UMW shifting to new districts - Women’s leadership will change Jan 1
Installation of the 2016 officers for United Methodist Women placed another keystone in the new eight-district structure of the Oklahoma Conference.
On Oct. 3, Bishop Robert Hayes Jr. presided as UMW officers for every district and the Conference level were inducted, in the 2015 UMW Annual Meeting hosted at Woodward-First Church. Their terms begin Jan. 1.
UMW operations at all levels follow a calendar year. The Conference’s realignment from 12 to eight districts became official June 1. However, the UMW ceremony underscores that such change is not accomplished in one midnight pen stroke.
At Woodward, small flags identified each district’s representatives. Total attendance was 267.
Speaker was Anita Phillips, a member of the Keetoowah Cherokee Nation and an elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
Cindy Hull of Waynoka continues as Conference UMW president. The 2016 Pledge to Mission is $290,000.
Also featured were: UM missionaries Meri Whitaker of Cookson Hills Center and Fuxia Wang of the OU Chinese Fellowship; Stacey Ninness of Neighborhood Services Organization; and UM deaconess Kathy Kraiza of the Sager Brown Depot, an UMCOR distribution center in Louisiana. (UMCOR = United Methodist Committee on Relief)
For Kraiza, the event also meant a family visit. Her mother is a member at Woodward.
Pastor Shannon Davis performed on violin, and Jan Davis played hand bells. Jo Millard, also of First Church, chaired Local Arrangements.
"Loved the entire weekend. The churches at Woodward certainly have hospitality. I should have been tired; instead I was energized by all the wonderfulness that took place!" declared a social media post by Conference UMW Music Leader Judy Horne.
"God’s Spirit was evident among us. Much laughter and radiant faces!"
Jurisdiction will meet here
On April 15-17, the South Central Jurisdiction’s UMW Quadrennial Meeting will be held in downtown Oklahoma City. Every four years, this event draws attendees from eight states.
2016 leadership team
President Hull is joined in 2016 by these Conference officers: Ramona Paine, Enid, secretary; Sue Helms, Chandler, treasurer; and chairpersons Marilyn Quinn, Sulphur, nominations; Jacci Freno, Oklahoma City, programming; Glenda Gilpin, Hooker, membership; and Joyce Alfred, Oklahoma City, mission.
Bishop Hayes prays during the officer installation Oct. 3 in Woodward.
Jan Davis plays hand bells during the UMW Annual Meeting.
Keynote Anita Phillips uses a Native American symbol.