Sex and the Church

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) will present a series of articles that address critical aspects of human sexuality. The series, “Sex and the Church,” will run in GBCS’s electronic newsletter, Faith in Action. It will begin March 2 with “The Theology of Sexuality.”

Bishop Deborah Kiesey, GBCS board of directors president, and Jim Winkler, the social justice agency's chief executive, issued a joint statement announcing the monthly series.

It is important for us and the Church to address this issue and its impact on all of us.

“We see it almost every day in the news in one way or another: HIV & AIDS; rising divorce rates brought on by marital infidelity; teen pregnancy; homosexuality and homophobia. The topic is sexuality,” they say in their statement. “It is important for us and the Church to address this issue and its impact on all of us.”

They said “Sex and the Church” will provide theological, educational, scientific and sociological sustenance along with specific questions for dialogue and discernment.

Kiesey and Winkler point out that the United Methodist Social Principles describe human sexuality as “God’s good gift to all persons.” “Yet we also know that on this the Church has often remained silent or been too polarized,” they declare. “So GBCS has recruited some outstanding resource people to share their expertise on a number of key topics within the framework of human sexuality.”

Dr. Traci West, professor of Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School, Madison, N.J., wrote the series lead-off article, “The Theology of Sexuality.” West leads sexual ethics seminars and participated in a sexuality study that found seminaries in the United States are not adequately preparing future clergy to deal with sexuality issues despite ongoing debates within their denominations about issues such as homosexuality.

“Sexuality has to do with the way in which our bodies, our spirit and our mind respond to other people and to the way we understand our bodies as sensual,” West said.

Some of the other scheduled articles in the series include “Teaching Abstinence in a World Awash with Sex,” “The Myths of Sex: Sex, HIV and Gender,” “Cheaters Think They Prosper: Myths about Marital Infidelity,” “Politics of Sex,” “What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know,” “Surviving Rape,” “A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality,” “Clergy Living with AIDS and the Role of the Church,” and “Young People Speak out About Sex!”

Mike Ratliff, director of the United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People, and James Richie, author of United Methodist material on sexuality, are collaborating on the April article, “Sexuality in the Church — Best Practices.”

Other contributors to the series include Dr. Pauline Muchina, UNAIDS; the Rev. Debra Haffner, director of Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing; and the Rev. Steven Baines of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project at GBCS, is coordinating “Sex and the Church.”

It is an intrinsic part of our personhood and should be treated as sacred.

At the very least, they say “Sex and the Church” can generate dialogue for United Methodists as they try to honor the sacredness of this important part of living.

“We invite you to read each article and encourage others to do the same,” their statement says. “And as always we welcome and appreciate your comments.”

Faith in Action appears on GBCS’s website, www.umc-gbcs.org. Information on how to obtain a free subscription to the newsletter, which provides a roundup of education, advocacy, analysis and commentary on social justice issues, is available on the website.

Women’s Concerns

Through the Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project, the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society addresses issues specifically having an impact on women. Key issues of the project are HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, family planning and reproductive health, and human trafficking.

The Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project works collaboratively with other agencies and/or organizations on issues that affect women. Its partners include United Methodist Women, United Methodist General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Women's Edge Coalition, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Religious Advocates Working Group, and International Family Planning Coalition.

More information about the project and GBCS’s activities is available at Women’s Concerns.

Women’s and Children’s Action Network

Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project, supervises an “Action Network” that provides legislative updates, educational resources and identifies opportunities to act on issues. She sends action alerts periodically through e-mail on such topics as domestic violence, population growth, women’s, health, human trafficking, child marriage and child labor.

Joining the Women’s and Children’s Action Network is free: go to umpower.org or click on My GBCS on the General Board of Church & Society Web site, www.umc-gbcs.org. You can also contact Donna Brandyberry, (202) 488-5641.

Linda Bales can be reached at (202) 488-5649.