What is United Methodist Women (UMW)?

It is a group of women in each congregation organized for mission. Local units relate directly to district and conference organizations of United Methodist Women and to the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.

It’s 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.

Who is a member?

Any woman who commits herself to the Purpose and chooses to belong.

What is expected of a member?

Support for the program through prayers, financial contributions, and acceptance of leadership responsibility.

At Church of the Saviour you may participate in any of the Circles, interest groups, or be a “Member at Large,” which is someone who wants to support UMW and their activities but is not available for regular meetings.

How big is the organization?

Membership was approximately one million in 2003, according to the evaluation reports returned by 24,000 of 25,000 local units. United Methodist Women is the largest laywomen’s organization of a major Protestant denomination in the U.S.A.

What is the scope of the program?

Programs encompass mission education, spiritual growth, and social action, with a continuing focus on the needs of women, children, and youth.

Programs and program suggestions are available in the annual Program Book and through Response magazine, leaflets, study guides, resource packets, the Annual Report of the Women’s Division, and the web (http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/).

Church of the Saviour’s programs include: Our annual Christmas dinner and spring luncheon. Support the Blue Ash Nursing Home, children’s clothing collection, gifts for needy children at Christmas. Rummage Sale, product surveys, bake sales, etc. raise money to support local missions. Prayer shawls are given to friends in need of healing. We provide food boxes for people in need in the greater Cincinnati community. Support Wesley Chapel in Over-the-Rhine with supplies, tutoring, and birthday treats. Sponsor a child through the Children’s Christian Fund.

What is Response?

Response is the official magazine for United Methodist Women, published 11 times each year. It is excellent reading for every member. Copies are available in the Church of the Saviour library. Subscriptions are available in hard copy or online at http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/

How is the organization financed?

Local units have budgets that are supported by individual pledges and gifts. We supplement our budget by fund-raising activities, such as the Rummage Sale, product survey, bake sale and talent auction. We also sell Kroger gift cards and flower bulbs.

Each unit makes a Pledge to Mission that is sent to worldwide ministries with women, children, and youth. Church of the Saviour pledges over $3,100 each year.

Pledge to Mission and other undesignated money sent to the Women’s Division becomes the basis of the division’s annual budget. The Women’s Division received no general church funds. The 2005 budget was $18,225,527.

What happens beyond the local church?

Organizations of United Methodist Women exist in every district (approximately 517), conference (63), and jurisdiction (5). Each Mission Team of officers develops programs designed to meet the needs of its particular area: workshops, seminars, retreats, schools of mission, and annual meetings.

What is the role of the clergy?

United Methodist Women is a laywomen’s organization. According to The Book of Discipline, the pastor is a member of the local unit and its Executive Committee. The district superintendent is a member of the district organization and its Executive Committee. Clergy are not eligible to hold elected positions in United Methodist Women.

What is the Women’s Division?

The Women’s Division is the national policy making body for United Methodist Women. It is a corporation. It is one division (structural part) of the General Board of Global Ministries. The officers of the Women’s Division serve as the national officers of United Methodist Women.

“The Women’s Division shall be actively engaged in fulfilling the mission of Christ and the Church and shall interpret the purpose of United Methodist Women. With continuing awareness of the concerns and responsibilities of the Church in today’s world, the Women’s Division shall be an advocate for the oppressed and dispossessed with special attention to the needs of women and children; shall work to build a supportive community among women; and shall engage in activities which foster growth in the Christian faith, mission education, and Christian social involvement throughout the organization.” (The Book of Discipline „1317).

What are the responsibilities of the Women’s Division?

The Division sets policies and recommends programs for United Methodist Women. It provides resources and opportunities for women that enrich spiritual life, increase understanding of needs in the world, and understand our responsibility in meeting those needs.

The Division is authorized to secure money through the channels of United Methodist Women for support of the mission program of the church through the General Board of Global Ministries with special concern for the needs and responsibilities of women.

The Division is to interpret its role in fulfilling the mission of Christ and the church, make project plans especially directed towards leadership development of women, give visible evidence of oneness in Christ by uniting in fellowship with other Christians, and strengthen the ecumenical witness of the church.

The Division seeks to challenge women to enlist as missionaries and deaconesses, to engage in activities that have moral and religious significance for the public welfare, and to contribute to the establishment of a just global society.

The Division works with other agencies of the church and community in areas of common concern, including an office at the United Nations, and seeks to formulate concepts of contemporary mission.

What is the current program focus?

Commitment to mission, deeply rooted in over a century of effort, is central to the Women’s Division. The current focus is also the historic focus: ministries addressing the needs of women, children, and youth; advocacy for the oppressed and dispossessed; leadership development; efforts to achieve inclusiveness; and work with Korean-American and Hispanic-American women.

Central to all this is the development of the spiritual life of the individual through annual spiritual growth studies, the Reading Program, the Program Book, A Call to Prayer and Self-Denial observances, and retreat, and worship resources.

The program includes concerns for the aging, Schools of Christian Mission, a membership campaign, district visitation to local units, education for mission events, Mission Today, the Charter for Racial Justice Policies, and other justice issues impacting women, financial support for the national and international ministries of the church.

For further information about the program and responsibilities of the Women’s Division, write to:

Women’s Division
General Administration, Room 1504
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/

The Emblem

The official emblem for United Methodist Women as well as for the United Methodist Church combines the cross and a flame. The cross and flame are ancient symbols of Christ and Pentecost. The shape of the emblem is fluid and free-flowing, suggesting change and mobility. “I now remind you to stir into flame the gift of God which is within you.” (2 Timothy 1:6a, NEB)

Our heritage is one of sacrifice, witness, and service. The emblem serves as a continuing reminder of both opportunity and obligation.

For more information about
United Methodist Women at Church of the Saviour,
please call Sue Brooks (754-0924),
Membership, Nurture, and Outreach Mission Coordinator.