UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

This is a local women's organization that is a part of a world-wide organization of over 800,000 women.  Its PURPOSE is to help women "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 on the global ministries of the church."

The local organization of UMW meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall for lunch and a featured program speaker that usually focuses on mission outreach activities around Orange County or within the global mission activities of the United Methodist Church.  Other opportunities for participation in UMW includes Saturday luncheons.  One is the 2nd Saturday in May and the other is the 1st Saturday in November.  We also have an annual Spiritual Growth Retreat generally held the last week-end of February.  Participation in UMW is open to any woman desiring to support the activities and ideas stated in the PURPOSE given in the above paragraph.  Contact Joyce Claussen at [email protected] for further information on this fellowship and other small groups.  Small Group information on groups such as Ruth Circle and the Quilting Guild can be found here.


HOMESTEADERS FELLOWSHIP

Who:
Homesteaders

Contact:
Julie Wakefield 

Purpose:
We are an older adult group with an interest in service and support  to the church, volunteering in our community, and having fun together.

Meet:
Approximately 8 times a year, usually on the third Sunday evening or when events are planned and hosted by members, in homes or at event site.


TWIGBENDERS FELLOWSHIP

July 21, 2016:

Somewhere around 1732 Alexander Pope wrote these words: “Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.”

Just a couple of years later (actually it was 1942!) a handful of families with young children formed a Fellowship Group at FUMCO drawing its inspiration from Pope’s quote, and the Twigbenders were officially formed. Over the years the Twigbenders have evolved and changed quite a bit, and the average age of its members has ever so slightly increased. Next month would have been their 74th anniversary, but the members have come to a prayerful decision that it’s now time to bring the curtain down on their illustrious history. They leave behind a powerful legacy of much more than fellowship and mutual support; they have produced church and community leaders, raised wonderful families, and served our Lord as they’ve served the church. It is never easy to accept that the fruitful years of a ministry have moved from the “potential” side of life’s equation to the “memory” side, but what a beautiful trove of memories the “Twigs” have given this church. I commend them for their love for one another, and for their prayerful obedience to Christ in drawing their ministry to a loving close. If you see the Twigbenders around our church, give them a hug and a smile, thank them for their service and devotion, and reassure them that while Twigbenders is ending, we at FUMCO will always have them in our care. (I also have their gavel…the staff and I are looking for the appropriate place to put it on display in our office).

See you in church,
Pastor Bill