United Methodist Women is called and inspired to work for the well being of women by scripture:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28)
The United Methodist Book of Discipline further confirms our duty to advocate for women's equality:
“We affirm women and men to be equal in every aspect of their common life.” (Social Principles, ¶ 162 F)
Each year, United Methodist Women's Christian Social Action staff work in conjunction with the United Nations through events held at the Church Center for the United Nations. Mission partners and local UMWomen leaders often serve as delegates to help create change for women and girls around the world.
This industry encompasses justice issues ranging from economic disparity to racism. You can recreate the Just Food Restaurant experience introduced at Assembly 2014. Follow up with the resources the author of
Behind the Kitchen Door provided at her workshop and look for her book as a 2015 Reading Program title.
This experiential look at justice issues was introduced at Assembly 2014. It explores food systems, energy use, livelihoods, land use, violence against women, migration, criminalization, greed, radical hospitality and abundance. The informational signs are provided to allow local groups to share the experience.
Resources based on Assembly 2014 Workshops
Land-grabbing and Women's Livelihoods
In many rural areas around the world, women are the farmers who put food on the table for their families.
U.S. Militarism and Women in the Asia-Pacific
As the United States withdraws troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. Defense Department has announced its "Asia Pacific Pivot," which involves increasing U.S. troops, bases and weaponry throughout the region in a potential standoff with China.
Young Women's Access to Education Globally
Around the world girls face every challenge-from poverty to acts of violence against them- that prevent access to education at all levels.
Our Values
We view ourselves as an instrument to transform the role of women in society. We commit ourselves to bridge gaps among women:
- Church women and the women’s movement in society
- Christian women and women of other faith traditions and women of various races, ethnic identities and races
- Older women with younger women
- Poor women and all other women
- Single women and married women
- Lesbian women and heterosexual women
- Women employed outside the home and women working exclusively in the home
- The struggle of women and other freedom struggles
- Women in the United States and in other countries (Ministries with Women and Ministries with Children and Youth: A Gift for the Whole Church, March 1993)
Resources
The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life, by Marianne Williamson
The Happiness Choice: The 5 Decisions That Will Take You From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Marilyn Tam
Break Your Own Rules: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking That Block Women’s Paths to Power, by Jill Flynn, Kathryn Heath, Mary Davis Holt
Lean In: Women, Work & the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg