Directors approved the following actions:

Year 2000 Schools of Christian Mission Studies

The Conference Schools of Christian Mission for the year 2000 will focus on three themes: Paul's Letters to the Corinthians, Children of Africa, and God's People in an Urban Culture. Schools of Christian Mission are an annual educational experience for United Methodist Women and others wishing to expand their concepts of mission in today's world.

Teen and College/University United Methodist Women Program

• information, education and training for current members on inviting and involving these age groups
• leadership development for the young women
• spiritual growth opportunities and hands-on mission experiences for these age groups
• resources and training materials

National Gathering of Teens and College/University Women

On December 28-31, the Women's Division will sponsor a one-time national gathering of teen and college/university women and hope to draw up to 1000 participants. The purpose is to generate and sustain support, interest, and momentum for the emerging programs of this group in United Methodist Women. The location is still to be determined.

Director Doris Brown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, gave the Teen Task Force report.

Environmental Responsibility

Continuing the division's effort to be environmentally responsible, directors participated in a two-hour worship Sunday morning that incorporated education, singing, scripture, and prayer. It focused on the connection between abuse of the environment and its link to cancer. "We have a Biblical, moral and General Conference mandate to practice environmental responsibility. The human cost of our environmental sins is high and escalating," said the resolution. To continue environmental justice work and to encourage United Methodist Women to do the same, directors affirmed eight principles of environmental responsibility:

• Practice garbage prevention.
• Recycle and buy recycled.
• Maintain a zero-tolerance for toxins.
• Avoid plastics.
• Conserve energy.
• Produce and consume locally grown food.
• Use natural, safe materials.
• In making purchasing and planning decisions, promote the total well being of people.

For a copy and further explanation of these principles, contact Pam Sparr, executive secretary for environmental justice at (202) 488-5660 or psparr@gbgm-umc.org.

Total Appropriations of the Women's Division

The budget for the Women's Division for 1999 will be $19,896,489 and will include the following:

$10,377,775 for mission education, resourcing, staffing, leadership development, programs, mission projects, etc., of United Methodist Women.

$9, 518,714 for national and international mission related to women, children and youth.

For further financial interpretation of the mission work of United Methodist Women through the Women's Division, contact Annette Funk, executive secretary for mission opportunities, at (212) 870-3738 or afunk@gbgm-umc.org.

Contact: Kelly C. Martini
Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church
475 Riverside Drive, #1501
New York, NY 10115
(212) 870-3729
FAX: (212) 870-3736
kmartini@gbgm-umc.org