Mission u:
Learning Together for the Transformation of the World

After much prayer and discussion, the United Methodist Women National Office has made the difficult decision to cancel all in-person training for Mission u 2020 and encourage the cancellation of all in-person conference Mission u events due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

We know how much work each conference team has put into Mission u, and we are grieving along with them that our Mission u 2020 events will not take place how we expected. This does not mean, however, that we will forgo these important and timely studies altogether! If there is ever a time to “find peace in an anxious world” that time is now. If there is ever a time to look for the impact of racism and economic inequality in times of crisis, that time is now.

In place of in-person Mission u events, the Mission u team is collaborating with study leader trainers to bring elements of each study online over the next several months. The exact format and timeline for each study is still in development and more information will be coming as those pieces take shape. However, it is our hope that those in the Mission u community and the wider church will still be able to engage and benefit from these timely studies from the safety and comfort of their homes.

Here's a bit of what you can look forward to:

Managing Anxiety: A Youth Study
For the youth study, Managing Anxiety, we are inviting youth pastors to join us for a virtual conversation with Dr. Trudy Corry-Rankin, the author of the youth study. We hope to explore and learn from each other how those who continue to minister to youth during this crisis are holding space for youth to share how they are experiencing the radical changes in their lives related to COVID-19. Youth pastors con join this conversation on June 8 at 7pm EDT. Register here.

Pushout
We look forward to offering Pushout next year at Mission u 2021. This summer we are offering an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how children of color are experiencing the impacts of educational inequities amidst our current crisis. On June 11 at 2 p.m. EDT we will be holding a Faith Talk on “Educational Equity in a Time of COVID-19.” Register here. 

Finding Peace in an Anxious World
The adult spiritual growth study, Finding Peace in an Anxious World, is being adapted for use either at home or in virtual small groups. Videos and a participant’s guide will be available for free download. Participants in this study will explore ways to discover peace through Scriptural and spiritual disciplines. Using the Serenity Prayer and the book of Proverbs as guides, we will seek to find ways to be rooted in God and energized to live fully as disciples of Christ. This study will work especially well for a unit, district or Sunday School class to learn together.

Managing Our Emotions: A Children’s Study
The Children's study, Managing Our Emotions, is being adapted for use by parents and caregivers who are looking for faith-based resources to help children process their emotions during this challenging time. Stay tuned to this page for some short videos that will help guide parents and caregivers on how to use the text with children.

Supplement to Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission
The supplement for the 2019 special publication Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission is available for all to download from the United Methodist Women website. We encourage you to read this timely resource which extends the conversation from the 2019 study to look more closely at how United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations stood firm and persevered through challenging and anxious times in the past. It also provides an overview of United Methodist Women’s current initiatives, as well as issues facing the denomination.

In 2021 Mission u will continue as planned with our 2021 studies: 

• Moral Witness of the Church 
• Pushout
• Children’s and youth studies on violence
• Luke 13: New biblically based curriculum 

2020 Mission u Alternatives

Finding Peace in an Anxious World

Companion study guide and video supplements to remotely engage in Mission-u

2020 Leader Training Events

Tempe, Arizona
April 30- May 3, 2020
This in-person event has been cancelled. We are currently exploring online distance learning resources.

St. Louis, Missouri
May 27-30, 2020
This in-person event has been cancelled. We are currently exploring online distance learning resources.

 Download the Mission u 2020 flyer
 

 Download the Economic Justice Mission Legacy timeline, featuring highlights of United Methodist Women’s engagement in economic justice over the years.