Excitement About United Methodist Women’s Online Community
Spreads During Women's Division's Annual Meeting
by BARBARA WHEELER*
United Methodist Women's Online Community gained new members as directors and guests of the Women's Division of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries' signed on during the division's annual meeting Oct. 5-9.
"The Online Community is a resource for all of our members to use to meet and learn from each other," said Jan Love, chief executive of the Women's Division.
The new online resource has eight public communities that are used for sharing information and discussion. Some of the community topics include immigration, faith explorations and United Methodist Women's Reading Program. About 1,400 people have joined the Online Community since July.
Catherine Heggarty, who provides customer service and technical support for the Online Community, said those signing up at the division meeting were excited about becoming part of conversations with other members, sharing their ideas in online chats and learning more about the mission work of United Methodist Women.
"This will not replace face-to-face interaction, but it will open up new lines of communication," Ms. Heggarty said.
Josephine Deere, division secretary, was among those signing up at the meeting.
"It's going to be fun," Ms. Deere said as she entered information to become a member.
To join United Methodist Women's Online Community, go to: http://www.umwonline.org/.