This month with the Friday Circle

Sue Pearson & Mary Costello prepare refreshments

An attentive group

Amber speaking about Wesley House

Bonita speaking on the Reading Program

Hazel encourages reading Response magazine

The Friday UMW Circle met this afternoon with twenty in attendance. Today's hostess, Mary Costello, Sue Pearson, and Bev Schneider provided a delightful strawberry shortcake for refreshments and fresh-cut flowers decorated each table.

The devotional was shared by Carole Koval who shared several poems found in Hold Me Steady, Lord, written by Margaret Spiess (mother of Gretchen Spiess).

Today's program was provided by Amber Dobb Maclay-Schulte. Amber spoke about the Wesley House campus ministry at the University of Montana (opposite Miller Hall on Arthur Ave. in Missoula). Visit this link to hear Amber's talk.

Coordinator reports:
+Mission Education/Social Action: Hazel Smith referenced an article in Response about human trafficking and the UMW/UMC effort to combat this evil.
+Nurture & Membership: Mary Costello - Be sure to reach out to women in our church who might benefit from the UMW ministries and fellowship.
+Prayer shawls: Carole Koval reported that one shawl and one baby blanket were presented last month. To date we have shared 221 shawls.
+Reading Program Circle: Bonita Ziegler said that the reading program is having great participation and with such a wide-range of choices, everyone can (and should) participate.
+Receptions: Bonita Ziegler reported that two receptions were held in the last month - Colleen Mackowick (daughter of Linda Kauffman) and James Patterson. We anticipate hosting a reception for Fred Jackson on May 20.

+Saturday Circle: Belinda Alkula reported that the Saturday Circle would be meeting on the 20th and would be assembling the UMCOR health kits. Anyone interested in helping should come to the church at 8:30 am. 
+Spiritual Growth: Bev Schneider reminded us to be in prayer for missionaries both here in the USA and around the world. Bev referenced Psalm 37:4-5 and the writings of Thomas à Kempis.

Upcoming events:
14 May - deadline for UMCOR kit donations
20 May - Saturday Circle, 9:00 am
20 May - Fred Jackson Memorial, 11 am @ Daly-Leach - Hamilton
9 June - UMW dinner @ Annual Conference, 5:30 pm
16 June - Set-up for rummage sale
17 June - Annual Rummage Sale, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
24 June - Saturday Circle @ Frontier Cafe`, 9:00 am
14 July - Summer UMW Picnic
21-22 July - Summer Mission u @ Aldersgate UMC - Butte
4-5 August - Creamery Picnic
9 September - Western Mountains District fall event
6-7 October - YAC UMW annual meeting @ Bozeman UMC
21 October - Our fall bazaar!