As The United Methodist Church approaches a major legislative gathering that will determine the future of the denomination, Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, talks about the agency’s role in the church and several pieces of legislation dealing with gender equality.
Wiggins Hare spoke with UM News as part of a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on legislation to be considered by General Conference delegates.
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Legislative priorities
Wiggins Hare discusses legislation the agency is submitting to address “gaps” in the Book of Discipline with regards to equality for women.
An apology to victims of sexual misconduct
Calling it “the first step that is necessary for healing,” Wiggins Hare talks about the need for a formal denomination-wide apology to victims of sexual misconduct within the church.
The scale of sexual misconduct
Wiggins Hare reports that the agency continued to receive weekly calls about misconduct even through the COVID-19 pandemic, showing that sexual misconduct is still a problem throughout the church.
Adding “gender”#
The passage in the United Methodist Constitution that discusses discrimination does not explicitly state that a person cannot be discriminated against on basis of gender. Wiggins Hare explains why that addition is “critically important.”
Eradication of sexism in the church
“We, as a church, have said, it is part of ourDNA to seek to eradicate sexism,” Wiggins Hare said. She explains why stating that goal as a priority in the Book of Resolutions is important.
The importance of response teams
Just as churches have response teams for natural disasters, Wiggins Hare said churches should also have response teams in place for any sexual misconduct complaints that may arise.
Monitoring other legislation
In addition to its own submissions, Wiggins Hare said the agency will be paying attention to all legislation that has to do with having any effect, positive or negative, on women and girls.
Monitoring at General Conference
Wiggins Hare describes the agency’s task during General Conference of monitoring committees for gender and racial diversity in both membership and leadership.
‘Your voice is important’
Wiggins Hare encourages all women attending General Conference to be empowered to speak up.
Sexism is still in the church
While celebrating achievements for women, Wiggins Hare notes that there continues to be a huge disparity in leadership at the local church level and at annual conference leadership church level across the general church.