Participating in the Reading Program
Join the Conversation!
The Reading Program group on UMWOnline is a place to discuss books, share insights and make the most of this program. You'll find book reviews, recommendations and event announcements.
The Reading Program Leads to Action
For 140 years, members of United Methodist Women and predecessor organizations have been involved in mission that includes prayer, study and action. The Reading Program is a study opportunity, but it should also lead to action. Here are a few suggestions to assist you:
Pray. Books often raise concerns about people, countries and issues. Bring these concerns to God during your prayer time at home and at group meetings.
Host a program. For example, a locally–sponsored program on the environment could help the church and community explore ways to be better stewards of God’s Earth.
- Read and discuss A Hopeful Earth.
- Read and discuss In Our Backyard and continue your discussion on human trafficking.
- Read Make Poverty Personal as an additional resource for the 2012/2013 Mission Study on Poverty.
Organize. You and your group can contact the Office of Community Action to work on social action plans for your local group and church. To obtain resources for community organizing e-mail Carol Barton at cbarton@unitedmethodistwomen.org.
Action Suggestions
- In your mom and baby group prepare the recipes in One World Kids Cookbook with your children and bring them to a fundraising for mission potluck as a way to introduce them to the issue of hunger.
- Read Psalms for Young Children to them or have them read it to you.
- Encourage youth to read and review titles from the reading lists.
- Continue your actions on the Charter for Racial Justice Policies of The United Methodist Church.
To participate in the Reading Program, select one of the Reading Program plans and when completed, report it to your local United Methodist Women secretary for program resources.
- Help you enroll in the Reading Program
- Explain the Reading Program’s procedures
- Give you a Reading Program catalog
- Help you buy or borrow Reading Program books
Visit the Reading Program page at UMWonline
Bonus Books list
Download the 2013 Reading Program book list
