By Glenda Sanders, UMW Luncheon Chairperson

More than 340 United Methodist laity and clergy gathered for lunch on June 7, 2007, for the annual United Methodist Women’s Luncheon during the Church Annual Conference. There were also eight children in attendance, from ages 6 months to 13 years, with special activities and supervision arranged by the event committee. Glenda Sanders of Corpus Christi Wesley UMW was the Event Chairperson and Dianne Rumfield of St. Peter’s by the Sea, Corpus Christi, served as Registrar. For the second year in a row, the event was held on site at the American Bank Center.

Seated at the head table were Glenda Sanders, Event Chairperson; Sue Sidney, SWTC UMW President; Bishop Joel Martinez; Raquel Martinez; Rev. Barbara Ruth, DS Corpus Christi; Rev. Kim Cape, DS Austin; and Rev. John Wright, Pastor Grace UMC Corpus Christi.

Bishop Joel Martinez bring greetings	Raquel Martinez, Speaker

Raquel Martinez was the guest speaker and shared “Why I am a United Methodist Woman”. Raquel was born in Allende, Coahila, Mexico. From a young age, she has known parsonage life since her father was a Methodist pastor in Mexico. In 1952 her family came to the United States. She attended Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas where she met her future husband Joel. They married in 1961 and are blessed with three children. Raquel has a degree in Music Education and a Master of Sacred Music. She served eight years as a director of the General Board of Global Ministries. She is the editor of the Spanish Language United Methodist Hymnal Mil Voces Para Celebrar. Raquel and her husband, Bishop Martinez, have co-authored a book of bilingual worship resources “Fiesta Cristiana,”. Raquel lives in San Antonio, Texas where her husband Bishop Joel Martinez serves as Bishop of the San Antonio Episcopal Area.

Martinez opened her talk sharing that “I remember attending Methodist Women’s meetings with my mother at my father’s church in Mexico, when I was six or seven years old, and listening to stories from North American missionaries about their mission work. I remember Miss Hulda telling the story once about a “tiger knocking on her door.”  I used to be fascinated by these stories.  Somehow, I felt right at home with these groups of women”.

She continued “Later, when I attended Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) from Trinity UMC would occasionally invite me to go play for them during their programs.  While I was 17 and they were much older, I never felt out of place, and really enjoyed their fellowship and programs. I like to think that God was preparing me to work with UMW later on. We never know how far mission expands and extends.”

            She said serving as director of the Women’s Division gave her an opportunity to grow spiritually in fellowship with other Christian women; to become involved in mission work which positively impacted, and impacts, the marginalized, and especially women and children and youth. It gave her an opportunity to be in leadership and to bring others into leadership through the different retreats and training that she was required to do. She was able to serve through music ministry, by leading music in several regional and conference Schools of Christian Mission, Officer Training Events, retreats, quadrennial meetings, and also by writing some of their theme songs.

            “I am a United Methodist Woman because I know that the work we do is definitely life-changing. It changes us for the better. It helps us to be God’s helpers in expanding his mission.  We have a song in the Spanish hymnal (and also in one of the Global Praise songbooks) that says “…the angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain into a world of love, of justice and of peace.  The task is ours to do....” What a privilege we have!”, she exclaimed.

“So, I’m glad to be part of an organization that is concerned with the welfare of women and children; that is concerned with issues of justice and the poor, an organization that not only talks about these issues, but is actively involved in being vessels of God’s kingdom on earth – through our actions, through our monies for mission, and most certainly, through our prayers. I can truly say that, through it all, I have been richly blessed. I have had learning experiences that could only happen through the work of the UMW; I have made lasting friendships; I have enjoyed Christian fellowship with my sisters in Christ and have been a part of a caring, loving, supportive community. My faith has been deepened.  Christ really is among us when we let the Holy Spirit lead us. We never know how far mission expands and extends.”

            The event closed with Martinez leading the group in a new song she wrote especially for this event “Unite, Unite, United Methodist Women”. Sue Sidney, President of the Southwest Texas Conference surprised Martinez with the presentation of a Special Mission Recognition Pin.

United Methodist Women is an official organization within the United Methodist Church with nearly one million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise approximately $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. There are about 100,000 members of United Methodist Women in Texas.

Luncheon Attendance History: