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From Matthew: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was
sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer
him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When
did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick
or in prison and go to visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

And From Luke, Chapter 8: "After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women
who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had
come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others.
These women were helping to support them out of their own means."

The Purpose of United Methodist Women is: "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 the concepts of mission
through participation in the global ministries of the church."

For over 100 years, members of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations such as the
Women's Society of Christian Service and Wesleyan Service Guild, have taken the risk of being in the
middle of mission action. Like the women Luke described in our scripture lesson this morning we are
members of a community of faith whose commitment enables us to provide money and time to support
mission.

Mission in the scripture is God's mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit and carried out following the
pattern of Jesus's ministry. It involves preaching, healing, calling to commitment, feeding the hungry,
changing corrupt systems, teaching, liberating the captives and witnessing. The four emphases for United
Methodist Women mission programs are spiritual growth, social action, mission education and
interpretation, and membership nurture and outreach. This morning, because I don't have a whole week
to talk about all the programs and missions of the UMW, and it would take a whole week, I will be talking
primarily about social action and outreach.

Those participating in our service this morning, along with the more than 1,500,000 members of the
35,000 organized units of United Methodist Women throughout the world, have committed themselves
and their gifts to ministries that help relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for women, children
and youth. We recognize that in sharing God's grace, both giving and receiving are equally important and
that both the giver and the receiver are blessed.

Our unit is just a very tiny part of the largest women's organization in the world. But we are not just a
social club or a charitable group. We are women organized for mission! That is our history! That is our
goal! We are not a group to be joined lightly where membership has no meaning. Membership is
voluntary. A woman does not automatically become a member by joining the United Methodist Church,
although our whole unit would certainly encourage her to become a member. United Methodist Women is
an organization with responsibilities to all members in each unit and for a worldwide program of mission
outreach. United Methodist Women make a difference!

Giving is a way for United Methodist Women to give expression to their faith. Like the women who
followed Jesus and the early congregation in Macedonia, women have responded to the needs of people.
The combined mission giving of the local units is currently in excess of $30 million annually with the
UMW underwriting more than 41 percent of the total budget for the Board of Global Ministries through
undesignated giving. Funds are also appropriated to other units of the General Board to continue
ministries to women, children and youth.

While our financial giving is impressive, we have not merely sent money from a distance. In our mission
outreach we also express our commitment to women, children and youth through prayers, gifts and
actions. As in the past this is shown through mission studies, ecumenical cooperation, advocacy for the
oppressed, struggles for justice, and the sharing of resources. United Methodist Women are deeply
involved in social issues and community action believing them to be an important component of mission.
We understand this clearly as our responsibility and the records of our denomination reflect that the
women have often led the way in calling the whole church to bring its influence to bear on much needed
social reform. Action has taken many forms over the years: organizing child care centers, working to
eliminate racism and sexism, full clergy rights for women, establishment of the United Nations, working
to end apartheid in South Africa, working on behalf of farm workers, working for prison reform;
preparing meals for the elderly, working to eliminate economic injustice in retailing, the founding of the
World Council of Churches, and searching to find a way to end gun violence in our communities - in all
these actions risking being controversial for causes we believe in. Of particular concern to our local unit
is the Women's Shelter in Crockett.

Women in mission are communicators of love in action, who see themselves as commissioned by the
Holy Spirit, with a passion for justice. As United Methodist Women, we are always under the authority
and mandate of the United Methodist Church. Membership in United Methodist Women is a privilege and
a responsibility, which we gladly assume as we seek to live out the mandate of Christ, who said, "Feed
my sheep."

Though the mission is varied, the financial costs differ, and the persons involved are many, our
commitment is to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission it demands of us. Like the women in Luke 8
who traveled with Jesus Christ and provided resources, United Methodist Women members are called by
God to be in mission by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and by sharing God's gifts.

On the first Easter morning, Mary did as she was asked; she went to the disciples, announced that "she
had seen the Lord," and then told tem all Jesus had said. We too have been given the Easter message to
proclaim -- a message of abundant and eternal life; a message of love, liberation and unity; a message of
hope, wholeness and justice. We have heard God's call to serve. We bring our perspective as women to
the task of being in mission. We pray for God's presence through the guidance of the Holy Spirit make us
worthy of our calling as women in mission.

Let us pray:

Gracious God, in every age you have called not only men but women to be among your faithful servants. You have
created us, called us, chosen us to be your people, and to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant
unto us today and tomorrow a clear vision of you call, and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us. Open our
ears that we may hear, our eyes that we may see, and give us faith to respond to your love and leadership. We offer
our prayers in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.