UWF News (6/25/23)

 “The ladies’ last activity before their summer hiatus was a trip to the Paradise UMC on June 24th to walk the labyrinth. Members Selma, Mary Jane, Kay and Cleo  who currently attend Trinity after the disastrous 2019 fire shuttered the church were their guides. A story of of the labyrinth written by Mary Jane was available to read explaining the purpose of it as a “walking meditation path” and its creation at the church.

Eighteen women carpooled to attend the Saturday event to enjoy brown bag lunches, lemonade by Laura Welles, cookies baked by Selma Lippincott , and a tour of the church sanctuary and the labyrinth.

Last year, several of our group also visited and walked Caroland Urban Kern’s labyrinth in their Chico backyard so now the ladies have good memories of meditating at two sites. Shortly after celebrating her one hundredth birthday, our beloved Virginia Mancebo passed away in mid-June. She had been a valued, contributing member of the UMW for many years and embroidered tea towels for the Bazaar until confined to an assisted living facility for the past three years. We shall cherish her in our memories.

For more than sixty years, Mary Coulter has been an active member of Trinity’s women’s group from the time it was known as the WSCS (Women’s Society of Christian Service )till it transitioned to the UMW (United Methodist Women) and now renamed a year ago to UWF (United Women in Faith). She says she actively joined at the behest of the late Elsie Hibdon whom several current members still remember, and with others still remembered such as Waunita Walker, Dorothy Bedford, Velma Henman and of course Virginia Mancebo. She chaired the embroidering project for many years and still is honorary chrm after her centenary. She remembers embroidering tea towels that were 36×36, large enough to cover a card table. The embroidery group used to gather to embroider and lunch from early in the year until their goal was achieved. The towels have always been the center of the annual Bazaar, bringing inthe most income to the popular fundraiser. Mary celebrates her centenary plus two on July 5th and continues to wash and iron new fabrics, iron on the transfers and set needle and floss to the arcane art of embroidering that some younger women have learned to master as well.

After each cloth has been embroidered, Mary machine embroiders borders for each before they are washed, ironed andfolded for sale at the Bazaar. UWF is proud to honor Mary on her unique and extraordinary milestone, a person whose sublime personality and character are unmatched. Not only does she sew and embroider, she is an avid sports fan who enjoys playing cards and lives independently.

CONGRATULATIONS, MARY, and best wishes for more Happy Birthdays! Anyone else who can embroider and would enjoy crafting one or more tea towels are invited to see or call Carol Riley.