Greetings to My Sisters in Christ, The new year is off to a running start. The Mission Team held its first meeting of the year on January 14. We welcomed our new Team members – Treasurer, Donna Nilson, Hispanic Network, President and Language Coordinator, Maritza Gonzales-Colon, President, Korean Network, Young Sook Kim. All of these persons make up the Conference Mission Team. We are pleased and happy that June McCullough was elected to serve as Mission Team Secretary for one year. Since we have not had a Secre-tary for over a year, we are truly blessed to have sisters who are willing to step up when there is a need. As I have stated before Together Each Achieves Much (TEAM). I look forward to work them. The UMW Northeast Jurisdiction will be held June 14-16 at Hershey Park, PA. New officers to the Jurisdictional Leadership Team will be elected at this meeting. Edna Barrier and my self, were elected by the Mission Team to be nominees to be elected as Women’s Division Directors. At the Annual Meeting those who were present were each asked to sign post cards to be mailed to the Hershey CEO. They were then collected and given to me and I mailed them to Sabrina White, NEJ UMW President. She will present them to the Presi-dent of the Hershey Company on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 during a planned demon-stration at the Hershey Company the day before our Jurisdiction meeting. The demon-stration is designed to encourage the company to sign on to the Fair Trade Agreement. The NEJ Leadership Team invites anyone who can, to come to Hershey and be part of the demonstration on Wednesday. The NEJ Team and local UMW units have planned several mission opportunities while we are there. Health Kits, Birthing kits, Layettes are asked to be brought to the meeting which will be taken to Mechanicsburg, the Mission Center. There will be a volunteer Jurisdic-tion Choir. If you would like to be part of the choir, let me know. First Jurisdiction Choir practice will be on Thursday 3:30. As you have probably heard there are some proposed changes in the works with Women’s Division. These changes include to structurally separate UMW from the GBGM. The structure will change, but the mission will stay the same. These proposed changes will be brought before the UMC General Conference when they meet in April in Tampa, FL. If accepted the changes will go into effect for the next quadrennial. I look forward to seeing each of you at the Spring Meeting, April 21 (see flyer) and at one of the Schools of Mission in July. Thanks to all of you for your service in mission with the United Methodist Women. Be blessed and be encouraged. In Christ’s service, Millie Grey

From the President Desk I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Spring Meeting 2

CSCM 3

UMW Quadre-

nial Meeting 4

Spiritual Growth 3

Inside Story 4

E&I

Scholarship 5

Dates

Contest

6

Mission Today Criterias

7

Voices of Purpose J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 I S S U E 1 , 2 0 1 2

V O I C E S O F P U R P O S E

**WHERE: Saint Peter UMC: 501 E. 8th Street, Ocean City, NJ 08226 | 609-399-2988 **TIME: 9am-4:00pm. Registration at 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. **COST:$10.00

**Continental breakfast and lunch **Children need to be register

Additional information will be out soon!!! On our Conference Web Page www.gnjumc.org,

or by email, or from your District Vice-President.

See you there, bring others

Young Women and First timers are welcomed!!!!

Carole Nelson, Conference Vice President: carole.nelson@comcast.net,(609) 448-6848

Spring Meeting 2012 at St. Peter’s UMC, Ocean City, NJ

GREATER NEW JER SE Y CONFERENCE

Are you in need of Practical Tools for living your Christian faith? ... helping you with basic decisions

about every aspect of life, work, family, school, voting, dating , ... be inspired, or develop a few skills to

deepen your relationship with Christ! Are you a new mother, single mother, middle age

mother, grandmother, or just a women called by God; this is for you there is always an opportunity to learn

and renew “my way to deal with life.”

Cooperative School of Christian Mission 2012 P A G E 3 I S S U E 1 , 2 0 1 2

It’s time to plan for the 2012 CSOCM ! Here’s your opportunity to attend at either the Lakewood or Union, the new location on the north area for 2012. These schools are cooperative because they are co-sponsored by the Greater NJ Conference United Methodist Women and the Greater NJ Annual Conference United Methodist Church. The Lakewood school will be held July 6th through

the 8th at Georgian Court University, and the Union school will be held July 20th through 22rd at Kean Univer-sity. Why not make it a family event? Several options are available. One will fit your schedule. The theme for 2012 schools is That All May Have Life. 2012 study top-ics are; Immigration in the Bible, Haiti, and Poverty. There will also be a Conference study for 2012. Full Time Students will spend eight hours studying their topic, fellowship and socialize with friends both old and new, worship and be entertained, all while living in a

college atmosphere. You’ll live in a dorm, study in class rooms and have your meals in a dining hall! There is an Adult Fast Track program offered at each site on Saturday, if you can’t commit a full weekend. You’ll get a choice of an abbreviated, 5 hours of class on Immigration or Poverty, and con-tinental breakfast and lunch will be included. Child care can be arranged, with advanced notice. Youth are encouraged to register for the program at Lakewood. It’s an opportunity to fellowship with youth from all over the conference, participate in a service project, study the Haiti topic, and have fun, too! It’s open to 7th grade graduates through 12th grade grads, and your tuition includes room and meals! In Lakewood, Young Adults will have a group of their own to study Haiti, fellowship and do a mis-sion project. We heard your need! Each school site offers a Children’s Program on Saturday. There will be 2 age groups, graduates of K through 3rd grade, and 4th through 6th grade. This year, the children will study Haiti, too. A parent must be on the premises, attending the adult school. There’s a lot to learn and lots to do! It’s a family friendly experi-ence! Watch the Digest and The Relay, and the web site for the confer-ence for more details and promotions. Jay Hough, Publicity, CSOCM Team, 12/9/11

P A G E 4

“UMW

Leadership

Training is a

unique

experience”

You do not want

to missed this

great event!!!!

was a sheet of pa-per. One side was blank and the other had millions of dots. We were to write a prayer for the con-tinuing of UMW. At the last session of the conference, the sheets were handed out again and we were instructed to match the number on the bottom of the sheet to the corre-sponding number on the wall mural. We all watched as the wall was transformed into a mural of to-day..of the work UMW is doing today

around the world. At that moment, the task was being taken from those women on the wall and handed to us to continue. If we feel there is nothing we can do individually, we are wrong. Everyone of has the task of nothing less than praying for the work and people all around the world. Thanks for the experi-ence!

Nancy Cook

I have finally arrived! in St. Louis , that is! With 300 more women from all over the coun-try. What a wonderful experience!. As we entered the large conference room, the thing that grabbed my attention was the massive mu-ral on the wall. On closer viewing it was a

wonderful timeline of the history of UMW. During the plenary sessions we were intro-duced to the many women who were on that time-line. At our table

“You are the salt of

the earth. Keep salty,

and hare your flavor

with others”.

V O I C E S O F P U R P O S E

NORTHEASTERNJURISDICTIONNEWS

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN QUADRENNIAL MEETING June 14th-16th, 2012

Theme: Come To The Party “Everything Is Ready, Please Come”

Scripture: Luke 14:17 The Northeastern Jurisdiction Leadership Team invites you to join us at the

Hershey Lodge in Hershey PA. Time to worship, workshops, shop at the resource room, time to know others

UMW,elect new officers and more... Registration forms are available at www.gbgm-umc.org/nejumw/ or http://tinyurl.com/NEJQM-UMW or contact your District President for any question. Please make note that if you are mailing the registration form, the zip code for Merrimac, MA as listed is incorrect. The correct zip is 01860. Deadline for registration is May 1, 2012.

Spiritual Growth

Education & Interpretation P A G E 5 I S S U E 1 , 2 0 1 2

Ladies, Recently I have revised the format for the Mission Today Criteria. I have reorganized the criteria with the starred items are on one side and the additional criteria are on the back. I hope you find this form easy to read and less intimidating. I also have included some additional examples for local units to choose for the missions they support. Please reinforce to the local units how easy it is to become a Mission Today Unit. We would like all local units to strive to become a gold unit. Please have them to participate and return to you by March 1st. I would like the results by March 21st so I can compile the results for each district for the Spring Meeting on April 21, 2012. Thank you for your support in promoting to your local units in becoming a Mission Today Unit. If you have any questions feel free to call me at home 856-629-0392 or e-mail: MPowell56@comacast.net A Sister in Christ, Marilyn Powell

GreaterNewJerseyUnitedMethodistWomen2012TaizePilgrimagePartialScholarshipApplicationRequirements• Youngwomanbetweenages16‐29• FirsttimeparticipatinginTaizePilgrimage• Essayonwhyyouwanttoparticipateinthispilgrimage• Recommendationfromyourpastor• Willingnesstoshareyourexperiencewithyourchurchanddistrict• ShareyourexperienceattheGreaterUMWAnnualFallMeetingonOctober27,2012NAME_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ADDRESS_________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH_________________________________________________________________________________________________DISTRICT________________________________________________________________________________________________DATE_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

ApplicationdeadlineFebruary29,2012ReturntoMillieGrey,President,GreaterNJUnitedMethodistWomen

26PattonDrive,Somerset,NJ08873E‐mailMillieg178@aol.com

ApplicationdeadlineFebruary29,2012ReturntoMillieGrey,President,GreaterNJUnitedMethodistWomen

26PattonDrive,Somerset,NJ08873E‐mailMillieg178@aol.com

Scholarship Opportunity

P A G E 6

UMW, each

one should

use whatever

gift has re-

ceived to

serve others,

faithfully ad-

ministrating

God’s grace

in its various

forms.

1 Peter 4:3

(adapted)

Logo for Regional School Program Book

Get informed!

Our Conference Mission Team wants to share with you the 2012 activities for all the GNJUMW Units and Churches. Clergy, Youth, and Young Adults are welcome!!! Check your calendars and save the dates. Is our desire to see you there!

April 21, 2012 Spring Meeting – “Nurturing the Christian Family” St. Peter’s UMC, Ocean City, NJ June14-16, 2012 Northeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting, Hershey PA July,6-8 2012 School of Christian Mission Georgian Court University, Lakewood, NJ July 20-22 Kean University, Union, NJ Oct.27, 2012 Fall Meeting -Morrow Memorial UMC, Maplewood, NJ

The Northeast Jurisdiction United Methodist Women will meet in Hershey, PA for their quadrennial meeting next June. They have initiated a postcard campaign within the Jurisdiction. The cards, to be circulated through conferences and districts, will be presented to Hershey’s at a rally on June 13, 2012. They call on Hershey’s to “adopt fair trade certification/standards for all of Hershey’s chocolate products, and move aggressively to forward and sign contracts with their current suppliers, detailing Fair Trade transition plans.”

All women are encouraged to sub-mit a camera ready logo before

February 20, 2012 to:

Yvonne Bouknight

9 Brooklawn Rd.

Montclair NJ 07042

Are you creative? An artist? A

talented person with pencils and colors? Or just for fun!

This is for you or for someone that you may know...there is a logo contest for the Regional School Program Book.

Social justice

needs to be

done, UMW is

doing a differ-

ence in the

World

V O I C E S O F P U R P O S E

P A G E 7 Mission Today Criteria (2009-2012) Select the level that fits your unit: Complete the form and return to E&I Coordinator by March 1st. _____ Bronze- Complete 8-12 criteria, including at least 4 starred items. _____ Silver- Complete 13-17 criteria or more, including at least 6 starred items. _____ Gold- Complete 18 criteria or more, including at least 6 starred items. *Starred Items: _____ 1. Each unit, circle, or subgroup will open its meeting by saying the UMW PURPOSE. _____ 2. The unit will use The Prayer Calendar at each general meeting to pray for mission workers and projects. _____ 3. The unit will make and meet its Pledge to Mission. _____ 4. The unit will add at least 2 members to its roll. _____ 5. The unit will have at least 2 members subscribe to Response magazine or New World Outlook. _____ 6. The unit will use at least 2 programs from the UMW Program Book each year. _____ 7. The unit or circle will conduct at least one mission study (4 hours or more a year). _____ 8. The unit will implement the Charter for Racial Justice in at least one way during the year: _____ Plan a joint meeting with a unit of a different racial/ethnic background. _____ Develop bi-racial/cultural or multi-racial/cultural Koinonia groups. _____ Hold a joint Vacation Bible School. _____ Hold pulpit exchanges. _____ Share joint worship services on special occasions. _____ Encourage the church to sponsor a refugee family. _____ 9. The unit will be a 5 Star unit, contributing to all 5 channels of Mission Giving. _____10. The unit will include Neighborhood Center, Camden, NJ in its budget, submitting funds through the district treasurer. This is the only National Mission Center within the Greater NJ Annual Conference. Non Starred items: _____ 1. At least one member of the unit (other than a conference or district officer) will attend the Conference Cooperative School of Christian Mission. _____ 2. At least 2 members ( other than a conference or district officer) will attend the district or conference annual fall or spring meeting. _____ 3. The unit will have at least one person join the United Methodist Women’s Action Network to receive and respond to legislative information. _____ 4. Members will write to 5 persons listed in the Prayer Calendar each year. _____ 5. The unit will participate in the Campaign for Children in at least 2 ways. _____ Help sponsor a church or community program related to children and youth needs. _____ Sponsor a Children’s Sabbath (program promoted by the Children’s Defense Fund). _____ Get involved with children in mentoring, tutoring, and “Big Sisters” programs. _____ Write letters, e-mail or call congressional representatives or others in government about children’s issues. _____ Visit your local schools or attend a school board meeting. _____ Donate or collect for UNICEF. _____ Donate school supplies for children; such as including children from Haiti, Camden Neighborhood Center or CUMAC. _____ 6. Each unit or circle will include a Response moment where an item from the magazine will be lifted up as a way to tell the mission story. _____ 7. Have at least 2 people from the unit, circle, or sub-group, complete one of the reading programs and report on one of the books read. Also to encouraging all members to complete Plan One and have a book review program. _____ 8. The unit will invite a district or conference officer, other than a member of the unit, to one of the unit meetings during the year. _____ 9. Make a pledge to care for God’s creation and become a “Green” UMW unit, ( Get information on how to become a green unit at http://www.umwonline.org/environment or contact Women’s Division Office of Community Action. ) _____ 10. Hold or attend a mini-spiritual growth retreat. _____ 11. The unit will include support for one of the following in its local budget. _____ A local domestic shelter, such as: The Carpenter House, NJ Coalition for Battered Women. _____ A regional food bank or local food pantry, Such as CUMAC, Patterson, NJ,SJ Food Bank, Pennsauken, NJ, Food bank of Trenton, NJ. _____ Support Camp YDP in Patterson, NJ, Ranch Hope for Boys in Alloway, NJ and Victory House for Girls in Williamstown, NJ or Eirene Immigration Center in Camden, NJ. _____ Support pregnancy crisis centers such as: Robin’s Nest, Hope Pregnancy Center, Birth Haven, The Lighthouse. _____ 12. The unit will contribute kits to Church World Service or UMCOR. This may include; health kits, birthing kits, layette kits and flood buckets. _____ 13. The unit or circle will develop a prayer shawl ministry, quilting ministry, or the making of baby caps, layette blankets for local hospitals or lap robes for local nursing homes or UM Homes. Revised mp 1/2012

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’re on the web gnjumc.org

Greater New Jersey Conference Jazelis Adorno-Burgos

Communications Coordinator 205 Northfield Ave.

Northfield NJ 08225 Email:javpr1974@aol.com