The Book of Discipline clearly states that the United Methodist Church is an open organization, McAnally said. We have no secrets. Unlike many private charities and TV ministries, our records are open to anyone. Because of this I think the United Methodist Church experiences an unusual degree of credibility and trust. For the Women s Division to close their December meeting is a violation of both the spirit and letter of the law as found in our Book of Discipline, McAnally continued.
Church members expect their governmental organizations to operate openly.
Cynthia Astle, editor of The United Methodist Reporter agreed. I m also appalled that the Women s Division would come so close to flouting the law of the church, she said. Astle cited Pragraph 721 of The Book of Discipline, which establishes that church meetings may be closed for only limited reasons, such as discussions about personnel or real estate matters. The Women s Division is funded by United Methodist Women. Tell your local United Methodist Women s President that you disagree with the Women s Division policy of holding closed meetings, especially when they involve training events for young people.