September issue of Response

In the closing hours of General Conference, a young woman stood before the decision-makers of the church. As she lifted the papers above her head, she warned delegates about the U.N. Covention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Then, she urged defeat, claiming that there was nothing Christian within the convention.

"The vote was taken. The petition passed. The conference moved on to the next item of business. But my thoughts did not move on. How painful it was to have seen that bright young woman, empowered to speak to so many, speak against herself and her sisters around the world," says Dana Jones in her editor's column.

Ms. Jones challenges the women of the denomination to celebrate the accomplishments of women in the past and prepare young women for the challenges of the present and future. This issue is about General Conference 2000, which undergirds the journey and presents challenges for the future.

On the cover: A delegate seeks to speak at The United Methodist Church General Conference 2000 in Cleveland, Ohio, in May. Women accounted for 324 of the total 992 delegates to the denomination's quadrennial legislative event. Photo: Paul Jeffrey.

This Bible study is based on a challenge from Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who asked General Conference delegates to think about the grapevine metaphor in John 15:5, 11. Those grapevines are about the body of Christ, and how its many parts are one body. When the branches are connected, they are fruitful. When separated, the vine becomes limp and dies.

This article looks at the Women's Division positions on seven issues-- child soldiers, responsible travel, world peace, adoption, public education, hate crimes and biblical language-- and how they became denomination-wide policy. "The resolutions grew out of the Division's ongoing mission outreach with women, children and youth across the United States and around the world," says the author.

As unofficial organizations of the denomination tried to dismantle hate crimes legislation at General Conference, most delegates felt that the denomination needed to stand together against hate crimes. This article looks at the structures within the Church to respond to and prevent hate.

"Police in Kokomo, Miss., were too quick to label the June 16 death of 17-year-old Raynard Johnson a suicide, say local organizers, including United Methodists, who are seeking investigation of what they say looks like a lynching." This article gives another view of events that led up to the death of Raynard Johnson, why suicide should be questioned, and the response of the denomination.

The views of United Methodist Women delegates about General Conference vary - from concerns about homosexuality to alleviating poverty. Six women share their concerns about the conference, and they also share the "bright spots."

At least 500,000 Iraqi children have died because of U.N. sanctions against Iraq. The plight of children within the country has been overlooked by the discussion about whether Saddam Hussein has destroyed his biological and chemical weapons. Yet, United Methodist Women respond and must continue.

It is hard to walk through downtown Cleveland without encountering the image of Chief Wahoo, the mascot of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. Yet Native Americans attending General Conference, their allies, and Native Americans from the Cleveland area rallied together at a home baseball game. Together, they demonstrated for the elimination of the racist logo. This article also looks at other General Conference petitions on Native American issues addressed by the legislative body of the Church.

In 1997 the Democratic Republic of Congo became embroiled in armed conflict. Women suffered, underwent brutalities, and needed ways to feed, house and clothe their children. Kashala Katembo responded by transforming a backyard and rubbish heap into a vegetable garden. Today, gardening and teaching about it is her avenue to empower women.

Marilina de Carvalho, a delegate to the 2000 General Conference, coordinates outreach to children in the Western Angola Annual Conference. War has left thousands displaced and crowded into cities. Towns and cities have been destroyed. There are problems with safe drinking water and sanitation. The social centers, led by Ms. Carvalho, provide safe space, meals and education for children.

For almost six decades, the people of Vieques, Puerto Rico, a 21-mile long island, have struggled against the U.S. Navy's use of their land to practice war. The public struggle has begun to gain media attention. It's the quiet struggle for peace of Methodist Women in Puerto Rico whose story is told here.

This is the story of Jan Love, a Women's Division director as a high school student from 1970-76. Honored for her 20 years of service to the World Council of Churches, Ms. Love thanks her ecumenical mothers--United Methodist Women.

General Conference 2000

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