Virginia United Methodist Women

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, 2011– August 31, 2012

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.

* 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 the Conference 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 mission study from the School of Christian Mission 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 2012 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/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2012>.

Special Note:  This form can be downloaded. See doc or pdf in right column.

Available from Mission Resource Center.

Ann Klotz