“LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR”
On March 23, 2019 United Methodist Women will celebrate 150 years of women in mission. This past January United Methodist Women kicked off a five year celebration of women organizing themselves for mission with women, youth and children. The official magazine of United Methodist Women is Response. Its goals are to educate for mission, to interpret the Purpose of United Methodist Women and to strengthen the organization. In the January issue we were called to think about what legacy we will leave for future generations. The editor of Response told of a story from the PBS program, “Finding Your Roots” where various celebrities journey into their ancestry. Some very interesting family histories are discovered which impacted lives long ago. The editor shared the quest of one guest known for educational and humanitarian work who was quite surprised to learn of an ancestor who donated land to a community to build a school and gave land to impoverished neighbors. Apparently, the value of education and “giving back” to the community had been passed down through the generations – even when the names and stories of the ancestors who set the standard of those values for the family were long forgotten.
Today we celebrate the United Methodist Women in our congregation and the legacy passed on to us of women desiring to be in community and fellowship with one another, and desiring to serve and give to others. As we also look forward, may we stake out our legacy now for future generations that we will leave to others that same desire of ministry and mission.
Before I continue, let me pray:
Come Holy Spirit, bless our hearts to love, bless our hands to serve. Let us hear and consider this morning how our legacy of faith – hope and love in action will continue to bless this congregation and all those we serve. Amen.
As I considered what to say this morning about the United Methodist Women, I must have been watching the weather channel. Now I don’t care much for commercials. In fact, sometimes I admit, I hang onto the TV remote and change channels during commercials. But the weather channel has a few insurance company commercials they air a lot. For example, Nationwide is on your side! I especially like the one with the Big Baby representing how you would care for your car. But the commercial that reminds me of the work of United Methodist Women is, “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is there” – they’re there whenever you need them. In other words, Like a Good Neighbor, United Methodist Women are there. And as an extension of this congregation, we are there whenever you need us. This is not a unique concept, because as the Body of Christ, we ALL are here whenever needed – WE – ALL – embody Christ’s command to Love God and Love our Neighbors. Again, not a unique concept today, because since the beginning of the very early church all who believed have been meeting and giving as any had need.
In our scripture from Acts 2:44-47 (ESV) we read that all who believed (that included men and women) gathered together with the same common goal – to obey Jesus’s command to “love God and love our neighbors.” They gathered to worship, to break bread, and they gathered to care for one another, especially the least of them; selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. They met “with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
FIRST SLIDE – UMW PURPOSE
Like the disciples in Acts, United Methodist Women is a creative, supportive fellowship working to support one another and in doing so spreads the love of Christ to all they serve, expanding the concepts of mission locally and globally. As the official mission statement reads: “We are a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ”. And, with glad and generous hearts, giving to those in need and working to create a world in which no one has need. Day by Day.
Since 1869 women have gathered with this same purpose and have focused on ministries with women, children, and youth. This 140 plus-year legacy began on March 23, 1869 when the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society first organized in Boston with 8 women in response to a lack of women’s health in India. Women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions organized about the same time in history, between 1869-1893, when women and children were legally classified as “chattel, legally dead, non-persons.” There was little service to women because of prejudice and limitations of cultural attitudes in the church and in society.
Around 1939 the various women’s homes and foreign missionary societies and other women’s groups of three uniting Methodist churches were joined and became the Woman’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS – does that sound familiar, if you grew up in the Methodist Church it may) and the Wesleyan Service Guild. In 1968 The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren merged to form The United Methodist Church. The women’s organizations of the two denominations were also merged in the new United Methodist Church under the same names Women’s Society of Christian Service and Wesleyan Service Guild with Administrative responsibilities now assigned to the Women’s Division of the Board of Missions
And in 1972 The Women’s organizations in The United Methodist Church merged to form one inclusive organization with the name, “United Methodist Women,” which was ratified by the 1972 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Today, there are approximately 800,000 members of United Methodist Women.
Women in the early days of missionary societies saw mission education and training of children and youth as a means for developing the next generation of missionaries. Young children and youth groups participated in mission studies and contributed financially to both home and foreign mission projects. Mission and ministry with children and youth continues today through the purpose and mission of United Methodist Women. The women who guided the early Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were firmly united in devotion to a task they believed to be of supreme importance to the church, the community and to the world.
One of the historic principles that guided the work of our predecessor organizations was human rights for all people. This was based upon the belief that God is the creator of all people of all races and we are all God’s children. Therefore, opportunities for fellowship and service, personal growth, and freedom in every aspect of life are inherent rights of everyone. The creation of a community and social order without racial, ethnic, and language barriers has been a goal of United Methodist Women from its conception.
This is just a very brief history of the forming of United Methodist Women taken from their website. When we look at where women have come in their journey of community and service, we can find in scripture a prime example in Acts Chapter 9.
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which when translated is Dorcas. (Acts 9:36) Tabitha, or Dorcas, is the only woman in Scripture to be honored with the designation of disciple (a pupil of a teacher). The presence of women in groups of disciples is implied at times, but Dorcas is the only woman specifically called a disciple. As a true disciple, Dorcas had learned of Jesus, and had decided to follow him. She had adopted his views and lifestyle, and lovingly lived out his commands by ministering to the poor around her and is known for her love and works of charity. Dorcas knew who she was and whom she followed.
She is also known for being brought back to life by Peter. Dorcas must have been so dearly loved in her church. She isn’t known as a famous prophetess; nor a preacher. Instead she is known as a woman full of good works and charitable deeds whom the people loved because she genuinely cared for others and demonstrated her love and care for others in very hands-on ways.
When she became sick, her fellow believers were deeply concerned and sent for Peter, who was then in Joppa. When Peter arrived he found that Dorcas had died. Even in their grief, her friends wanted Peter to know what a wonderful woman she had been. Acts says “all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” (9:39) Peter was moved enough to pray for her restoration. When he rose from prayer, he called to her; she opened her eyes and sat up. And we read, this miracle was widely known, and many who heard about it came to faith in Christ.
When we are introduced to Dorcas we are not told much, but that all the widows were there, so it is presumed that she too was a woman who had lost her husband. So we don’t know how long ago this happened, but from the number of people for whom Dorcas had made clothing, we can perhaps assume he had died some years before. But Dorcas neer stopped living because her husband was gone. Instead, she reached out to other believers and found a meaningful and happy life in serving them.
In these few verses it seems very clear that Dorcas was deeply involved in the lives of the members of her congregation. Although a widow herself, she made “tunics and garments” for the other widows in the church and undoubtedly for other needy folk as well. But ministry involves more that distributing clothing. Those Dorcas served truly loved her. She must have been so caring, so involved in the lives of those she helped, that her giving was never perceived as demeaning or as charity. Dorcas had the gift of giving herself even as she gave the clothing she made for others.
Dorcas, it seems was truly a nice person. Perhaps the word “neighbor” or “neighborly” sounds appropriate. “Like a good neighbor,” Dorcas was there for others. And people loved her for herself, not just for what she did for them. Her simple concern for others rather than powerful speaking or a great singing voice won Dorcas the love of her friends and neighbors.
Through our faithful service, acts of kindness and generosity, and willingness to help others, we honor God. Proverbs 14:31 says, He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Matthew 6:3-4 says, When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Here at West Grove United Methodist Church, we honor God with many small groups in ministry and mission together. Like Good Neighbors, we reach out into our community and the world where there is a need. As United Methodist Women, we meet as a local unit of women to fellowship and support each other, and to honor God with our faithfulness to serve those in need. There whenever there’s a need – Like a Good Neighbor.
We are a community of women in supportive fellowship together. We have fun, and like all United Methodist, we like to eat.
SLIDE # 2– JULIET –
The second Saturday morning each month we meet for fellowship and breakfast at the Sunrise Café in Kennett Square. Those who can make it come when they can. All women are invited. We are here for everyone and you do not need to be an active member of United Methodist Women. As we grow, we have talked about starting a second group to meet more locally in West Grove.
SLIDE #3– JULIA CHILD –
In 2013 we hosted a fun evening with Julia Child, aka Linda Kenyon. She brought Julia Child to life and shared her love of cooking with us, which we followed with lots of delicious treats.
SLIDE#4 – MARIE MONVILLE –
This past spring we co-hosted an event with RAP. Marie Monville, author of “One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Shadow of The Amish Schoolhouse Shooting” came and shared a powerful testimony of her faith journey with us. Followed by refreshments, of course.
Besides our times of fun, we do a lot of outreach and mission support:
SLIDE #5– ADVENT BAGS –
This is certainly a legacy of caring for our own congregation passed down. I’m not sure how many years the women have been preparing and distributing Advent bags, but these bags of gifts are lovingly packed and distributed to our church family shut-ins and those who have been ill, They have a special treat with scripture attached to open each day leading up to Christmas.
SLIDE#6 – YOUTH MISSION GROUP –
As you know our Youth Group spent a week this summer in Union Beach, NJ helping to rebuild homes and lives still suffering from Hurricane Sandy. We purchased stock to help support their mission trip.
SLIDE #7– BOY SCOUTS FUNDRAISER –
For the past two years, our local Boy Scout Troop 12 has had a stuffed animal fundraiser, which we supported by purchasing and donating the stuffed animals to be distributed by the Scouts to children in the hospital.
SLIDE#8 – CAMP INNABAH –
We have sponsored a child to attend summer camp at Camp Innabah one of the camp and retreat ministries of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.
SLIDE #9– SUSANNA WESLEY SCHOOL –
As a congregation we support the ministry of Mrs. Ngoy Kalangwa in Morogoro Tanzania. In one of the newsletters we received Mrs. Kalangwa updated us on the success of women attending a sewing class at the Susannah Wesley training Center. After completing the class each woman receives a sewing machine. Our United Methodist Women donated additional funds for this ministry to pay for a sewing machine.
Many United Methodist Women’s Units are also made up of circles. A circle is a smaller group of women meeting with the same passion. They use their gifts and talents to provide a specific ministry of mission to others. Here at West Grove, we have two small groups of women meeting regularly. First, -the Knit Wits –
SLIDE#10 – KNIT WITS –
What can I say about these ladies! Not only are they extremely talented, but very humble in donating their finished projects. We have claimed them (more or less) as part of United Methodist Women because of their generous donations to many areas of ministry and missions where there is a need, they are there for us. Their passion is knitting and they meet and fellowship weekly and lovingly knit. Their missions include:
SLIDE #11– PRAYER SHAWLS –
Prayer Shawls – these and lap blankets are given to men, women and children in our congregation, and to many of our family members who are ill or in nursing facilities.
SLIDE#12 – BAPTISMAL BLANKETS –
They knit blankets given to our precious children when they are baptized. They also donate items to the Advent bags and for just about any occasion.
SLIDE#13 – F.A.I.T.H. CIRCLE – Karen Boyd to speak at 11:00 service
The FAITH Circle is our organized UMW circle currently meeting. Their passion is quilting.
SLIDE#14 – F.A.I.T.H. CIRCLE –
They started meeting to make “Ugly Quilts” which were distributed to homeless shelters in Northeast Maryland.
SLIDE#15 – UGLY QUILTS –
Dedicated Quilters!
SLIDE#16 – QUILTS FOR VETERANS –
A recent project currently under construction is quilts for veterans.
SLIDE#17 – BABY BLANKETS FOR ASSEMBLY 2014 –
In April 2014, women from around the country and mission partners across the globe gathered for the 19th Quadrennial Assembly of United Methodist Women in Louisville, Kentucky. United Methodist Women members knitted, crocheted, and sewed prayer shawls and baby blankets for those in need.
SLIDE#18 – BABY BLANKETS FOR ASSEMBLY 2014 –
We sent around 50 blankets made by the FAITH Circle and Knit Wits to Assembly 2014.
SLIDE#19 – FIDGET QUILT – Chris Curtiss to speak at 11:00 service
Another more recent project of the FAITH Circle is making “Fidget Quilts.” You may have read the article in the current newsletter asking you to let us know if you have someone, a family member or friend who would be comforted and/or stimulated by a “Fidget Quilt.”
SLIDE#20 – FIDGET QUILT –
Fidget Quilts are designed to connect to the recipients – someone suffering from dementia, Alzheimer disease or other impairments.
SLIDE#21 – RUMMAGE SALE –
Finally, our source of income to support our missions. Our next Rummage Sale is coming up the first weekend in October. We hold a Sale in the spring and fall and net about $1,000 each enabling us to give generously to local and global missions – as there is a need.
SLIDE#22 – FAITH HOPE LOVE IN ACTION –
Thank you for allowing us to highlight some of the areas of mission that we support as your local unit of United Methodist Women. I thank all the women who have served before us and all those who will follow one day, and especially those supporting our unit today. As our legacy continues, remember we are your neighbors. We are here to honor God and as Micah said, “to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.” Ladies, continue to serve the mission initiatives and priorities of United Methodist Women, and congregation, continue to support us as an extension of the ministries of your church.
Old Testament Lesson: Micah 6:7-8
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He 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?
New Testament Lesson: Acts 2:44-47;9:36-43
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Peter in Lydda and Joppa
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.”
So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, September 20 ~ Saturday, September 26
Sunday: “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’” Micah 6:7 God is not looking for your deals. God is looking for YOU! Serve God today!
Monday: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you” Micah 6:8a Sometimes we try to guess what God wants. God tells us. Prayerfully ask God how you can serve.
Tuesday: “But to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8b. How are you doing justice today? How are you loving kindness today? How are you walking humbly with God today?
Wednesday: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44. Prayerfully consider how God is calling you to give of yourself to others.
Thursday: “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” Acts 2: 45-46. Is your heart glad and generous? Consider the above prescription.
Friday: “So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.” Acts 9:39. The works of Dorcas were obvious in the community. People could see God through her. Are you living in such a way that people can see God through you?
Saturday: “Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” Acts 9:41-42. When we share God in our lives with others, many come to believe. Have you shared your life with someone today?