2019 Mission u Studies
Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship
In Mark and Radical Discipleship, author Janet Wolf explores what it means to live a life of radical discipleship today using the Gospel of Mark as the foundation.In Mark’s day and now, Christians are caught in a world of crisis and confusion, a time of uncertainty and fear. There’s a struggle going on and evil appears to be winning: injustice reigns, money and greed measure our living and our dying, divisions deepen and hope is sometimes hard to find. Then and now, part of the crisis is the church’s complicity, complacency, and silence in a world where so much has gone wrong. And both then and now the gospel proclaims it is right here and now when the struggle is fierce and the clamor is loud; when our hearts are heavy, and our bodies weary; when we’re tempted to give up, to give in to the cynicism of our age. Here and now proclaims the gospel, in the fear and the uncertainty and the anxiety of living in our age, God comes singing to our souls, inviting us to be partners in the new creation, in God’s kingdom, kin-dom, realm, and rule. Caesar’s kingdom is already coming undone, the powers cannot stand, God’s kin-dom, realm, rule, breaks in to here, to now. “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). |
MARKED: A Mission Journey with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark Children's Mission Study
In MARKED: A Mission Journey with Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, Rita Hays invites children to join Jesus on an exciting lifelong pilgrimage of discipleship and mission.Throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus engages with all types of people, especially individuals who find themselves on the margins of society. In Mark’s Gospel, children discover the power of God. Children learn that time and again Jesus demonstrates the power of God in amazing ways. Jesus appears primarily as healer, but also as a wise teacher. Mark depicts Jesus as the ruler over nature and the Gospel vividly shows the many ways Jesus confronts evil. This mission study focuses on interactive learning that allows children to use their senses. Each of the four lessons focuses on a different aspect of discipleship: following, friendship, sharing, and faith. Leaders will find the clear instructions and organization easy to use, and children will be engaged with all their senses throughout each two-hour session. In addition, supplemental materials are offered for additional learning time, to substitute for another activity, or for future use. |
Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission
United for Change by Ellen Blue is the first in a two-year study commemorating United Methodist Women’s 150th anniversary in 2019. It will provide a historical survey of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations and amplify the voices that shaped the work through an overarching story of United Methodist Women changing the fact of mission. Every woman who “stepped out of her place” to participate in mission societies at the turn of the 20th century was part of a movement that brought women into the forefront of Christian ministry. Ever since the Roman Empire co-opted the faith in the fourth century and woman were pushed out of leadership roles, female leadership had almost always been subtle, behind the scenes, and accomplished through quietly influencing men who had power. Through the new mission societies, large numbers of women learned leadership skills and found the courage to use them. They were empowered in large part by knowing that many of their sisters near and far were also answering God’s call to be in mission.The women who have chosen to devote themselves to United Methodist Women and its predecessors have contributed mightily to God’s work in the world. |
LOCAL UNITS!
Please submit your 2020 Officer information to your District Secretary as soon as possible!!
Please submit your 2020 Officer information to your District Secretary as soon as possible!!
2019 United Methodist Women turned 150 years old!! How is your local unit celebrating? Submit short videos of what your unit is doing during the year. Share your legacy with others. Keep our history alive. Send to Ruth Brooks at: ruthbrooks44@gmail.com