United
Methodist Women Take Ministries Seriously
Regardless the membership size in the United Methodist Women "circles,"
these daughters of Christ
are always on the go. Since 1770, women have taken active roles in
American Methodism, the first
woman being Mary Evan Thorne who became a class leader in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. John
Wesley, the founder of Methodism, authorized Sarah Mallet to preach in
1787 as long as she preached
the doctrines and disciplines of all the Methodist preachers.
Today, in the Black Mountain United Methodist Church (BMUMC), there are
three United Methodist
Women Circles that take on many projects and work many hours. Many of
the women have jobs
outside the church, but continue to support the work of Christ. Plus,
there are many women who are not
official "members" of a circle, but put a lot of time and effort in
chairing other committees and going
about Christ's business.
One month of the year, the Circles of BMUMC take charge of the birthday
party for the women at the
Black Mountain Correctional Center. During the other eleven months of
the year, the monthly
Birthday party is hosted by other churches in the Swannanoa Valley.
Birthday cake, sodas, chips and
dip, and presents for each woman celebrating her birthday during the
given month, bring happiness in
the incarcerated womens' hearts. The birthday celebrations, even though
limited in the types of gifts
given, let the women know that the Black Mountain community cares about
them and if only for a few
hours, breaks down the stigmas associated with incarcerated women. Music
is often a desired part of the birthday party, but musicians are not always available for the
event.Another vital community program that the Black Mountain United Methodist
Women take part,includes the Room in the Inn. The Room in the Inn houses
up to 12
homeless women for 7 nights.
During the day, the women are transferred to the A HOPE center in Asheville where each woman is assisted in education, training, employment and many other programs as the women work toward independence, including housing. During the summer of 2010, the community is invited to collect trial size containers of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotion and soap. These items will be taken to A HOPE for all women and men in Buncombe County who are homeless. Large containers are heavy to carry on a homeless persons back, thus having an ample supply of trial sizes in stock at A HOPE Center is important to help ease the burden of homeless people.
The "homeless" person varies in background. According to Theresa Leonhardt, working with homeless Veterans has given her some memories that will not go away. "While working at the Dallas, Texas Veteran's Administration Hospital in the early 80's, I met a Veteran from Michigan. He had been a business man with a family. Then one day, his life was shattered when he found his 16 year-old son had committed suicide. My heart was broken for this Veteran. After his son's suicide, he left Michigan and for 3 years had been wondering around all over the country and made no contact with his wife and daughters. It was around Christmas time and I encouraged him to write a Christmas card to his family in Michigan, and I would have my mother in North Carolina mail it for him. That way his family could not find him as he wished to remain 'lost' but they would know that he was alive and well, at least in the physical sense. Even now, all these years later, I wonder if that Veteran ever made it back to be with his loved ones in Michigan. Today, knowing that there are as many women with children who are homeless, certainly pulls at my heart strings." There are a multitude of activities available for women to become involved at the Black Mountain United Methodist Church and doing so will make your spiritual life enriched.
The Morning Circle meets every second Tuesday of each month in the
Church House, 10:00 AM,
beginning with morning coffee followed by the business meeting, and
ending with Bible Study.
The Rachel Circle meets every second Thursday evening of each month
at 7 PM.
The Sarah Circle meets every second Monday at 7:00 PM at the church
house.
You are invited to join us in any of these enriching
studies.
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