Special points of interest:

Officer Reports Mission u registration September

Registration Form Slate of Officers Unit Reports

July, 2018

Volume 5, Issue 2

The SPARK

Big Horn District United Methodist Women

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Purpose of United Methodist Women

The organized Unit of 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 though participation in the

global ministries of the church.

Worland is Waiting The Fall District Mee ng registra on form is included in this Spark and we would like a great a endance in Worland. The program is themed to get us ready for the future of the UMW. There will be presenta ons from some topics from Assembly, the Mountain Sky Conference and the abandonment of many Big Horn District Units. What will our future look like? At this point, we might not know but we do know that UMW does good work for God and God knows what we will look like in the future, in that we are confident. So please join us to be bold and confident in your role of the UMW and its future. We are asking that you register by the deadline to allow the "cooks" to prepare for us and please bring 24 pack crayons, #2 pencils and/or box of Kleenex with you for the students in the Worland and surrounding schools.

We will have some business to take care of including vo ng on the standing rules and elec on and installa on of officers. Please join us on September 15th.

President’s Report Greetings UMW ladies. Are you surviving summer? It took a long time to get here

with all the rain, then flooding, then hail and tornadoes. Now I’m fighting weeds and mosquitos.

I guess we need to start with a report on our Spring District meeting at Laurel. It was on prayer. Several of our ladies presented different aspects of ways to pray. Since that time I learned a new simple way to be sure to have a special time for prayer each day. Set your cell phone to ring at a certain time to remind you it is time for pray-er. You can also use an alarm clock or a timing device. It is easy to set a time for prayer but in our busy lives it is easy to forget. Anyway the Laurel meeting was very inspiring and enjoyable. And, as usual, we were well fed.

Our next event will be our annual camping trip to Luccock Park on July 28th and 29th and we will attend church at Pine Creek Methodist Church Sunday morning. It is always a fun weekend. If you have never attended I encourage you to give it a try.

The Big Horn District Mission U meeting will be August 17th and 18th. It will be at Grace United Methodist Church in Billings. There are two good studies and they are always informative and worthwhile.

Our Fall District Meeting will be in Worland, Wyoming on September 15th. Our theme will be based on the “Women of Faith” structure with a lot music. Also there will be a presentation on what the joining of Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain Confer-ences will mean. There are still a lot of things to be worked out.

I am looking forward to seeing you at one or all of these events. Prayerfully, Ellen Hill – Big Horn District President

Joshua 1:9

"Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

July, 2018

Volume 5, Issue 2a

The SPARK

Big Horn District United Methodist Women

Worland UMW The highlight of the spring was the Spring luncheon for all ladies of the church. The luncheon brought together many ladies of the church for delicious food, fun, and fellowship. The annual event also featured the Hot Chicken Salad which has been served for many years.

A garage sale was held in June and was very lucrative. Jenny’s Store, an outreach, sponsored the sale.

Looking ahead, the Fall District Meeting will be help in Worland on September 15. The ladies extend a welcome to all the ladies of the district to come, enjoy the Christian friendship of their group. The cost will be $10 for the meeting and the light breakfast and lunch to be served. Plans for the program are being made by the District committee and will be announced later. Plan to come in the fall to be inspired by the program and by natural fall change. Further information will follow. See you in September!

Ten Sleep UMW In May the Ten Sleep UM held the annual dinner for graduates from Ten Sleep High School and their families. The dinner was well attended as the community celebrates the accomplishments of these young men and women. Pastor Steve Brown was the speaker for the event. The UMW supports the college attendees from each class by sending snack boxes during finals and providing a stipend for books.

The group has gifted the shawl chosen at the Spring District meeting to be given to someone needing the extra “warmth of Christian love” in a difficult time.

The Annual Church Picnic was enjoyed by many in the church in June as laughter and talk filled the fellowship hall. The food was tasty and plenteous.

The U and other ladies of the church provided cookies for the youngsters at the UM camp at Circle J Ranch Camp. By all reports, the kids and counselors had a great camp time. The UMW provides scholarships for youngsters to attend camp.

The Ten Sleep group will be providing breadkfast for the fall UMW District meeting. Since we serve brunch each Sunday after church, we will make sure attendees are well fed!

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MESSAGES FROM OUR HOST UNITS FOR THE SEPTEMBER FALL EVENT

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As we continue to practice “Climate Justice”, we encourage you to bring your own coffee mug or water bottle to use to show we are trying to be environmentally responsible.

Greetings members of the Yellowstone Conference. Mission U: providing information for personal, spir-itual and educational growth. Time is ge ng close for registra ons to come in for the first

of two educa onal/spiritual sessions we will have this sum-

mer.

These studies can be used for Lay Servant recer fica on cred-

it and for con nuing educa on credits.

Classes are open to everyone - women & men, lay & clergy

and provide an excellent educa onal opportunity.

July 27‐28 ‐ Christ United Methodist Church in Great Falls 

will host the first Mission u. Registra on begins at 8:00a.m.

You will have a chance to get your bearings around the

church building, have a cup of coffee and se le in to start the

day at 8:30. Christ UMC, 2900 9th Avenue South, Great Falls.

Great Falls: Things To Do. You may have to arrive early and

you may have to stay and extra day depending on your dis-

tance to travel. Check these out before you go – Charles M

Russell Museum, Rivers Edge Trail for walking, Lewis & Clark

Interpre ve Center, The History Museum, Gibson Park, The

Children’s Museum and Giant Springs.

August 17‐18 ‐ Grace United Methodist Church in Billings will

host the second Mission u. Registra on begins at 8:00a.m.

You will have a chance to get your bearings around the

church building, have a cup of coffee and se le in to start the

day at 8:30. Grace UMC, 1935 Avenue B, Billings.

Billings: Things To Do. You may have to arrive early and you

may have to stay and extra day depending on your distance

to travel. Check these out before you go – Zoo Montana, Yel-

lowstone County Museum (by the airport), Pictograph Caves,

YAM (Yellowstone Art Museum) downtown, Western Herit-

age Museum (downtown, formerly the Parmly Library), the

Moss Mansion (no elevator but worth the trip), Dan Walt Gar-

dens (absolutely beau ful – about 2 blocks from Sam’s &

Cabela’s).

Study Leaders and Classes. 

Peg Plimpton will be leading Part Two of Covenant Communi-

ty Educa on. This study, “Embracing Wholeness: An Earth

Perspec ve for Covenantal Living” explores the ways God has

called us to live in covenantal rela onship with all of crea on

and challenges readers to work toward stronger and healthier

rela onships with crea on, their communi es, themselves,

and God. In addi on, this study explores both our personal

and corporate responsibili es to those around us and ad-

dresses current issues, such as social responsibility and jus ce

concerns.

Janet Ulrich will lead the study “ What About Our Money? A 

Faith Response”. A Faith Response explores how we relate to

money within the context of our faith. Through this connec-

on between our faith and our money, readers discover how

to live closer to God and God’s people, even in our North

American culture that is so deeply defined by money. She

explores the biblical founda on of abundance (sufficiency),

which stands in opposi on to the scarcity narra ve our cul-

ture tells us form the me we are very young.

The books are $10 each and can be ordered online at

www.umwmissionresources.org. under Educa onal Re-

sources and you will find the books. Reading the material

ahead of me is recommended. Books will not be available 

for purchase at the event. 

Please plan to register early. You will find the registra on

forms on the Yellowstone Conference website:

h p://yacumw.org.

Becky Messman, Dean - 621 Mecca Drive, Billings, MT 59105

(h) 406-256-4977 messmanron@msn.com

Cathy Speich-Ferguson, Asst Dean - 319 S Argenta, Dillon, MT

59725 406-683-4520 cathysf@bresnan.net

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For childcare only

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Riverton UMW Riverton UMW is taking the summer off following a

busy spring. We recently gathered items to stock the pantry for our new pastor who arrived in late June. We are gathering on our president's patio in July for fellowship, snacks and drinks. We did this last year following a major kitchen clean and found it so much fun we decided to do it again.

We are in the process of getting new ranges, wall ovens, hood vents and a refrigerator. Of course the measurements have all changed so we are looking for a contractor to perform the remodel necessary to accommodate the new appliances.

Fall will find us busy again with regular meetings starting in September. October will find us back in the kitchen making noodles to sell at our annual bazaar the first of December. Helen Warpness

Lander UMW Lander UMW continues to operate a successful Thrift Shop that allows us to support our church and many other missions. Through the Thrift Shop, we have started sending excess books to Better World Books to support and promote World Wide Literacy. We have sent over 100 boxes so far. Mary Wendel

Agenda 8:00 Light Breakfast 9:00 Opening /Business Meeting (includes Standing Rules Vote) 10:00 BREAK 10:15 Program 12:00 Lunch 12:20 MNO activity 12:45 BREAK 1:00 Program - cont. 2:00 BREAK 2:15 Social Action 2:30 Installation of Officers 3:00 Worship and communion 3:30 Depart

Please mail your registration forms to:

Bertha Roylance, 216 South M St., Livingston, MT 59047, 406-222-0655 — k7cha73@charter.net

Please register by September 3, 2018. Registration fee is $10.00 per person.NOTE: DEADLINE HAS BEEN MOVED UP — IT IS COMING QUICKER THAN YOU THINK!

PLEASE REGISTER BY DEADLINE TO ALLOW UNIT AND TEAM TO BE PREPARED FOR YOU.

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_______________________________________________________________Unit:______________________________________ (one person per registration, copy as needed)

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: (include area code) ________________________________Email_____________________________________________________

Special Needs:_______________________________________________________________________________(wheelchair, dietary, etc.)

Cost: $10.00 Make checks payable to: Worland UMW Registration Deadline: September 3, 2017PLEASE REGISTER BY DEADLINE.

Motels: Sunset Inn — 2500 Big Horn Ave, Worland, WY 82401 — (307) 347-9236 Comfort Inn — 100 N Rd 11, Worland, WY 82401 — (520) 441-6170 Town House Motor Inn — 119 N 10th St, Worland, WY 82401 — (307) 347-2426 Or Contact Ellen Hill (406) 662-3605 / lama_lady@yahoo.com, if you would like to stay at Circle J Camp which is in the Ten Sleep Canyon about 30 miles east of Worland.

Be Bold! Be Strong!

Be Confident in your Future!

Big Horn District UMW Fall Gathering

September 15, 2018 8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Hosted by Worland, Wyoming

United Methodist Women Held at: Worland, Wyoming UMC

1301 Big Horn Ave — 307-347-3411

Please bring #2 pencils and 24 count crayons and Kleenex for our

donation to the Worland (and area)

schools

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Spring Event in Laurel

If you weren’t

here, look what you

missed!

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Slate for 2019 Big Horn District UMW Officers President Ellen Hill (Continuing 2019)

Vice President Susan Beley (Continuing 2019) Secretary Vicki Weiper (Continuing 2019) Treasurer Patti Keebler (Elect 2019-2020) Social Action Judy Jones (Continuing 2019) Education & Interpretation Diane Martin (Elect for 2019-2020) Spiritual Growth Tomi Alger (Continuing 2019) Membership Nurture & Outreach

Robin Wood (Elect for 2019-2020) Secretary Program Resources Jan Lambert (continuing 2019) Chair Nominations Karen Hawkinson (Elect for 2019) Nominations Leda Lester (Continuing 2019-2020) Nominations Lou Bennett (Elect for 2019-2021) Nominations VacantNominations Vacant

A Call to Mission through Education, interpretation, Awareness, Prayer, Faith

How do we live in covenant with God? Early in perusing the Study Book "Embracing Wholeness: An Earth Perspective for Covenantal Living" my first impression - I could not find a page without the name of God on it. To be mentioned so frequently means that person must be very important. We know the answer to that - Yes, there is no one more important that our God, Jehovah. Phrases such as God created, relationship with God, Faith in God jumped off the pages. How could I not want to read, study, and learn about my role in our community and as a daughter of the Most High? This is easy reading visually but also easy reading in terms of understanding. I am not spending time with a dictionary looking up a word in each sentence to find out its meaning. Leader Peg Plimpton.

How does money affect your daily life? Do you spend wisely? Frivolously? Some of both? We all have bills to pay - house payments, car payments, utility bills, insurance for health, and our cars and home. We must buy groceries. Oh, and did I mention...giving back. Giving to God, to our local churches, to further the work we were created to do - be a good steward in all things. The nurturing of our families, the care of our fellow man, the cultivation of God's creation. All of these are within our range, within our power to help make a better life within us and around us. Giving is motivated by grace - it is a natural response to our love for others. It is how we can share and we prepare. "What About Our Money? A Faith Response" is well written and covers many if not all the bases on reviewing our personal monetary gain and growth and the affect we may have on others through our Faith-Based response to what we have. Leader Janet Ulrich.

Deadlines are coming up; we hope to see you soon. You are welcome to attend the mission u that best fits your schedule. The fillable forms are also available on the conference website: https://www.mtnskyumc.org/mission_u. Registration forms are also in this issue of The Spark. PLEASE NOTE: For those attending the Billings Mission u August 17-18, particularly if you are traveling into Billings, you are invited to a potluck picnic at Hope UMC sponsored by Hope UMW. We have a bi-annual potluck picnic and it’s that Friday night. Please check the box on your registration form so we know how many to expect. It will save you the cost of a meal AND, And you will have an evening of food, fun and fellowship.

We invite you to attend one of the Mission u studies this summer; you don't want to miss it! Becky Messman & Cathy Speich Ferguson, your 2018 Mission u Deans.

Social Action: Immigrant Parent-Child Separation

Harriett Jane Olson, General Secretary/CEO of UMW wrote an intriguing article on June 4, 2018, about immigrant parents and child separation. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, I would like to highlight a few things she said.

“Separating children from their parents at the United States borders is not a new policy of the U.S. Justice Department, which makes the decision to impose a “zero tolerance” approach that will result in increased numbers of child-parent separations even more horrendous.”

Let’s put ourselves in those children’s shoes. Imagine being a child arriving at the border with your family seeking asylum and you have already experienced the fear of leaving home, lack of food, water, and shelter along the way. Now you are being separated from your parents by people in uniforms. You just lost your last bit of security. Experts who have studied this know that you’re now at risk of physical assault and you are more susceptible to disease and irreparable mental stress. Are you feeling lucky yet coming to America?

“United Methodist Women has signed on to the “Women of Faith Cry Out to Keep Families Together” letter to U.S. secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen calling for an end to this practice.”

“As Christian women, we take seriously the many biblical passages directing us to show kindness to, not oppress, the stranger in our midst because we too were once strangers in the land and we “know the heart of a stranger” (Exodus 23:9).”

“And even more explicitly, as paragraph 162.H states: “We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children….”

Since June 4th several of the children have been reunited with their parents. Hopefully, by the time you read this all of the children will be together with their families. Please pray that the U.S. Justice Department will end the policy of separating children from their families. We are Americans, which means most of our ancestors were immigrants.

Submitted by Judy Jones – Social Action

Prayer Quilt

This is the info that Tomi Alger shared at the April spring event about receiving her prayer quilt when she had her heart surgery. What a loving way for all those quilters out there to acknowledge someone’s need for prayers. Although we don’t know whether Randi Hughes has copyrighted her poem, it certainly is a starting point for you to create your own to include with the quilts you send in the name of UMW.

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Sheridan, Wyoming UMW Here is some photos taken at our Church Invite Brunch. Also please note that Circle J Camp is in need of host family to care for the grounds. We asked 5 churches in our community to attend a brunch May 5, 2018. We had 87 responses and served various quiches, fruit compote, mini muffins, gluten free options, ice tea, water or coffee. We had each one pull a name tag according to the table they were to sit - the name of a flower. Upon entering they were to write their name on the tag and discuss when they came to Sheridan, how long they had attended their church and no politics. A few games were played and we capped the afternoon with drawing for the centerpiece on each table. They had a tag on their chair bottom! We all worked to make an enjoyable afternoon with wonderful people in attendance. Some people had not seen each other in a number of years! Our ladies are surrounding the Purpose of the UMW before our start for the afternoon. Thanks to all who helped, attended and presented. UMW Sheridan WY Left to right are: Past President Barbie Flack, Glenda Ritterbush, Lou Bennett, Tena Taylor, Secretary Joan Kalsinsky, Steph Buehler, Margaret Prout, Rozalyn Jamison, June Simon, Linda Hall, and Linda Lanners. Photo by Barbara Cipolla Treasurer

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Cody UMW

The Cody Unit UMW Mother’s Day “High Tea’ was wonderful. At least 50 were in attendance. Jenny Zink was in charge and told us more about high tea customs. A fun time was had by all with scones, tea sandwiches and more.

Francie, the fortune teller, was amazing.

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Billings Grace UMW Greeting from Grace UWM, Billings:

The first half of the year has kept our members busy, though we are small in numbers. We have 2 major fund raisers each year one in April and again in October. We receive a lot of help from our congregation so to thank them we host a lunch after church one Sunday in May to express our appreciation for the continued support.

Our ladies continue to work with the GEEP program, which is to help the Rose Park school located near the church with an afterschool program through the school year. Several of our members continue to volunteer at the Freestore, which operates out of EUM on Broadwater here in Billings. Both of the circles assembled soup bags during the January meeting which are given out to families at the Freestore. Our quilting group continues to be very active and to date has distributed 83 quilts through the local community to various organizations.

We face an aging and declining membership as do so many other churches but we continue to march on with mission work in our community as we can. Respectfully submitted by Bev Huffman, Co-president

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Hope UMW Hello from Hope UMW, Billings and Grace and Peace to our sisters near and far.

We’ve had some fun and interesting programs this spring and our fall unit meetings are planned through the end of the year; that’s a great blessing.

Programs in a nutshell: Ardell Grimm and her family spent many years overseas with her husband’s work. When you live in Saudi Arabia, do as the Arabians do?? Well, that’s taking the quote a bit far but we learned so much about the lifestyles, working situations, and food. What wonderful sounding food. Nancy Severtson gave a program on ‘Going Green’ beyond what most of us have known and done for years with our recycling and re-use of items. The best part was to make it a whole-church project, not only UMW, or not only the youth but all of us. Made us all think beyond the box. Beth Emard ordered books that she bought and we could use them towards our reading programs. We discussed the many ways to use our UMW resources to accomplish this goal. Eunice Benjamin challenged us to read more books than a small church read last year and who also received an award at the Spring District meeting. We had a program about nurturing each other – who most influenced us and nurtured us in our life. We were encouraged to bring a picture of that person or tell about them at our unit meeting.

This brief paragraph covered a mountain of information, some not-so-well known facts, a look into the way others live across the world, a chance to spend time with ourselves in exploring God’s world and hopes for us through books, and a time of reflection to remember those who are and have been most important in shaping our lives. In just one meeting, our team was able to come up with all this. WOW! So exciting!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO DINNER with our United Methodist Women of Hope. We have a bi-annual potluck picnic and this is the year for it. We will host our potluck Friday, August 17. We especially invite those who are traveling to Billings from out of town and would normally have dinner in a restaurant. Please come and join us at Hope. ON YOUR MISSION U REGISTRATION FORMS is a box to check if you want to come to the potluck. We need this so we can plan food accordingly. Now, ladies, if you live locally and would plan to go home for supper that evening, Friday – August 17, you are also invited. If numbers accepting are large, we will be asking for potluck food from local churches. There is no cost but we do take an offering for a chosen, UMW related, mission. It’s a lot of fun, a great time for fellowship (visiting) and of course – no one cooks like a Methodist (well, maybe there are others). Please accept our invitation. Shalom, Hope UMW Mission Team

Havre UMW Greetings and blessing to all of you from the Havre United Methodist Women. The Northern Plains had a ferocious winter, but that didn’t stop our ladies from working at programs, creating projects and cooking up a storm. Last September we ordered red aprons and then had a Havre business sew on the United Methodist Women’s logo. We couldn’t be more pleased with them. They are durable, wash up nicely and we wear them for just about everything we do, as you will see from our pictures. People sure do recognize and ask us about them. It’s amazing how some red aprons can give our group that united feeling, lift up our spirits and helps us get involved in our work. Just saying, you might consider doing something like this for your group if you haven’t already. Well, summer is here and we are outside enjoying the weather. Hope you are too.

Judy Jones, President

Havre United Methodist Women

Harlowton Federated UMW 

The Harlowton Federated “Brown Bag” Ladies spent the first half of 2018 learning about global missions that were not necessarily part of UMW but are important to us as citizens of the world. We had three special guests who are strong women in our community make presentations.

First we showed love to a global jewelry project that provides tools, loans, and a platform for women in third world countries to sell their products. Jenny Wilting, granddaughter-in-law of one of our women presented this company and showed us some of the success stories that she has learned about. Jenny is also a stay at home foster mom so she is able to work on this project in her spare time.

Next we had a presentation by a local women very involved in human trafficking. Wendy Elwood presented to us her work for Destiny Rescue and Truckers Against Trafficking. Local rescues that she has seen in Montana and others that have happened through the Destiny House in Thailand.

Finally, we heard from Emerald Parisi, who is a local woman linked in activities on the Crow Reservation specifically in the town of Lodge Grass to create community development, business plans, and clean-up of vacant and dangerous spaces in that town. Emerald is working with a team of others from this area and the town of Lodge Grass through a grant that will bring sustainable business and mental health resources to this community.

As a closing to the year, our leader, Susan Beley, presented some of the inspirational prayer activities from the Spring Meeting in Laurel. Susan is also working with other women of the church to continue learning about missions and exploring the reading program throughout the summer. Susan and the pastor are hoping to host “one time” events that will bring education to the entire community and promote spiritual growth through UMW in Harlowton.

Upper Room Prayer Retreats

Pine Creek and Holbrook United Methodist Women have been hosting Upper Room Prayer Retreats on a rotating bi monthly basis. They happen on a Saturday morning with a brunch or a light lunch. Reverend Su Debree started us on this as a way to bring the 4 Park County churches together in fellowship and ministry. The summer retreat was a picnic in Sacajawea Park in Livingston. For anyone interested the format for the retreats can be found in the center of the Upper Room Devotional.

The above article was submitted for the February 2018 Spark and I missed getting it in. Sorry! Grace

Roberts UMW We wanted to share about the "Pathway Thru the Bi-

ble" which is Verdine White’s home and a great place to visit for all Christians!!

It is open to the public and free and rockhounds would love the various geological specimens wove into the structure of the biblical displays.

We hope to give a tour during the annual meeting (UMW) in Roberts next September.

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Laurel United Methodist Women With the star ng of the new year we have been quit busy.

Mission U Mee ng was here on February 2 & 3, then Spring District Mee ng on April 14. Our ladies who a ended said a good me was had by all.

As we head into Spring/Summer we started with our annual "Spring Fling" on May 5th. Our great team put together a speaker from CASA (court appointed special advocates for children), music ( by one of our church members) and a fantas c luncheon with our pastor Dolly Collins star ng us off with prayer. We also had a silent auc on with 55 baskets of various design and food items. One of our great money makers for missions.

This summer we will con nue with our SOW project (strangers, orphans, widows) serving lunch to children and adults that might go without a meal through the summer with the help of other churches in Laurel.

As Fall approaches we will be having our "Fall Bazaar" on November 3rd. Another one of our great money makers for missions. If you are interested in having a table at our bazaar contact Anne e Worden @ 406-702-0432. Tables are $30. Hope everyone has a magical blessed summer. Co-presidents, Pam Figg and Anne e Warden

Fall Gathering September 15, 2017

Worland UMC, Worland, Wyoming

Grace Matthaes 1833 Clark Avenue Billings, MT 59102-4042 406-656-1042graceawm@aol.com

Big Horn District United Methodist Women

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UMW Calendar of Events 2018-2019

September 15 Big Horn District Fall Event in Worland, WY

September 15 Western Mountains District Mee ng in Dillon, MT

September 28-29 UMW Annual Mee ng in Roberts, MT

November 25 Conference Newsle er “The Flame” published

April Big Horn District Spring Event

April Western Mountains District Mee ng

April 25 Conference Newsle er “The Flame” published

June UMW @ Annual Conference

July 15 District newsle er deadline