Author Archives: ECRD DistrictUWF

Quick News: 2021 Retreat scheduling; being in ministry at a distance

Planning ahead for Spiritual Retreat 2021

This spring we were unable to hold the ECR District UMW Spiritual Retreat, due to Shelter-in-Place restrictions.  Undaunted, we are getting a start on next year’s retreat, expecting that the world will be healthier then.  We’re looking forward to again offering a renewing spiritual experience in the redwoods of Santa Cruz Mountains.

Typically the retreat is held the second weekend in March.  We’ve heard from several groups that they also have another event that is routinely scheduled for that same weekend. So we  would like to find out your preferred retreat dates. Note that in 2021, Easter is April 4.

Please take our quick online poll to let us know your preferred retreat dates:  March 12-14, or March 19-21. >>Take the poll on our website, here.<<

Mission & Ministry with Shelter-in-Place

How have you, as a United Methodist Woman, been in mission lately?

For the last several weeks, groups have not been able to meet physically together, while we “shelter in place.”  This makes it more challenging to be in mission together.

In our next Mission Link newsletter (due to be published soon), we will include stories of how our local groups have been in mission and ministry while keeping the required social distance.

Please leave a reply to this post, by April 18, with a brief description of how your local group has remained connected and has been in ministry this month.  Or, send an email to our Communications Coordinator at communication@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 April 13, 2020.

2021 Spiritual Retreat dates – your opinion requested!

We are beginning plans for our 2021 Spiritual Retreat.  While unfortunately we were not able to hold our retreat this year, due to Shelter-in-Place restrictions, we are expecting that next spring we will again be able to offer a renewing spiritual experience in the redwoods of Santa Cruz Mountains.

Typically the retreat is held the second weekend in March.  We’ve heard from several groups that they also have another event that is routinely scheduled for that same weekend. So we  would like to find out your preferred retreat dates. Note that in 2021, Easter is April 4.

If you would be interested in attending the retreat, please take the quick poll below – click the button to the left of the date you prefer, then click Submit..  (One entry per person, please.)

For either date, the event would start Friday evening just before dinner, and end Sunday just after lunch.

“Faith Talks” podcast offers special COVID-19 live events

Faith Talks podcastThe coronavirus pandemic has led to school and business closures, job loss, overwhelmed grocery stores and sick and stressed out family members. Places of worship are thinking through how to remain connected amidst mandates for social distancing to slow the spread of the virus. Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, we know faith is possible. Join host Jennifer Farmer and other women of faith for a live recording of the @UMWomen #FaithTalks podcast. To accommodate you, we will host two separate recordings on Thursday, April 2. You can join one or both sessions.

The first recording is from 2:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET  (11am to noon PDT) on April 2 and I will interview United Methodist Women Executive for Spiritual Growth & Formation Nora Cunningham and guests Dr. Melany Silas, Minister Onleilove Alston, Rev. Jim Keat. The session will be held via Zoom Video Conference and you can register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WBWvUZDPR_u8rmvSSojyrg.

The second one is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET (3pm to 4pm PDT) on April 2 and I will interview Nora Cunningham, Rev. Katey Zeh, Pastor Gail Dudley, Valerie Ashford Brown. To listen to this session, which will also occur via Zoom, register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OSQ672aPSMiGGBsCXkaF5w.

In these special #FaithTalks recordings, we will gain insights on remaining faithful in the face of fear, connecting spiritually during social distancing and strategies for online worship.

Prior to the call, you’ll want to download Zoom on your phone or computer. Once you download Zoom, you’ll have the option of joining via computer or phone. Should you have questions for the panelists, please email them to me at jenniferr@spotlightpr.org.

See other topics in the Faith Talks series of podcasts here:  https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/faithtalks

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.