We’ve already begun celebrating
50 years of women’s clergy rights

We will celebrate 50 years of full clergy rights for women in the Methodist tradition next month in Corpus Christi.
We’ve already begun with another year of appointments. It’s interesting how the cabinet studies these appointments and then shares feedback with the Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
As I visit churches that are going through a pastoral change, I’m pleased that some say they’ve had a female pastor before and would prefer one again. What’s more important is that God is pleased!
At one pastoral introduction a man commented that he never had a female pastor and that it was about time! However, not all United Methodist congregations are like that. We still have resistant churches, and we must deal with that.
Judith TenElshof and Robert Saucy write in Women and Men in Ministry about the hope that women and men can minister more effectively in the future than in the past.
The San Angelo District Conference began May 20 with a “Celebration of Calling.” It marked 50 years of women in ministry in the Methodist Church and then the sending forth of women and men to their new appointments.
At the annual conference session in Corpus Christi, we’ll see a video and receive a history booklet. Both share stories of women’s ordination particular to Southwest Texas.
The Rev. Mary Elizabeth Raper will preach at the memorial service June 7. There will be a luncheon to celebrate rights of clergywomen June 8, and Bishop Ann Sherer of the Nebraska Area will preach June 10 during the ordination service.
The International United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation will meet in Chicago Aug. 13-17.
Paul said, “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).