The Other Six Days: Women’s Month
(March 8th – International Women’s Day)
What The United Methodist Church says:
· Women’s Concerns
Women comprise 70% of the world’s poor and, in many cultures, are responsible for the sustenance of the family and, yet, many have few if any rights. The United Methodist Church affirms women and men to be equal in every aspect of their common life and urges that every effort be made to eliminate sex-role stereotypes in activity and portrayal of family life and in all aspects of voluntary and compensatory participation in the Church and society. The UMC affirms the right of women to equal treatment in employment, responsibility, promotion, and compensation and affirms the importance of women in decision-making positions at all levels of Church life and urge such bodies to guarantee their presence through policies of employment and recruitment. Affirmative action is one method of addressing the inequalities and discriminatory practices within our Church and society, and employers of persons in dual career families, both in the Church and society, are urged to apply proper consideration of both parties when relocation is considered. The incidence with women and HIV/AIDS is increasing, and domestic violence continues to be a critical concern. The church needs to explore ways of supporting women in all aspects of society. – The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church
· Women and Men
We affirm with Scripture the common humanity of male and female, both having equal worth in the eyes of God. We reject the erroneous notion that one gender is superior to another, that one gender must strive against another, and that members of one gender may receive love, power, and esteem only at the expense of another. We especially reject the idea that God made individuals as incomplete fragments, made whole only in union with another. We call upon women and men alike to share power and control, to learn to give freely and to receive freely, to be complete and to respect the wholeness of others. We seek for every individual opportunities and freedom to love and be loved, to seek and receive justice, and to practice ethical self-determination. We understand our gender diversity to be a gift from God, intended to add to the rich variety of human experience and perspective; and we guard against attitudes and traditions that would use this good gift to leave members of one sex more vulnerable in relationships than members of another . –Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, ¶ 161.II.F
Internet sources for Continued Exploration:
• Learn about the UMW division -http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/- a group of women in the church working for peace and justice
• Read more at http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/pp.asp?c=fsJNK0PKJrH&b=861401 about the above statement, and articles about women in the church
Events this month on campus:
• Check out the signs for the Women’s Initiative HERstory month
• Mondays 5:30pm UM/PC Women’s Group- come talk to other women about every day issues, learn about women of the Bible, and build Christian relationship
• After church TONIGHT look for discussion cards to help you spark fellowship talk about women! In basement after services, plus: FREE FOOD
• Thursday March 22, 6pm, Kay Lounge; UMSA’s panel discussion: “The Stained Glass Ceiling: Struggles of Women in Ministry.”
• Friday March 30, UMSA volunteers to serve dinner at Calvary Women’s Shelter. 2:30pm-cook; 4:30 leave to serve
• Tuesdays 7:15 UM/PC Men’s group- a bible study about how to be a Godly man in today’s changing world
Women in the Bible- BooksWomen in Scripture: A Dictionary of Named and Unnamed Women in the Hebrew Bible, the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and the New Testament , by Carol L. Meyers, Professor of Religion (Hebrew Bible, archaeology), Duke University
The Life and Times of All the Women of the Bible, by Herbert Lockyer
Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You by John Macarthur
Just a Sister Away: Understanding the Timeless Connection Between Women of Today and Women in the Bible, Renita J. Weems – ( this book draw connection between biblical women and women today)
More books at www.cokesbury.com
Women’s History in the UMC- Books
- The Light Along The Way :
A Living History Through United Methodist Women’s Magazines- By My Spirit :
The Story of United Methodist Protestant Women in Mission, 1879-1939- To A Higher Glory :
The Growth and Development of Black Women Organized for Mission in The Methodist Church, 1940-1968- My Calling To Fulfill :
Deaconesses in the United Methodist Tradition- They Went Out Not Knowing :
100 Women in Mission- Legacy For The Future :
The History of Christian Social Relations, 1940-1968- United Methodist Women:
In The Middle Of Tomorrow- This Is Our Song :
Employed Women in the United Methodist Tradition- With Unveiled Face :
Centennial Reflections on Women and Men in the Community of the Church- Speaking Out In The Public Space :
An Account of the Section of Christian RelationsLink to UMW Division: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/ - Learn more about UMW programs, purpose and mission
