Jan Guttormson brings those who cannot make it to church the bouquets of flowers from the flower displays at church every Monday.

Judy Ferguson has been on mission trips to Haiti and Uganda for First United Methodist Church.

Marlyn Sayles, Faye Anderson, Mary Hughson, Jean Noel, Janeth Nelson and many other church members spend their spare time at First United Methodist sharing their talents, preparing for meals and services or just lending an extra hand.

Many of the women belong to the United Methodist Women group. The group meets once a month and arranges events throughout the year. Some of the women also are involved in Caring Ministries, a joint project between First United and Fellowship United Methodist. The group puts on special services for those who are unable to make to church every Sunday.

The women have been involved in the church since they joined, some since they were children. Why they are so involved in the church is obvious to them -- it's an extension of their family and what they feel the Lord wants them to do.

"You're just called to do things," Ferguson said.

"I just love working for the Lord," Anderson said.

"We've always belonged to the church," Sayles said.

On this afternoon the some of the women are about to cut cherry desserts for a Caring Ministries gathering. The women list off the various events and activities they are involved in every year: Christmas services, Easter services, fund-raisers, bazaars and craft sales.

Hughson has been a First United member for 54 years. She was first involved by teaching Sunday School classes, helping with Cub Scout and "just about whatever we needed, I helped out."

When asked how many hours she typically puts in during a week, she laughs. All she knows is that she probably does not put in as many hours as she used to.

Sayles also laughs at the thought of adding up the hours she puts in.

"A lot of people will volunteer everyday," she said.

Monday is "Volunteer Day," a day where Noel and Guttormson, for example, make flower arrangements into bouquets and visit the elderly. It's also a time for socialization for some of the volunteers. They take a coffee break in the morning to catch up.

"We just have a very good fellowship with our women, everyone," Sayles said, adding that the UMW is a strong group. "It's like sisters."

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com