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There is a disconnect between the Women’s Division and local United
Methodist Women. It’s rather like a marriage relationship where the two
partners have drifted apart, no longer sharing the same interests and goals.
Only it’s far more serious, for it has to do with disagreement about
programs and policies that impact the spiritual lives of women.
Again, using a marriage analogy, not all women within United Methodist
Women are aware of the serious divide that exists between them and the
Division. They are unaware of actions on the part of the Women’s Division
that have betrayed their trust. Or, they have heard inklings about it, but
don’t want to believe that it is so. However, there comes a time when the
separation is so great that it becomes obvious to all who will see it.
Renew believes such a time is now. Over the past two years, there have
been numerous actions on the part of the Women’s Division that have been
extreme to the point that they cannot be ignored. Surely, they cannot
continue to be overlooked or supported financially by United Methodist
Women whose personal beliefs are in sharp conflict with the Division’s
theology and ideology. [emphasis added]
While many actions on the part of the Division could be recounted (Renew’s
White Paper - 14 page PDF - for detailed documentation), let me share as
example a few decisions that were made at the Fall 2001 board meeting of the
Women’s Division.
- Following many disparaging remarks in committees about U.S. policy and
expressed disdain for the national show of patriotism, a resolution was
passed opposing the U.S. war on terrorism, and a campaign was launched to
oppose the recent Anti-Terrorism Act that passed both the House and Senate
with overwhelming bipartisan support.
- Directors voted to continue official status for a District Unit of UMW,
"Sophia Circle," whose stated purpose is to gather monthly "for an hour’s
lively discussion on material from the Re-Imagining Newsletter."
(For those of you unfamiliar with "Sophia" here is an article by by
Katherine Kersten, participant at the original Re-Imagining gathering)
- It was announced that Barbara Lundblad was invited to be a plenary
speaker at the upcoming UMW Assembly next April. Barbara was a speaker at
the 1993 and 1998 Re-Imagining conferences. She endorsed lesbian practice
and referred to God as "Sophia."
In the light of these actions, and many others documented in the
White Paper,
The Renew Network, along with its
parent group, Good News, is calling upon directors of
the Women’s Division, district and
conference UMW officers and United Methodist Women at the local level to
begin a campaign for reform and accountability of the Women’s Division in
New York.
Because we know the essentialness of undergirding such a reform effort
with prayer, we have put together a packet calling for fasting in the
Wesleyan tradition (Thursday after dinner until Friday around 3:00 p.m.),
and providing Scripture prayers to use in seeking God’s guidance for this
campaign. This packet also contains informational pieces for you to use to
document your concerns and prepare to address them.
It is our expectation that individuals and groups will begin praying,
fasting, and studying the actions of the Women’s Division with an eye toward
genuine reform and accountability. Then, clear and decisive action will be
essential to see this accomplished.
Because of the autonomy of the Women’s Division and its unresponsiveness
to grass roots questioning of its policies, it would seem that reform will
only come from the bottom up. Therefore, contacting other United Methodist
Women’s groups in your immediate area to pray with and to share information
with would be a good first step. Next, you might want to contact the
district and conference officers of United Methodist Women to let them know
your concerns and to ask for the support of your elected leadership in the
effort to bring reform and accountability to the Women’s Division.
It is important to solicit support and to honor the spiritual leadership
of your church by informing your pastor of any actions you plan to take. It
would be in order to send a note to your district superintendent and
possibly your bishop outlining your concerns and planned action you plan to
take. Your entire church family will likely want to provide moral and
prayerful support.
Most United Methodist Women understand missions to mean reaching men and
women, boys and girls with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and ministering to
the real needs of those individuals in whatever ways possible. They are not
adverse to engaging spiritual, social or political structures in order to
achieve that goal.
The Women’s Division, on the other hand, rallies to the cry of social
justice as interpreted by a liberal, feminist theology and a narrow,
left-leaning political/social witness. The Division has been able to further
its ideological agenda with funding from the women of the church and with
their quiet acquiescence.
The women of the church have not seen the promotion of their
understanding of biblical mission.
Isn’t it time to close this divide? (top) |
