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.

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 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.

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“Sacred Rest”

Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)

In a world that values production many of us are often running on fumes, seeking and desiring rest, but what does that look like? How do we find the sacred rest our minds, bodies, souls require so we can better serve in the ways the Lord has called us too?

The Central Valley District United Methodist Women (part of our CA/NV Conference) are offering this spiritual retreat at the ECCO Conference Center in Oakhurst, just 12 miles from the south gate of Yosemite National Park.

During the retreat, June 5-7, 2020, you’ll explore 7 kinds of rest as outlined in “Sacred Rest” by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, and develop practices that can help sustain the kinds of sacred rest one may not even know one craves.

For more information, please see the event flyer. Please register by May 10, 2020.