Participation in Pro-Choice March Stirs Passion_Fall

      Women across the United Methodist Church have responded vigorously to the participation of the Women’s Division in the pro-choice “March for Women’s Lives” in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, April 25, 2004. Directors voted to give a donation of $5,000 toward the march, making the Women’s Division a co-sponsor of the event.
     As it turned out, the event was sponsored by numerous radical groups including Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and the American Civil Liberties Union. In addition to the Women’s Division, some of the official co-sponsors were: the Democratic National Committee, the Communist Party USA, the Democratic Socialists of America, The International Socialist Organization, the Green Party of the Untied States, the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce, Global Goddess, the Ladies’ Misbehavior Society and Bitch magazine.
     There was strong advocacy at this event for lifting restrictions on partial birth abortions, a ban the United Methodist Church has gone on record as endorsing. Conflicting reports were circulating regarding the source of the $5,000 funding for the co-sponsorship of the Women’s Division.
     Women’s Division Treasurer, Connie Takamine, cleared up the funding source. Ms. Takamine reported, “In regard to your question on the $5,000 contribution to the March for Women’s Lives, the funds came from interest on investments from the Designated Temporary Fund which is one of the few discretionary monies of the Women’s Division.” Ms. Takamine explained that “At the time the grant was made there were no funds donated specifically for the march, there are funds in DTF that are to be used for justice ministries.”
     At the October 2004 meeting of the Women’s Division Board of Director’s meeting, Julie Taylor, Children, Youth and Family Advocacy, Women’s Division, reported that she had received over 100 contacts in opposition to the Division’s participation in the March for Women’s Lives, and only a few in support of it. However, attempts were made to explain away the opposing correspondence and calls. (Request the full board report for further information.)
     The Women’s Division continues to stand behind its unequivocal pro-choice position.
(Use the form in this newsletter to request “March for Women’s Lives” packet.)

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