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ASSEMBLY 2018

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Power of BOLD Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-55, Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-23, John 2:1-12

The 2018 Assembly of United Methodist Women will take place in Columbus, Ohio, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215. The Assembly dates are May 18-20, 2018. On Friday, May 18, 2018, there will be an Assembly Opening Launch at 9 a.m., followed by the opening of the Experience Hall and pre-registered workshops and another Community Gathering at 7 p.m. The Assembly will end at approximately noon on Sunday, May 20. Come early and be part of the optional, pre-Assembly activities:

• Ubuntu Day of Service on Thursday, May 17 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. This will be an opportunity to be engaged in hands-on mission in the Columbus community. Ubuntu buses will then take you to the public action site. There is an additional $60 registration fee for Ubuntu Day of Service. See pp. 9-10 for more information on pre-Assembly events.

• Public Action on Thursday, May 17 at 4 p.m. There is no additional fee for the public action.

THEME & VISION

In 1869, eight women came together to send a woman doctor and woman teacher to India and form the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. One hundred and fifty years later, that society is the largest faith-based women’s mission organization in the world, changing lives for women, children, youth and families down the street and around the globe. United Methodist Women is a unique movement for transformation in our church and the world. We have inherited a legacy of bold, courageous action. What will our legacy be? Vision Celebrate 150 years of women organizing for mission and prepare for 150 more. Being in Relationship Assembly will honor relationships among members, partners and connections, and will highlight our capacity for positive change when we work together. Claiming Our Value Movement Assembly will help women claim their United Methodist Women legacy and identity of daring, compassionate movement that empowers women and communities around the world. Moving into the Future Assembly will help United Methodist Women membership grow and deepen as we respond to God’s call today. Our legacy propels us into a bright future in which the goals of justice are in reach. Assembly will also equip attendees for action on our four priority issues: Maternal and Child Health, Climate Justice, Ending Mass Incarceration and Economic Inequality. Attendees will envision, name and commit to the

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next 150 years for United Methodist Women knowing that the future is you! Scripture The biblical foundation for Assembly 2018 is the story of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Mary is a religious, social, civic and even cultural icon whose story is deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of people around the world. What we know about Mary finds its genesis in the biblical text—and to that, we bring our own contextualized understandings of her life as a teenage mother, wife and sister whose own divinity is entrenched in our religious understandings. Mary’s life is an exemplar of what it means to be bold despite life’s challenges; it is a story where divine call, interpersonal relationships, social and cultural norms, and bold action call for us to find ourselves in her story. The following texts will be used for our journey at Assembly: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-55, Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-23, John 2:1-12. Here is what is included in the Assembly registration and the Ubuntu Day of Service registration:

Assembly

Ubuntu Day of Service (optional pre-Assembly event)

Registration includes:

• General sessions and worship

• Experience hall • Workshops, panels

and performances • Name tag • Assembly tote bag • Lunch on Friday and

Saturday

Registration includes:

• A day of service, giving back to the local community

• Bus transportation to and from sites, as well as options at the Greater Columbus Convention Center

• Lunch • Ubuntu Day T-shirt • Water bottle

RATES

Registration opens Sept. 1, 2017 and closes April 9, 2018. Early Online Registration 9/1/17–11/30/17

(Midnight PST) $295.00

Online Registration 12/1/17–4/9/18 (Midnight PST)

$330.00

Paper mail-in form* 9/1/17–4/9/18 $330.00 Ubuntu Day of Service

(optional) Filled until capacity $60.00

*Early rate does not apply to mail-in forms due to their associated added costs.

HOW TO REGISTER The mail-in registration fee is $330. The optional Ubuntu Day of Service event fee is $60. Please complete all required fields on the registration. Please note the Early Online discount of $295 does not apply to paper registration due to associated costs of mail-in forms.

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Checks, money orders and credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover) are accepted for payment. Please make checks payable to United Methodist Women and mail to United Methodist Women, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1503, New York, NY 10115. Fixed costs mandate a $50.00 cancellation fee, a $30.00 bounced-check fee and allow for no refunds after April 1, 2018. Registration is transferable.

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE GOALS AND INCENTIVES We are asking each conference to increase their attendance by 30 percent. We will offer the following incentives: Incentive #1: Meet a Keynote Speaker We will offer a personal greeting time with one of our amazing, inspirational keynote speakers for Assembly. This offering goes to two conferences: — The one with the highest total percentage increase — The first to meet its 30 percent goal Each conference can select five members to enjoy this special experience. The conferences acknowledged here also receive Incentives #2 and #3. Incentive #2: Meet the President and CEO of United Methodist Women This offering goes to the following:

— 15 conferences achieving the top percentage increase — Each conference gets to select five persons to enjoy this special experience

Incentive #3: General Sessions Shout Out & Screen Scroll Any conference that meets or exceeds its goal of a 30 percent increase will get a special shout out and spotlight on the General Sessions floor as well as its name on the big screen. All members of those conferences will get “30 Percent” ribbons to wear at Assembly. Incentive #4: Special Button In addition, anyone who brings a friend who is new to Assembly will get their own “I Brought a Friend” button to wear.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Individuals or groups may contact hotels directly to plan their stay. Please indicate that you are part of the United Methodist Women Assembly room block when calling to make reservations. To help conferences make travel plans and housing arrangements, notify your conference attendees if you have a preferred hotel. It has proven helpful for conference presidents or Assembly liaisons to have a list of names of those attending from the conference.

Please indicate that you are part of the United Methodist Women Assembly 2018 room block.

Rates do not include state and local taxes, which are added to each room rate.

Hotel Name Room Rate Reservations Crowne Plaza*+ $158 800-338-4462

Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center+ $159 standard,

$179 suite 800-436-1147

Hampton Inn & Suites* $154 standard,

$169 suite 614-559-2000

Hilton Columbus Downtown+ $157 614-384-8600 or 800-445-8667

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Holiday Inn Columbus Downtown Capitol Square* $154 614-221-3281 Hyatt Regency Columbus+ $159 614-463-1234 Red Roof Inn* $123 614-224-6539 Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square* $139 800-325-3535

*Shuttle service will be provided between the hotel and the convention center. +Connected to the Greater Columbus Convention Center via an enclosed walkway, the skybridge.

2018 ASSEMBLY OFFERING

As we celebrate 150 years of Methodist women in mission, the 2018 Assembly Offering will go toward the Legacy Fund, a forward-looking permanent endowment that will support the work of future generations of United Methodist Women as they engage in mission with the women, children and youth of their day. This will allow us to stand beside them long after we’ve gone, just as our foremothers now stand beside us. We can do no less for the women who will follow us in answering God’s call to mission.

WORKSHOPS

Assembly 2018 will feature pre-registered workshops. When you register for Assembly you can sign up for one workshop, town hall meeting or film on Friday and one workshop, town hall meeting or film on Saturday.

ASSEMBLY PROMOTION

The marketing materials for “The Power of Bold” Assembly 2018 are available online now for your use. Please go to umwassembly.org/SHARE to download.

Share includes the following downloadable items: • 60-second Promotional Video • Personal Invitation Letter • 11" X 17" Poster • Bulletin Insert • PowerPoint Presentation with a script

News has the official Press Release

CHILD CARE Child care will be provided during scheduled sessions of the Assembly for children ages 2-12 years old for a daily fee of $35 per child. Parents are to provide food for children with special diets, diapers and any needed change of clothing. Please indicate on your registration form if you need child care.

SPECIAL NEEDS

The Assembly will offer services for individuals who require sign language and translation. Please indicate on your registration form if you need these services. If you require a wheelchair, contact information for local wheelchair rental companies is provided for you to make your own arrangements. Medical Equipment Rentals

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Advanced Medical Supply http://www.amscolumbus.com/ 614-870-0111 Columbus Medical Equipment Inc. http://www.columbusmedical.com/ 614-294-5585 Columbus Mobility Specialists http://www.columbusmobility.com/ 614-825-8996 Greater Columbus Convention Center Guest Services—mobile scooter rental only https://columbusconventions.com/services/guest-services/ 614-827-2731 R&J Medical Services http://www.randjmedicalservices.com/ 614-468-1093 101 Mobility http://columbus.101mobility.com/ 740-548-5449

PRE-ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES

Baby Hats (Caps) Assembly 2018 planners are urging United Methodist Women members with knitting, crocheting or sewing skills to create baby hats and bring them to Assembly. The baby hats may be made from fabric, fleece or yarn. If possible, United Methodist Women should take completed baby hats to their local churches to be blessed. Then bring the hats to Assembly, where some of them will be on display in the prayer and meditation room. At the end of Assembly, the baby hats will be distributed to those in need through our Maternal Health work. Please do not ship any hats to the national office for delivery.

GETTING THERE Columbus is within 550 miles, just a one-day drive or one-hour flight, from nearly half of the U.S. population. Columbus is served by the John Glenn International Airport (CMH). The airport is located six miles east of the Greater Columbus Convention Center and downtown area. Six airlines and their regional affiliates serve John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Major carriers (in order of most flights) are: American, Southwest, Delta, United, Air Canada and Frontier. Get real-time flight information for departures and arrivals at John Glenn Columbus International Airport on flycolumbus.com Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) Assembly 2018 will be at the GCCC in the heart of downtown Columbus, surrounded by hotels and restaurants.

400 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 · 614-827-2500

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Transportation from Airport Bus Service The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) offers public transportation to and from the airport via its AirConnect service. United Methodist Women suggest this service as the sustainable choice. Click AirConnect for the schedule, route and more information. Express bus service runs between John Glenn International, the GCCC and downtown hotels. The connector stops at baggage claim every 30 minutes and costs $2.75 each way. Ride passes can be purchased with credit/debit cards at the bus stop just to the right of the taxi station or on-board with cash only. COTA Accessibility—the following services are offered by COTA in relation to accessibility:

• All fixed-route buses have the capacity to lower themselves to the curb to make boarding easier. • All vehicles have a ramp or are lift-equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. • Bus stops are announced audibly and displayed onboard fixed-route buses, so you know the next bus

stop. • Service animals are welcome.

Taxis From John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH): Taxis are available with no advanced reservation in the ground transportation area of the terminal on a 24-hour basis. The approximate fare into downtown Columbus is $25. For further information on rates, check flycolumbus.com. Accessible Taxi Services Accessible taxis will service CMH airport, but do not typically wait at CMH in the taxi line. Blue Cab http://www.bluecabofcolumbus.com/ 614-236-4444 Blue Cab provides regular and wheelchair-accessible taxi services. This service utilizes vehicles that are equipped with ramps to accommodate standard-sized wheelchairs. Bobcat Taxi http://bobcattransportation.com/ 614-481-0388 Bobcat Taxi provides regular and wheelchair-accessible taxi services. This service has access to paratransit vans with ramps and straps to secure chair when inside vehicle. They can accommodate larger wheelchairs inside the vehicles but lack the motorized chairlift function. Columbus Taxi Service 614-262-4444 http://www.columbustaxiservice.com/home.html Columbus Taxi Service provides regular and wheelchair-accessible taxi services. This service has access to paratransit vans with ramps and straps to secure chair when inside vehicle. They can accommodate larger wheelchairs inside the vehicles but lack the motorized chairlift function. You can reserve a taxi online. Shamrock Taxi http://taxicabcolumbus.com/ 614-784-8888 Shamrock Taxi provides regular and wheelchair-accessible taxi services. This service has access to paratransit vans with ramps and straps to secure chair when inside vehicle. They can accommodate larger wheelchairs inside the vehicles but lack the motorized chairlift function.

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Yellow Cab http://www.yellowcabofcolumbus.com/ 614-444-4444 Yellow Cab provides regular taxi service and wheelchair-accessible taxi services. This service has access to 10 paratransit taxis equipped with ramps and motorized lifts to accommodate larger chairs or scooters. Rental Cars The following auto rental agencies have check-in counters on the ground floor of an on-site, attached garage at John Glenn International: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. By Car Five highways run through the city, including two major interstate highways, 70 and 71, making it easy to get downtown from any direction. Refer to the map to see driving and flying times from your city.

Parking There are two main parking garages connected to the GCCC. The South Garage is located at 88 E. Nationwide Blvd. The Goodale Garage is located at 70 E. Goodale St. For more information on GCCC parking, check here. For parking service, visit parkingpanda.com, bestparking.com or parkme.com.

GETTING AROUND

By Bus The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) operates bus service in Columbus. The CBUS is a free downtown circulator that runs every 10-15 minutes from the Short North District through Downtown, to the Brewery District and back again. For current information on stops and routes, check COTA’s website.

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By Bike Rent a bike and pedal yourself around the city at one of CoGo Bike Share’s more than 30 stations throughout downtown, for just $8 a day. Or, hire someone to do the pedaling for you with E.C.T. Pedicab, in operation most every night for just $1.50/minute. On Foot Columbus offers a safe and walkable convention district for all delegates. From the GCCC, meeting attendees are literally just steps from the Short North Arts District as well as hundreds of hip galleries, shops, dining, nightlife, sports, hotels, entertainment and more. By Car For those who prefer to drive themselves around but don’t want to worry about a rental car, car2go offers on-demand access to a network of 300 Smart cars at a rate of only $0.41/minute (plus tax).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Making Sustainable Meetings Happen! John Wesley once said three rules were imperative to Christian life: “Do no harm. Do good. Attend to the ordinances of God”. We know now that excess and waste and some forms of production are not good for the earth and are detrimental to many—if not all—communities. We are committed to creating systems and practices at Assembly 2018 that are good for the earth and its peoples. Look forward to the changes we will make for the sake of life! Program resources, souvenirs, exhibits, paper usage and more will be environmentally friendly/sustainable because of this commitment. Volunteers will be on hand to help educate and inspire us along the way, sharing resources and educational materials for our work and possibilities for the future. Please share this with your conference and be proud that United Methodist Women cares enough to change! You can help:

• Bring your own reusable water bottle and fill it up at the faucet or purchase one at Assembly. • Carpool or take public transportation to the event. • Bring your own utensils. While silverware is available at the GCCC, using your own utensils is far more

sustainable. • Be open to change our awareness, actions and habits!

In May, Columbus usually has mildly warm weather; dress appropriately. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the exciting Experience Hall, United Methodist Women’s many resources and the Columbus area. Every effort is made to reduce long waiting periods, but with so many United Methodist Women members in one place, lines are unavoidable. Please use this time for fellowship and reunion with your neighbors.

OPTIONAL PRE-ASSEMBLY EVENTS

UBUNTU DAY OF SERVICE

“Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu: A person is a person through other persons.”

—A South African saying

Ubuntu is a unique word, a concept, a worldview, which captures the very essence what it is to be human. A Zulu phrase, Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu says, “I am only because we are, and since we are, therefore I am.” It recognizes each human being as part of a community. Above all, it is a gathering of God’s people to

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celebrate God-with-us, Immanuel, who moves us to action on behalf of our neighbor. Ubuntu is a celebration of being in community with people as mission. Ubuntu Day of Service, a pre-conference experience on Thursday, May 17, is designed to celebrate mission as relational. Field trips offer opportunities to experience how communities are impacted by persons and systems and how people are making a difference. For $60, Ubuntu Day of Service includes:

• A day of hands-on community service and advocacy • Bus transportation to and from field trip sites and the public action, as well as service options at the

GCCC • Lunch • An Ubuntu Day T-shirt • Water bottle

Different types of service opportunities are available:

• Administration: Filing, envelope stuffing, etc. • Light Work: Food bank help, packing, sorting items • Heavier Work: Yard work, painting, beautification projects, gardening • Social Justice Organizations • On site option at the GCCC

Indicate your first, second and third choices on the online registration form. Due to limited space, all selections are based on a first come basis. Ubuntu Schedule: 8:00-8:30 a.m. Gathering 8:30-9:00 a.m. Boarding Buses 9:00 a.m. Departure to work sites/Inside work assignments 12:00 p.m. Lunch (determined by work-site logistics) 3:00 p.m. Depart work site and travel to the public action 4:00 p.m. Public action 5:00 p.m. Depart public action site and return to hotels

*Dinner on your own*

PUBLIC ACTION

The public action will take place on Thursday, May 17 at 4 p.m. There is no fee to take part in the public action. Assembly will host an action opportunity in central Columbus focusing on one of United Methodist Women’s four issue priorities. We hope that Ubuntu Day of Service participants as well as those just arriving on Thursday will plan to participate in this important action for justice.