The Beverly Smith Guild
Women’s Mission Group
The Beverly Smith Guild women’s mission group (formerly the Mattie Mae Allen UMW circle) was formed on January 15, 2014. Pastor Jim Elder said a blessing over the guild’s new name. and prayed that the group would follow in the legacy of Beverly Smith, to love God and to embrace Mount Zion United Methodist Church with their whole hearts, their whole minds, and their whole beings.
Membership
The guild is open to all women of Mount Zion United Methodist Church. The group meets once a month in the evening for devotional time and to plan events and outreach. Meetings are announced in the church bulletin and newsletter.
Stewards of Christ
While United Methodist Women “circles” focus exclusively on missions for women and children, the Beverly Smith Guild women’s mission group participates in a variety of activities and missions. They support the United Methodist Women at Mount Zion financially as well as by participating in the annual UMW Valentine’s Day Soup Luncheon/Covered Dish Dinner with their culinary skills.
Supporting the church
Polishing the Altar Brass for the Hanging of the Greens Worship Service
Our Chrismon Tree Decorated with Hand Made Ornaments
The Beverly Smith Guild also polishes the altar brass at Mount Zion each year in preparation for the Advent Season. Members hand-made the Chrismon decorations for our Chrismon tree, and they also sponsor a family in need each year with Christmas gifts.
Minister’s Cook-off
In the past fall and winter seasons, the guild participated in The Minister’s Cook-Off, which raised money to benefit Safe Harbor. There was no Minister’s Cook-off in 2024 so the guild collected donations for Safe Harbor.
Ginger Allen Accepting the First Runner Up in the SWEET TOOTH AWARD
The Beverly Smith Guild 2019
At the Minister’s Cook-Off in 2019, the Beverly Smith Guild placed as First Runner Up in the SWEET TOOTH AWARD Best Recipe category. Pictured above (left) is Ginger Allen accepting the award on behalf of the guild. It was Ginger’s recipe that the guild used as their entry. Pictured (right) are some of the Guild members: Kathy Still, Karen Martin, Johnnie Walker, Janet Crenshaw, Pam Baker, Peggy Bodie, and Vicki Miesbauer.
Stained Glass ornaments
As a fund raising project, the guild sold stained glass window ornaments. They chose the largest stained glass window at Mount Zion for this project. Trent Allen photographed the window on the east wall, which faces Church Street in Central, SC. The stained glass window, dated 1921, was given to the glory of God in memory of James D. Gassaway and Maria H. Gassaway. The inscription on the window reads “Suffer Little Children To Come Unto Me.”
Information Included with Ornament
Stained Glass Window Ornament 2019
In 2025 the guild decided to do another fundraiser and chose the window the Crown and the Cross. 