Program Unit Online June Annual Meeting 2026

Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Unit

Call for Proposals

Theme: Women's Ordination in Worldwide Wesleyan Traditions

Methodism and many holiness-brands around the world share rich Wesleyan roots, yet they flourish in a multitude of contexts and societies, manifesting unique interpretations and practices. As the United Methodist Church in 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of full clergy rights for women in one of its predecessor denominations, The Methodist Church, it is essential to recognize that many other branches of Methodism across the world have embraced female clergy, pastors and preachers long before this milestone. Together, they reflect the deep-seated tradition of female leadership and ministry within Methodism and the broader holiness movements.

Across the world, compelling narratives exist about pioneering women who shattered barriers and embraced their callings, often finding strong support from their communities. Today, women continue to hold significant positions, influence, and impact within the Wesleyan and Methodist churches, yet must also confront challenges related to their roles in ministry, including the metaphorical “stained-glass ceiling” and pervasive prejudices.

This session invites scholars to delve into the history of female clergy, as well as to examine current struggles and triumphs within various global and contextual settings. We encourage submissions that highlight the interplay of history, social dynamics, and the ongoing journey of women in ministry across cultural contexts of Wesleyan and Methodist churches and spaces.

Statement of Purpose

This Unit seeks to promote the critical understanding and appropriation of Wesleyan and Methodist traditions. Our sessions are purposefully structured to encourage not only historical/sociological studies, but also theological reflection, critique, and extension. We understand Wesleyan traditions to include Methodist, Holiness, and other related strands of Christian tradition.

Chair	Mail	Dates
Jung Choi	jchoi@div.duke.edu	2022/01/01 - 2027/12/31	View
Natalya Cherry, Brite Divinity School	natalyacherry@gmail.com	2024/01/01 - 2029/12/31	View

Steering Member	Mail	Dates
Charles Rivera	riverac@wfu.edu	2024/01/01 - 2029/12/31	View
Daniel Castelo, Duke University	daniel.castelo@duke.edu	2026/01/01 - 2031/12/31	View
Emily Nelms Chastain, Southern Methodist…	enelmschastain@smu.edu	2026/01/01 - 2031/12/31	View
Hilde Marie Øgreid	hilde.m.movafagh@mf.no	2024/01/01 - 2029/12/31	View
Jermaine Marshall	drjjmarshall@gmail.com	2022/01/01 - 2027/12/31	View
Sergei Nikolaev, Moscow Theological Seminary…	president.msumc@gmail.com	2023/01/01 - 2028/12/31	View
Steven Hoskins	shoskins@trevecca.edu	2024/01/01 - 2029/12/31	View

Review Process: Participant names are visible to chairs but anonymous to steering committee members until after final acceptance/rejection

To ensure fairness and impartiality, we have implemented a blind review process for evaluating session proposals. This approach emphasizes the merit of the proposals, independent of the proposers' identities. Additionally, we have taken steps to address any potential imbalances in terms of ethnicity, gender, and traditions, further underscoring our commitment to inclusivity and equity. We have wholeheartedly embraced the suggestion from the external reviewer to address any over-representation of presenters from specific groups, demonstrating our dedication to promoting diverse and heterogeneous sessions.
In the event that paper proposals lack representation from diverse backgrounds, the steering committee takes proactive measures to enhance inclusivity within the session. For instance, if there is an imbalance in gender representation among presenters, we ensure diversity by appointing a session chair and respondent to reflect varied gender and ethnic backgrounds.