Bonnie Albert, our UMW president, is on a mission trip to Sierra Leone. She has visited locations that our missions support.  Check out the her trip on the National/International Mission Blog, it is located at www.valpofumcomissions.blogspot.com

The Shop

Many of you will recall that last year, The Shop had a banner year with a 21% increase in sales over the previous year.  This year, The Shop has continued to thrive and through its growth, the many local, national and international missions supported but the UMW will reap the benefits.

 

Sales through November have exceeded the total of all of last year's sales.

December has started off strong and with continued specials, quality merchandise, caring volunteers and supportive customers, we expect to boast a stellar 2012.  We are truly blessed and look forward to serving the community for many years to come!

 



                                              

 

Just a reminder of what is happening this week. 

 

Book discussion on Thursday, November 29th in the parlor at 6:00 p.m.
We will be discussing  One Simple Act     Discovering the Power of Generosity
by Debbie Macomber

 

Women's Luncheon on Saturday December 1st at the Pines at Noon.

 





Social Concerns

Social Concerns              Report from Judy Hains

Many saw the display on Human Trafficking at church on Sunday, which provided statistics and a summary.  I’d like to provide more information on human trafficking in the United States.  We often feel it is a problem in other countries, but it exists here.

 

According to the FBI:

“It’s sad but true: here in this country, people are being bought, sold, and smuggled like modern-day slaves.

They are trapped in lives of misery—often beaten, starved, and forced to work as prostitutes or to take grueling jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay. We’re working hard to stop human trafficking—not only because of the personal and psychological toll it takes on society, but also because it facilitates the illegal movement of immigrants across borders and provides a ready source of income for organized crime groups and even terrorists.”

The Office of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics reports on a federally funded task force. Highlights:

“-Federally funded task forces opened 2,515 suspected incidents of human trafficking for investigation between January 2008 and June 2010.

-About 8 in 10 of the suspected incidents of human trafficking were classified as sex trafficking, and about 1 in 10 incidents were classified as labor trafficking.

-The confirmed human trafficking incidents open for at least a year led to 144 known arrests.”

 

Innocence Lost: National Initiative

In June 2003, the FBI, . . . launched the Innocence Lost National Initiative, aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking of children in the United States.

In the nine years since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the development of 47 dedicated task forces and working groups throughout the U.S.  . . .

To date, these groups have worked successfully to rescue more than 2,100 children. Investigations have successfully led to the conviction of over 1,000 pimps, madams, and their associates who exploit children through prostitution. These convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple life sentences and the seizure of real property, vehicles, and monetary assets.

 

If you suspect or know of anyone who is being abused or taken advantage of please:

 

Report Human Trafficking

- Call 1-888-428-7581, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST

Successful UMW Gathering




Vickie Newkirk

Our Who is UMW, was a great success this past Sunday.  All our Circles had wonderful displays and handouts as did the Book Discussion Group and Mission and Outreach.  Vickie Newkirk spoke about how we all make a difference and her past and up coming missions. She also spoke about UMW advocacy around Human Trafficking, Immigration and Domestic Violence.  Vickie and Bonnie Albert are traveling to Sierra Leone this December for a Women Conference, they are gathering lapel pins to give to the women that will attend.  Sunday we collected 40 pins, their goal is 300.  If you have any pins in your jewelry box that you are not wearing please consider donating them to this cause.   You can drop these pins off at church on Sunday or bring them to the Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 1st.  We are also collecting prayer cards for their trip, please fill out a 3 x 5 card, the card can contain a favorite scripture passage and a special prayer greeting to a UMW woman in Sierra Leone.

The food bank will be putting together 100 baskets for Thanksgiving they are in need of the following items.    Canned  pumpkin, canned fruit, Jiffy corn muffin mix, boxed mashed potatoes.


Bev, Mary, Kandle, and Kathy

    

Christmas Luncheon

 

Christmas Luncheon

Saturday  December 1st

Noon at The Pine Village

$8.00

Tickets will be on sale at the church between services or

contact you Circle Chairperson.

 



November Book Discussion

This is the book that will be discussed on Thursday  Nov, 29th in the Church Parlor at 6:00 p.m.

One Simple Act     Discovering the Power of Generosity

It is a wonderful read to start off the advent season.

Meeting with author Somaly Mam

Margie, Somaly, and Marlene
 

   Marlene Versteeg and Margie Miller met  with the author of one of the books we use in our book  discussion group early this year. Somaly Mam has not only survived years as a child and teenager in the forced sex trade/brothels of Cambodia, but has, through the help of her two foundations, now been a part in the rescue of more than 7000 young women from such horrors and enslavement in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Her work provides them with safety, shelter, education, and training for jobs. Her book is well worth reading, though quite explicit and rough, as you can imagine.

  It's title is The Road of Lost Innocence,   The True Story of a Cambodian Heroin by Somaly Mam  . This book is on the UMW reading list. Marlene and Margie were privileged to meet and talk with this beautiful woman, then hear her address at a recent meeting in Indianapolis.

   If you are interested in assisting Cambodian women to have meaning work as they sew BEAUTIFUL cloth bags there and offer them for sale here, please see Margie and Marlene, who are happy to show off their new bags and then help promote this industry among women in Cambodia so they will NOT have to resort to life in the brothels.

Thanks so much Margie for your contribution to our new  blog