United Methodist Women members engage in social action drawing from our Biblical and theological Christian tradition and our Wesleyan heritage. We look to the Bible and to United Methodist Church social policy and prioritize the needs of women, youth and children as we set priorities for social action. We also draw on our rich 150-year heritage of engagement in mission as advocates for justice. Here are resources to assist as you plan programs with members to explore what grounds us and motivates our collective action.
See unitedmethodistwomen.org/action for action resources.
Getting Started
Why United Methodist Women Engage in Social Action (from the Four Social Action Campaigns poster).
Why Should I get involved in Social Issues?
Bible Studies
Biblical Women: Claiming Justice for Ourselves and Our Children (bible study)
Reading the Bible Together. This is an introduction to the School to Prison Pipeline bible study series. It can also be used as a general introduction.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Study. Created in 2018 for the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination, it can be adapted for general use. It involves a close reading of King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and theological reflection on justice.
www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/king
Mission Studies
Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship, Janet Wolf. www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/mission-study/resurrection
Practicing Resurrection Leader’s Guide includes a supplementary session that can be used for a 1-3 hour study or meeting.
Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission by Ellen Blue (2019-2020) offers an historical perspective on our approach to social action (e.g. settlement houses, deaconesses, racial justice work) www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/mission-study/women-united-for-change
United Methodist Women Economic Justice Mission Legacy, a timeline. Companion piece for 150 Years in Mission. www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/economic-inequality/economicjusticemissionlegacy.pdf
What About Our Money? A Faith Perspective, Susan Taylor www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/mission-study/money
What About Our Money? 2019 Supplement includes interactive bible-study.
The Call: Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly, George McClain, Tilda Norberg and Nancy Kruh, www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/what-we-do/transformative-education/mission-study/spiritual-growth/living-sacramentally
United Methodist Policy
The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church, 2016, Cokesbury
Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, 2017-2020, Cokesbury,
United Methodist Women’s Social Action Campaigns:
Just Energy for All Campaign 101: 3-Part Webinar Series on Climate Justice (Session 1 is a bible study)
Choose Life Bible Study on Sustainability www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/bible-studies/choose-life
- School to Prison Pipeline
School to Prison Pipeline Bible Study www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/school-to-prison-pipeline-bible-study
Faith Talk with Carol Barton on Women, Labor and Living Wage explores God’s Economy of Grace. www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/faithtalks
What About Our Money?: A Faith Perspective, Susan Taylor, www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/mission-study/money
Faith and Economic Inequality Reflections and Bible Studies
www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/economic-inequality/reflections
Overworked and Undervalued (response magazine bible study) www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/news/overworked-and-undervalued