This month's theme is "Youth In Mission." Young people are not just the church's future -- they are its present. Learn how they are in mission across the United States and around the world.
On the Cover: Chelly Vestal, right, of Thornwood, N.Y., talks with a Jamaican Methodist girl during a mission trip to Barrett Hall on the Beechamville/Bensonton Circuit in Jamaica. Ms. Vestal was part of an intergenerational work team from the Central Korean and Memorial United Methodist Churches in White Plains, N.Y. The team helped construct a class hose, a worship facility in the Wesleyan tradition. (click here for larger photo of the cover) Photo by Tim Jones-Yelvington
Bible Study: We Are The Seed
by Elizabeth Quick
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In the Bible study, Elizabeth Quick turns to the parable of the sower with its vivid, inspiring imagery of the seed falling onto various kinds of ground. A college student preparing for ordained ministry, Ms. Quick wrestles with her impatience to do what she feels called to do now while also planning for her future ministry. She shares models -- young and old -- of women in mission, and assures us our lives are surrounded by such people if we would but see them and hear them. She writes:
"Hold fast, be honest, be good, bear fruit, be patient, endure." To do God's work we must plant ourselves in good soil.
Tilling the Soil, Planting the Seeds, Waiting for Growth
by Kelly C. Martini
Kelly C. Martini reports on the International Youth Conference for Mission. The July 1999 event was sponsored by the Women's Division and other units of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. There was hope and encouragement for the young people and a challenge to adults to nurture our youth. The week-long conference allowed the young people time to study Scripture and discuss mission-justice issues ranging from racism to violence to evangelism.
Global Justice Volunteers: A New Way to Reach Out
by A. Victoria Hunter
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A. Victoria Hunter talked to young people who were among the first to serve as Global Justice Volunteers in the Philippines, Liberia, Armenia and Brazil. These young people, 18-25, volunteered for two to six months to do social-justice advocacy with church-related agencies, non-governmental organizations and community groups in international settings. The program was initiated and funded by the Women's Division.
Inviting Youth to be in Mission
by Martha E. Vink
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The Rev. Martha A. Vink from New York Conference believes mission encounters can be a life-changing, faith-transforming experience for youth. Rebuilding burned Black churches, Appalachian Service Projects, Habitat-for-Humanity days, work camps in Jamaica and Haiti, and "Mission of Peace" trips to other countries, are just some of the mission experiences in which youth she knows have participated. Involving youth in mission means talking and listening to them, and working with them so they fully understand these experiences.
We Are Glad You're Here: Tips on Planning Youth Mission Schools
by Barbara Ross
Get the answers to nuts-and-bolts questions about offering youth schools of Christian mission. The Rev. Barbara Ross from East Ohio Conference speaks from experiences when she suggests such things as putting a small welcome gift in each teen's room, creating learning centers where youth can write letters to missionaries and organizing a Response scavenger hunt. She says it is important that each youth received attention and respect.
US-2 Program: Changing Lives
by A. Victoria Hunter
A. Victoria Hunter interviewed two women who, though separated by several decades, have in common the US-2 Program. The Rev. Nancy Grissom Self was in the first graduating class of US-2s 50 years ago. The program was created to expose women and men ages 20-30 to hands-on mission in the United States. Katie Goetz, 22, is currently a US-2.
Being a US-2 has impacted the lives of 2,500 young women and men. Some have gone on to become missionaries, some deaconnesses, some church and community workers. Others have become ordained ministers, Christian educators and key lay leaders in the denomination.
Shared Mission Focus on Young People: Empowering Our Youth
by Susie Wallace
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Susie Wallace reports on a movement to support and expand ministry with youth and young people. She explains how pilot projects of the United Methodist denomination-wide initiative are impacting young people in local churches and annual conferences in the United States and internationally.
On the Road to General Conference:
Charter for Racial Justice Policies Before General Conference
by Dana E. Jones
Dana E. Jones, editor of Response, informs us that this year's General Conference is the first one that will be impacted by the action of the 1988 conference that called for expiration of resolutions after 12 years unless reaffirmed by the conference. Among resolutions at issue is the Charter for Racial Justice Policies, the first version of which was adopted by the Woman's Division of Christian Service of The Methodist Church in 1952.
| Other Articles in This Issue |
| Responsively Yours |
| Program Idea: Meditation on the Wooden Stick |
| Spanish: Programa de lectura para 2000 |
| Bright Lights |
| How to Use This Issue |
| Grants: A Brighter Future for Children and Youth Grants |
| Women's Division News |
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See also: |
E-mail: umw@gbgm-umc.org
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Response magazine is published by the Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church. Subscribe to this award-winning magazine!
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