Offering Objective:  Jeremiah 22: 3-4

Because We Believe....Rise and Shine for Justice

Assembly 2006 Criteria

Jeremiah 22:1-4 Thus says the Lord: Go down to the house of the kind of Judah, and speak there this word, and say: Hear the word of the Lord, O King of Judah sitting on the throne of David – you, and your servants, and your people who enter these gates.

Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place.

For if you will indeed obey this word, then through the gates of this house shall enter kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their servants, and their people.

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The 2006 United Methodist Women’s Assembly Offering will fund organizations and projects that address issues of and access to nutrition, transportation, and safe homes through education, advocacy and direct services on behalf of women, children and youth.

Because we believe that all of God’s children, especially the disempowered, must be included at the table, we invite women, children and youth to “rise and shine for justice.”

Projects to receive funding must include all of the following

- Have women leaders
- Promote diversity
- Have a grassroots base from a non-profit group, church or school
- Involve and strengthen local communities
- Have sustainable sources of income
- Empower women and/or youth and children to know their rights
- Increase access to nutrition, transportation and/or safe homes
- Work to remove barriers and systems that prevent access to healthcare, nutrition and/or housing
- Create healthy options for the poor

Through this special offering, United Methodist Women will make healthy meals, safe transport and havens from harm a reality for marginalized women, teens and children.

Some examples of possible groups to be funded include those that:

- Educate on sustainable agriculture in urban community centers (meals)
- Provide transportation to work, school and/or health clinics for women, youth and children living in domestic violence shelters (wheels)
- Advocate for low-cost housing for mothers with HIV/AIDS and their children (safe homes)

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General Instructions & Timeline for Assembly Offering Fund

• Grants will not exceed $8,000.
• Grants will fund either new or existing projects.
• Neither capital expenses nor computer hardware will be considered.

Applications must be returned by October 15, 2006 to:

Office of Mission Opportunities
Women’s Division
475 Riverside Dr. Room 1503
New York, NY 10115

Women’s Division directors will approve of grant recipients in April 2007. Organizations will be notified of acceptance or rejection in early May 2007.

Questions? Please write to the above address or phone: 212-870-3738, fax: 212-870-3736, or email: MissOpps@gbgm-umc.org