Text Box: World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women is the new name for World Federation of Methodist Women. How long has it been since your unit had a program on the organization? Perhaps it is time for all of us to learn about this world fellowship of Methodist, United and Uniting Women, and getting information is easier than ever. The TREE of Life, the official newsletter of WFMUCW is now available on-line at the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women official web page, http://www.wfmucw.org/. The website is easy to use. Please spend a little time reading up on this fellowship of women whose purpose is “To Know Christ and To Make Him Known”. WFMUCW is a support group for women acting as a catalyst in their faith and actions; to promote interests of women in all areas of life, in spiritual growth, equality, development and peace; to work towards the recognition of the equal status of women; to facilitate, encourage and actively promote leadership training for women; to be a voice for Methodist, United and Uniting Church Women. Text Box: From our Vice President Mary Lou Wurth

The WFMUCW official web site is easy to use. The address is

http://www.wfmucw.org/.

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The Clarion                   February 2010

 

Cynthia Bond Hopson on writing

I’ve always loved to write; it’s work that I enjoy.  I started writing formally as an adult when my elementary school closed, and I wrote about what it meant to me. I sent it to my hometown newspaper, and they published it. I started a column for the Brownsville States-Graphic, called “Hopson’s Haywood.”

Writing is an outlet for the wisdom I’ve been fortunate enough to gain in my 52 years. I always loved to ask people questions, and had the sense to listen to their answers. The people I learned from taught me to serve God through giving God some hands and feet to do the will that God has for all of us.

People encouraged me and touched me in many special ways. They treated me like I had good sense. My father was one of those encouragers. At his funeral, people came forward with many tales of how he had encouraged them; he was a lifter up of people. My sister says I take after our father.

I believe the Lord put me on the earth to bring sunshine and joy, and I hope my books have made people feel warm and comfortable. Abingdon told me to give my first book with them a fun title, because it’s a fun book. People loved the title, Bad Hair Days, Rainy Days, and Mondays.

This new title came directly out of my life. I kept saying it: “I have too many irons in the fire, and they’re all smoking!” It is a direct reflection about where I am—there are days I know I am overwhelmed and I don’t have a fire extinguisher. But I trust God with everything that is important to me and God always sees me through. And whether I am on the mountain or in the valley, the paths make me strong.

Writing this was more difficult and I had to make new habits and a deadline. I felt I didn’t have as much time to gather my thoughts. So, throughout my days, as things came to me that spoke to my heart, I made notes. I would sit down later, review my notes, and put it all into context. I owe my life, and my new book, to purple Post-it® notes !

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