The March 11, 2015, meeting of the Leadmine United Methodist Women was called to order by President Heather Lantz and Lavera Kelley gave the opening prayer.
A short memorial service for Valerie Duckworth was led by Amanda Hile, who read the poem “Meet You at the Gate” and then released a bouquet of pale pink helium filled balloons into the sky, as the group said goodbye to Valerie.
Heather continued her practice of reading a biography of an author of a special hymn that is a favorite to one of our members. This week the hymn was a favorite of Norva Warner, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Thomas Anderson Dorsey, from Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Dorsey had lost his wife and a son and was grieving for them as he wrote the song. The group then sang “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
The secretary Norva Warner gave the roll call with each member giving a Scripture verse and she read the minutes which were approved.
The treasurer Marilyn Phillips reported a balance of $445.27. Jenny Johnson had sold $107.00 worth of dish cloths. We agreed through consensus that it was time to send the pledge card to the District and the group pledged $225.00. A local donation of $25.00 will be sent to the Tucker County EMS organization and to the United Methodist sponsored Ebenezer House in Huntington, WV.
Bobbie Hottle gave a response reading from the UM Response Magazine.
Heather noted the birthdays for three missionaries from the UM Women’s Prayer Calendar.
The UM Women’s Purpose was read by all.
Prema Kines led the devotions by reading scripture from John 15: 1-17.
Heather identified the new officers of our chapter. The group agreed to give a Gift in Memory for Valerie Duckworth.
Heather announced the following: The Spiritual Growth Retreat, main theme “Welcomed by God” will be April 9-10 and also April 11-12 at Cedar Lakes, Ripley, WV. Scholarships are available for first time registrants and one scholarship is available for someone over forty and one for a lady under forty.
The PH District Spring Meeting “Welcomed by God” will be April 25 at St. Pauls UM Church, Oakland, MD.
A Mission Encounter will take place on May 2-4 at the Upshur Parrish House near the WV Wesleyan Campus.
The District Day Apart will be at the Main St. UMC, Petersburg on May 21, 2015, at 9:30 am.
Judy announced the Mother / Daughter Banquet will be held again this year and the group agreed to have it on Sunday afternoon, tentatively on May 17.
Amanda presented the Program “Being Welcoming to all Women.” She read from Genesis about Abraham telling his people how to be friendly. She also read from Joshua 2: How Rahab, the harlot, helped the soldiers and from Romans 16: 1-4 – How Paul instructed the early Christians to help Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila with their work in the church. Amanda ended by having the group sing “Spirit of the Living God.”
Heather Stemple will have the next program.
Lavera Kelley gave the Grace and the Group prayed the “Lord’s Prayer.”
Refreshments were served to Amanda, Rachel and Gracie Hile, Judy Hile, Bobbie Hottle, Lavera Kelley, Prema Kines, Kathryn Knotts, Heather and Luke Lantz, Marilyn and Marikay Phillips, Emma Stemple, Heather, Brooklyn and Beyonce Stemple, Norva Warner, Wilda Henline, and Jenny Johnson.