All are welcome to Mission u to study God’s word with other United Methodists and learn how faith moves us into action.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
“Welcome Home” is the theme for this year’s Mission u, a weekend packed with Bible study, worship, storytelling, fellowship, and outreach. First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant is the host for this annual event sponsored by United Women in Faith.
The event will be held on July 18-20, 2024, and an optional group tour of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture will be offered on Thursday at 11 am. The tour is new this year.
Women, men, youth, and children of all ages are welcome, and age-appropriate study groups will be provided. The registration deadline is July 10, and the fee is $90. Youth and children are free to attend and must be accompanied by an adult.
Lodging is on one’s own, but the event’s leadership has reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn until July 1. Call 989-772-5500 to reserve a room. Mention Mission u or United Women in Faith for the special rate of $119 per room per night for up to four people. Breakfast is included, and there is a pool.
Rev. Dr. B. Kevin Smalls, senior pastor at Hope UMC in Southfield, will lead adults through Welcome Home, a Bible study written by Naomi Fletcher (purchase study in advance here). According to Pastor Smalls, “We’ll be exploring various angles of ‘home’ and its meaning for all of us and utilize several scriptural references as the foundation for the study.”
The youth study, Cultivating Symbiosis: The Nature of God’s Kin-dom, will be led by Rev. Kim Bos, campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at Ferris State University, and Rev. Paul Reissmann, pastor at Lake Odessa: Central UMC (purchase study in advance here).
Alyx Kuyers and Jennie Holmes, young women who attend and lead children’s Sunday school at Allendale: Valley UMC, will lead children through the Me in the Kin-dom! study, which is centered on the Lord’s Prayer (purchase study in advance here).
In addition to the Bible studies, four special guests will be sharing their stories of mission:
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- Princess Jusu is a United Methodist missionary serving as an instructor at the United Methodist Women’s Leadership Training Center in Monrovia, Liberia. During Mission u, she is itinerating in Michigan.
- Bill and Michelle White are home missioners and deaconesses from 5Loaves2Fish Northern Michigan, based at Leland Community UMC.
- Shanquel Askew is a Global Mission Fellow (US-2) serving at United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids.
Two other activities planned are a “Family Feud” game night ice breaker and a prayer walk through the neighborhood.
This year’s Mission Focus is to collect infant and baby items for the Community Compassion Network in Mt. Pleasant. Mission u participants are encouraged to bring items, such as diapers (sizes 4 and 5), formula (any kind except toddler), baby food, baby care items (wash, lotion, shampoo), sippy cups, bottle brushes, and bottles. Donations can also be given (give online here).
Mission u has something for everyone, from Bible studies to worship and singing together to offerings like a book exchange and a silent auction. Connie Swinger, dean of Mission u, wants people to experience this event and tap into the wonderful spirit she experiences every year.
“It’s a great time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones,” she says, “while learning how God calls us to respond to suffering with compassion. Mission u recharges and refocuses our faith through biblically grounded studies, sharing stories of justice work, fun activities, and fellowship. Come be part of Mission u!”
Rev. Kevin Smalls, the adult study leader, has served as a youth dean and an adult instructor in the past and is excited to participate in this year’s Mission u.
“I’ve always felt that United Women in Faith, formerly known as United Methodist Women, is the hope of the church and, in many ways, undergirded the church’s missional momentum and drive. They have a sweet spirit about them, and you’ll find plenty of reenergizing for the work of mission.”
Pastor Smalls wants Michigan United Methodists of all ages to come and experience Mission u in Mt. Pleasant from July 18-20.
“The experience of discovering the church beyond your local context is an absolute gift. There’s something about discovering the joy of siblings that you have never known or that you will connect with again. Nothing reinvigorates like Christian community!”
United Women in Faith is the only official organization for women within The United Methodist Church. “Driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood, we work to improve the lives of women, children, and youth,” says their website. Their mission is to “connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact local and global communities.”
Visit the national organization’s website at www.uwfaith.org. The Michigan Conference chapter of United Women in Faith’s website is www.umwmichiganconference.org.
Questions related to Mission u can be emailed to Sally Messner at [email protected].
Last Updated on July 2, 2024