Belmont’s UWF celebrates 114 years

We believe that love in action can change the world. Belmont UMC’s women always did more than dust the pews and raise money by serving suppers and having bake sales. From the earliest days of the congregation, they were providing leadership in the church and community at large. They just weren’t officially recognized for it. A stormy meeting of the church’s Board of Stewards in 1920 resulted in the election of eight women to the board. It would not have happened except that one man refused to allow his name to be placed in nomination if the women were excluded. Some men, including the pastor at the time, believed that women should not serve on the church’s governing board. The women were elected but served only a few months. There is no record of why they resigned, so you have to wonder.

When the stock market faltered and crashed in October 1929, Belmont UMC’s congregation had been enjoying its new sanctuary (our present one). It was soon apparent that the remaining $100,000 building debt could not be paid and that the building might be lost. Three generous men signed a note making them personally responsible for the debt and the building was saved. But that was not the only debt. The Women’s Missionary Society had pledged $10,000 toward the building debt, but was asked to take on the $7000 organ debt and be released from the building debt commitment. The women agreed, but struggled themselves to acquire the money to pay the organ debt. With a loan from two women, they met the commitment and repaid the personal loans in full.

If you want to know more about Belmont’s women in mission through the years, consult Belmont United Methodist Church – A History, 1910-1985 written by Helen F. Couch and published in 1985.

From the April 21 newsletter

Belmont UMC's UWF celebrates 114 years

We believe love in action can change the world! For 114 years, the women of Belmont UMC have been living into this mission statement as adopted by the world-wide United Women in Faith (UWF), formerly known as United Methodist Women (UMW), the Women’s Home Mission Society, and the Women’s Society of Christian Service.

From the beginning of Belmont UMC’s congregation in 1910, the women of the church have been there to provide whatever was needed: furnishings for the various church buildings, assistance with the debt on the buildings and the first organ, financial support and hospitality for missionaries at home and across the world. They did these things with sheer determination and hard work. Many suppers, bazaars, and sewing circles enabled them to meet these material needs while at the same time, lasting circles of relationship were being formed. Life-changes are inevitable. The daily lives of women are very different from the way they were in 1910, 1970, or even 1990. In addition, there are many and varied opportunities for women to be in mission and service. With declining membership in Belmont UMC’s UWF, a decision has been made by the leadership to become inactive from the national organization.

Watch for articles about the history of this organization in the coming newsletters. On Sunday, May 12, join us at the 10:30am worship service as we will celebrate the amazing and important history of Belmont’s women in mission.

From the April 14 newsletter:

Belmont UMC's Women in Mission

After many years in mission and outreach to the community and abroad, the leaders of Belmont UMC’s United Women in Faith (UWF), formerly known as United Methodist Women (UMW), recently voted to become inactive as a unit of the national United Women in Faith organization. Membership in Belmont’s unit has been declining in recent years primarily due to changes in the daily lives of busy women. Many women have found other ways to be in mission and outreach.

While bake sales and suppers are often associated with women in mission, Belmont’s UWF has gone far beyond this to provide educational and enrichment opportunities as well as supporting important local and international mission work. Since the founding of the church in 1910, Belmont women have served in mission under various names, such as the Women’s Home Mission, the Women’s Missionary Society, the Society of Christian Service, and United Methodist Women.

On May 12, Belmont will celebrate the important history of its women in mission throughout these 114 years.