United Methodist Women
Celebrate 140 Years in Mission

In 2009, United Methodist Women celebrate 140 years in mission...1869 to 2009.

March 23, 2009 is the 140th Anniversary of the beginning of the organization that we now know as United Methodist Women!  On March 23, 1869, in Boston, eight women gathered at Tremont Street Methodist Episcopal Church to form the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Isabella Thoburn and Clara Swain left for India in November of 1869 as the Society’s first missionaries. It was the first of eight women's missionary societies founded by our predecessor organizations. Today, we continue the legacy of women organized for mission as United Methodist Women. 

Happy Birthday United Methodist Women!

Participate in the Celebration!

Give a Special Mission Recognition pin!
Send a Gift to Mission Birthday card!
Recognize a historical woman in your community!
Share stories of mission!
Share stories about our history!
Gift a Gift in Memory of Women who have served through your local unit
Share your personal story of your journey in United Methodist Women!
Have a Birthday Party in your local unit...celebrate your history!

From 1869 to 1893, our foremothers organized eight foreign and home missionary societies...the first was the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the last was the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Protestant Church.  Through various denominational unions and mergers, the organization that became known as United Methodist Women experienced changes in names and structure.  However, the purpose has remained the same.  Like our predecessors, members of United Methodist Women have made a lifetime commitment to Christ's mission in the world.  For over a century, members have united to pray together, to raise funds for mission, and to improve the lives of women, children, and youth around the world.  Let's renew our life in mission with the zeal of our foremothers!

Graphic - Download JPG of 140 Years in Mission Graphic

History Resources for United Methodist Women - Women's Division Website

Use this fun skit for a program...THAT HANDFUL OF WOMEN

THAT HANDFUL OF WOMEN is a melodrama of the organizing of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church on March 23, 1869. It's an interactive melodrama that involves the audience
and teaches them of the history of women organized for mission.

Skit Script - That Handful of Women - [Word] [PDF]
Audience Slides - That Handful of Women - [PowerPoint]

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The 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.

This page was last updated on Saturday, September 05, 2009.