FUMC Hurst's United Methodist Women
Oct 22, 2020 |
FUMC-Hurst’s United Methodist Women’s group has been an integral part of the church for many generations.
What is now known as the United Methodist Women, had humble beginnings in 1919 as the Ladies Aid Society. Mrs. G.C. Davis, the pastor’s wife, led the charge to help the struggling church. They held quilting parties, gathered chicken and eggs to sell, made and sold aprons and bonnets – all to help with the church’s operating expenses.
In 1939, the Methodist churches unified and the Ladies Aid Society became the Women’s Society of Christian Service. During the 1940s the group was inactive, then experienced a revival in 1952 while helping furnish the new church on Harmon Road. To raise money, they held bake sales, craft fairs and again sold chicken and eggs. The WSCS was extremely active through the years and became the United Methodist Women in 1973. It had been rumored that from 1952 to 1973, the women held more than 200 bake sales.
Today, the group doesn’t host bake sales. Instead, the women are living by UMW’s motto Faith, Hope, Love in Action. You’ll see members teaching Sunday School classes, digging in the Village Garden, leading small group studies, handing out food at the mobile food pantry, collecting food for Mission Central, serving at Room in the Inn, donating books to Project Transformation, sending hygiene kits to the border, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, traveling on mission trips, preparing meals for Stock Show workers and so much more. UMW participates in many mission projects benefiting the community and world around us with its primary focus on helping women and children.
Currently, more than 100 women (and men) are involved with UMW. Our general meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month from September to May. There are seven small groups (Circles) that meet monthly from September to May as well. Some meet during the day, while others meet in the evening to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. Each Circle has a different focus, but all emphasize study and service.
UMW celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2019 with 800,000 women globally.
If you are interested in learning more about or joining UMW contact, Susan Mabry at .