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By Katy Kiser, RENEW Press Representative |
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By Katy Kiser, RENEW Press Representative |
| The Section of Christian Social Responsibility of the Women’s Division opened their committee with a worship service whose theme was “There is no holiness, but social holiness.” This theme pervaded the Fall 2004, Board of Director’s Meeting of the Women’s Division. For those of us who have been following the work of the Women’s Division, it was no surprise. For years, the Women’s Division has tied the mission of United Methodist Women to secular programs through partnering with non-faith-based institutions such as the United Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The gospel has been reduced to no more than social justice, advocated through liberal, partisan political policies and narrow social constructs. This year was no exception. The meeting, the first in the new quadrennium, was an orientation for new directors. Women’s Division work over past years was presented, with a special emphasis on the 135th anniversary of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations. A celebration of the “March for Women’s Lives” was highlighted in both committee and plenary sessions. This was the march on the Capitol Mall held on Sunday, the day prior to General Conference 2004. At this march, the largest pro-choice rally in history, women celebrated the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. The Women’s Division supported this march with a $5,000 co-sponsor donation, as well as with their presence. They claimed the march to have been a spiritual experience. Also noteworthy, was the Division’s commitment that every vote should count in the November 2nd election.The Women’s Division will partner with Count Every Vote 2004 asking United Methodist Women to go to their polls as monitors to look for voter disenfranchisement. Count Every Vote claims to represent a non-partisan effort to monitor polls in the southeastern United States where, they claim, racial disparities in the electoral process have long been a problem. A visit to the web site, www.counteveryvote2004.org, shows anything but a non-partisan perspective. At the site you will find articles from the New York Times and other feature stories on the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) accusing the Republican Party of trying to stifle the Black vote; reports of Jesse Jackson’s joining the Kerry Campaign; highlights of Kerry reaching out to the Black and Hispanic voters; portrayals of Cheney as being out of touch on the connection between AIDS and black women; and accounts of attorneys preparing to file law suits claiming disenfranchisement prior to the election and so on. After a formal vote, the new Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Jan Love, gave her first report. She presented a more balanced view of Wesley’s scriptural holiness, pointing out that that love of neighbor—social holiness—was born out of personal holiness, which is the experience of God’s love. She made it clear that she embraces the Women’s Division’s allegiance to social justice, while acknowledging that there are profound differences among the women in the United Methodist Church and that there is a need to promote healing and wholeness. As RENEW’s press representative, I met with Dr. Love and gave her some specific questions that concern all evangelical women. We look forward to bringing you her response in the coming weeks as well as a more detailed account of the 2004 Women’s Division meeting. (Use the form in this newsletter to request the RENEW Report of the Fall 2004 Women’s Division Board of Director’s meeting.) |
Overview of WD Fall Board Meeting