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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.


Bridgewater United Methodist Women represent one of the most active and vibrant UMWs in the Rhode Island/Southeastern MA district. The UMW embraces an active agenda of mission work, spiritual development, and Christian networking. Meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month in the Heritage Circle Community Room at 10 Heritage Circle, Bridgewater, MA

 

Our monthly meetings focus on current topics and area interests to the
Christian community. Examples of some of our recent programs include:

 

  • A View of Israel with Mark Brenner

  • Water Needs in Cambodia with Kevin Curry

  • Cyber-bullying with Katalin Parti

  • The Floating School Project in Cambodia with Dane Lao

  • Barbara Balboni who shared her experiences in Belize

  • Jame Hayes-Bohanan and Denise Sheppard shared their
    experiences with fair trade coffee programs

  • Fran Jeffries spoke about the Rotary project in Thailand

  • Gloria Moran spoke about her experiences at an orphan camp
    (located in a prison) in Perm, Russia

  • A viewing of the movie Malaya


UNITED METHODIST WOMEN PURPOSE

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United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole person through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

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UMW MISSION EFFORTS

 

The UMW supports mission efforts at the international, national, and local level. We have been given a Gold Award by the Rhode
Island/Southeastern United Methodist District for our achievement in mission work.

 

International

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Dress a Girl Around the World: The United Methodist Women, in partnership with Bridgewater State University and the Bridgewater community, have joined together with Hope 4 Women International on their Dress a Girl Around the World campaign. This nondenominational Christian Organization has delivered over a million dresses to 81 countries. The idea behind the dresses is that the girls will be perceived as coming from a family or being connected to an organization that is keeping watch over them, helping to
deter human trafficking and kidnapping of young girls around the world.


Supporting the Bridgewater State University Mandela Scholars: We are proud to work with Bridgewater State University to prepare for the return of the Mandela Scholars this summer. Host institutions are charged with developing a stimulating curricula for scholars ages 25-35 from each country in Sub-Suharan Africa. Twenty-five Mandela Scholars will arrive in Bridgewater this summer and the UMW is
once again working with the university to develop welcoming plans, including a dinner hosted at the church.

 

National


Along with the Bridgewater UMC Mission Committee, we work to support the
efforts of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR is the
humanitarian relief and development arm of the United Methodist Church.
This year we collected materials and assembled the following kits for communities
across the country impacted by hurricanes and flooding:

  • School kits

  • Flood buckets

  • Health Kits

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Local

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We know that mission work begins at home and we work to support needs in
our local community in the following ways:

  • Provision of needed goods to The Conway Home, a transitional living program
    for families experiencing homeless (including new pillows for each resident and
    books and stuffed animals for children)

  • Provision of educational supplies to Hattie B. Cooper Center,
    a neighborhood community center serving Roxbury.

  • Provision of supplies to meet basic needs of students at Bridgewater State University
    who are at risk of ending their education due to financial stressors


UMW EFFORTS TOWARD SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: We support the spiritual development of our UMW members, the congregation, and the community.

  • Present children’s Bibles at baptism

  • Lead a women’s Sunday worship service once a year

  • Host an Agape meal of dedication during Lent that is open to the church congregation and community

  • Conduct the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial Service

  • Knit and crochet prayer shawls with an attached prayer to be distributed to those in nursing homes and hospitals


UMW NETWORKING AND FELLOWSHIP: The UMW supports fellowship efforts in the congregation and with the community.

  • Host a game night in January in memory of Mary Levasseur

  • Host a yearly Valentine’s Day Party for the residents of Heritage Circle

  • Monthly crafting group meets to create items for the November fair

  • Monthly UMW meetings always provide an opportunity for Christian fellowship with one another.

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