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.
Circles
Upcoming Events: TBA
Recurring Events: (Currently Paused due to COVID-19)
Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Mission and Ministries (M&M) – Fun and fellowship can be found in Rm 10 (lower level), Bldg 1. Whether you’re creative or not, you can get involved in several projects to benefit Haiti or local charities. Contact Lynn Rouse for more information.
UMW Vision
Turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.
UMW Living the Vision
- We provide opportunities and resources to grow spiritually, become more deeply rooted in Christ and put faith into action.
- We are organized for growth, with flexible structures leading to effective witness and action.
- We equip women and girls around the world to be leaders in communities, agencies, work places, governments, and churches.
- We work for justice through compassionate service and advocacy to change unfair policies and systems.
- We provide educational experiences that lead to personal change in order to transform the world.
UMW Benediction
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Amen
(Psalm 90:12)
Mission Topic Emphasis for NC Conference UMW
- Maternal and Child Health
- Economic Inequality
- Climate Justice
- Criminalization of our Communities of Color (text: The New Jim Crow)
- 2017-2020 Quadrennial Theme is The Summons; 2019’s theme is to Serve.
Resources for UMW
A source for all things regarding UMW: Mission Studies, Response magazine, Advocacy, Events, Action Alerts and more.
Swansboro United Methodist Women (SUMW)
All women are invited to participate in UMW events. Membership is open to women beyond Swansboro UMC who are interested in our mission and “living the vision.” Join us and share in this opportunity for service to missions and fellowship. It’s a wonderful way to make new friends and enjoy Christian fellowship. We provide the knowledge of the glory of God, enabling us and other women to become strong, independent, resourceful, and supportive of God’s mission through the global ministries of the church. For additional information contact Lisa Potts or Nanette Jones.
SUMW 2020 Officers
President: Lynn Rouse (910-358-3572 or UMW@SwansboroUMC.org)
Coordinator for Membership, Nurture, and Outreach: Gwen Macias
Treasurer: Lisa Potts
Secretary: Carol Scull
Circles
Our Swansboro United Methodist Women (SUMW) connect in small groups referred to as Circles. Circles meet monthly for Christian fellowship, study, prayer and missions. If you haven’t yet joined a circle, we’d love to introduce you to our SUMW. SUMC has six active UMW circles – offering our women a variety of meeting times and mission opportunities from which to choose. Most of our circles meet on the second Wednesday of each month. We have 1 morning, 2 afternoon, and 3 evening circles. You may contact any circle member or our Coordinator for Membership, Nurture and Outreach, Nanette Jones for more information. To see some of the activities and events our Circles have been involved with, see the slides at the bottom of this page.
The Dixie Moore/Mary Smith Circle, led by Annie Denmark and co-leader Lisa Potts, meets at 10:00 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, September through June, at the church in Bldg 1, Library. Monthly programs are presented by various speakers and provide information about opportunities to serve persons in our own SUMC, Swansboro community, and around the world. In addition, cards are crafted for certain holidays to share with the Hospice House in Newport and other shut-ins. A printed agenda and letter, concerning the events of each meeting, are sent to all Circle Sisters who are unable to attend. Also included is a Remembrance (a printed prayer, poem, or positive thought.)
This afternoon circle meets the second Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.
The Hazel Midgett/Mattie Tolson Circle, led by Gay Licko and Susan Stuart, meets in a member’s home each month. Their major project is helping the Craven Transitional Living Program in New Bern. This home is a 6- to 12-month residential program that helps court-involved boys build the skills they need to live independently. It’s part of the Methodist Home For Children. They have supplied toiletries, underwear, candy, paper products, games, and other needs. They also supply the residents who are leaving with helpful items such as furniture and cooking items. Many members visit frequently to bring and share meals, provide holiday parties, and visit with the residents.
The Charlotte Fields/Minnie Jones Circle is led by Bobbi Edge and Susan Teachey. One of their mission projects is helping others by serving food to those who gather at Hope Mission in Morehead City to enjoy a hot meal and spend time together. They also prepare and distribute “Comfort Bags” to guidance counselors at seven local elementary and middle schools. These bags are given to children who have experienced physical, mental, and/or emotional trauma. Each bag includes items to boost the spirit of these children. Items include a ball to help them bounce back, a journal to say what they can’t speak, a stuffed bear for when they need a hug, and other items to help ease the pain for these children. They also support the Coastal Carolina Center for Women’s Ministries by supplying needed items such as paper towels and toilet paper. This circle meets in members’ homes on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
The Lula Hatsell/Mary Underseth Circle is led by Rhonda Norris and Jan Butch. This circle addresses needs that arise in the community through special offerings and donations of goods. Mission projects have included the SUMC Kids Karing group, Appalachia Service Project (ASP), and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) teams at our church. These circle members also read and discuss three to four books from the UMW Reading Program each year. The members are a diverse group, ranging from active younger mothers to grandmothers. This circle meets in members’ homes on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
The Mary Weeks/ Ethlyn Hurst (Creekside) Circle is led by Lynn Rouse. One of their mission projects is providing school tuition for two elementary-age students in Haiti. Another is providing funds to the UMCOR team working from Swansboro UMC to be used for local Hurricane Florence recovery. An ongoing circle project is to make our SUMC campus and parking lots more user-friendly for all (repainting handicap and other parking spaces). In addition to their monthly meetings, many also meet every Monday (Mission and Ministries – M&M) to make a variety of sewing items and crafts to give away and/or sell to boost our mission funds. We also make bookmarks to give to every UMVIM volunteer working out of the SUMC UMCOR center. Oh, we also enjoy the fellowship with each other. This circle meets in members’ homes or the church on the second Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Swansboro UMW Activities
Our UMW have many activities that involve all of our UMW. Here’s a list of some of them.
- Tea Time (spring)
- Harvest Dinner (fall)
- Bake Sale (spring)
- District programs / banquets / workshops
