United Methodist Missionary Association | Brief History of the UMMA

In response to a felt need for a continuing, consultative body by the missionaries of the World Division of the GBGM, a core of active and retired missionaries under the informal leadership of Richard Schwenk, the 1995-96 Missionary-in-Residence, contacted all active and retired missionaries it could reach urging them to join the forming association. Response was overwhelming with more than 450 people joining.

Prior to the World Division's missionary personnel conference at Ridgewood, NC, in July, 1996, a group of retired and active missionaries gathered and drew up a constitutional draft for a United Methodist Missionary Association.

In the language of the indigenous peoples of Sarawak, "umma" is the word for "long house" - a village under one roof, where families live in community and gather for dialogue and peacemaking. In Arabic, "umma" means the whole society of God's people both are fitting expressions for the Missionaries of the United Methodist Church.

At the second annual UMMA Gathering held July 15-16, 1997 at Simpsonwood Retreat Center outside Atlanta, the Interim Steering Committee reported the establishment of an UMMA office at the home of Gilbert Bascom in Penn Yan, NY and the incorporation of UMMA as a non-profit organization by New York law. The members at the UMMA GATHERING proceeded to elect a Steering Committee for four years made up of representatives from active and retired missionaries plus the current Missionary-in-Residence and a Coordinator.

Task Forces were established and members assigned to them to maintain an on-going dialogue with the staff and directors of the GBGM for problems and issues being faced by the missionary community around the world.

Subsequent Annual UMMA GATHERINGS are usually held prior to the Global Mission Personnel Conference of the GBGM in a location easily accessible to people attending the conference.

UMMA is now established as a responsible spokesperson for the missionary community both actives and retirees with a legal foundation (a corporation), an elected Steering Committee with officers and members who are dedicated to Christ's mission in the world working through the United Methodist Church.

You can download a copy of our constitution and by-laws here (pdf).

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