wfn.org | United Methodist Women consider spiritual growth possibilities

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

April 21, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-71B{211}

STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) - Is spirituality anything more than a popular
buzzword among those seeking the meaning of life through self-help books or
meditation sessions?

For United Methodist Women (UMW), spiritual growth has long been a
foundation of the organization. But it is considered a process, not a
guarantee of salvation, according to Joyce Sohl, chief executive of the
Women's Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The Women's
Division is UMW's administrative body; its directors had their spring
meeting April 16-19.

Spiritual growth, Sohl said during the meeting, "is about each of us
learning to listen to God's voice within our lives; it is about developing a
deep relationship with God; it is about self-knowledge and understanding; it
is about prayer and spiritual disciplines; it is about transformation in
order to become more Christ-like."

She suggested possibilities for providing a wider variety of spiritual
growth opportunities to UMW members. Those include:

*	Using the Sabbath as a time for worship, peace and "replenishing of
the soul" rather than doing laundry or housecleaning; setting aside a
"sabbatical" of at least two consecutive days each year for rest and
contemplation and following the custom of  "jubilee" by periodically setting
aside a time to consider issues of justice and peace.
*	Incorporating aspects of  African-American spirituality, which
praises God but also presents God with laments. "Those of us in white,
middle-class units/churches can learn from our black sisters about lament,"
Sohl said. "We spend a great deal of time praising God and, I contend, not
enough time struggling with the real issues with God."
*	Taking advantage of the religious writings collected over the
centuries. "This literature has been tested by time and can still serve as
spiritual guidance for the individual seeker," she noted.
*	Expressing new visions of mission through music and art.

In related action, Women's Division directors agreed that Sohl should
develop a Lenten devotional resource for 2000. The resource will be based on
hymns and songs composed by women. Also approved was the preparation of a
written resource on hymns written by women, with the possible addition of a
CD or audiotape.

In other business, directors endorsed a resolution to use organically grown,
"fairly traded" coffee and tea for hospitality purposes, and agreed to
encourage UMW units and local churches to do the same.

The purpose is to help the small farmers who grow two-thirds of the world's
coffee. Buying coffee from companies with fair trade certification ensures
that farmers receive a minimum price. The resolution noted that "fair trade
means fair prices, respect for workers rights, care for the earth, quality
(instead of ) charity and consumer responsibility."

Directors learned about the "Free School Clubs" organization, which was
founded by students and parents in Salt Lake City, and approved an $11,000
grant for a "regional meeting of diverse students" to discuss such issues as
hate crimes, bigotry, diversity and civil rights.

After the formation of the East High Gay/Straight Alliance at a Salt Lake
City school, the school board there banned all non-academic,
extra-curricular student groups. The banned clubs include such diverse
groups as Students Against Drunk Driving, the Young Republicans, Young
Democrats and the Chinese Checkers Club.

One director asked whether supporting the Free School Clubs would be seen as
supporting homosexuality since the East High Gay/Straight Alliance is
directly involved.

Lois Dauway, the staff executive in charge of the division's Christian
Social Responsibility section, explained that the grant would be used to
help Free School Clubs broaden their discussions on such issues as
discrimination and bigotry. She noted that the Gay/Straight Alliance in
particular offered a variety of participants, including those who have a gay
family member or want to understand about differences in orientation, a
place to talk. "We're not funding anything that is promoting sexual
orientation," she said.

The grant also is considered a way for the Women's Division to comply with
the "Teens At Risk" resolution adopted by the 1996 United Methodist General
Conference, the denomination's top legislative body. The resolution
recognizes that teens dealing with questions about sexual orientation are at
a greater risk of suicide, and it specifically asks the Women's Division to
offer methods of support.

"These are the teens who are going through an identity crisis," said Shan
Yohan, a director from Atlanta, as she and others voiced their support for
the grant.

During the meeting, directors also:

*	Endorsed the development of a pilot project called "Green Teams"
with a $96,850 grant. The project will identify, train and support selected
women as environmental justice advocates.
*	Elected Dawn Fooklyn Chung, currently financial controller of CCH
Asia Pte. Limited in Singapore, as controller of the Women's Division,
effective July 1. She is a member of Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church.
*	Approved a grant of $100,000 for the renovation campaign for the
United Methodist Building, Board of Church and Society, in Washington.
*	Approved more than $200,000 from the offering taken at the 1998
Women's Assembly to national and international projects empowering women.
*	Listened to a presentation by Alice Knotts, author of Fellowship of
Love: Methodist Women Changing American Racial Attitudes, about the need for
truth-telling and equality in the face of hate.

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