Words of Welcome

See the online video of this presentation given on at the evening plenary of Assembly on April 25, 2002 by Genie Bank, president of United Methodist Women (7 minutes): Choose Low or High Speed. (You must have the free RealPlayer^tm plugin.)

Good Evening! And welcome! I'm Genie Bank, national president of United Methodist Women and the Women's Division. You have journeyed from every corner of the world and through some heralding situations to "sing a new song" with us. So on behalf of the Women's Division directors and staff, we're glad you are here at the 16th Assembly of United Methodist Women!

Many of you have a long history of attending United Methodist Women's Assemblies. And for many of you, it's your first time. Many of you have been members of United Methodist Women and predecessor organizations. And many of you have just begun. Many of you have traveled for days to be with us. Others traveled for minutes. It doesn't matter from where you come, the distance you traveled or the years you've been part of this organization. What matters is that each and every one of us were called to be here today and to be in mission with women, children and youth. It's at this Assembly that we will sing our songs of mission together.

Whether it's in our focus groups, exhibits area, Bible studies, informal conversations, or plenary sessions, we will hear a variety of songs. We will hear songs of children in Africa suffering from HIV/AIDS and songs of children in the United States suffering from lack of education. We will hear songs of women affected by racism in Asia or Latin America and we will hear songs of women affected by poverty in New York or Texas or Florida. Just listen-- we will hear the songs of suffering, oppression and dispossession. We will hear so much more, and we will notice how the songs blend together.

Then, we will hear songs of hope and God's calling to each of us to learn about issues and tell others about them. We will hear songs that will spread the Gospel-- songs that will change systems-- songs that will advocate, and songs that will teach us to be vessels for Christ's mission. We have a long history of singing. We celebrate these historical songs. At the same time, we look for new songs that are in harmony with God's calling to be in mission. As we listen to these songs, we'll sing songs of prophecy, of justice, of peace, and of God's love.

We will celebrate our ongoing work to become a truly inclusive organization and inclusive society. We will celebrate our continual learning about God's presence in our lives and God's direction for us.

We will celebrate our work on behalf of children as we strive to ensure that they are healthy, safe, educated, and happy. We will celebrate the empowerment of those that are often oppressed and dispossessed. We will celebrate United Methodist Women giving approximately $20 million a year to make mission with women, children and youth possible.

Songs of celebration-- songs of love-- songs of justice-- songs of peace will be with us daily and will follow us home.

The songs we will hear, the songs we will sing together and God's song are encompassed in the PURPOSE of United Methodist Women. As we begin this United Methodist Women's Assembly and sing a new song, let us join together in affirming our PURPOSE. You can find the PURPOSE on the last page of your program book.

"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."

Colossians 3:16 states: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God."

May we consider these words as we begin our Assembly together and may God guide us as we sing a new song.

E-mail Contact: kmartini@gbgm-umc.org