Author Archives: ECRD DistrictUWF

Quick News: Life in time of COVID-19; Changes in plans

Life in the time of COVID-19

K Stone

El Camino Real United Methodist Women President K Stone

Hello my friends,

In this time of extreme health concern, I want to share with you my thoughts on how we, together, can get through a new world of “Shelter in Place” and focus on “Essential Activities.”

I encourage you to follow the order of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, who has identified things to be done to slow the spread of COVID-19.  They recommend remaining “socially distant” and washing hands, and staying at home unless you are doing “Essential Activities,” which include getting outdoor exercise as you are able.

As United Methodist Women, one of our “Essential Activities” is to remain connected with each other.  While we are not able to visit in person, we can check in over the phone, through email, with text messages, or even video chat.

The most hopeful message I’ve read is from a daily motivation email I receive, called “Notes from the Universe.”  One of this week’s emails really spoke to me, and I hope it is helpful to you as well.

“Our universal God is with us……In every home, sitting beside each child, and in the nervous heart of every adult, joyfully radiant. Knowing that this unfolding pandemic, like all crises, will ultimately awaken our spirits, rearrange our priorities, draw us together, and inspire an everlasting compassion.

Life is beautiful. It never ends. Fear not.”

– From the Universe

Blessings,
K Stone
“I Choose Hope”

Changes in plans due to COVID-19

Event and activity schedules are being changed due to the health mandates and social distancing needed to control the spread of COVID-19.  Here is what we know so far:

  • Our ECR District UMW Spiritual Retreat was cancelled; see more here
  • The United Methodist Women 2019 Census due date has been postponed to April 30; see more here
  • The UMW Western Jurisdiction meeting has been postponed to September 11-13, 2020*; see more here

* Date changed from TBD on 4/13/2020.

Other upcoming events may be impacted, so please watch for announcements.  Information about our District and Conference events will be posted on our website, ecrduwf.org/

Subscribe to Quick News

Get the latest news from El Camino Real District United Methodist Women in our Quick News emails.  Sent once or twice a month, it’s a great way to find about upcoming events and recent news that affects our District United Methodist Women.   Subscribe here!

This Quick News was sent out to our email list March 21, 2020.

Interrupting the Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline, Part 2 – Event postponed

Cradle-to-Prison PipelineThe CA-NV Conference United Methodist Women Social Action Event, “Interrupting the Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline, Part 2”, originally scheduled for April 25, 2020, has been postponed due to COVID-19 health concerns.

With the current statewide “shelter in place” order, which may be in force into May, the event team is considering other options, including hosting a “virtual event.”

The original plans for this event are on the CA-NV Conference UMW website.  Please check their site for updated information.

Be counted in the UMW 2019 Census

Dear Presiden`ts,
The United Methodist Women 2019 Census has already started!   Each local unit is asked to complete the online form by March 30, 2020 (but see note below).  While the form is typically filled out by the president of the unit, any designated person can do it.  It usually only takes 5-10 minutes to fill in the form.  If you send the form in late, after the deadline, it won’t be counted.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand and support the postponement and cancellation of events that impact the completion of the census. With this new reality of social distancing and self-isolation, we are going to extend the census due date until April 30, 2020.

It is important for all units of our District to submit their census information.  The results are reflected in programs and resources that are being developed by the National UMW office.  Note that this is not connected in any way with the census from the U.S. government!

If you need help, call me.

Carolyn Lamcke
Membership Nurture and Outreach

Here are the 5 easy steps:

  1. Go to the Census: Using your web browser, search for “United Methodist Women Census 2019”.
  2. Plan your answers: You’ll see the introduction to “United Methodist Women Census 2019” with the form below.  I recommend printing it out, then filling it in.  This gives you the flexibility to fill it in as you have time, or to ask others in your group to help with the answers.
  3. Enter church Zip Code: When you start filling out the form use the Church’s ZIP CODE.  It will find your church.  On the line with your church’s name, click the button that says “Select.”  Otherwise the form won’t be sent or counted.
  4. Submit:  When you are done, click “Submit” at the bottom of the page.  If it says there is a mistake made, it will be highlighted in red.  Please fix the mistake and send it again.
  5. Done! If you did it correctly, you will get a “Thank You” note, which is great because it indicates your information went to the National UMW office.

Event Cancelled – Choose Hope for God’s World at Spiritual Retreat, March 13-15, 2020

Due to the current unusually high health concerns, the Spiritual Retreat, scheduled for March 13-15, must be cancelled for this year. 

The retreat center has been required by their county Health Services Agency to not have any public gatherings for the next week or so. 

Your registration fees will be refunded.   

We hope that next year, we will be in a better situation, and that we can again offer you a spiritually uplifting and renewing retreat experience. 

Let Your Light Shine:
Choose Hope for God’s World

Our 2020 District UMW Spiritual Retreat will be held among the redwoods of the Mission Springs Retreat Center in Scotts Valley, CA, March 13-15, 2020.

Retreat Leader Rev. Charlotte Bear will guide us in this year’s theme, “Let Your Light Shine,” focusing on the topic “Choose Hope for God’s World.”

Rev. Charlotte Bear

Rev. Charlotte Bear

Rev. Charlotte is a spiritual leader, a healthcare chaplain, a former broadcast journalist, a community advocate and activist, a wife, a mother and a US Veteran. She has been a pastor in our District. Her focus is in guiding people to reconnect with the sacredness of God’s earth, to have an impact through collective action and to build community resilience in response to a dramatically changing planet.

Please register (online or mail-in) by Monday, March 9, 2020. (Registration has been extended from March 4 because of the new one-day option being offered.)  Register early for best availability of lodging options.

New One-Day (Saturday) Option: For those unable to attend the full weekend event, we are offering a Saturday-only option.  This includes the Saturday program sessions, lunch and dinner, and the Gifts & Graces Talent Show.  Register for this option by Monday, March 9, 2020.

Continue reading →