For Immediate Release
February 26, 2025
GCSRW ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Royya James, veteran United Methodist Communications staffer, assumes role in intra-agency partnership
Chicago – In the continued partnership between the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) and United Methodist Communications (UMCOM), Royya James, a veteran UMCom staff member, has been named GCSRW’s Director of Communications as part her portfolio of agency collaboration work. James assumed the responsibilities from UMCom’s Crystal Caviness, who led GCSRW’s communications efforts on an interim basis for the past six months.
The shared staffing relationship between GCSRW and UMCom has been in place since 2022 when UMCom launched what has become the Agency Partnership initiative. The goal of the partnership work, that also encompasses denominational entities along with The UMC’s general agencies, is to be at the forefront of The UMC’s communication efforts by fostering partnerships to create a stronger voice for The UMC while also efficiently stewarding the church’s resources.
“Over the years, GCSRW’s mission to work for full inclusion of women at every level of leadership in The UMC has increased to a level that has stretched both our human and financial resources. Having UMCom step in to support our ministry by providing IT equipment and support together with a creative team of dedicated communicators has meant that GCSRW can continue developing resources and telling our story to the church at crucial times to both educate and dispel misinformation,” explains Dawn Wiggins Hare, GCSRW’s general secretary.
“Providing a dedicated communicator has resulted in tremendous improvement in all areas of GCSRW’s communication efforts, including more accessible data and information systems, an upgraded database, a monthly e-newsletter and increased traffic across GCSRW.org and social media platforms,” she says. “We welcome Royya to the GCSRW family.”
James, who celebrates 20 years with UMCom in 2025, is well respected throughout the denomination for her work across two decades in a variety of roles, including working with the agency’s Igniting Ministry campaign and instrumental in coordinating the Welcoming Congregations Certification initiative. James also worked closely with local church, agency and conference communicators in offering various resources to enhance their communication ministry, in addition to her role as the executive director of the United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC). In her new role with UMCom’s Agency Partnership team, she also will work closely with Discipleship Ministries, and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) while continuing to serve on various boards across the church, including serving as the SEJ’s Black Methodist Church for Renewal’s communications chair, the Nashville chapter of the Religion Communicators Chapter’s treasurer, and the Black Staff Association of The UMC’s president.
“I have enjoyed working in communications ministry for The United Methodist Church and I am looking forward to this new opportunity to expand my portfolio through my work with GCSRW,” James says. “I’m excited to contribute in new ways, grow professionally and continue making a meaningful impact within the denomination.”
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Media contacts:
Crystal Caviness [email protected]
Royya James [email protected]