|
Index
Notes on the Celebration of Clergywomen
The
Rocky Mountain Conference Community gathered for opening worship
Wednesday Evening, June 21, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
full clergy rights for women in the Methodist tradition.
Speaking to the gathered assembly, Bishop Brown reminded us
of how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go to become
a fully inclusive church, and to welcome all persons whom God
has called into ministry.
The celebration began with a procession of multicolored ribbons
floating above the congregation and on the wrists of all the
women in the processional. There were enough women (over 200)
to surround the entire congregation!
The altar was covered with bright cloth and candles (enough
to raise some concerns about the fire alarms!).
The Call to Worship recognized the call to women throughout
time, from women in the Bible: Eve, Sarah, Rebecca, Ruth, Mary,
Priscilla, and Dorcas, to women in the Methodist, Church of the
United Brethren, the Methodist Protestant Church and the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Canada. Some of these women included Susanna
Wesley, Jarena Lee, Charity Opheral, Minnie Jackson, Frances
Bigelow and Margaret Scheve. Each group was read and a verse
of "Lord, You Give the Great Commission" was sung.
A Time of Remembrance named those of the Rocky Mountain Conference
who were the pioneer clergywomen and who had died.
Bishop Minerva Carcaño was introduced and preached on
Matthew 26:6-13, the story of the woman with an alabaster jar
of expensive ointment who annointed Jesus. Jesus' comment was "it
was a beautiful thing." Bishop Carcano told about her assurance
of God's love and her early awareness of a call to ministry,
and how beautiful a thing it was. Several other stories witnessed
to the beauty of God's call, the extravagant outpouring of God's
love.
After receiving an offering for Camp Joy, the sending forth
challenged us to new visions and to remember those who still
struggle to be accepted and included in the ministry.
The service was designed by Barbara Johns-Schleicher, Margaret
Rush Hankins, Donna Patterson, and Melanie Rosa. Information
for the service was taken from "Courageous Past -- Bold
Future: the Journey Toward Full Clergy Rights for Women in The
United Methodist Church." (UMC.org resources)
by Ben Roe, Information Administrator, RMCUMC
Index
|
