How do I become a member?
United Methodist Women is a membership and faith-based organization. Membership is open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to participate in the global mission of the church through United Methodist Women…As a member, each woman joins forces with other women to embrace and work on the four mission emphases reflected in the PURPOSE. Though every church is to have a unit [an organization] of United Methodist Women, membership in the United Methodist Church does not automatically make a woman a member. Women actively choose to become involved in the organization’s mission and support the PURPOSE.
The PURPOSE of United Methodist Women
The organized unit of 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.
“… we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us…”
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NRSV)
And how many kinds of membership are there?
One becomes a member by committing to the PURPOSE. There are many different entry points to the organization, which is international in scope, including Local Member, Member-At-Large, and Online Community Member.
Local members would typically attend one of the established UMW Circles and/or begin a Circle within the FUMC/local church’s overall organization [unit].
Members-at-large at FUMC are women who want to participate in UMW but don’t want to commit to belonging to one particular circle.
NOTE: you don’t HAVE to belong to a circle and you don’t HAVE to make a pledge to be a valuable addition to UMW membership. You are welcome at any circle meeting that is of interest to you, you can participate in any UMW program or event that beckons to you.
Online Community membership, too, offers another way to participate, accommodating to your lifestyle and time constraints. By harnessing the power of technology, it is possible for women around the world to participate in online Bible studies, to share knowledge, experiences, ideas, reflections, and much more. UMW now has a common platform from which to move beyond the traditional limitations of time and space, as women from around the world dialogue and learn from shared experiences as well as best practices.
Members of the Online Community can share with each other through tools such as chat rooms, posting boards, electronic newsletters, shared files, and event calendars. To learn more, go to http://gbgm.umc.org/umw/about/membership/online-community.
So you see, membership in United Methodist Women is as flexible as you are creative. There are new friends and new opportunities to learn and grow…just waiting for you. If you would like more information please contact Pat Rosenblad-Nolan, FUMC UMW President at patarose@austin.rr.net or Nancy Leeper, Membership Chair at nleeper01@sbcglobal.net.
