A Perfect Gift

United Women in Faith

‘Tis the season for gift giving!  We know the ultimate gift to us was God’s Son. We also know how easy it is to get sucked up in the world’s value system, sometimes using gifts to try to prove our love.
 
We live in a time of abundance – and of great need; for many, conspicuous consumption – for others, hunger and not enough to make ends meet.  We are bombarded with so much information, it’s tough to sort it all out.  So, many times we take the easy way out, ignoring what we say we believe. We cocoon ourselves in safe places, with people we know and love – and give gifts that promote a value system of bigger/more/glitzy/expensive is better.  I’m challenging you to think outside the box as you make your last minute decisions about gifts this season.  I’m suggesting gifts that will enable others to worship and sing; learn and discuss; celebrate and grow with others; and be inspired to respond to God’s Call. 
 

• The gift of Mission u – for a child, a youth, or an adult – July 12-15, 2018 for children and adults; July 10-15 for youth – California University of PA – air conditioned sleeping/eating/classes, good food, excellent presenters, great times of worship and singing, learning, and discussing issues/solutions (for women and men).  Check out what happened last year:  https://www.wpaumc.org/missionu

• The gift that will put another into a setting of celebration of United Methodist Women and the local/global work they do world-wide:  Assembly 2018 – April 18-20 (get there on the 17^th) – Columbus (Ohio) Convention Center – car pools from across Western PA will help us get there – a block of rooms for WPA at Ramada Inn, Columbus North.  United Methodist Women are the largest faith based women’s organization in the world.  There’s a lot of excitement generated when 7,000-8,000 UMW members and supporters get together.  There are three links under events on the WPA UMW webpage that will tell you more:  https://www.wpaumc.org/UMWomen.  Early registration fee is in effect until Dec 31, 2017!  

• The gift of a donation to the Legacy Fund in honor of someone you love, to pay tribute to a value system of spiritual growth, mission, service and justice advocacy.  Make that donation online by clicking on 150 Legacy Fund at the National UMW site:  https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/.  OR send your donation to Donna Nelson, WPA UMW Conference Treasurer, 509 Dawson St, Kane PA 16735.