The purpose of the Mission Today Unit is to:

• Energize United Methodist Women to e more involved in mission through prayer, study and action.

• Increase contacts between units and mission personnel and mission projects so that United Methodist Women understand where their money goes.

• Encourage use of mission resources through United Methodist Women.

• Expand concepts of mission, including social justice as mission.

Conference Adaptability

Conferences can adapt the criteria for a Mission Today Unit.

Criteria for a Mission Today Unit

Units are encouraged to complete a minimum of 10 of the following criteria, including five of those marked with an asterisk (*).  The criteria are to be fulfilled EACH YEAR based on the timeline of each conference.

*1. Use the Prayer Calendar at each 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 MAGAZINE.

*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.  Some suggested plans of action:

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• Plan a joint unit meeting with a unit of a different racial/cultural background, using program from the Program Book.
• Develop bi-racial or multi-cultural Koinonia groups.
• Hold a joint Vacation Bible School.
• Hold pulpit exchanges.
• Share joint worship services on special occasions.
• Encourage the church to sponsor a refugee family.

8. At least one member of the unit [other than a  conference of district officer] will attend the conference or district Mission Education Event.

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.

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.  Possibilities for action:

• Help sponsor a church or community program elected to children and youth needs.

• Sponsor a Children's Sabbath, promoted ty the Children's Defense Fund.

• Get involved with children in mentoring, tutoring and "big sisters' programs.

• Write letters, e-mail, or call congressional representatives and/or others in government regarding children's issues.

• Visit your local schools.

• Attend a school board meeting.

• Learn how our schools are funded.

13. The unit will be a FIVE STAR UNIT, contributing to all five channels of Mission Giving

14. The unit will select a project from the Women's Division's Material Resources for Mission Catalog and will contribute the needed materials to the mission project.

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 good way 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 members to complete Plan One, have a book review program.

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

To Become a Mission Today Unit:

• Contact your local/district/conference President

• Contact your local/district conference M.C. E & I.

• Women's Division Staff contact for Mission Today:

       General Board of Global Ministries

           Women's Division

           Office of Mission Education

            475 Riverside Dr., Rm 1502

            New York, NY 10116

            SLee@gbgm-umc.org

For ordering information, refer to the current Service Center Catalog or e-mail SCorder@gbgm-umc.org

Price $1.40                  

Stock #03271

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Mission Resource [Service Center Online]