• Plastic zip-closed bags in sandwich and gallon sizes and tall white kitchen garbage bags.
• Laundry soap, toilet tissue, paper towels and hygiene items.
• Backpacks, tote bags, duffel bags and small suitcases.
• We can also use books, especially for children, but all books are needed.
• You could make snack bags of cookies and/or candy for a special treat for our clients. I can take these any Thursday when I go.

I am working on getting people to help sort and stock the clothes closet. This is done in the afternoon and we can decide when we want to go. If you are interested please let me know and I’ll add your name to the list and find a time that suits us.

Thank you for your continuing support for Urban Ministries and all the hungry and homeless people of Durham.
Jan Schwarze

We would like to thank our team of dedicated walkers, especially Peggy, who appeared as PUMCy the dragon for the entire 4.8 mile walk. Way to go!!

You can still donate to CROP in support of the team.

If you would like to donate online, you can visit our team gift page on the Church World Service Website.

You may also, write a check to PUMC and mark CROP Walk on the “for” line.

At this point we took a short break to enjoy the refreshments provided by Hollis and Judy.

Susan began our program with prayer. In addition to those in our church family with needs, we remembered the victims and families and all those whose lives were changed by the events at the Boston Marathon. Our special guest for this meeting was Susan Rayles, President of the Corridor District. She shared some background on her journey to becoming Corridor District president. She presented some information on the upcoming mission studies, the Sister to Sister event, and the District Day apart. Flyers on these events can be found on the UMW board or on the corridor District Website, http://corridorumw.org/ She also shared information about the “For all the Saints” that will be a part of the annual conference meeting of UMW. Our treasurer will have more information about this. There is also a mission trip to the Wesley Community Center in Savannah, GA in September. Spaces are limited because there is very little housing available. Anyone interested must register by August 15. Susan Rayles announced that our Susan Oglesby has accepted the position of Sub District Leader for south Corridor District. Congratulations and thanks for your service! The remainder of Susan’s remarks related to how we can help include and encourage younger women in their UMW journey.

Please join us for another food and fun filled luncheon right after church to celebrate a beautiful spring. Bring your favorite luncheon dish (meats are always needed) and let’s enjoy a meal with our friends. Good fellowship in guaranteed!

Maundy Thursday Common Meal and Communion – March 28th at 6: 15 pm

Good Friday Vigil in the Sanctuary – March 29th from 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Good Friday Tenebrae Service – March 29th at 7:00 pm

Easter Sunrise Service – March 31st at 6:45 am

Easter Church Service – March 31st at 11:00 am

All children ages 10 years and under are welcome to participate. Parental assistance is welcome and advised.

Donations: We are expecting a lot of children to come out to this great Parkwood Community event. Donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candies are greatly appreciated.

Natalie presented the Response moment using an article from a recent Response magazine. The article was about Albemarle County in Virginia. This county is the location of Charlottesville and is one of the wealthiest counties in Virginia. At the same time 21% of its resident live below the poverty level. There are United Methodist women and Methodist congregations at work trying to help feed and shelter their neighbors in need. Among the programs in place are shelters that rotate among the churches, a
back pack food program, and weekly distribution of groceries. The food box program began twenty-five years ago as a monthly distribution and has grown to weekly distribution. All the projects Natalie reported were started as UMW efforts to help their local community.

The program this month was the annual “Call to Prayer and Self Denial.” Pam Skidmore led the program on financial literacy. Included in the program were facts about today’s cost of living and the debt that quickly builds through use of credit cards, home mortgages, auto loans, and educational expenses.

We were reminded of John Wesley’s “earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” The offering collected during the program will be forwarded as designated funds to support financial literacy training programs of the UMW.

During the business portion of our meeting, Jan presented an update on the reception/dinner policy for PUMW. Betty and Pam are also working on this committee. Members agreed to help with the coordination and preparation of upcoming receptions. The receptions are not fundraisers, but a reception ministry.

Plans were made for the Irish dinner to be served on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 following the worship service. This will be a fundraiser to support PUMW projects this year. Our March meeting will be held on the third Thursday, March 21, because the fourth Thursday is Maundy Thursday. The meeting will be at 7:00 pm at PUMC.

The UMM wish to thank you for making out two winter fundraising events at success. We donated $200.00 to Yo! Durham and $200.00 to the Pastors Discretionary fund. We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Flea Market on May 4th.