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What Are They Talking About?
In the Mission Field
SO YOU'VE BEEN ASKED TO DO A DEVOTION!
God Will Help You!
BE A ... Prayer -- Reader -- Clipper -- Highlighter -- Jotter
RESOURCES: Bible, Concordance, Daily Upper Room, Upper Room Discipline, Prayer Calendar, Response and New World Outlook Magazines, Previous Spiritual Growth Study Books, Newspapers, Newsletters, Weavings, "A Guide to Prayer"
COMPONENTS OF A DEVOTION:
Related Scripture, Homily, Prayer
SUGGESTIONS:
1. Your daily personal devotions can be a source of ideas. Be prepared to jot down, underline, highlight or mark potential devotion material. When the Holy Spirit gives you an a-ha! moment-seize it!
2. Clip items from newspapers that could be a source.
3. Make a file with different subjects so when you have a particular theme, you can easily find it.
4. When reading, jot down name of book or article, page number and subject and put in file.
5. When possible, it does help to have something visual that you use or on display to tie in with what you say. It is remembered better.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER:
1. Pray and ask God's guidance FIRST.
2. When possible, determine the subject of program. When not known, God's guidance will help you. And when you do know the subject, God's guidance still will help you!
3. Use Concordance to look up scripture passages that will correlate with the devotion.
4. Use homilies or related experiences that would enhance the subject and the scripture. (Take a lesson from the parables.) Personal experiences work in well here.
5. End with prayer.
NOTE: Devotions do not have to be long to be effective. Words in hymns and litanies can enhance devotions.
Have you come across some terms or activities that are unfamiliar to you. Maybe the short discriptions below can help you.
Glossary
ASSEMBLY: The gathering of UMW throughout the U.S. & around the globe every four years.
ANNUAL MEETINGS: Held by the District and Conference/open to all members.
BIDWELL-RIVERSIDE: Mission of UMW -family outreach in Des Moines
CIRCLES: Division of members into smaller components meeting monthly at differing times & places.
IOWA CONFERENCE UMW: Units contained & organized as a body in Iowa.
DAUGHTER'S DAY: Special function held to celebrate all females of every age.
DAY APART RETREAT: Special event hosted by Executive Comm. of FD District UMW for benefit of all members in district for spiritual renewal, rest & friendship.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Officers, chairpersons & circle leaders of unit.
FIVE STAR UNIT: Participation in 5 part plan of missions recognized by the conference.
FORT DODGE DISTRICT UMW: Units contained & organized as a body within Fort Dodge District of the United Methodist Church in Iowa.
GENERAL MEETING: Collective gathering of all members of local unit to hear devotions, programs, conduct business & promote fellowship (also referred to as the unit meeting).
INTEREST GROUPS: Groups functioning within UMW that focus on specific interests.
JOY IN MY HEART BRUNCH: Special function conducted by the unit prayer chains to celebrate the Advent Season.
LCA: Local Church Activities
MISSION EDUCATION EVENT: Condensed version of School of Christian Mission offered over a weekend in the fall.
MISSION EDUCATION EVENT FAMILY CAMP: Study of missions for families.
MISSION STUDIES: Studies offered throughout year by District on subjects offered at School of Christian Mission & Mission Education Event.
MISSION TODAY UNIT: Participation in multiple choice plan of action for missions~recognized at various levels by the District & Conference.
PLEDGE: Amount of money promised yearly to unit by each member.
PLEDGE, THE: Collective wording of intent of individual member of UMW.
PRAYER CALENDAR: Mission tool in book form of all United Methodist missionaries organized to coordinate with calendar year.
PRAYER CHAIN: Linking of members in person & by telephone to address prayer concerns of the unit, church & community.
PRAYER CHAIN GENERAL: Monthly gathering of all members of all prayer chains.
PRAYER CHAIN GROUPS: Small gatherings of members for prayer, devotions, lessons & fellowship focusing on needs of prayer chain.
PURPOSE, THE: Collective wording of intent of United Methodist Women
READING PROGRAM, THE: Four-part plan for reading a diverse range of books~participation carries special recognition from Conference & District.
SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION: Studies of specific subjects offered by Conference during summer & lasting about three days.
SHESLER HALL: Mission of UMW for special needs' women located in Sioux City.
SPECIAL MISSION RECOGNITION PIN: Jewelry pin available from Women's Division that recognizes a contribution of at least $30. for undesignated giving. Pin is often presented by unit or member or group of members to others in friendship or as recognition of service rendered by recipient.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT: Special function to provide rest, relaxation & spiritual growth.
UMW SUNDAY: Worship service held during regular worship services of local church & conducted by United Methodist Women.
UNIT MEETING: Collective gathering of all members of local unit to hear devotions, programs, conduct business & promote fellowship (also referred to as general meeting).
WAF: Weddings, Anniversaries & Funerals
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