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Harpeth River District United Methodist Women

A CALL to ACTION!

Recently, my thoughts have been on where, when and how United Methodist Women began. What about the present times and the future of United Methodist Women?

The Methodist Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society started with two missionaries’ wives, Clementina Butler and Lois Parker. In March of 1869, they spoke to a small group of women in Massachusetts about the living conditions in India. By the end of the year, an official group was formed and a constitution had been written. They raised money so that Isabella Thoburn, a teacher, and Dr. Clara Swain could go to India to care for the women and children. Do you realize if Clementina and Lois had not acknowledged the need to help others and the group of women had not listened and felt the call to act, no one would have gone to India to help?

Now take a moment and realize that that call to action was 150 years ago. Since that first meeting of the Methodist Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, the organization has gone through many changes and many titles. Now, we are known as the United Methodist Women. Over the years, we have dealt with a multitude of issues, e.g., poverty among the elderly, spiritual renewals, climate issues, caring for children, and many, many more, both in foreign countries and in the United States.

.The United Methodist Women makes up the largest faith-based organization in the world. What is it that makes women want to get involved? What about you? Was your mother or grandmother a member of United Methodist Women or a similar women’s mission group? Were you invited to an event or a meeting by someone? What sparked your interest in this organization?

What do you envision for the future of United Methodist Women in 5 years, 15 years or even 50 years? What do we need to do to help the organization to grow? We need to make a conscious effort to tell women of all ages about our purpose and our vision. We need to invite them to events or encourage them to come to a meeting to find out exactly what we do. It is important to realize that it is not just our donations and monies that help United Methodist Women to exist. It takes our dedication and our talents.

I’ve been a member of United Methodist Women almost 30 years. The friendships I have made over the years through my circle, the local unit and now in the Harpeth River District will be cherished forever; women that I can call on if I need something. I love that we work together for missions.

United Methodist Women is an ever-changing organization regarding the primary issues selected to focus on. But one thing is constant. We are spreading the love of God through our work in missions.

Come join in the fun and make a difference in someone’s life.

To learn more about United Methodist Women, go to unitedmethodistwomen.org

Debbie Miller
Harpeth River District Treasurer

1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Mag'dalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3 and Joan'na, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Luke 8:1-3 (RSV)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 (RSV)

The Purpose of the United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Our Vision

Turning faith, hope and love into action
on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.