United Methodist Women Share Heritage and Vision

The United Methodist Women (UMW) is a vital mission group at Brighton First. Not only is UMW active in mission efforts in the community and around the world, but their vibrant ministry works to develop strong leaders.

Heritage. The UMW has a colorful and inspiring heritage at Brighton First. The women's group (formerly known as Ladies Aid and then the Women's Society for Christian Service) has been active for over a century. Early in the life of the church, it was often the women's group that moved the church forward in ministry. When a new church was needed early in the 20th century, the women of the church tore down the old church brick by brick (as reported in a local newspaper!). When Brighton First closed for lack of attendance during World War I, it was the women of the church who continued to meet. Eventually, they raised enough money to hire a pastor and the church was opened again.

Vision. In recent years, our UMW has continued to move forward for the work of Jesus Christ here in this community and around the world. They have done so by being open to adapting to current leadership styles, group dynamics and the use of communication media. They have formed small groups ("circles") that fit with the diverse interests of women in our church. The UMW has offered programming to women of all ages and are communicating and marketing through the internet and social media. The UMW is addressing urgent mission needs, like the Flint Water Crisis and making sure that its outreach is timely and relevant.

Our local United Methodist Women is part of a movement with over 800,000 members across the world. The focus of the UMW is on mission including: providing opportunities to grow spiritually, equipping women and girls to be leaders, providing transformative educational experiences, organizing for growth and flexibility, and working for justice through service and advocacy.

Members of Brighton's United Methodist Women hosted a recent event
that featured speaker, Rev. Faith Fowler of Cass Community UMC.

The United Methodist Women strive to develop a creative, supportive, fellowship among women of all ages in our church, and to participate in the global missions of our greater church.

We can be thankful to Brighton First's UMW for its continued strength through faithful service and its example of creatively adapting to remain relevant to its members.

One of the most important lessons that the Vital Church Initiative has taught me is that technical fixes to problems are not going to help the church to remain vital. We must instead, honor our strong heritage of ministry and mission and creatively adapt what we do, looking toward the future. I am thankful to the United Methodist Women of Brighton First for demonstrating this heart for moving forward in the name of Jesus Christ.