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UMW, UMM join in fight against domestic violence

By Sumayya Coleman

Through testimonies, insights, questions and action planning, about 20 Baltimore-Washington Conference leaders of United Methodist Women (UMW) and United Methodist Men (UMM) grappled with the problem of domestic violence and abuse at a recent meeting to initiate their collaborative search for faith-based solutions.

The Nov. 11 gathering at the conference mission center followed a commitment the two groups made during a luncheon at the 2012 annual conference to join forces in the fight against the epidemic of violence and sexual abuse that harms and destroys countless homes, families and lives. This first step provided a brief but poignant orientation about the problem, some intense reactions and an initial planning session to determine a strategy for collective advocacy and action.

Watching the video testimony of Bishop Roderick Mitchell from Mississippi about violence suffered as a child by his father invigorated the group. Now, he is credited as one of the White House Champions of Change for dealing with men and abuse. This prompted questions and discussion about the destructive impact and memories of family violence that crosses generations, questions of sin, forgiveness and choice, and the prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse as contributing factors. They realized much more training is needed to make real social change regarding this horrific issue.

The search for truth and understanding is tough, especially for churches, which have the authority and responsibility to declare domestic violence a sin and the mandate to show compassion to both victim and abuser. People of faith must recognize their inherent power to heal wounds caused by physical, emotional and spiritual abuse that usurps victims of the abundant life that Jesus the Christ longs for them to have. Story-telling from the group made this covenant more binding, urgent, and motivated forward thinking about the fruit.

The United Methodist Church, through its Book of Resolutions and Social Principles, affirms “the sacredness of all persons and their right to safety, nurture and care” and recognizes that “family violence and abuse in all its forms… is detrimental to the covenant of the human community.”

The denomination’s men’s and women’s organizations have agreed to work together against domestic violence and abuse. Baltimore-Washington may be one of the few conferences that have acted on that national commitment.

In addition the conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) and several local churches also educates and conduct ministries to reach and serve victims and advocate for services. But more commitment by women and men is needed to heal the wounds of the human spirit and of communities in crisis.

Conference leaders of United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women intend to meet again in the coming weeks and months to advance their strategic plan, mobilize their memberships and execute action steps, as they pray over their covenant and promote their efforts.

Sumayya Coleman is a consultant, advocate and organizer working with churches, communities and state and national coalitions against domestic violence. She is vice-president of the UMW at Emory Fellowship UMC in Washington, DC.