Chicago, Illinois – Starting September 14, the Annual Conference COSROWs will host virtual gatherings on a monthly basis until April 25. The chats will be led by the Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears, the newly appointed Director of Leadership Development and Accountability for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), an ordained elder in the New York Annual Conference and a lifelong United Methodist. During the gatherings, members can connect, learn, and share within the COSROW community, and engage in insightful discussions.
“AC COSROWs are uniquely positioned to make incredible changes within their respective conferences,” said Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears. “Our goal is to offer opportunities for networking, resource sharing and idea exchange in a welcoming environment.”
GCSRW strives to equip the advocates with guidance and resources to do the work of championing full inclusion of women at all levels of leadership in the church in their local contexts.
Scheduled sessions will take place online at 11:30 am ET on select dates and cover varying topics including:
- September 14th - Charge Conference
- October 12th - How to Revive AC-COSROWs: Making space for Holy Conversations
- November 9th - Care taker, pastor, chauffeur: Who is caring for you?
- January 11th - Her Voice Matters: Roberts Rules Review
- February 8th - Monitors training
- March 14th - Everything General Conference
Registration is required for each session. To register for the September 14 visit, visit Meeting Registration - Zoom.
“The Book of Discipline tasks each AC COSROW with the work of raising awareness about the status of women and working with leaders of our churches, districts and conferences to move towards the full and equal participation of women in the total life of the church,” said Rev Dr. Smartt Sears.
All United Methodist annual conferences are required by the Book of Discipline to have a Commission on the Status and Role of Women (AC COSROW). You can find a description of the annual conference COSROW’s purpose and responsibilities in The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church in Resolution #8021- Functions of an Annual Conference COSROW. Annual conferences are also required to fund the group's work.
If you would like to connect with COSROW leaders in your annual conference; learn more about planning actions; start a COSROW in your conference, church, or district; or seek information about the General Commission, email Rev. Dr. Smartt Sears at dsears@gcsrw.org.
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About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women:
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God's human family. They believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church's mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media contact:
312-346-4900
adelgado@gcsrw.org