If not now

he Church and Christians have a responsibility to address politics and social issues.

This is the belief of around 250 United Methodist Women from across the country as they arrive in Nashville today to address social justice issues and discern their responsibility as Christians to be actively involved in issues affecting women and children. The theme of the quadrennial National Seminar is “If not now, when?... if not me... who?”

The women take seriously their Biblical mandate from the book of Isaiah and the gospel message. All participants have chosen an issue, which they will spend the week studying indepth with grassroots issue experts. They will look at the Biblical mandates to address the issue, the United Methodist resolutions and stances on the issue, how the issues affect women and children, and the facts and stories behind each issue. Then, on August 6, participants will go into Nashville to participate in hands-on action events that show how their issue is being addressed in the community.

Lois M. Dauway heads The United Methodist Women’s Division section of Christian Social Responsibility and is overseeing the historical social action event.

“The purpose of the hands-on action is to give participants ideas of the unique ways communities and churches are addressing these issues and ways they can taken home their learnings,” says Ms. Dauway. “By week-end, participants will have concrete action plans for being Christian activists and they’ll have the support of their Conference United Methodist Women to do it.”

Women have also chosen from a list of skills groups, so they can develop the skills necessary to become Christian activists.

Throughout the week, participants will look at the history of United Methodist Women working for social justice; they’ll get involved in problem solving through a forum theatre; and they’ll end with a commitment service. They’ll have opportunities to stand in solidarity Tuesday with “Women in Black” – an international network of women who stand in silence every week as a witness for peace. They’ll also host a picnic on Wednesday for the Kensington Welfare Rights Union as they march through Nashville to raise awareness of the poor person’s plight in this nation.

“Participants will hopefully come away from the event having discerned God’s will for them, with a clearer understanding of urgent and challenging issues during this time in our history, and with a direction for their work,” says Ms. Dauway. “At the end of the seminar, they’ll be able to say, ‘the time is now. The person to address the issue is me.”

Show me how!

This week, you will participate in issue groups, hands-on projects, worship, and plenary sessions. Daily newsletters will help you take home what you are experiencing, obtain resources, and plan something similar at your own events. The information will also be available on the National Seminar web site throughout the year.

Who Will Tell the Story?

As part of the effort to witness our Christian beliefs and tell the story of United Methodist Women working for peace and justice, secular and religious press will be present at the event. Press will wear badges that identify them.

Press who will be here throughout the event include:

Response magazine, which is the official magazine of United Methodist Women.
United Methodist News Service, which is the official news agency of The United Methodist Church.

RENEW network, which is an unofficial organization within The Church alleging a lack of accountability of the Women's Division and United Methodist Women.
Other secular press from the Nashville area.

We welcome them and want you to be aware of their presence.

Creating Your Own History Exhibit

Historical timelines, educational exhibits, hands-on games, and the Service Center will resource you on Laskey Library’s third floor. One exhibit -- the historical timeline -- recounts what has happened domestically and globally since 9/11. It challenges us to think about issues since that day and get involved.

Staff took the information from newspapers, TV, radio, the Internet and Women’s Division sources. The timeline information is available on the National Seminar web site. Supplies you’ll need to do this exhibit: the timeline, rope and clothespins.

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!

· At 7:00, we will gather for the first session --community building and orientation. Meet in Harambe Auditorium to begin.

· Sign up at the registration table as soon as you arrive to stand in solidarity with “Women in Black” of Nashville on Tuesday. “Women in Black” is an international organization, standing in silence for an hour weekly as a witness to the need for peace in our world. If you have black clothes or dark clothes, plan to wear them. You don’t need dark clothes to participate! However, you do need to sign up today at the registration table so you get a box lunch on Tuesday!