General Commission on the Status and Role of Women

09/11/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 (US and Canada) to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The United Methodist Church affirms that every life is sacred and that su***de does not separate a person from the grace and love of God. We are called to respond to people experiencing suicidal thoughts – and to those grieving a su***de loss – with compassion, hope and support rather than judgment or stigma.

If you or someone you know needs help
In the United States and its territories or Canada, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis. You can also contact 988 if you are concerned about someone else. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Su***de is not God's plan for our lives, but it is not unforgivable. Learn what you can do to help those who struggle with suicidal thoughts.

09/10/2026

Rev. Katrena King, Director of Monitoring and Resource Development, teaches how to conduct a salary study. Use this great resource to begin doing salary and appointment equity work in your annual conference today!

Join Katrena King, GCSRW Director of Monitoring and Resource Develo...

09/09/2026

Read General Secretary, Rev. Stephanie York Arnold's, latest reflection on the wisdom gleaned from her time with the African College of Bishops.

"Bishop Mujinga Kashala, the newest bishop elected in Africa, shared how vital she believes these conversations and trainings are within their culture. She spoke of how women are struggling and need this support, and she validated what the training had shared, expressing a deep desire to see real change.

Retired Bishop Joaquine F. Nhanala closed the conversation by reminding her fellow bishops just how real these struggles are for women across Africa. “You may not be able to look at a woman and know what she has experienced,” she said, “because she has learned to hide it, but other women know their shared struggles.” She spoke of the taboos in her culture that keep mothers from talking to daughters about s*x but then reminded the room of the powerful role Aunties play in the lives of young women, the ones who can have these conversations when mothers cannot. Then, encouraging the continued work between GCSRW and the African bishops she told her peers plainly: “Culture is made by people, and we can change culture.”"

Link to the full article in the comments.

09/08/2026

GCSRW General Secretary (GS) Rev. Stephanie York Arnold hosted a conversation with General Commission on Archives and History GS Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Commission on Finance and Administration GS Caitlin Congdon, and the Connectional Table’s Chief Connectional Ministries Officer Judi Kenaston to discuss how they are leading during this season in their lives. Though United Women in Faith GS Sally Vonner was unavailable for this discussion, we look forward to hearing from her in future discussions!

General Commission on the Status and Role of Women General Secretar...

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Are you interested in becoming a delegate for General Conference?
We're excited to partner with our friends at United Women in Faith to host this webinar to help women become delegates!

We'll offer 2 session:
- Sept. 23rd at 12pm CST
- Sept. 24th at 6pm CST

Registration links in comments!

09/02/2026

As Do No Harm approaches, we celebrate the Annual Conferences who are represented among registrants so far (as of 8/27/26)! Shown in dark purple are the Annual Conferences who have enrolled in group registration for professional development (designating 5+ church leaders to attend), and in light purple, Annual Conferences with at least 1 person registered for professional development. Help us fill in this map by registering your Annual Conference today! (Registration link in comments)

Thank you:
Horizon (not shown)
Florida
Alabama-West Florida
North Alabama
Tennessee Western Kentucky
North Carolina
Virginia
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Indian Missionary
Texas
Arkansas
Susquehanna
New York
Eastern Pennsylvania
Greater New Jersey
Upper New York
New England
Michigan
East Ohio
West Ohio
Illinois Great Rivers
Iowa
Minnesota
Alaska
California-Nevada
Desert Southwest
Pacific Northwest
Georgia
Holston
Western North Carolina
Indiana
Northern Illinois
Wisconsin
Dakotas
Missouri
Peninsula-Delaware
West Virginia
Western Pennsylvania

09/01/2026

What a privilege to be in Liberia for the African College of Bishops' Meeting! Today, Dr. Tyler Schwaller (Director of Sexual Ethics) led a time of teaching about complaint processes. We are grateful for our friends and leaders around the Connection!

08/31/2026

Many expanded parental leave policies have been passed across the United States as AC COSROW groups lead this important effort! Great job, Alabama-West Florida Conference UMC!

(COSROW) - The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in partnership with Annual Conference COSROWs across the connection, seek to help ...