The Dayspring United Methodist Women’s chapter is a welcoming organization available to women from ages 14 to forever! Membership in the church is not required, just a spirit to learn about the world, mission and share the love of Jesus Christ.
Our Purpose
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.
How We Fulfill the Purpose
∙ Centered in relationship with God through Jesus Christ
∙ Focused on ministries with women, children, and youth
∙ Involved in mission locally and globally
∙ Committed to inclusiveness
∙ Pledged to provide financial support for mission(s), including Wesley Community Center and United Methodist Outreach Ministries
∙ Developing the use of skills for service, leadership development and personal growth
∙ Encouraged to work with other organizations on issues of mutual concern
United Methodist Women is a group organized for mission. Because we are a connectional church, local units of United Methodist Women relate directly to the district and conference United Methodist Women and to the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. We have over one million in membership!
Who are members of United Methodist Women?
Anyone who can commit herself to our purpose and participate in meetings, prayer, giving, study, action and service. We welcome all women who want to be members.
Mother’s Day Has Methodist Roots
Do we ever stop to think about how Mother’s Day began? Or who conceived the celebration? No, it wasn’t florists or card companies.
Just as United Methodist Women today have concern for the well-being of women, children and youth, Mother’s Day has a similar history. The modern-day version of this celebration began in 1905 with the death of Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis.
Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, the daughter of a Methodist pastor, was a social activist and formed the Women’s Day Work Club. The clubs worked to improve the health and sanitation of their communities. One day her daughter heard her end a Methodist Sunday School lesson with this statement: “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.”
Three years after her mother’s death, Anna Marie Jarvis, held a memorial service at Andrews Episcopal Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to honor her mother and the sacrifices all mothers made for their children.
By 1912 many states had adopted the celebration and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Although this proclamation helped to validate Anna’s efforts, she always believed she was the founder of the day.
Unfortunately, over the years Anna Marie Jarvis became disenchanted with the commercialism of Mother’s Day and fought to have it removed from the national calendar. She died in 1948 at the age of 84.
Dayspring United Methodist Women celebrate all mothers and also their foremothers for all that they have done and continue to do.
MAY MEETINGS
Dayspring United Methodist Women will hold their May 20 meeting via Zoom at 7 PM. Maria Hase will present “Knit Together Against Violence” from the 2020-2021 UMW program book. The stated objective is “To learn about the structural sin of racism and how it affects young women and girls, through the experience of a young unnamed woman in scripture, and to respond to God’s call to love justice with our lives and actions.” Email Bonny for the zoom link to the meeting. All are welcome
Mary Martha Circle will meet Monday, May 10 at 7 PM. Watch for information as to whether this will be a zoom meeting or an outdoor, in-person, safe distance meeting. Beth Cadman will present the program. Email Nancy for the link to the meeting.
Connie Reading Circle will meet Thursday, May 13 at 9:30 AM via Zoom. Bev Secrist will give the book review this month. Email Bonny for the link.