Affiliate membership with the RENEW Network means a more direct involvement in the ministry of RENEW in  the areas of:

1.   Information 
2.   Program Resources 
3.   Networking 
4.   Mission Outreach

The RENEW Affiliate Membership Program has three categories of membership:

1. Esther’s Court:

Esther’s Court is the initial membership level for women who elect to have affiliate  status with RENEW. 

Esther’s Court may be joined by individuals or by a group.  (A group would be classified as five or more members of a local unit or women’s ministry.) 

• Membership Donation: A membership donation is requested ($25/yr. for an individual and $10/yr. per member for group membership).  This basic donation helps to cover the cost of information provided.  Beyond this membership donation, Esther’s Court members determine their level of giving to RENEW. 

• Program Resources: RENEW will be a resource for program materials for Esther’s Court members.  Beyond supplying supplemental resources produced in-house, RENEW will recommend additional literature, program ministries and personnel to provide Christ-centered, Biblically-based resources.

• Information: Esther’s Court members will receive additional mailings that will often include timely reports and information about general church issues.  They will be kept current on reports prepared by RENEW committee members as they monitor various Women’s Division events, programs and policies.  RENEW will also provide research assistance on issues of concern as requested.

• Networking:  Members of Esther’s Court receive publications from other renewal groups within the United Methodist Church: Good News Magazine, UMAction Briefing, IRD’s Faith & Freedom newsletter, The Mission Society Heartbeat, Lifewatch newsletter, Transforming Congregations newsletter.  In addition, members are kept abreast of information from other ecumenical groups with whom RENEW networks.

• Mission Outreach:  RENEW’s mission partnership with The Mission Society for United Methodists provides additional mission opportunities in the area of financial support for projects or personal involvement in short-term mission ministry.

Court members are encouraged to pray for the work of RENEW and to commit to regular financial support of the ministry

2. Deborah’s Council:

Deborah’s Council is a special designation within the Affiliate Membership Program with an increased level of giving and mission involvement.  This membership status is open to those who are members of Esther’s Court and to general network members. 

Deborah’s Council may be joined by individuals or by a group.  (A group would be classified as five or more members of a local unit or women’s ministry.)

• Membership Donation: A donation of $50 or more each month/per group, and $25 or more each month/per individual is the level of giving requested for membership.

• Program Resources: RENEW will be a resource for program materials for Deborah’s Council members.  Beyond supplying supplemental resources produced in-house, RENEW will recommend additional literature, program ministries and personnel to provide Christ-centered, Biblically-based resources.  Council members will receive a 25% discount on all reports and program resources prepared by RENEW. 

• Information:  Council members will receive a monthly update letter on RENEW’s ministry.  Periodically reports and information about general church issues, and reports prepared by RENEW committee members as they monitor various Women’s Division events, programs and policies, will be sent to Council members.  Research assistance by RENEW is always available to members as requested. 

• Networking:  Members of Deborah’s Council receive publications from other renewal groups within the United Methodist Church: Good News Magazine, UMAction Briefing, IRD’s Faith & Freedom newsletter, The Mission Society Heartbeat, Lifewatch newsletter, Transforming Congregations newsletter.  In addition, members are kept abreast of information from other ecumenical groups with which RENEW networks.

• Mission Outreach:  Members of Deborah’s Council are encouraged to enter into mission outreach and networking by contributing to one RENEW mission project and to one other United Methodist related renewal agency program, i.e., The Mission Society for United Methodists, UMAction/IRD, Lifewatch, Transforming Congregations, The Confessing Movement, during the course of a year.  Council members are encouraged to consider short-term mission ministry through The Mission Society for United Methodists.

It is anticipated that members of Deborah’s Council will pray regularly for the RENEW ministry.

3. Daniel & Friends:

Daniel & Friends designates pastors, laymen and those in Christian leadership who are friends of RENEW and who benefit from the information we provide. Many times these persons are conduits for the RENEW Network to reach women of the local church with our message of renewal and accountability.
This membership designation is for individuals only.

• Membership Donation: A donation of $25 or more each month is the level of giving requested for membership.

• Program Resources: Daniel & Friends members will receive the 25% discount on all reports and program resources prepared by RENEW.

• Information: Regular mailings will keep Daniel & Friends apprised of RENEW resources and programs, and of various Women’s Division events, programs and policies.  Research assistance on critical church-related and women’s issues by RENEW will be provided as requested.

• Networking: The Daniel & Friends enrollment form will have a place to select publications from other United Methodist renewal groups.  RENEW will keep members informed of renewal activities on the part of other ecumenical groups with whom we network. 

As with our other Affiliate Membership categories, it is anticipated that members of Daniel & Friends will pray for RENEW regularly.
 

New members of Esther’s Court will receive a RENEW membership pin and a membership card.  New groups joining Esther’s Court will receive a poster in addition to pins and cards for individual members.
New members joining Deborah’s Council or Daniel & Friends will receive a membership pin.