Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission

In Women United for Change: 150 Years in Mission, distinguished scholar of United Methodist Studies Ellen Blue invites us to explore and celebrate the history of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations. As Blue says, "Women have done some of the most important ministry the church has ever accomplished." Here she shares the voices and stories of our foremothers, including the former denominations that now compose The United Methodist Church. Despite serious resistance from churchmen, these women formed foreign missionary societies to provide education and health care for women and girls internationally, and home missionary societies that tackled racial justice and other pressing social issues at home. They also helped establish the deaconess program, the first opportunity in our tradition for large numbers of women to perform full-time ministries of service and justice, and opened the doors for women to take on leadership roles in many arenas. As our 150th anniversary approaches, United Methodist Women's ability to address the needs of women, children, and youth has grown tremendously. We can step out with creative ministries because the women who came before us laid a strong foundation for us to build upon. As we work together on critical issues, we also grow in our own faith. We are a 150-year-old women's movement still saying yes to God's call to mission. Ellen Blue is the Mouzon Biggs, Jr. Professor of the History of Christianity and United Methodist Studies at Phillips Theological Seminary and an ordained elder in the Louisiana Annual Conference. Her books include St. Mark's and the Social Gospel- Methodist Women and Civil Rights in New Orleans.