Page 4 Mission Voice August 2009
Regional School Brings Reminders of Hope Steps to Grow Your Membership
-Shari Scott, Spiritual Growth -Alexis Robinson, Membership Nurture & Outreach

Food and Faith is the Bible study for our Cooperative Our annual meeting is Saturday, September 26, 2009 in
School of Christian Mission this year. After spending the Poplar Bluff and we want all United Methodist Women to
past several days at Regional School participating in that “Gather at God’s Table”.

study, I know you will agree that it is a wonderfully spiritual
Let's make sure that we do the following:
study after we come together at Central Methodist Univer-
1. Give women a reason to join us. To live our faith
sity.
in community with others; to be in mission with oth-

ers locally, nationally, and globally; to grow spiritu-
Regional School (where your school committee and study
ally; to learn new leadership skills.
leaders receive their training) was at Dillard University in

New Orleans. Much of the devastation from Hurricane
2. Share. Share mission projects that were read in Re-
Katrina is still very visible in some areas, but you can also
sponse magazine; examples of your unit's work; ex-
see renovation and new life springing from the devastation.
periences you had at a School of Christian Mission.
The university buildings had blue marks on all of the build-

ings on campus to show how high the water was. Some of
3. Celebrate New Members. Help others to participate
the buildings had 10 or 12 feet of water in them following
in UMW; arrange an orientation process; acquaint
Katrina. However, when the university president spoke to
new members with the activities and resources of
us, she told us that all of the buildings on the campus were
your unit; communicate with and meet expressed
flooded except for the Chapel. Amazing, isn’t it? Seeing all
needs such as baby-sitting, transportation, meal
of this and hearing about their recovery from Katrina made
preparation or careful listening.
me think of how our Lord picks us up when we are down

and renews our spirits through his love. Following all the
4. Plan for Nurture. Find new resources and programs
devastation, their Chapel stood as a beacon of hope for the
to excite women so they are happy to be a part of
future, letting all around them know that God was still with
such a giving and worthwhile organization.
them and encouraging them to pick up and go forward. I

Corinthians 6: 14 says: God has raised up the Lord Jesus
There are other things we can do together as United Meth-
Christ, and will also raise us up by his own power.
odist Women. See ya at our Annual Meeting!

May God be with you each and every day!
Mission Walkers “Rock”
-Carolyn Celestine, Treasurer
Continue to be Involved in Mission
-Nettie Cherrington, Secretary
The “Red Hot for Mission” Mission Walk Event at the An-
Regional School is over and we are all gearing up for Co- nual Conference in Springfield in June was an overwhelm-
operative School of Christian Mission to be held on the ing success. To date $5,450 has been collected. These
Campus of CMU July 23-26. We look forward to seeing “Walkers for Christ” met and exceeded our goal. Some
you there. Also remember our Annual Meeting will be held came, gave and walked; some came, gave and didn’t walk;
in Poplar Bluff this year. Make your plans early to attend and some stayed home, gave and prayed. All gave. This
the annual event. shows that the Missouri Conference is indeed “Red Hot for

Mission.” I congratulate all on a job well done!
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we
think only in terms of receiving God's Grace. Hebrews tells
us that Christ chose to be involved in our lives. We must
CREATING A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
ask for God's grace and mercy so that we may continue our
No Hands but Yours
work and be involved in mission for women, children and

youth. I encourage each of you to attend and be involved in
It has been said that most people take their homes for
as many of the opportunities available to you as possible to
granted, but no one who has been homeless or who has
support our spiritual development. There are many re-
worded on a Habitat house ever does. In No Hands but
sources available to you that can help you in your mission
Yours, Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford looks at housing
work for women, youth and children, so please avail your-
through the lenses of mercy, humility, and justice, and in-
self of the Response & New World Outlook, Conference
vites you to evaluate your own response to the immense
and District Events, handbooks, newsletters—and remem-
need for secure shelter. Whether you read this book as an
ber it all starts with your local church and your local
individual or as part of a study group, it is unlikely you will
units. The year is half over, so keep working on your Mis-
ever view housing quite the same way again.
sion Today Criteria and strive to become a five star unit.

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