Our women find special fellowship in small groups called “circles.”
Mary-Martha Circle
This traditional circle observes the pledge ceremony and supports Call to Prayer and Self Denial as well as Least Coin. It takes lessons from the district study topics. This group meets at 1:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month except the months of June-August and December.
Third Thursday Thinkers Circle
The members meet the third Thursday of each month at noon at an area restaurant for lunch, mutual support, and lively discussion. This circle participates in Least Coin and the Reading Program.
Anna Howard Shaw Circle
This group is named after the first female ordained Methodist minister and carries on her tradition of active, involved, and welcoming women. It meets at noon the third Wednesday of each month except December and is interested in fellowship, support, and service through Christian book discussions. It visits with home- bound members, has social events, and participates in Least Coin and Pledge to Mission.
Hands@Work
This is a craft-oriented circle. Members enjoy fellowship and sharing while working a craft. Completed projects and recipients are blessed with prayer. Recipients include babies being baptized and those persons who are undergoing medical procedures, grieving, having a baby, recovering from illness or injury, or facing a personal crisis or difficulty. They meet every Wednesday, 7-9 PM at the church.
Soul Sisters
This group meets 7 PM on the third Thursday of the month at different locations for program, fellowship and support.
Outer Circle
Its women pledge to missions and participate in Unit programs. Although they meet infrequently, the members maintain the spirit of fellowship and serve as leaders of some events.
Missions
Because of our church Unit’s participation in a number of outreach missions, it has become a Five-Star and a Mission Today Unit in Indiana. Mission efforts supported by our unit of UMW include:
Feed the Kids (weekend food for children at Edgelea School on the free lunch program)
Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Food Pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Bauer Resource Center food pantry
YWCA Women’s Shelter ( Personal items are donated for women and children seeking shelter and security)
Village Nursery School (playground and scholarships)
Wesley Foundation (Purdue students)
School of Christian Mission
Youth service projects
Lucille Raines Residence, a half-way house in Indianapolis
Our UMW sponsors
- All-church lunches: These to raise money for missions.
- CROP and Craft: Our Unit hosts three all-day CROP and Craft workshops on Saturdays during the year. Proceeds benefit our local Unit of United Methodist Women for use toward our District Pledge to Missions and other Unit mission projects as designated by the Executive Committee. Circles within our Unit take turns serving and preparing meals for 25-30 participants at each event.
Other activities include
- Spring UMW Spiritual Retreats & Indiana Meetings. The FUMC unit, the Northwest District, and Indiana Conference have offered spiritual retreats in the spring. Those attended by unit members include “ Our Mother’s Gardens ” at The Lilly Nature Center, West Lafayette, and at the Sarto House, a Silent Retreat Center, in Evansville, Ind. Additional inspirational meetings enjoyed include the School of Christian Mission at a university as well as occasional district and annual meetings at state-wide churches.
- The Fall Unit Program. This features a light meal and program. Child care is provided. Past themes have featured “ Celebration of the Spirit ,” “The African Experience,” “ After Church with Grandma, ” and “Alternative Medicine, Food Supplements.” Officers are elected. The Woman of the Year Award is presented, and a Memorial Service to honor past UMW saints is held.
- Widow-to-Widow: This began when several widows saw a need for fellowship. They enjoy lunch together at an area restaurant on the second Sunday of each month at 12:15 pm for encouragement, mutual support, and spiritual enrichment.
- Church Women United Projects: Members of the Unit sit on the board of the local branch of Church Women United.
- Second Saturday Strollers. Dedicated walkers meet to explore local trails. (It is open to men, too!)
- Reading Program: This UMW global program offers a recommended reading list. It encourages women to be involved in God’s mission; promotes critical thinking about social issues for all humans; increases understanding of Scripture; enhances self-knowledge and nurturing actions in the community; promotes leadership development; and strengthens local and global Christian mission efforts.