Document 3: This is our response to the specific "secular" groups that are targeted by RENEW and the Institute on Religion and Democracy in the UM Action Briefing. They received their information from the 2000 Disclosure Report of the Women’s Division, but they misread some of the actual amounts granted. Please note that these expenditures are a very small part of our total $37.7 million expenditures for the year 2000. (The 2001 Disclosure Report is available from the Women’s Division and has been distributed to Conference Treasurers of United Methodist Women).

All grants made by the Women’s Division in any given year are: 1) Approved by the directors of the division; 2) Are scripturally based and within the theological stance of the United Methodist Church; 3) Are in compliance with the adopted Social Principles and resolutions of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. (For the year 2000 it was the 1996 Discipline that was operative). We have found that working with groups and coalitions multiplies our effectiveness in addressing issues of justice and peace in our world.

In response to the six areas of charges found in the Call to Reform:

1. Pro-Abortion Position: The position of the Women’s Division as a general agency of the United Methodist Church must be, is and always has been in line with The Discipline of the United Methodist Church and its Book of Resolutions in effect at the time of the action.
    

2. Actions showing support for homosexual practice: The position of the Women’s Division as a general agency of the United Methodist Church must be, is and always has been in line with The Discipline of the United Methodist Church and its Book of Resolutions in effect at the time of the action. We affirm the "sacred worth of homosexual persons" and abide by the statement as found in paragraph 161G in the Social Principles.
    

3. Support for the 1993 Re-Imagining Conference and Community: The Women’s Division addressed that in our statement of March 1994. Our position has not changed, nor are we a part of the Re-Imagining Community. (See the 1994 Statement by clicking here.)
    

4. Questionable Theological Teaching and Social Justice Mission Concept: The Women’s Division believes that we are in line with that section of The Discipline called "Our Theological Task" and the diversity within United Methodist Women and the church. We believe that we are participating in God’s mission in the world based on the Scriptures. We attempt to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that we do.
    

5. Left-leaning Political/Social Action: The Women’s Division believes that we have been responsible to The Discipline, the Scriptures and the needs of women, children, and youth in our programs of social justice. "Left-leaning" is open to individual interpretation and changes from issue to issue.
    

6. Autonomy/Accountability Issue: Our response is found at the top of page 2 of the March 2002 statement and further expanded in the February 2003 "Responsively Yours".