UMW PURPOSE

The organized unit of United Methodist Women
shall be a community of women
whose purpose it is to know God and
to experience freedom as whole persons
through Jesus Christ;
to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and
to expand concepts of mission
through participation in the global ministries
of the Church.


GENERAL INFORMATION

We ask all members to honor the general church policy to reserve Wednesday for church activities.

Each Circle is responsible for keeping in touch with their senior members and working members.

In case of death in the family, the United Methodist Women shall gladly serve dinner to the immediate family, out-of-town relatives, and friends on the day of the funeral.

All activities in the church are scheduled through the pastor.  Local church activities involving the United Methodist Women are taken by the Circles during their working months.

If it is impossible for you to do the task designated to you in this program book, it is your responsibility to find someone who can.  Use an estimated time of five (5) minutes for RESPONSE magazine reports and for Reading Program Review.

GENERAL MEETINGS:  The General meeting of the UMW will be held the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
CIRCLES:  Rebecca Circle meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.  Sarah Circle meets the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.


The members of Harmony United Methodist Women have an organized prayer chain.  Those desiring that prayers be offered for a relative or friend may request this by calling Shirley Snider, Spiritual Growth Coordinator (378-3501.)  She will start the chain in motion by calling the circle leaders.  If Shirley cannot be reached, then call one of the circle leaders and get the prayer chain started through them.  Each circle has two or more leaders.  If one cannot be reached, another is usually available.  The circle leaders will then call the members who are in charge of the calling lists.  These members will subsequently start each list so everyone can be notified.  When you receive a prayer chain call, it is your responsibility to pass the message on to the next person on your calling list on page 15 or page 20.  If the person you are to call is not home, skip over them and to on to the next so that the calling list continues.  You can go back and call that person who was not home, later.


The United Methodist Women organization has a reading program to help us grow as individuals toward our Purpose.  Our unit purchases four or five new books each year, at least one in each category, and places them in the library on the north wall of the over-flow room west of the sanctuary.  Other books from the reading list are available from the District Secretary of Program Resources, Elaine Heskett.

You are welcome to read any of the books at any time, but in order to complete Plan 1, you must read one book in each category plus “Response” magazine (listening to review of “Response” at General Meeting or Circle counts.)      
    For Plan 2, you must read ten books, at least two from each category plus “Response” and “New World Outlook.”  Both magazines are with the books in the church library.  
    Plan 3 is 15 books, at least two from each category, plus “Response” and “New World Outlook.” 
    Plan 4 is 20 books, at least two from each category, plus “Response” and “New World Outlook.” 

The categories are:  EDUCATION FOR MISSION, NURTURING FOR COMMUNITY, SOCIAL ACTION, and SPIRITUAL GROWTH.  A few of the books count for more than one category.  The category is listed on the shelf and in the front of the book.  Large print books prior to 2004 count for any category.  You can read from this year’s list or from any of the last five years.  

When you take a book, record it on a card in the file box.  Books need to be finished by December 31.  We suggest you also record the books you read this year on the inside cover of this book so that you have a record from year to year.



1.  Encourage use of mission resources throughout the organization;
2.  Increase contact between units and mission personnel and mission projects, thus                 helping units understand where their money goes;
3.  Expand concepts of mission including social justice as mission, and
4.  Energize United Methodist Women to be more involved in mission through prayer, study         and action.

The Harmony United Methodist Women will strive to meet the qualifications to become a “UMW in Mission Today Unit.”  In order to do so, ten of the requirements listed below must be met.

1.  Use the Prayer Calendar at each general meeting.
2.  The unit will make and meet its pledge to mission.
3.  The unit will add at least one new member to its membership 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:
    - Plan a joint meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic background, using                     programs from the Program Book
    - Develop biracial/cultural or multiracial/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 or district officer) will attend         the Conference School of Christian Missions.
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 U.M.W. 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 related to children and             youth needs; sponsor a Children’s Sabbath, promoted by the Children’s Defense             Fund; get involved with children in mentoring, tutoring, and “big sisters’ programs.

The lay persons  and the pastor of each congregation extend a cordial welcome to  you and invite you to visit their  congregation.

Esbon Chuch in Esbon

Ionia Church in Ionia