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Foundation Supports Socially Responsible Investing

The United Methodist Church has a long history of social involvement. John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, proclaimed, “the gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” Wesley believed and expected that “the people called Methodists” would be actively involved in their communities – feeding the hungry, tending the sick, visiting prisons and helping the poor.
The Georgia United Methodist Foundation follows the United Methodist policy of making a “conscious effort to invest in institutions, companies, corporations or funds whose practices are consistent with the goals outlined in the Social Principles” (¶716, The Book of Discipline 2008).

“Even though some may not be concerned with socially responsible investing, as a Foundation, we felt like it was important to take a stand and encourage people to invest responsibly,” said Foundation president Bob Fletcher. “This change, which took effect January 1, 2010, was truly driven by the desire to invest in a Christian manner while maintaining excellent performance.”

B. Michael Watson, Resident Bishop of the North Georgia Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, supports the Foundation’s investment decision. He said, “By investing in a socially responsible manner, the North and South Georgia conferences are assured that their resources, while earning competitive financial returns, are being used to uphold Church values, encourage sustainable and more responsible business practices among companies, and help low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the communities in which they live. Conference members can be proud that such investing honors the Social Principles of the Church while making a positive difference in the world.”