CONFERENCE/MISSION COORDINATOR FOR SOCIAL ACTION

 

Greetings! I am so excited to be in this office, Social Action, and to be a part of this group of District Officers! I am spending several hours each day reading up on a lot of the literature that comes with this office, and believe me, it is a lot. There is so much information, it is hard to absorb it all, or absorb it to the point where I can pull information out of storage as needed. What I have learned is this: United Methodist Women have so much to be proud about, they are eager learners and willing listeners. At my unit's last meeting we went through several issues of Social Action and were amazed at how the information presented had such an impact on our day to day lives. We are part of a global community and that is brought home to us with every day that passes. As for myself, I am involved with the Kairos ministry on an ongoing basis. As you know, Kairos is about bringing the love of God to inmates in correctional facilities. There is such a need in prison for God's love to be shared. If the idea of prison ministries interests you please contact someone at your church who isinvolved or get on the Internet and look up Kairos.I look forward to the upcoming meeting in October, getting even more information, and continuing the learning process. May God bless you in your units as you continue to learn! 

 

Dorothy Rose

 

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COORDINATOR - MISSION EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION

 

Hi, to each of you. Hopefully most units were able to have some person(s) attend the School of Christian Mission in Sacramento. Plans are already made for the Annual Albuquerque District Mission Study. It will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. "Cuba" is the study which will be presented. Study leader will be Dr. Ben Smith, who led the study in Sacramento. More details will be coming to you as the date draws near but please put the event on your calendar when you are making plans for 2005 in your units. The District Team hopes local units will not schedule this particular study until after the District Study is held. Do make plans to have studies on Concerning Prayer and/or Public Education. Even though many of us no longer have children in school, we all need to know more about the public education system in our respective communities. And of course, "prayer" is always a good study topic and a great discipline to establish in our lives. Deadline for sending the "Mission Today" reports is coming up soon: September 1, 2005. They can be mailed to me at 7109 North Hills Blvd, N E, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Forms were mailed to each unit in May, but there is a copy printed elsewhere in the newsletter. Unless your unit is a "PERFECT 20", I suggest your unit select 1 or 2 items they have not completed and incorporate them into their goals for the coming year. Several units utilize corresponding with missionaries on the Prayer Calendar by having members select a person who shares the same birth date as theirs and writing them a brief note enclosed with a birthday card. If you've not done this in the past, you might want to try it. It is a simple, easy process and I always get a thrill knowing someone who shares my birth date. All of us need to be working on getting new members or starting new circles. If you come up with a way that works for you, please share it by sending the particulars to the Membership, Nurture and Outreach Coordinator or to me. It is a privilege to be working with each of you in His service. I hope to see many of you at our Annual Meeting in October.

 

Marilyn JacobsonMission

Education & Interpretation Coordinator Albuquerque District

 

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MEMBERSHIP, NURTURE, AND OUTREACH

Are you looking forward with anticipation to the many opportunities that the organization of United Methodist Women can offer to prospective new friends in your community?

PRAY THAT YOUR ANSWER IS YES!

The Fall is a great time to develop a plan for your unit. I encourage you to focus on what actions you have personally initiated to bring a new person into your life. A simple invitation to coffee or lunch can become a valued fellowship that may create an involvement in your activities. When was the last time you asked a person to come to a meeting with you or asked someone to be involved in one of your "passions"? Remember that aggressive "joining" ideology does not always lead to desired results. The gentle repetitive friendship message can reap greater rewards. Many new friends fear heavy commitments that will result in negative feelings if they cannot meet an obligation. Do you feel rejection when you issue an invitation (one time) and get a negative response? I PRAY YOUR ANSWER IS NO!

Always give a person several different opportunities to join you in fellowship.

Let's begin the new year with .ASK ANOTHER ANOTHER UNTIL YOU BRING ONE!

 

Anita Y. Spain

Membership, Nurture, and Outreach Coordinator