United Methodist Women

Welcome to the United Methodist Women Page!

There is something for everyone at UMW. With all the wonderful work in mission happening right now at our church and around the world, did you know that one of the major goals of UMW is to promote mission work? Our purpose statement of the UMW reads...

"The organized unit of the UNITED METHODIST WOMEN shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church."

The UMW ladies go about their work quietly without fanfare. In our large congregation, if you are looking for a small group that is about our "Father's business', then the UMW groups are for you!

FAST FACTS ABOUT UMW - Here are some of the activities of the UMW at Ankeny First United Methodist Church:

Provide pledges to the Iowa Conference
Sponsor a family for the annual Christmas Project (one family per circle)
Support local missions (School Nurse Program, Food Pantry, Youth Emergency Services, Bidwell-Riverside, and many more!
Provide substantial support for the Thanksgiving Ingathering. In 2009, over 400 school bag material was cut for our annual School Ingathering project.
Hold Bible studies
Provide support for families during deaths, weddings, etc.
Collects soup labels, etc, for mission work
Sponsor two morning circles, one afternoon circle and two evening circles.

WHAT WE ARE NOT
We are not the Welcome Wagon - yet we welcome all women who join us. We are not a Social Club, yet we meet for fellowship and sharing. We are not a Study Club, yet we read, study, and search for God's word. We are not a Service Club, yet we work at all kinds of projects. We are not a Garden Club, yet we desire to see growth in ourselves and in others by reaching out to God - then we spread our branches to encircle all those around us - blooming where we are planted.

The United Methodist Women cover all these special interests and more. Such excitement, Lord! See what we can accomplish as we work together!

General meetings are held on the 1^st Thursday four times a year.

Circles meet monthly:

Circle	Meeting Day / Time
Uptown Ruth Circle	2^nd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm (Meets at a local restaurant before meeting for dinner)
Uptown Mary Circle	3^rd Tuesday of the month, 9:00 am
Uptown Martha Circle	3^rd Thursday of the month, 1:00 pm
Uptown Circle of Christian Sisters	3^rd Monday of the month, 7:00 pm
Faith UMW Sewing Group	Every Wednesday, 9:00 am
Faith UMW regular meeting	3^rd Wednesday, 9:00 am

The Latest News...

This past year has been a busy and successful one for the United Methodist Women of this church, and it is reflected on the report submitted by our treasurer, Patricia Verrone. I would like to share some of that information with all of you.

Over $11,000 was disbursed this past year. Our conference pledge was $3,400.00. Other disbursements were: World Thank Offering $478.04, Bidwell Riverside $725.00, Family Christmas Project $565.11, Homeless Ministry $663.00, Youth Missions Trip $400.00, Ingathering Kits & Postage $521.06, Cedar Rapids Mission Trip $329.54, Church Cabinets (Scout Project) $400.00, United Way/Food Vouchers $500.00, DMARC Food Pantry $380.00, and Shalome Zone $265.17. There is still more, and a full report has been posted on the bulletin board outside the Uptown Lounge.

We would like to thank the staff and congregation for all of the support you have shown us this past year. We look forward to seeing you at our Salad Luncheon and Harvest Home Dinner. Eileen MacVey, President

Ministries & Programs

United Methodist Women

Welcome to the United Methodist Women Page!