded by grassroots people and networks and purposes to give the hurting a voice and tools to improve their own lives.   The base offices are located just eight miles from the center of Nairobi in the country’s second largest slum, Mathare.  Although it occupies a mere 1.75 square miles, Mathare is one of the most densely populated districts of Kenya’s capital city, with 800,000 people residing in squalid conditions.

“About 16,000 GROOTS Kenya-affiliated caregivers train people living with HIV and AIDS and their families in nutrition and infection prevention. “  This program gives assistance in many other areas of need.  For more information on this program, read in the December 2011 issue of  RESPONSE.

THIS IS A WAY IN WHICH YOUR UMW MISSION DOLLARS ARE AT WORK AROUND THE WORLD.