United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women (UMW) is a worldwide organization with a very strong mission focus. Projects and concerns include issues on local, national, and international levels. Small groups, called circles, meet on various days of the month and at various times of the day to provide many options. There are also several special interest groups such as yarncrafters, quilters, and book clubs. The Monona United Methodist Women often join with women from other local churches for retreats and mission projects. Joining a circle is a comfortable way to get to know members of our church. Many women have been circle friends for years, and you’ll find that newcomers are always warmly welcomed.

Supporting Java Jive During Quarantine

You folks are AMAZING! Our sales of AFT products are as good as ever, even a little better!! Thanks - Thanks- THANKS. Your purchases are spreading your love of God to God’s farmer’s and God’s planet in 15 countries including U.S. [includes Wisconsin, and working with Wisconsin farmers to help form co-ops]. These farmers, men and women, use the premium from their fair trade practices with EEX to invest in their communities.
And we receive excellent organic products produced sustainably and no child labor in EEx chocolate!

While all church activities are cancelled due to Covid-19, we will continue as follows:
1- church is open from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
2- hand sanitizer by coffee cabinet
3- you may shop at display area [thanks Kay D. for making it more accessible]
or if you don’t find product of choice may shop in coffee and tea/chocolate cabinet. Place payment in container or envelope marked in front of plastic box. Checks made out to Monona United Methodist Women, MUMW.

FYI: Congo Whole bean is now available again. Whole bean Breakfast Blend available also.
Palestinian olive oil held up in Customs in West Bank due to Covid-19. EEX has small bottles, 250 ml, from another West Bank co-op, so I ordered a case to tide us over for a month or so.

Thanks again for your faithful participation in this UMW Mission.
In Mission together,
Kay Mackie- a Team Coordinator of MUMW AFT Mission
Questions / suggestions welcome. 608-512-2053; if unable to get to church and would like Items call and will try to accommodate delivery.

The Roots of the Tea Trade

Did you know that tea is the second most popular drink in the world—second only to water?

Most of Equal Exchange’s tea partners are small farmers: they own just a few hectares of land and cultivate a mix of tea and other commercial crops like spices for export, as well as crops for their own kitchen. Through their democratic organizations, farmers can pool their resources and their harvests to trade at a viable scale. The top four tea producing countries today are China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, respectively.

While Equal Exchange’s purchases of tea are important to our partners, our relationships with them goes far beyond commercial trade. Over the years, Equal Exchange has contributed funding to help Potong Tea Garden in their tea bush replanting efforts, replacing many of the bushes originally planted in the 1800s. And in 2017, Equal Exchange, together with our supporters, raised funds to help Potong through a challenging time. That year, Potong lost about 70% of their annual harvest during a 104-day shutdown stemming from political unrest in the region. Equal Exchange’s support helped farmers make ends meet despite the lost income.

Through good times and bad times, our futures as consumers are intertwined with the futures of small farmers. We are proud to celebrate 35 years of changing trade and more than 20 years of solidarity with tea farmers in India and Sri Lanka.

Thank you for your support as we continue to build a market for small farmers and work for positive change in the tea industry, together.
Jackie Hull and Karelyn Hopkins, Coordinators of MUMW AFT Mission