Response to "Call for Reform of The Women's Division"

Statement of the Administrative Committee
Women's Division, General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church

At the first official meeting since RENEW and Good News issued their Call to Reform, the Administrative Committee of the Women's Division, composed of officers and staff cabinet, issued the following statement.

As stated in its purpose, "The Women's Division shall be actively engaged in fulfilling the mission of Christ and the Church and shall interpret the purpose of United Methodist Women. With continuing awareness of the concerns and responsibilities of the Church in today's world, the Women's Division shall be an advocate for the oppressed and dispossessed with special attention to the needs of women and children; shall work to build a supportive community among women; and shall engage in activities that foster growth in the Christian faith, mission education, and Christian social involvement throughout the organization." 2000 Book of Discipline, paragraph 1317

This purpose is implemented through:

publication of various resources including an annual spiritual growth study, a program book consisting of monthly programs for units, Response magazine, numerous specific subject matter materials, organizational materials such as by-laws, and appropriate audio-visual resources.
providing educational avenues and materials on mission arenas, topics and opportunities in today's world; on leadership development for leaders and members at all levels of the organization; on specific social issues affecting women and children; and on Bible study, theological and missional issues, spiritual renewal and development.
advocating for women, children and young people within society and the church and working to see that the injustices they face in all parts of the world are eliminated.
working with women around the world on their concerns and standing in solidarity with them as we build community in the name of Christ.
funding programs and projects of outreach and service primarily related to United Methodist, autonomous Methodist, or ecumenical institutions and women's programs.

As women organized for mission at all levels of the organization, we are communicating the love of Christ through our actions; standing in solidarity and in partnership with women; attempting to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit; naming the demons of society; and working passionately for justice for all God's children. We are participating in God's mission. We see mission as a gift that God has given us that requires us to witness in both word and deed to God's presence in our world.

The Women's Division is accountable to United Methodist Women, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and most importantly to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Numerous reports are given to conference leadership (upon request to individuals) each year regarding finances and programs. Our Annual Report is published each year and available through the Service Center. Quarterly mailings are sent to local units regarding program directions; Response, the official magazine, is published eleven times a year; and our Web-site is available to anyone and updated regularly.

The directors of the Women's Division are elected through the processes of the organization. These fifty women come from across the United Methodist Church and represent the broad spectrum of opinions regarding theology, social issues, and missional concerns within our denomination. They are active members of a United Methodist Church and a member of a unit of United Methodist Women. The directors establish the policies under which the division operates. The forty executive staff of the Women's Division are committed Christians, elected by the directors to implement the policies and programs of the division.

It is not expected that all United Methodists agree on every social issue or theological point. We have debated homosexuality and abortion for decades and continue to engage in the task of doing theology and interpreting the scriptures. All actions and programs of the Women's Division have always been and continue to be in accordance with the Discipline of the United Methodist Church. We do not speak for the United Methodist Church or United Methodist Women, but speak as a corporate body to the church, the organization and society.

We will remain faithful to our heritage as women organized for mission, to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God continue to be with us as we participate in God's mission.

Regarding specific actions of the Women's Division that have been cited by RENEW and Good News:

1. War in Afghanistan: We reaffirm the Resolution on Terrorist Attacks that was adopted by the Women's Division in October 2001(see below). The resolution is in line with several resolutions found in the 2000 Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church under the section "War and Peace" and the Social Principles as found in the 2000 Discipline that states: "We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them." We respect the right of each person to have differing opinions on this war. The Christian witness for justice and peace has always been part of the history of the Women's Division and we will continue that commitment.

2. Sophia Circle: We reaffirm the action of the Policy Committee of the Women's Division taken at the October 2001 meeting which states: "The Women's Division affirms that the naming of units, sub-units and circles is the responsibility of the individual groups. Units are encouraged to use resources that affirm the Purpose of United Methodist Women. Such resources are published by the division on a regular basis and are available to the membership. The district unit of the California-Nevada Conference United Methodist Women, called Sophia Circle, continues to be a part of United Methodist Women." The Sophia Circle is an officially chartered district unit of United Methodist Women. They chose their name as do all units and/or circles. The Women's Division does not monitor the program materials used by a local or district unit. Instead we provide appropriate materials for study, reflection and action, and spiritual growth. Many units use our materials, others do not, but in either case, it is a unit decision. The Women's Division is a not a part of the Re-Imagining Community nor do we promote the use of their resources.

3. Assembly Speaker: We do not concur with the request that Rev. Barbara Lundblad's invitation to speak at the 2002 Assembly be withdrawn. Rev. Lundblad is a well-respected minister of the Lutheran Church and is currently Associate Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary. She has been a regular preacher on the Protestant Hour radio program since 1983; she is scheduled to preach at Ocean Grove Assembly, New Jersey and the Chautauqua Institute in the summer of 2002; and is one of the leaders for the "Preaching 2002" Conference May 21-24 in Chicago, as advertised in the March/April issue of The Circuit Rider, the magazine for United Methodist clergy. Rev. Lundblad will be an excellent Bible Study leader and will present a biblical perspective on mission and its meaning for today.

The Administrative Committee, Women's Division March 10, 2002
Genie Bank, Brenda Brown, Judy Nutter, Diane Clark Vogler, Mee Sue Park, Myrtle Clingenpeel, Joyce D. Sohl, Marsha Base, Lois M. Dauway, Connie J. Takamine, Cheryl E. Trent, Maxine West

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General Board of Global Ministries