Wisdom Talks April 2025

In Case You Missed the Webinar:
A Conversation on Intersectionality & Equity

GCSRW recently hosted a webinar on intersectionality and equity in The United Methodist Church, featuring General Secretaries Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (GCORR) and Rev. Stephanie York Arnold (GCSRW).

If you missed the webinar, we encourage you to watch the recording. The conversation highlighted the importance of fostering a more just and equitable church and emphasized the significance of voting YES on Ballots #2 and #3 to ratify Paragraph 4, Article IV, and Article V-Racial Justice aligning with The United Methodist Social Principles.

Watch the webinar

Monitoring for 2025 Annual Conferences

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), as mandated by The Book of Discipline ¶2102, is charged with monitoring the practices of The United Methodist Church. This responsibility allows us to assess and report on how effectively we are living into our commitment to being a welcoming Church that creates intentional space for laity, clergy, non-binary individuals, and persons with disabilities to fully participate in the life and leadership of the Church.

Downloadable resources are available to help prepare for annual conference monitoring. Additional materials include a PowerPoint presentation and a printable postcard to share information about the Ratification of Paragraph 4, Article IV, Ballot # 2.

Download AC-COSROW Monitoring Resources

GCSRW Holds Spring 2025 Board of Directors Meeting

Glenview, IL / Rosemont, IL - Passing the mantle of leadership was a highlight when the General Commission on the Status and Role Women (GCSRW) Board of Directors gathered for its Spring Meeting, March 7-8. In addition to celebrating the retirement of General Secretary Dawn Wiggins Hare and installing the new top executive, the Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the board focused on the agency’s ongoing commitment to the work of advocating for full participation of women in the total life of the Church.

Board members received the following updates:

The ongoing work of the Ratification Task Force focused on adding “gender” and “ability” to Paragraph 4, Article IV of the UMC Constitution.
Reports from staff on annual conference monitoring, sexual ethics training, and leadership development.
Financial updates that reflect both the challenges and commitments of a General Conference year, including the upcoming 2024 audit and projected budgets for the 2025–2028 quadrennium.

Read the full press release

Join us for the May Coffee Chat:
"Ratification of Paragraph 4, Article IV: Planning for Shared Action"

We’re excited to welcome Rev. April Casperson, GCSRW Board Member and Chair of the Task Force for the Ratification of Paragraph 4, Article IV.

This conversation will increase our understanding of the impact of adding “gender” and “ability” as protected categories in United Methodist Church membership.

In 2025, every voting member across all 130 annual conferences worldwide will have the opportunity to vote on Paragraph 4, Article IV, Ballot #2 — an essential step toward a more inclusive and welcoming community of faith.

The Coffee Chat is scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at 11:30 AM (ET) | 10:30 AM (CT) | 9:30 AM (MT) | 8:30 AM (PT).