Looking to the Future....

Here we are ending another year. So many things have happened....so many possiblities to come. With a new year around the corner....what are some of your visions for the future?
What can United Methodist Women be doing to impact the new year? Where is God calling you to be???

Climate Change...I do not mean Winter is here!

The state of our environment is of great concern to me. The Women of West Michigan have a long history of working to protect this precious state we have been entrusted with. Water Rights, Bottled Water issues, urban transit, safe farming, wind energy and more! In December, the Women's Division will be a part of a faith delegation going to Copenhagen, and the Summit on Global Warming. The effects of Global Warming impact women and children around the world....
farming and water access in Central Africa, sea surges in the Pacific Islands, and air pollution issues in our urban areas. What are your thoughts???? What can the Women's Division delegation express on your behalf???

Bishop Ough, President of the General Board of Global Ministries, and Inelda Gonzalez, President of the Women's Division made a statement at the beginning of September, encouraging United Methodists to petition the United Nations and the United States Government to protect the Christians in Pakistan (Gojra City), as they have been the victims of recent attacks. These attacks have left hundreds homeless by arson and have left seven dead. Christian Leaders have been charged as lawbreakers for protesting the violence, and this has been closely linked to false accusations of blasphemy or desecration fo the Qur'an. Violence continues to threaten our religious leaders.....what are your thoughts?

Critical to justice in America, is adequate Health Care for it's people. The United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, are concerned for the women, children and youth who do not have adequate or any health care coverage. President Obama is trying to get the ball rolling towards a more equitable Health Care System in the United States. Dialogue is essential to understanding all that is before us on this issue....What are your concerns??? How do you feel about the Health of our Nation?

Ecological Justice

Acid rain..oil spills...industrial waste....deforestation...extinction of many plant and animal species...ozone depletion...excessive energy consumption...massive starvation....

God calls us to see that justice is done on earth..
"God created the heavens and stretched them out; God fashioned the earth and all that lives there;..God gave life and breath to all it's people. And now the Lord God says to all servants...I, the Lord, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will bring light to the nations." Isaiah 42:5,6

United Methodist Women's Green Team is the catalyst helping us the engage in the justice that needs to be done concerning our environment. With the Copenhagen Summit on Global Warming coming up in December.....the nations of the world will be coming to the table to do justice.....How are you engaging in the issue of ecological justice and bringing "light to the nations"???? What can we join you in doing????

ReThink Church and United Methodist Women

Having just finished the West Michigan Annual Conference, I am moved by the new way we are looking at the "CHURCH". United Methodist Women have seen this vision for over 135 years as they have extending the arm of faith to the people in their communities, to people on the other side of the world and to themselves. How are you extending your faith through action????How do United Methodist Women understand their role in the Church.....and beyond???? When we open the door to take the church to the world....where do you see us going?????

United Methodist Women.....a Sisterhood of Faith

I would like to know what United Methodist Women are doing to nurture and support one another. Supportive Community is a large part of who we are as sisters in faith. Units have build strong systems of faith by engaging women to explore their compassionate side. What are you doing to embrace our Sisterhood of Faith????

I have just returned from an incredible weekend at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days Seminar in Washington D.C. We looked at the effects of Global Warming on our World and prepared for a day on Capital Hill with our legislators, engaging in constructive dialogue on solutions to the effects of Global Warming on the world's poor.
Women and Children are hit the hardest when the effects of Global Warming attach their communities.....
Drought in West Africa, causes women to travel farther for the daily water supply, often contaminated by wildlife.
Sea Surges and flooding bring with it displacement and disease associated with stagnant water bore illnesses. Women are the ones who have to manage the family in this transition.
Quality of life, income, disease, economics.........women and children are suffering and it will only get worse.
What are your thoughts?

On the Board of Church and Society's Faith in Action website, an article was shared on the need for the re-introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act. The Board endorsed a letter to Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) urging the re-introduction.
Violence against women is a"global health crisis, human rights violation, and moral outrage that contributes to instability and insecurity throughout the world".

Our local unit in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has begun a "Women in Black-Tuesdays" beginning with the turn of the calendar year, and their members will wear black every Tuesday in 2009, to bring awareness to violence against women. Articles are sent out on the church web each Tuesday highlighting areas around the world to be in solidarity with, and resources to access to gain new information.
What are you doing to change attitudes about violence against women?????

Women in Black

Women in Black is an international network of women calling for peace, justice and nonviolent solutions to conflict throughout the world. The movement's purpose is to be a silent, persistent presence for peace and a reminder of the horror and destruction war brings.
The women of Israel and Palestine began this movement to raise awareness to the effects war has had on them.....that was a decade ago..... Today, Women in Black is still a vigil of women who continue to be a catalyst for peace. United Methodist Women around the globe stand in solidarity with this cause.

What do you do .......?

Engaging Women for Change

Alot has happened since we have turned the page to a new year. What are your visions for United Methodist Women for the coming year? What are you doing to engage women to be spiritual catalysts for change? How can we help enable you and excite your women to mission?

Welcome!

Welcome! I am pleased to offer this blog space to encourage United Methodist Women to dialogue with me and share your insights, joys and concerns. Our connection to one another gives us opportunity to enhance our faith journey. I look forward to meeting you!

Nichea