Maintaining our Commitment to Support Abundant Life for Women and Girls

Faith voices must speak up for women who are vulnerable. Our voice has been removed from the table of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice — a coalition comprised of partners from many faiths dedicated to women’s health — but we will continue to speak up for women and girls.

The United Methodist Church has long contributed biblical and theological understandings of life, abundance, and health to RCRC and also has benefited from the body of knowledge that exists around the table. The United Methodist voice consistently upholds The UMC’s deep and historic Wesleyan commitment to health care and our important understanding of the sacredness of life.

The context from which our church addresses women’s health is rooted in the grace that is exemplified in the Social Principle on the Nurturing Community. United Methodist churches must be in ministry with the whole person – created beings with spiritual, emotional and mental needs as well as physical needs.

The resolution on Global Health and Rights: Eradicating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence demonstrates that the global Church understands reproductive health in a broader context. Women with economic means will always have access to the health care they need. We must continue to ask questions about the impact of decisions made by the Church on women and girls living in poverty and where access to medical care is critically needed.

Consistent with the decades-long position of the Church (Social Principles ¶161.K), the General Board of Church and Society continues to be an advocate for a full range of safe and legal reproductive health care – including, in certain cases, the option to safely and legally end a pregnancy.

We will continue to uphold women as being made in the image of God and be a voice of reassurance that God is present to women and girls around the world.