Our CA/NV Conference and District United Methodist Women are offering an enriching Soul Searching Retreat to help prepare, equip and enable United Methodist Women to take on 2021 with hope and courage. A lot of work lays ahead; so we need to be buckled up with the armor of God, and above all the peace that passeth all understanding. We are fortunate to have a member from the National Office of UMW to lead our program. We are hopeful that you will take advantage of this opportunity and join us for a wonderful time of worship and spiritual enlightening.

This retreat will be Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:00am PT to Noon via Zoom.

Retreat Leader Dr. Glory Dharmaraj is the President of the World Association for Christian Communication-North America. She is the retired director of spiritual formation and mission theology for the United Methodist Women. Prior to that, she served as the Administrator of the United Methodist Seminar Program on National and International Affairs at the Church Center for the United Nations, New York.

Glory received her Ph.D. from Loyola University, Chicago. She has done special studies at Harvard University and joint studies on doctor of ministries at San Francisco Theological Seminary, California, and Ecumenical Theological Education at the World Council of Churches, Geneva. Her favorite hobby is listening to medieval chants and lyrics in her mother tongue, Tamil.

More information about the retreat, including the agenda and how to prepare, is provided in the retreat flyer here.  

Our neighbors in the Los Rios District invite all to participate with them and Christian women from 140 countries around the world in prayer.  We will be praying together with, rather than for, those in the world in need of prayer support.

The 2021 program was written by the World Day of Prayer women of Vanuatu.  The theme is Build on a Strong Foundation based on Matthew 7:24–27. 

In addition, there is a short (7 minute) video on the World Day of Prayer website about Vanuatu. 

Although the designated Day of  Prayer is March 5, you may participate whenever you wish.

Vanuatu is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It was first inhabited by Melanesian people. The first Europeans were Spanish explorers in 1606. It was claimed by France and the United Kingdom in the 1880s, and became the independent Republic of  Vanuatu in 1980.  Its economy is based on agriculture (kava, copra, crop gardens, and more), tourism (especially scuba diving), offshore financial services, and raising cattle.  More info at Wikipedia…

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2020 – Zoom meeting
In the last year, our world changed dramatically, socially and politically. And even in our District United Methodist Women, we have changed the way we are organized and how we connect with each other.  Be part of Connect & Learn 2021 as we develop more new ideas and new commitments to the work of United Methodist Women. 

About Connect & Learn

Connect & Learn is our annual gathering of El Camino Real District United Methodist Women, focused on leadership training and resources.  This year, due to shelter-in-place protocols, we are holding it as an online “Zoom” meeting.

After the meeting is opened, our keynote speaker, Rev. Linda Holbrook, will explore what leadership looks like today.

Following the keynote, two sets of breakout groups will be offered to prepare women for leadership roles in UMW, and to explore what UMW is about.

The first breakout session will focus on organizational roles. Participants can choose one of these breakout groups:

• President/main contact, treasurer
• Vice President and program planning
• Reading Program and program resources
• Secretary and communications
• Being a member of UMW

The second breakout session will focus on mission and ministry.  Participants can choose one of these breakout groups:

• Educate to Transform (includes Education & Interpretation)
• Grow Spiritually (includes Spiritual Growth)
• Serve & Advocate (includes Social Action)
• Organize for Growth (includes Membership Nurture & Outreach and Nominations)

All women are invited and encouraged to attend.  Whether you are an officer, or just curious about UMW and its mission, ministry, and involvement in social action issues, there will be something here to rekindle your spirit.

Keynote Speaker Rev. Linda A. Holbrook

Rev. Linda Holbrook

Linda is an ordained elder in the California Nevada Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  She was ordained in the Central Texas Conference and moved to California in 2011.  Linda retired in 2018. 

Prior to going to seminary and becoming a pastor, Linda was in the business world as a consultant focusing on visioning and strategic planning, change management, team building, leadership training, and conflict resolution.  While working in the business world she heard the call to leave the business world and go to seminary. 

Linda attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas.  She earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Claremont School of Theology with an emphasis in leadership. 

Registration is closed.