Women's Ministry

At the 37th General Council in 2000, Women of The United Church of Canada was named as a way to acknowledge, support, strengthen, and celebrate all women's groups in the church. Women of The United Church of Canada included the UCW and all other women's groups within the church that did not belong to the formal UCW structure.

Bringing together all the women's groups across the church seemed to be best understood as the creation of a network. Given that all women's groups are involved in some form of ministry to the groups' participants, to congregations, and to the wider community, the Task Group for the Women of The United Church of Canada recommended the name be changed to the Women's Ministries Network. In 2003, the 38th General Council approved the name change.

Purpose

To develop an ongoing source for support, ideas, resources, and information exchange among the women's groups of The United Church of Canada.

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Membership

Who belongs to the Women's Ministries Network?

All women's groups within the church.

Does the UCW belong to the Women's Ministries Network?

Yes. The UCW is a formal, structured organization within the Women's Ministries Network.

Is the UCW still active at all levels of the church?

Yes. The UCW is active at the congregational, presbyterial, conference, and national levels.

Are all women's groups part of the UCW?

No. Only those groups that wish to be part of the UCW.

What is the relationship of the UCW to other women's groups in the Women's Ministries Network?

They are sister groups within the Women's Ministries Network that meet meet and carry out ministry in differing ways.

Does the Women's Ministries Network have a formal structure?

No.

Do groups have to pay fees?

No.

Do groups have to register as part of the Women's Ministries Network?

No.

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Creating the Network: What Congregations Can Do

• Make women's groups visible. Be aware of the different women's groups within congregations and presbyteries.
• Celebrate the different forms of ministry women's groups carry out
• Begin new groups arising from women's personal interests and needs
• Develop networking opportunities through, for example, events, workshops, and worship, and encourage submissions to congregational and presbytery newsletters and Women's Concerns.