By Jackie Blalock Robinson
UMW Communications Committee
Each year, United Methodists prepare for faithful living and action by participating in Mission u, a transformative education program that offers study on biblically grounded curricula. These curricula are intended to motivate, inform and enrich our commitment to be in ministry for a more just and equitable world, locally and globally. UMW Mission u,“There’s Far More Here Than Meets the Eye,” was held virtually this year. It closed July 26th with a beautiful worship service and holy communion. It was extremely successful with over 150 people registered and attending. Hamilton Park’s UMW was honored to have one of its members, Dr. Dana Jobe, serve as assistant dean and registrar. Mission u ran from July 6 – July 26.
The Workshops
Three workshops were held. Hamilton Park’s own UMW president, Dr. Mary Nickson, led the workshop entitled, Finding Peace in an Anxious World. The study used the book of Proverbs and “The Serenity Prayer” as a guide to help Christians find their way through anxiety, worry, and fear and move towards God’s peace that surpasses all understanding.
The second workshop was based on the book entitled, Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls. It was led by Dr. Thalia Matherson. The book follows the plight of criminalized black women and girls that is overlooked, underreported and under analyzed. The book showed how even with obstacles, stigmas, stereotypes and despair, black girls still find ways to breathe remarkable dignity into their lives in classrooms, juvenile facilities and beyond, and challenges the rest of us to do the same.
The final workshop was Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living into the Church’s Moral Witness Through Radical Discipleship and was led by Rev. Anna Bundy. The purpose of this study was to help the church and its members discern our call and bear witness to the will of God for a more just world.
The Mission u Mission Project
Each year, Mission u selects a mission project for its attendees and any others who want to support it. This year’s project raises funds to support the Jerri Savuto Rescue Center in Kenya for girls escaping the trauma of FGM. FMG is Female Genital Mutilation. According to the World Health Organization, “female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.”
Your donation will help end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya and give girls a safe place to go when refusing the painful tribal procedure.
Three Ways to Donate
You can donate three different ways:
Paypal Offering Link
https://www.paypal.com/donate/hosted_button_id=SSEDJNJYZMEZL
Mail Your Offering
Make your check payable to NTC UMW, indicate “FGM/GRC” on the memo line, and mail to Lela Luxen, NTC UMW Treasurer, 1217 Savoy Ln., Richardson, TX 75080.
Use the GBGM Number:
METHODIST CHURCH IN KENYA GBGM ADVANCE NUMBER
Project Name: Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP)
Advance Number: 3020448
How to Join UMW
The Hamilton Park UMW unit meets (currently virtually) monthly on the 4th Saturday. To become a member of the Hamilton Park unit, contact Dr. Mary Nickson at nick5110@verizon.net.
NOTE: The 2016 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church urges the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence. Source: Female Genital Mutilation Fact Sheet (World Health Organization)
You can learn more about FGM and our Conference Mission Project by visiting the conference website at www.umwnorthtexas.org.