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United Women of Faith at General Conference

Edited from article by Tara Barnes on UWFaith website

     United Women in Faith submitted 19 petitions to the United Methodist General Conference that met April 23 to May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Included among our petitions were those for uplifting women and children, protecting voting rights, and our historic. Charter for Racial Justice.

     These included calls to action on racial and climate justice, gender equity, protecting the girl child, and supporting deaconesses and home missioners. Eighteen of our petitions passed on consent calendar, meaning they received 10 or fewer “no” votes in committee.

     “We commend the church for uplifting women, children, and youth at the 2024 General Conference,” said General Secretary and CEO Sally Vonner. “When women’s voices are heard, positive changes follow.” 

     Our petition seeking annual conference voting rights for retired deaconesses and home missioners missed the two-thirds majority required by less than 4 percent.

 

Major legislative actions

     The headlines to come out of this United Methodist General Conference are different than those in years past. This year United Methodists, by a large majority, lifted the bans on gay clergy and same-sex wedding ceremonies and removed anti-gay language from our Social Principles. They also approved , a denominational restructuring plan to help de-center the United States and bring more parity to the church’s decision-making.

     Progressives, centrists, and traditionalists also came together to say no to any further form of disaffiliation. The voting numbers showed that The United Methodist Church is no longer a church divided.

     “I am a traditionalist in my theology who has chosen to remain United Methodist,” said the Rev. Pamela DeDea of United Methodist Temple in Lakeland, Florida. “I attended General Conference because I wanted to know firsthand how I would be received as traditionalist. I was welcomed just as Jesus welcomed everyone. I was and have been treated with respect by my progressive colleagues.

     She continued. “I will continue to pray for my friends and colleagues who have left The United Methodist Church. I pray for God’s peace and joy to flood all of our hearts and souls. I pray that we will all move forward being about God’s mission and ministry making disciples for Jesus.”

     The words “gender” and “ability” were added to the church’s constitution as attributes for which members could not be excluded. The General Conference also declared domestic violence a  chargeable offence.

     United Women in Faith also celebrates the support of petitions submitted by fellow agencies, groups, and individuals aligned on the causes of racial and climate justice and gender equity. 

     Our own Harriett Olson, former CEO and general secretary of United Women in Faith, was elected to Judicial Council, members , and many of our members will now also serve on the Interjurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy.

 

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