Author Archives: ECRD DistrictUWF

50th Anniversary of Earth Day: So What’s New?

by Betty Spencer Dickey
Western Jurisdiction UMW Climate Guide

Earth Day

It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it. How was that possible? Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. Rivers and lakes caught fire they were so polluted!

It’s hard for me to believe it has been 50 years since the first Earth Day was held. It was April 22, 1970 and it marked the beginning of the environmental movement. There was a grassroots environmental movement going on and it was hoped that this event would increase ecological awareness.

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Quick News: Memorial Service for Merle Boxill

In this ECR District UMW Quick News:  We remember Merle Boxill, who passed away last December.

Merle Boxill Memorial Service

Merle Boxill

The memorial service for Merle Boxill will be Saturday, February 1, 2020, at 2:00pm, at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos, CA 94024.

Merle passed away December 19, 2019.

A dynamic United Methodist Woman, Merle served as guest speaker, retreat leader, Mission Event study leader, and past president of CA/NV Conference UMW.  She was also a lifelong educator, administrator, and mentor of new teachers.

Please hold Merle’s family in your prayers.

Her obituary may be found online here

 

Connect & Learn 2020 – Feb. 1 at St. Paul’s UMC, San Jose

Let Your Light Shine!

Our El Camino Real District UMW “Connect & Learn” 2020 offers resources, ideas, and inspiration for local church United Methodist Women who are in UMW leadership roles, whether “official” or not.

Rev. Jennifer Goto

Rev. Jennifer Goto

This event features keynote speaker Rev. Jennifer Goto of St. Paul’s UMC, speaking on the topic of what it means to “let our light shine.”

Following the keynote, breakout groups will be offered to prepare women for leadership roles in UMW, and to explore what UMW is all about.   The following breakout groups will be offered:

      • President
      • Treasurer
      • Secretary/Communications
      • UMW in Mission/Social Action
      • Program Planning
      • Teaming Up to Grow UMW
      •  Knowing God. Continue reading →