West Chester UMW

The West Chester United Methodist Women met at the church at 6:30 p.m., May 13, 2015. Seven members and one guest, Linda Hoy of Richland, were in attendance. Linda is Spiritual Growth district officer.

President Sharon Hahn opened the meeting with thoughts of Mother?s Day. The minutes and the treasurer?s report were read and approved, and Doris Fisher reported that she would send in the district pledge soon. Beverly Zehr, historian, planned to take the historian?s book home from the office in order to keep it up to date.

Pat Dusenbery, Education and Interpretation chairman, read from the book of Acts. The mission focus was The Center of Victims of Torture, which gives a voice for people who have been purposely silenced by perpetrators of torture. A report by Iowa Sen. Kevin Kinney stated that the state Legislature is stepping up efforts to help human trafficking victims. Marlene Janssen gave a timely report on ?Immigration? (Justice For Our Neighbors), emphasizing that citizens must work to welcome people of different nationalities to the United States.

Linda Hoy told about the district meeting, which will be held Sept. 12 in Sigourney, and the Summer Mission event to be held July 19-22 at the Iowa Valley Conference Center in Marshalltown. She also told an inspiring story of her grandson?s health concerns.

Doris Fisher and Shirley Hobbs served cake, strawberries and ice cream to close the evening.

The next meeting, on June 10, will be a sewing day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when members will make school bags. Those attending should bring a sack lunch.