Haughton United Methodist Women

12/31/2021

12/23/2021

Our annual Prayer Guide lists the birthdays of staff and mission personnel to guide you in prayer for the many people who carry out our work. Ecards are available for free if you'd like to send an email greeting!

Visit https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/prayer-cards to find out more.

12/22/2021

T'was the night before Christmas
He lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
To see just who,
in this dwelling did live.

I looked around
A strange sight to see
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

On the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
Medals 'n badges, awards of every kind;
A sobering thought came alive in my mind.

This house was different...
it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier,
I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, Alone; Curled up on the floor
In this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder;
Not at all how I pictured
a brave, courageous, soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read;
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families
I saw this night,
Owed their lives to soldiers
Who were willing to fight.

In the morning, round the world,
Children would play;
Grown-ups would celebrate
A bright Christmas Day.

But they all enjoy freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of soldiers
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve
In lands far from home.

The very thought
Brought a tear to my eyes;
I dropped to my knees,
I started to cry.

The soldier awakened
I heard his rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is MY choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more;
My life is my God,
My country, My corps."

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep.
But, I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still;
As both of us shivered
From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave him
On that cold, dark night;
This guardian of honour,
So willing to fight.

Then, the soldier rolled over,
In a voice soft and pure,
He whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night.

Marine Corps Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt 1986

Source: With a slight change of working, this poem has become known as - "A Soldier's Silent Night"

The original poem "Merry Christmas, My Friend"

12/08/2021

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12/07/2021

A beautiful prayer for this time of year.

12/03/2021

Here is December's list of items needed.

Thank you for helping us help those in need. Below is a list of items that will help. Items may be brought or shipped to Hope House.

This list may also be viewed at https://churchholycross.org/community/hopehouse/. We update it weekly.

12/02/2021

The response to Christmas geaux bags for our neighbors has been fantastic. Thank you!

Kay updated her request with some additional items needed. See below. Kay may be messaged on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/kay.adkins.984

Dear Friends,
A couple of days ago, I posted an appeal for Christmas gifts - treats and now expanded to badly needed items for living - for our homeless friends who come to Hope House for lunch, showers, laundry, the mobile medical bus, and other services. The response has already been amazing! This community, I swear! I’ve never asked for donations for charitable projects without meeting wonderful generosity. A sweet woman I didn’t know and have never communicated with brought me 40 pairs of socks yesterday! (I believe they were from Ross.). A precious young woman I taught nearly 40 years ago, now a teacher herself, sent money. I cried when I saw it begin to pile up in my dining room.
A few people have had trouble with my PayPal, but most have not. PP says I’m listed as . But just my name has worked, and you can try my email: [email protected]. (Shocker - I’m pretty clueless about these things.). I’m at 537 Slattery, 71104 if you want to drop off, mail, or have items sent. Anything left on especially my side door (driveway) is perfectly secure.
I’ve set 40 as the number of cookies or cough drop packages or whatever. That’s about how many people we usually have for lunch. That’s a lot - I do geaux bag treats every month myself, and it adds up. But maybe you and your friends or church group or neighbors can go in together to buy 40 of something. That’s how our group does monthly lunch: you bring the tea, Pam and Debbie will both do chicken spaghetti, Kay will make geaux bags. Perhaps you can get a business to donate items! I’m listing items beyond food that would be so great. Generosity is selfish for me; it makes me feel better about myself. THANK YOU for current gifts and donations and for future ones!!! Omigosh, I can’t thank you enough.
So here are some ideas:
- Knit caps and gloves
- plastic rain slickers (these people walk EVERYWHERE)
- hand warmers (this is HUGE)
- Ziplock bags of any size
- hot chocolate mix
- any kind of toiletries (travel size)
- brushes and combs
- toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash
- Bic-style lighters or matches
- SOCKS ( #1 request every month, men’s)
- small flashlights
- blankets/throws
- Tupperware-type containers with lids
- antiseptic ointment or cream
- band-aids
- Tylenol packets
- cough drops
- scarves
- anything that provides light or heat
- scissors
- camping items I’m clueless about
- tarp sheets
- cleansing wipes
- shoelaces (men’s sneakers length)
- safety pins
- clothespins and bag clips
- twist ties, rubber bands
- nail clippers
Remember I have to put things in 40 different bags, so individual packets of things like safety pins are essential
- food treat items (individually wrapped)
I’m saving some of the $ donated to buy fresh fruit close to the time.
Dec 22 is the date!
Wow! It’s beginning to feel a lot like, oh, I don’t know, CHRISTMAS!

11/30/2021

UMW Prayer for the first week of Advent

11/29/2021

Prayer for Advent:

Father, You are amazing. I can’t even begin to understand how You wove the story of Jesus together before He was born. I am in awe of Your infinite power and wisdom. Thank You for the miracle of Your Son. Help me never lose sight of how great You are.