April 08, 2012
(Submitted by Sharon Jones and Marie MacDougall)
WHEREAS the Women’s Division and the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church work jointly to create yearly mission studies focusing on a country or region of the world, a social issue related to our mission, and spiritual growth, and
WHEREAS for over thirty years the predecessor conferences of the New England Conference have held cooperative Schools of Christian Missions, and
WHEREAS these schools have changed lives and led women, men and children to be more aware of the global nature of our world, training them to engage with respect for and cooperatively with our sisters and brothers in developing countries, and
WHEREAS the 2011 School of Christian Mission was a cooperative School, and
WHEREAS the New England Conference has budgeted $6,000 in their 2012 budget for the School of Christian Mission and provided staff to the administrative team, and
WHEREAS the New England Conference United Methodist Women have budgeted $8,000 for the 2012 School of Christian Mission and provided leadership for the administrative team, and
WHEREAS this year’s studies on Immigration and the Bible, Haiti, and Poverty are pertinent to issues we are dealing with in our communal and political lives,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New England Conference supports a cooperative School of Christian Mission to be held each year to train and certify people to teach this program in all districts and clusters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the 2012 School will be a cooperative school with the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church and the New England Conference United Methodist Women.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local churches encourage men, women and children to attend the SOCM and offer scholarships when needed.