NTC UM Women's Weekday School, Cooperative Events near
BY DENISE JOHNSON STOVALL
Special Correspondent
"Sing Across the Walls" is the theme for the 35th Annual School of Christian Mission sponsored by NTC United Methodist Women (UMW). The Weekday School will be held at Lovers Lane UMC, Dallas, July 16-19.
The Weekend Cooperative Mission Event, co-sponsored by UMW and the NTC Board of Global Ministries, will be held at Austin College, Sherman, July 20-22.
Singing has always been a part of the lives of women of faith, contend leaders of the General Board of Global Ministries Women’s Division.
"As women in mission who have a purpose, which we strive to fulfill, we have sung the songs of mission for over a century," states 2007 mission study theme. "Songs of justice, love, mercy, and freedom have changed so many situations of hopelessness.
"This year's mission studies on Mission and Music; Israel and Palestine; and Globalization present opportunities to continue the legacy of justice and freedom. We, too are called to sing a song of hope and freedom across the walls."
Each year UMW members prepare themselves for faithful living and action in today's world by taking at least one of three mission studies through the organization's Schools of Christian Mission program offered across the country.
Selected themes are related to:
The spiritual growth study is selected by directors of the Women’s Division, UMW's national administrative body, and developed by the Women's Division, which also provides a text for the study.
Themes of the geographic area and current issue studies are selected by directors of the General Board of Global Ministries and staff that compose the mission study team. The mission team develops the studies, produce texts and other resources for the studies.
Schools of Christian Mission, a program started in the mid-1930s, are organized by UMW leaders in each regional conference of the UMC. Both Schools of Christian Mission and a Weekend Cooperative Mission Event, with interactive opportunities for enhancing understanding of the global ministries, are offered in the NTC.
Weekday classes held at the church are offered in the morning, afternoon and evening. The cooperative studies are presented in a college campus setting.
Weekday school leadership includes Ann Kent, Oak Haven UMC, Irving, Dean; Trining Yadav, Umphress Road UMC, Dallas, Associate Dean; Betty Vilven, First UMC, Plano, Registrar, and Phyllis Stanley, First UMC, Sulphur Springs,Business Manager.
Cooperative Event leaders are Nancy Monroe, Dean, First UMC, Coppell; Rev. Jo Biggerstaff, Walnut Hill UMC, Assistant Dean and Worship Leader; Mae Alexander, Camp Wisdom UMC, Associate Dean; Helen Jones, First UMC, Sherman, Registrar, and Carole Millsap, First UMC, Sherman, Business Manager.
Study leaders are:
Music and Mission: Rev. Lois Cooper (retired), Wylie UMC; Rev. Terry Heislen, Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Garland; Rev. Bill Matthews, Dallas Peace Center/University Park UMC, Dallas; Norma Tevis Matthews, University Park UMC, Dallas.
Israel and Palestine: Wanda Holcombe, Peace with Justice Educator, Southwest Texas Conference; Rev. Rick Hawkins, Northgate UMC, Irving; and Nelda Reid, NTC Peace With Justice Coordinator, Suncreek UMC, Allen.
Globalization: Kathy Corley, Saint Jo UMC; and Ronald Koo, NTC Secretary of Global Ministries Task Force, Arapaho UMC, Richardson.
Children’s Study: Linda Echols Williams (Grades 1-5), Hamilton Park UMC, Dallas; the Rev. Dina Steiner, Trietsch Memorial UMC, Flower Mound.
Youth Study: Barbara Weaver, Hamilton Park UMC, Dallas; Marci Moore, First UMC, Coppell.
Weekday school
Registration fee for the Weekday School is $50 after June 30. Participants can take
as many study sessions as they want. Early registration for children and youth is $10
each, $15 after June 30.
Participants may bring a sack lunch. Hamilton Park UMC will serve daily lunches for $8, which must be preordered with registration. Childcare is also provided for infants and toddlers but must be requested in advance.
For the Weekday School, please contact Dean Ann Kent, ouok4me@aol.com.
Weekend event
The Weekend Event package, includes classes, meals, and a dormitory room, for $125. Children and youth package is $90.
Commuter Package includes the classes and meals for $60. The youth and children commuter
package is also $60.
There is an 15% discount for a family enrolling three or more parents and children under 18.
Please contact Dean Nancy Monroe, NRMonroe@msn.com.
Additional information and the registration brochure is available at the Website: www.ntcumc.org, selecting Laity, then the School of Christian Mission.
Those identified in the top photo are, from the left:
Norma Matthews
Rev. Bill Mathews
Trining Yadav
Mae Alexander
Michelle Barber
Sue Murray
Nancy Monroe
Rev. Jo Biggerstaff
Mary Winders
Phyllis Stanley
Ruth Robinson
Nelda Reid
Bonnie Gilmer
Rev. Lois Cooper
and Kathy Corley
