Virginia United Methodist Women

*note this form available for download as pdf 

Virginia Conference United Methodist Women

 THE PURPOSE OF MISSION TODAY IS TO fulfill the PURPOSE of UMW by:

• Energizing United Methodist Women to be more involved in mission through  prayer, study and action;
• Increasing contacts between units and mission personnel and projects;
• Encouraging use of mission resources; and  
• Expanding concepts of mission including social justice as mission                 

Becoming a Mission Today Unit is a way to increase emphasis on what United Methodist Women have been doing for more than a century: turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.

Period covered in this report:  September 1, 2012– August 31, 2013

How to become a Mission Today Unit:

All units must complete item # 1.  The number of additional items required is then dependent on the size of your unit.

(  )  A MISSION TODAY UNIT:  includes eight additional items, including four (*) items, or, for Units with 15 or fewer members, a minimum of four other items, including two (*) items. 

(  )  A MISSION TODAY SILVER UNIT: 13 additional items, including at least six (*) items.

(  ) A MISSION TODAY GOLD UNIT: 20 additional items, including at least twelve (*) items.

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 * 1. THE UNIT WILL MAKE AND MEET ITS PLEDGE TO MISSION.  (Must be completed) 

(*) 2.   At least two members, other than a District or Conference Officer, attend the District or Conference Annual Meeting.

(*) 3.    At least one member, (other than a District or Conference officer that has their way paid by District or Conference), attend the Conference Spiritual Life Retreat or the District Spiritual Life Event.  (If a District or Conference officer goes to the Spiritual Life retreat paying their own way, they may count themselves as going representing their unit.)

(*) 4. Have at least one member, other than a District or Conference officer, attend Mission Encounter 2013 / Mission u 2013 (School of Christian Mission), or a District Mission Celebration/Mission School event.

(*) 5.    Sponsor a young woman to attend the Conference or a District Young Women’s Event.  Name of event attendee: ______________________________

(*) 6. Use the Prayer Calendar at each Unit Meeting to pray for mission workers and mission projects for women, children, and youth.

(*) 7. Use at least two programs from the UMW Program Book during the year.  Which ones: ____________________________________

(*) 8.  Each Unit, Circle, or Subgroup include a “response Moment” where an item from Response magazine is lifted up as a way to tell a mission story.

(*) 9. The Unit, Circle, Subgroup, have at least one current mission study during the year. Which one: ____________________

(*)10. Include having the UMW Purpose at every meeting.

(*)11. Qualify as a Five- or Six-Star Unit by contributing to five or six Channels of Mission Giving. 

(*)12. Increase the local unit Pledge to Mission for the coming year. 

(*)13. Invite a District or Conference Officer, other than a unit member, to one of your Unit meetings during the year and/or United Methodist Women’s Sunday.

(*)14. Select a mission project which is supported by funds from Women’s Division (Wesley Community Service Center), or the 2013 Ministry Grants of VA (listed in the conference yearbook) and visit and/or contribute needed resources.  Name of the project:          ___________________________

(*)15. Add at least two new members to the roll, or one new member for Units with  15 or  fewer members.

(*)16. Have at least two members who subscribe to response magazine.

(*)17. At least two members participate in the Reading Program and complete Plan I.

(*)18. Implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in one way during the year.  Some ideas include:

• Have two or more members attend a District Charter for Racial Justice Program/Workshop
•  Have members read books and articles about other races and cultures; give report to unit.
• Plan a joint unit meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic background.
•  Hold a joint Vacation Bible School with a church of a different racial/ethnic background.
•   Encourage your church to support a refugee family.
•   Write to elected representatives to support legislation affecting issues such as immigration, affirmative action, programs serving a low-income population, civil rights, etc.

   Describe what you did ___________________________________________

 ( ) 19. One or more members participate in hands-on mission such as gleaning, working in a food pantry or clothes closet, bagging potatoes, etc.

Describe what you did:______________________________________________

 ( ) 20. Have “Green Meetings” or make some other special effort toward saving God’s earth

           (i.e. recycling, using glasses instead of disposable cups, etc.)   Describe what you did:  ________________________________________________________

 ( ) 21. Participate in the Campaign for Children (Children’s Sabbath Service, support

           public education, etc.).  Some ideas for action:

•      Help sponsor a church or community program for children or youth needs.
•      Get involved with children in mentoring or tutoring programs.
•      Visit and show support to your local schools, (attend school board meetings, sponsor  a class, provide funds or items of special need)
•       Write congressional representatives regarding children’s issues.

      Describe what you did __________________________________________

(  ) 22. Have at least one member attend the United Methodist Day at the Virginia General Assembly.

(  ) 23. Have at least one member attend UMW Day at Ferrum College.

(  ) 24. Provide at least ten UMCOR kits and funds for shipping for the VA Annual Conference.

(  ) 25. Members shall write at least once a year to five mission workers listed in the Prayer Calendar

(  ) 26. Have at least one person join the UMW’s Action Network to receive and respond to legislative information.  The on-line registration can be found at: 

           http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/act/network/

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UNIT/CHURCH ___________________________________________________ 

Number of members in your unit ____________________

President/Contact Person__________________________________________

Phone ____________________    E-mail ________________________ 

Mail to <Your District UMW Mission E&I>

by: <date set by your district, or by September 1, 2013>

Available from Mission Resource Center.

Sue Boltz

703-768-7499

sboltzmno(at)gmail.com