mission.today.2.25.09

Energize United Methodist Women to be more involved in mission through prayer, study and action.
Increase contacts between units and mission personnel and mission projects so the United Methodist Women understand where their money goes.
Encourage the use of mission resources through United Methodist Women.
Expand concepts of mission, including social justice as mission.

What is a Unit?

A unit is any organized group of United Methodist Women within a church or district. Units are composed of one to several circles, which periodically get together for a unit meeting.

How Do We Become a Mission Today Unit?

In order to be recognized as a Mission Today Unit, UMW groups must complete a minimum of ten of the following criteria, including five of those marked with an asterisk.

Units of fewer than 15 members may be asked to complete at least half of the criteria to become a Mission Today Unit.

Criteria for a Mission Today Unit:

*1. Use the prayer Calendar at each general [or unit, if no general] meeting of the unit to pray for people in mission and for our mission work with women, children and youth.

* 2. The unit will make and meet its pledge to mission.

*3. The unit will add at least two members to its roll.

*4. The unit will have at least two members subscribing to Response.

*5. The unit will use two programs from the Program Book during the year.

*6. The unit, circle or subgroup will conduct at least one Mission Study a year.

*7. The unit will implement the Charter for Racial Justice Policies in at least two ways during the year. http://www.wnccumw.org/PDF & Word Files/Racial Justice Manual.pdf

8. At least one member of the unit (other than a conference of district officer) will attend the conference of district School of Christian Mission.

9. At least two members (other than a conference or district officer) will attend the district or conference annual meeting.

10. The unit will have at least one person join the United Methodist Women's Action Network to receive and respond to legislative information. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/work/social-action/washington-dc-advocacy/action-network/

11. Members shall write to five people listed in the Prayer Calendar at least twice a year.

12. The Unit will participate in the Campaign for Children in at least two ways. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/work/social-action/public-education/

13. The Unit will be a Five Star Unit, contributing to all five channels of Mission Giving. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/money/giving/

14. The unit will select a project from the Women's Division Material Resources for Mission Catalog and will contribute the needed materials to a mission project. http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/MaterialResources

15. Each Unit, circle, or subgroup will include a Response moment where an article from Response magazine will be lifted up as a way to tell the mission story. New World Outlook magazine provides another source to tell the mission story.

16. Have at least two people from the unit, circle, or subgroup complete one the Reading Program Plans and report on one of the books read; encourage all to complete Plan One; have a book review program. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/resources/reading-program/

17. The unit will invite a district of conference officer other than a member of the unit, to one the unit meetings during the year.

Orders: Mission Resources Center http://www.missionresourcecenter.org