United Church Women

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.

U.C.W. OBSERVES ITS 60TH BIRTHDAY ON JANUARY 1, 2022. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THIS VITAL ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA!

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 31, 2022

· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

· virtual meeting

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. While our meetings are virtual, non-unit members who wish to attend are encouraged to contact Anne Ella-Arnold for log in information.

2021 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

· virtually

· 14 active members

Grace Unit:

· leaders: shared position

· monthly meetings from September to June on the second Tuesday

· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

· virtually

· 18 active members

UPCOMING UNIT MEETING DETAILS

The Seekers' Unit Meetings:

· Monday, December 6, 2021

· 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

· meeting cancelled

· Tuesday, December 14, 2021

· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

· virtual meeting

· Programme: Join with Grace Unit for annual general meeeting and speaker

· Monday, January 3, 2022

· 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

· virtual meeting

· Programme: Women for Change - Zambia

Grace Unit Meetings

· Tuesday, December 14, 2021

· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

· virtual meeting

· Programme: annual general meeting and speaker from Aurora Food Pantry

· Tuesday, January 11, 2022

· 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

· virtual meeting

· Programme: 60th Anniversary Celebration

2020 PROJECTS, FUNDRAISERS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS

· Grace Unit Collection for Refugee Family:

· Aurora Food Bank Fundraiser

· Christmas Stocking Programme

· Christmas General Meeting

· A.U.C. Reconstruction Fund

· 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, Margaret Bahen Hospice, 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

2021 PROJECTS, FUNDRAISERS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS

· Christmas Stocking Programme: Karen Allen will coordinate the programme this year. The details of the programme are at the end of this webpage.

· Christmas General Meeting: This annual event will take place on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. It will be a virtual gathering. The guest speaker will be Allison Stuart, Chair of the Board of the Aurora Food Pantry. All women of A.U.C. are welcome to attend. To receive the login information, please contact Anne Ella-Arnold.

· A.U.C. Reconstruction Fund: Donations continue to be accepted to put towards some aspect of the reconstruction of our church building. The current balance is $18,763.68. A decision as to what will be purchased has been put on hold until we have a clearer vision as to what will be the best way to use the donations.

· Recipients of our Donations: Aurora Food Pantry, Aurora United Church, Blue Door Shelters, Camping Opportunities Fund, Hope House Community Hospice, Inn from the Cold, L'Arche Daybreak, LOFT Community Services, Margaret Bahen Hospice, 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, and Yellow Brick House.

NOTES OF APPRECIATION

· The following A.U.C.W. members volunteered in 2021 to take a leadership role in some aspect of our projects and programming. Thanks to each of them.Karen Allen, Anne Ella-Arnold, Laurie Graham, Paula Hanna, Jean Heys, Helen Roberts, Mary Smith, Carolyn Stafford, and Leslie Stoangi.

· 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.

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.

SHINING WATERS REGION U.C.W. (REGION 10)

Zoom Account:The regional U.C.W. has purchased an account which may be used by the local units upon request for virtual meetings.

2021-2022 Regional Executive:

Past President: Pat Edmonds, President: Diane Aikman, Recording Secretary: Rose Stannell, Corresponding Secretary: Joyce MacKinnon, Treasurer: Anne Ella-Arnold, Portfolio Conveners: Camping: Laurie Cook and Susan Williams, 40th Anniversary Award: Esther Lewis, Communication: Nancy Waxl, Outreach: Cheryl vanDaalen-Smith, Members Without Portfolio: June Blanchette and Catherine Hawkins.

2021 Annual General Meeting:

This gathering will be held in the spring of 2022. More details will follow as they become available.

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.

. Format: T.B.A.

· Programme: 2021 Annual General Meeting

2021 CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROGRAMME

“Women’s Centre of York Region (W.C.Y.R.) works to improve the lives of local women facing challenges with mental health, domestic violence, financial insecurity, and unemployment. “For many years, the clients of W.C.Y.R. have been the recipients of the generous Christmas Stocking Programme coordinated by the Aurora United Church Women (A.U.C.W.) and supported by the entire A.U.C. congregation.

However, with the public health restrictions that all of us are continuing to experience, A.U.C.W. will again be collecting only monetary donations to support the clients of the Women’s Centre just as we did in 2020. These monetary donations will be used for the purchase of gift cards appropriate to the needs of the organization’s clients. We hope that the members of A.U.C.W. and the greater A.U.C. community will participate in this programme with the sole goal of providing much needed support for the centre’s clients.

The A.U.C.W. suggests the following:

1. For A.U.C.W. members: Make your donations to your unit treasurer as you have been doing during the period of COVID-19 restrictions.

2. For all other donors: Send your donations to:

Karen Allen

c/o Aurora United Church

15186 Yonge Street

Aurora, ON

L4G 1L9

Telephone Number: 905 – 751 – 7218

All donors note:

1. Cheques should be made payable to “Aurora United Church Women” with the memo “Women’s Centre of York Region”.

2. All donations should clearly indicate the name, address, and phone number of the donor.

3. Donations of $10 or more will be receipted by Aurora United Church Women before the end of February 2022.

4. Donations will be accepted until the end of Friday, November 26, 2021. The A.U.C.W. hopes that you will consider supporting this worthy cause.

Refreshed on November 15, 2021.