The Iola United Methodist Women met Sept. 26 at Calvary UMC and discussed recent awards given to UMW members.
During the summer, several members, family and friends gathered to present the Dedicated Light Award to Dorothy Saxton who has been an active member for many years, and exemplifies what a United Methodist woman should be. The award is a gift to mission in the honorees name. She received acknowledgment at the UMW Great Plains Conference.
Donna Grigsby was awarded the Eunice Harrington Award at the UMW Great Plains Conference. One award each year is given in honor of a District Officer within the Conference who works toward racial equality and a commitment to local and world missions through volunteerism.
Also at the meeting, thank you notes were read from the Matt Miller family and members learned of a student from Ecuador receiving a scholarship and now teaching children about Jesus.
Donna Grigsby, Education, Nurture, and Outreach Coordinator, gave the Response Moment sharing how Dorcas, even though there are only seven verses in the Bible about her, exemplified the faithful living and servanthood of what United Methodist Women strive to be. The Bright Lights section told of a unit celebrating UMW and predecessors 150th birthday with providing children of poverty with cake mixes and frosting to make at home.
A time change will begin with the October meeting. The meetings will still be on the fourth Thursday but will begin at 10 a.m. instead of 6 p.m.
October 20 will be UMW Sunday. Luke 18:1-8 was tentatively set as the Scripture. Hands of Glory from Ottawa will bring the message through signing. Mission pins will be given at the worship service.
Donna Grigsby presented the program with information about history of UMW and the Annual Celebration of the Great Plains UMW where Joyce Sohl, former Womens Division CEO, was the speaker.
The South Central Jurisdiction meeting will be March 26-29, 2020, in Little Rock, Ark.
The next meeting of the Iola UMW will be at 10 a.m. October 24 at Calvary UMC.
