U.C.W. PURPOSE
To unite all the women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship, and service.
AURORA UNITED CHURCH WOMEN (A.U.C.W.)
CONTACT: Anne Ella-Arnold at a.ella.arnold@gmail.com or 905-751-1315
IN RESPONSE TO THE INFORMATION THAT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORS ARE MAKING AVAILABLE, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE DETAILS OF ALL EXECUTIVE, UNIT, AND REGIONAL MEETINGS POSTED HERE MAY HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED AS THEY GET CLOSER. WHEN IN DOUBT, PLEASE CONTACT ANNE ELLA-ARNOLD.
2021 EXECUTIVE
President: Anne Ella-Arnold
Secretary: Jean Heys
Treasurer: Leslie Stoangi
A.U.C. Council Representative: Paula Hanna
Grace Unit Representative: Anne Ella-Arnold
The Seekers Unit Representative: Mary Smith
EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
Executive meetings are held on the last Monday evening of January, March, May, August, October, and on the first Monday evening of November.
UPCOMING EXECUTIVE MEETINGS DETAILS
· Monday, January 25, 2021
· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
· virtual meeting by invitation
UNIT MEETINGS
Monthly unit meetings consist of worship, programmes which include guest presenters and outings, and fellowship. Every woman of A.U.C. is welcome to attend these meetings.
2020 UNIT ORGANIZATION
The Seekers Unit:
· leader: Mary Smith
· monthly meetings from September to June on the first Monday (alternative date when there is a conflict with a statutory holiday)
· 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
· Trinity Anglican Church—Historic Chapel before March 31 and virtually after that date
· 14 members
Grace Unit:
· leaders: shared position
· monthly meetings from September to June on the second Tuesday
· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
· Chartwell Hollandview Trail Retirement Residence—Theatre befor March 31 and virtually after that date
· 17 members
UPCOMING UNIT MEETING DETAILS
The Seekers Unit Meetings:
· Monday, January 4, 2021
· 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
· virtual meeting by invitation
· Programme: T.B.A.
· Monday, February 1, 2021
· 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
· virtual meeting by invitation
· Programme: T.B.A.
Grace Unit Meetings
· Tuesday, January 12, 2021
· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
· virtual meeting by invitation
· Programme: Coping Strategies During Pandemic
· Tuesday, February 9, 2021
· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
· virtual meeting by invitation
· Programme: Brian North speaks about the Relocation Process of the Methodist Cemetery from the site of A.U.C.
2019 PROJECTS, FUNDRAISERS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
· Spring Book Sale
· Sale of Cobs Bread Discount Cards
· Camp Big Canoe Donations Collection
· Grace Unit Potluck and Loonie Auction
· A Gathering of Friends
· Christmas Stocking Programme
· Christmas Potluck and General Meeting
· Recipients of Our Donations: Aurora Food Pantry, Aurora United Church, Blue Door Shelters, Camping Opportunities Fund, Gran Aurora, Hope House Community Hospice, Inn from the Cold, L'Arche Daybreak, LOFT Community Services, Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers, Sandgate Women's Shelter, United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund, The Women’s Centre of York Region, Women's Inter-church Council—Fellowship of the Least Coin, Yellow Brick House
2020 PROJECTS, FUNDRAISERS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS
· Grace Unit Collection for Refugee Family: At the February meeting of Grace Unit, cash donations of $400 were accepted for the family which A.U.C. is sponsoring.
· June Fundraiser: During the month of June, Grace Unit and Seekers Unit raised $1,600 to support Aurora Food Pantry.
· Christmas Stocking Programme During Covid 19: Although we offered to fill 85 stockings, the centre was unwilling to accept them because of COVID 19. So alternately, A.U.C.W. held a fundraiser for the clients of the centre, raising $4,200
· Christmas General Meeting: This annual event took place on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm virtually by invitation. The guest speaker was Carol Edward, Vice-President of Hospice Palliative Care at Margaret Bahen Hospice. Carol’s presentation was followed by business and worship. Twenty-six people attended.
NOTES OF APPRECIATION
· The following A.U.C.W. members volunteered in 2020 to take a leadership role in some aspect of our projects and programming. Thanks to each of them.Kathie Blackman, Sharon Corbett, Anne Ella-Arnold, Laurie Graham, Paula Hanna, Jean Heys, Helen Roberts, Mary Smith, Kay Snelgrove, Carolyn Stafford, Leslie Stoangi, and Susan Tutt
· The members of A.U.C.W. are indebted to Reverend Andy Comar for his frequent assistance in our use of the A.U.C. Zoom account for our unit and executive meetings, and his constant patience as we are in the process of learning this new way of conducting business.
SHINING WATERS REGION U.C.W. (REGION 10)
2020 Annual General Meeting:
The annual meeting for this year will be held in the spring of 2021. It will be a virtual meeeting. As more details become available, they will be shared.
Zoom Account:The regional U.C.W. has purchased an account which may be used by the local units upon request for virtual meetings.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
Meetings are held twice a year. All women of A.U.C. are welcome to attend these meetings.
UPCOMING REGIONAL MEETING DETAILS
· Date: T.B.A.
· Time: T.B.A.
· Virtual Meeting by Invitation
· Programme: 2020 Annual General Meeting
HISTORY OF AURORA UNITED CHURCH WOMEN
Since its inception on January 1, 1962, the Aurora U.C.W. has seen the existence of many units. Originally, they were simply numbered, then given inspired names such as W.H.O., Wohelo, Chimo, Serendipity, Genesis, Shalom, and Wellspring. The current units are The Seekers and Grace.
Service to others is a guiding principal for U.C.W. and its work throughout the years has involved fundraising to support church functions, charities, and outreach projects. Over the years, members of A.U.C.W. have dedicated countless hours organizing and selling at rummage sales, Christmas bazaars, Fall Events, and used book sales, producing and selling chocolate Easter eggs, managing the Christmas stocking programme, and carrying out other projects to provide funds where needed. Our work continues.
Refreshed on December 15, 2020.
