Clergywomen's Celebration
A look was taken at a General Conference in the 1950s that hotly debated whether or not women should be granted full clergy rights. A discussion ensued about perhaps letting women who were single or widowed to be granted rights, but not those who were married. There were some voices that stood up for women saying women would bring dignity to the position. Some women also had the opportunity to speak; some for - some against - full rights. Full clergy rights were added to the 1956 Discipline.
Click here to listen to Bishop Rader's sermon. Bishop Kammerer introduced Bishop Sharon Rader, the evening's guest preacher. Bishop Rader told the story of Marjorie Swank Matthews who was the first woman elected bishop in 1980, 25 years after full clergy rights for women and 21 years after becoming the first woman in Michigan for probationary ordination.
Like the ancient text of Esther we have to read between the lines of the dialogue (from that early General Conference). Not once does the Book of Esther mention God but God's action in history is clearly implied. FOr the author of Esther there must be a God. There are not promises, just th eoption of living in the posture of profound faith.
Bishop Rader The bishop talked about Georgia Harkness (April 21, 1891-1974) who wrote extensively about women using their God-given gifts. "She was a woman for such a time as this. Like Esther, she knew what she needed to do and say. She stood firm in a posture of profound faith," Rader said. Harkness was a Christian theologian in the Methodist tradition. Harkness has been described as one of the first significant American female theologians and was important in the movement to gain ordination for women in American Methodism. Teaching at the Garrett Biblical Institute and later at the Pacific School of Religion, she was also one of the first women to teach theology in a seminary, and became a leading figure in the modern ecumenical movement. "The journeys of women have not always been easy," Rader said. "Our authority has been challenged. Our relationships suspect, but we have stood in a line, in a tradition, each in her own place in such a time as this." A video was shown featuring 86-year-old Bishop Leontinue T.C. Kelly who brought greetings. "Teeny" was the first African American woman elected as a bishop. She was assigned to the San Francisco area and retired in 1988. Ribbons were included in the printed program. The Rev. Rhonda VanDyke Colby had people share the ribbons as signs of gratitude and hope. The ribbons were remnants from the commemorative stole project and the clergywomen's weaving that appeared in front of the auditorium.
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"Weaving a Courageous Past into a Bold Future" was the theme of Tuesday evening's 50-year celebration of full clergy rights for women. The procession of Virginia Conference clergywomen was led into the auditorium by liturgical dancers and drum beats.
Matthews episcopal stole was too long but she said it was her way of "connecting with people." "She was not tall in stature, but stood very tall," said Rader. She was 64 when elected for the North Central Jurisdiction and was bishop for the state of Wisconsin. "In those four years she offered new leadership," Rader said. "She changed the structure of the church and started new congregations. Marjorie traveled and she was an example across the globe. She got hate mail, death threats and love letters. She was isolated in the Council of Bishops, being the first woman there. She preached and she preached. She knew the Bible and was eager to share the story of God's redemption. I believe she was exactly the right woman to share God's vision in 1980." Bishop Rader was elected to Wisconsin years later. "Her commitment made my job easier."