Mission Education & Interpretation
(Cindy Huffman, Coordinator)
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!!
Here we are in a new year and things in our economy are tough. We are all feeling the need to pull back on what
we do and where we spend our money. In reality, we have lived for many years as  though we didn’t
have to think about what was happening in the world around us. As United Methodist Women, it is
time to celebrate our connectional giving which is unique. As we have been intentional and generous
with our Mission Giving in the past, we have been part of setting up the agencies and programs for
times such as this. Our Mission Giving today is what paves the way for the future for women, children
and youth when times are tough. And times are tough now!
The District Mission Team just received the figures showing
how many churches have closed their units and how many women have withdrawn from
units and circles in our district. What these figures tell me is that we, as United Methodist
Women, need to work harder to get the message out. We are not a social group. We have
a purpose. We should do more than read our purpose at unit meetings. We should be talking
about our purpose to each other. I heard recently that members of a particular unit said
that they didn’t know where the money that they were giving actually went. I am not
young, but I am not one of the oldest UMW members either. For many years, I felt that
UMW was about getting together to hear a program and to share food and fellowship. My
unit officers knew what was happening with the money and assumed that everyone else did
also, so we rarely talked about it. This is not the case in our unit now and we are maintaining
our membership. Is it because our women understand their purpose? Maybe, but I do
know that we will continue to talk about what happens with our money.
I challenge each unit, whether you have someone in the position of Education and
Interpretation or not, to talk about what our money does. Show videos. Ask people like
Donna Ratzlaff at UM Cooperative Ministries or others who are actively working with these funds, to come and share their
stories with your unit or your church. There are many stories in the Response magazine that can be shared. In fact, one of
the categories to become a Mission Today unit
is to share something from Response at each
unit meeting. Whatever you choose to do, DO
SOMETHING! Don’t assume that your
women and your church know what UMW is
and what we do.
I would like to remind you that becoming
a Mission Today unit is not about the recognition
at the District Annual Meeting. It is
not a way of getting you to buy the magazine
(Yes, I have heard that reason given by a
UMW!). It is not about checking off boxes.
Mission Today is just another way to get our
units to look at what it means to be a United
Methodist Woman who is actively working to
be Jesus’ hands and feet in the community and
world outside ourselves. So talk about what
you are doing as United Methodist Women!
Cindy Huffman, Mission Coord. Education and Interpretation
WHAT IS MISSION TODAY?
My job is to empower you
as United Methodist Women, in your local units and circles, “to understand, interpret and
participate in the mission giving and outreach of the church (from the UMW Handbook).”
If we are to continue to fulfill our purpose as United Methodist Women, we must
continue to fulfill our financial as well as educational goals. I mentioned at the District Annual
Meeting that I would like to see our district have more than 15 Mission Today units. This is not so that our district looks good or so that your unit can be recognized.
By becoming a Mission Today unit, your unit should be effectively meeting more needs of women, children and youth in your community and globally. That must be the reason to become a Mission Today unit.
It would be wonderful to have 50% of the units in our district as Mission Today units this year!
This year there are 18 criteria from which to choose. Your unit needs to complete 8 of these to be considered
as a Mission Today unit. When you look over the list, there are probably many of them that your unit already does so
it is simply a matter of letting the district know that you are doing them. When you look at each of the criterion closely, you
will see that they are covering many different areas of our mission as United Methodist Women. Completing at least 8 of
these would ensure that your unit is actively seeking to fulfill the purpose of UMW.
Mission Today
Each year Mission Today units are recognized by the Florida Conference and Gulf Central District at the annual meetings. Following the criteria to become a Mission Today unit helps us in fulfilling the purpose of United Methodist Women.
For more information on the criteria, due date and a copy of the report form, click on the symbol below.
 To apply for credit for a Mission Study, submit the form found by clicking here.
Cindy Huffman, Mission Coordinator for Education and Interpretation
To contact Cindy:
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