Marthas and Marys at The Rusty Musket

Marthas and Marys, the Gilmer ecumenical women's group, latest project was to encourage Glenville State College students during their final exams this week.

All 456 students living in the residence halls opened their mail boxes to find an envelope with a candy cane and a card with a prayer of encouragement.

A Student’s Prayer

Thank you, Father, for catching me when I stumble.

Please give me strength to persevere, to focus even when it seems beyond my power.

Help me to be patient with teachers, with my peers, and with myself.

Help me to be kind and helpful to others.

Help me to be productive, to do my work instead of slacking.

Help me to stay calm in times of stress

And please help me to listen for your voice.

Amen

The women of Marthas and Marys, an ecumenical group from Gilmer County churches, are praying for your successful completion of your college semester. May you continue growing intellectually and spiritually. God Bless!

In addition to the the encouraging mailbox notes, Marthas and Marys cooked over 150 dozen homemade cookies to give to the GSC students. Yesterday, the first day of final exams, Judy, Linda Bailey, and Betty Mimms established their cookie station in the GSC student union, The Rusty Musket. They started distribution of the cookies at 10 A.M. to late in the afternoon. At the end of the day, the surplus cookies were taken to the residence halls so additional students might enjoy a homemade treat.

Gilmer County Marthas and Marys is an ecumenical group of church women working together.

The name Marthas and Marys comes from the Bible in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus admonishes us to willing work for him as well as be with him in worship.

Ten churches are currently represented in Marthas and Marys. The first meeting was in May, 2010. We meet in different churches the last Tuesday of each month, except December when we do not meet. Working through Gilmer County churches since our first meeting in May, 2010, we have accomplished these community projects.

~Stocked the Community Resources Pantry several times as well as the Diaper Closet

~Held an information forum with representatives from Community Resources Inc., Family Resource Network, Hope Inc., and Hospice so we could learn about our community’s needs and the local means of help

~Provided school supplies for needy elementary school children in September and in January

~Provided supplies for Gilmer County Hope Inc. – an organization helping women and children

~Assisted Gilmer County Association of Retired School Employees in preparing Blizzard Box for senior citizens who receive Meals on Wheels

~Participated in filling Christmas gift boxes for children through Samaritan’s Purse

~Planned and presented the Gilmer County Community Christmas Program

~Facilitate county Red Cross Blood Drives every other month

~ Planned and implemented Gilmer County World Day of Prayer

~Planned and implemented a special ceremony to Honor a Gilmer County Woman of Service

~Planned and implemented a gardening program called More to Munch in which thirty families received a variety of vegetable and flower seeds plus tomato and pepper plants for making their own gardens to supplement their food supplies

~Followed up on gardeners with phone calls and visits to see if they have questions

~Gathered canning jars for the More to Munch gardening effort and implemented a canning workshop to teach gardeners how to preserve garden produce

~Collected materials for Gilmer County Schools Energy Express summer program

~Collected laundry and cleaning supplies and toilet paper for Family Resource Network

~Prepared emergency supply tote bags for women who are victims of domestic violence

~Provided pens and pencils for all 427 Gilmer County High School students and gathered personal care items to be given to the students

~Wrote a note of encouragement to Glenville State College students who are taking their final exams and put them in mailboxes of the 456 students residing on campus

~Distributing homemade cookies to Glenville State students and staff in the student center during final exam week.

Judy Meads - Moderator

Teresa Wayman - Vice-Moderator

Caroline Cusick - Secretary

Linda Bailey and Mescal Kuhl –

Co-Treasurers

Maxine Smith - Past Moderator