MISSION TODAY UNIT

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A Mission Today is a special emphasis whose purpose is to fulfill the PURPOSE 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.


Criteria for a Mission Today Unit

Criteria for a Mission Today Unit with 15 or fewer members
    Silver:   chose 5 or more activities.
    Gold:    choose 7 or more activities.
    Platinum:   choose 8 activities.
Silver and Gold units are asked to include activities  #1, 2, 7, and 13
Platinum units with 15 or fewer members are asked to include activities          #1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 14.

Criteria for a Mission Today Unit with 16 or more members
    Silver:   choose a minimum of 10 activities.
    Gold:    choose 14 or more activities.
    Platinum:   choose 16 or more activities
Silver and Gold units are asked to include activities #1, 2, 7, and 13.
Platinum units with 16+ members are asked to include activities
    #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14.

*   l.  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 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 unit meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic                     background, using programs from the Prograrn Book.
         + Develop bi-racial/cultural or multi-racial Koinonia groups.
         + Hold a Bible School.
         + 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 OR 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.
* 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.
                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             Undesignated 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 rnagazine 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 of 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.
   18. The unit will observe UMW Sunday during the year.



PURPOSE

The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose 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.