United Methodist Women Hold 2015 Mission u

By Kay Barksdale, President, Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women
 
Photo right: The annual Mission u allows United Methodist Women from across the Mississippi Conference of all ages to fellowship.
Photo below right: A few ladies from the Greenwood District posed near a display about the annual meeting topics.
 
United Methodist Women gathered for their annual mission study event, Mission u, July 15-18, 2015 at East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi. Many of the participants will return to their districts and local churches to teach the studies beginning this fall. They will focus on a spiritual growth study, "Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God," a geographic study, "Latin America: People and Faith," and a study for leaders of children, "Life and Faith in Latin America: A Mission Study for Children."
Several options were offered for the studies. Some classes held two hours each day for four days, and others held four hours for two days. Ten instructors, who had attended a jurisdictional school to prepare, led the studies. Continuing education units were offered.  
 
In addition to the classes, participants gathered for plenary sessions which featured worship, singing, and a focus on a special area of each of the classes, as well as a closing service of communion. Evening activities included Bible trivia games, a hymn sing, exercise class and a session to learn about the 150th anniversary of United Methodist Women, to be held in 2019.
Frances Gail Jones served as dean of Mission u, assisted by Henrietta Brown, assistant dean; Diane Reynolds, secretary; Annie Cassidy, treasurer; Mary Dalton, registrar; and Tela Collins, who was in charge of the resources room.

Instructors were Rev. Maxine Bolden, Rev. Billy Owen, Rev. Vickie White, Rev. Kathy Price, Cynthia Diann Willis, Sonya Erickson, Gloria McAlpine and Margaret Gipson. Rev. Mary Stewart led the singing, accompanied by Alice Smith.
For more information about the Mississippi Conference United Methodist Women, visit www.mississippi-umw.org.