Did you know that the United Methodist Church has Social Principles established by the General Conference that speak to many of the human relations, political, environmental, and economic issues of our contemporary time? Do you know what the UMC has to say about the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, the rights of women, energy use, gambling, the use of drugs and alcohol, population growth, genetic technology, etc.?

The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. Methodists care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The Social Principles and Book of Resolutions provide guides and models for helping us United Methodists relate a lively biblical faith to action in daily life. While we may not all agree with all of the Church's positions, they provide us with spiritual 'food for thought' and many offer guidance on important decisions in our lives concerning work, home, family life, and use of money or other resources.

This class, offered by the Church and Society Committee, will explore the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church through reflective reading and discussion. In addition, we will look at some of the issues discussed in the Book of Resolutions that are of particular interest to those participating in the class.