Each year, conference United Methodist Women members from around the United States participate in an event in November that will help continue mission for women and children in the next millennium while continuing more than a century of mission work.
More than 350 UMW leaders meet in St. Louis, IL, for the annual Leadership Training Event for new UMW conference officers and nominations committee members. During the weekend, participants explore the theological basis for mission, historical and current issues facing women and children, training in job responsibilities, and the elimination of institutional racism.
Sponsored by the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries, this event ensures that United Methodist Women has strong, capable leadership to move the organization into the next century.
Participants spend intense hours exploring the theological
basis for leadership, ways to empower and train others to be effective
leaders, and
responsibilities of their respective positions. They participate in interactive
presentations to become oriented to the finances, membership and
organizational development and Christian social responsibility of
United Methodist Women.
Continuing the need for inclusiveness of all women in the organization, the Women’s Division staff leads an anti-racism workshop Sunday morning that pushed participants to focus on the elimination of institutional racism within the society, Church and the organization. They studied the work of United Methodist Women who were integral in the Civil Rights movement and the disbanding of the Central Jurisdiction, an all African-American jurisdiction within the United Methodist Church.
In
the closing worship, the participants are presented with the challenge
to be involved in change and
fulfill God’s call to be in mission to women, children and
youth.
The
Women’s Division represents
United Methodist Women, a one million member organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders,
and advocate for social justice. Members raise more than $20
million dollars a year for programs and projects related to
women, children, and youth in the United States and in more than
100 countries around the world.
United Methodist Women home page
Other UMW-related leadership training events: