EQUAL EXCHANGE products help support our UMW, UMCOR and the farmers. UMW has packages of decaffeinated whole bean or drip grind coffee for sale. Delicious varieties of chocolate bars will also be on sale. As requested, they have 71%, 68% and 67% cocoa per bar.

After worship services, look for the table on the patio  with these items.

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MARY'S SHELTER OFFERS SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO CHURCH WOMEN

May Mission Bucks to go to this worthy project

At our March brunch Mesa Verde women were made aware of the outstanding work of Mary's Shelter, a home in central Orange County that provides safe and loving care for pregnant teen mothers before and after the birth of their babies. Barbara Nelson, executive director of Mary's Shelter, gave an impassioned presentation on behalf of the girls and their babies and many of our UMW ladies are eager to get involved.

Mary's Shelter has provided a safe home and loving care for a total of 45 homeless and at-risk pregnant teens and 31 of their children in 2007. They help girls acquire the skills needed to break the negative cycles associated with teen pregnancy: high risk births, repeat teen pregnancy, interrupted education, poverty, dependence on public assistance, and neglect and abuse in the next generation.

Our women were invited to volunteer and help in a variety of ways. They need drivers to take girls to medical appointments, mentors to befriend girls who feel alone, cuddlers for babies while the mothers are in school, receptionists to answer the phone and greet visitors and shelter shoppers to do weekly grocery shopping.

Mary's Shelter also needs donations. It costs about $60,000 per month in private donations to provide for the needs of the home. They also need donations of household supplies such as paper towels and toilet paper, baby care products such as diapers and formula, disposable cameras, gift cards from Target or CVS, and flat screen monitors.

Please consider how you might be of help to this worthwhile charity. Four of our women along with Rev. Steph visited Mary's Shelter after the brunch and came away extremely impressed with the both the needs and successes of this mission work.

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UMW READING PROGRAM has lots of interesting books for your  reading. The books currently are on the shelf in the former Youth Lounge. Just sign out a book and get started!! Contact Mary Renner for more information.

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YE OLDE GREETING CARD SHOPPE has greeting cards for $1 each. Plan to get that friendly card while you are thinking about it. We currently have a good selection of birthday,  get well, sympathy, friendship and thank you  cards. Check us out on the patio or during the week in the Fellowship Hall.

MESA VERDE WOMEN READ 88 BOOKS
FOR THE UMW READING PROGRAM

Once again the women at Mesa Verde were successful participants of the UMW reading program. Certificates of recognition for books read were presented to the following women: Eva Coutu, Joan Forsyth, Mary Renner, Barbara Stewart, Barbara Lacey, Betty Brittingham, Jo Harris, Taye Inadomi, Jean Neumeyer, Judy Takaya, and Twila Walker. Congratulations, ladies!

Many new books are now on the UMW bookshelf in the Adult Lounge. Among the new titles are The Spider's Web by Laura Williams; Leap of Faith by Queen Noor; Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory; The Red Rose Box by Brenda Woods; and Walked in a Relaxed Manner by Joyce Rupp. These books are recommended by our Women's Division of UMW and are chosen to broaden our exposure to a variety of concepts.

Participation in the reading program is easy. Just select a book from the shelf in the Adult Lounge, sign the check-out sheet, and enjoy. Keep a record of books read so that we can honor you next year!

Questions? Ask Mary Renner, who chairs this project.