The Fortieth Anniversary of the Ordination of Women in the Episcopal Church
July 29, 1974
by the Rev. William P. McLemore“Mary has chosen the better part.” (Luke 10:42b)
Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary might be a turning point for women in ministry in the Christian church. Martha served, and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to what he was saying. When Martha complained, Jesus acknowledged her worry and busyness but commended Mary’s interest in theology. We have evidence that there were women presbyters in the early church but as time passed, the office of ordained ministers became limited to men.
The dialog in the Episcopal Church about women as ministers began as early as 1855 when the Rt. Rev. William R. Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland, established two women in the role of deaconesses. From that date until 1965, the church struggled with the concept of deaconesses as to whether they were in Holy Orders or were lay deaconesses. However, in 1965, the Rt. Rev. James Albert Pike, Bishop of California, recognized Deaconess Phyllis Edwards as a Deacon. A year later, the House of Bishops approved the concept of ordaining women and asked Lambeth Conference to consider such ordinations. In 1970, General Convention almost passed a canon for the ordination of women but it narrowly failed in the Clerical House.
After years of wrangling about the issue, on July 29, 1974, two retired and one resigned bishop ordained 11 women deacons as priests at the Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Immediately, the Presiding Bishop, John Allin, called an emergency meeting of the House of Bishops, August 15th, which asserted that the ordinations were not valid. Frustrated, on September 7, 1975, another retired bishop ordained four women deacons at the Episcopal Church of St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation, Washington, DC. This evidently worked because the General Convention in September 1976, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, voted to ordain women to the priesthood and episcopate. One month later, in November, the Anglican Church of Canada began ordaining women.
My personal experience with women’s ordination, myself having been ordained Deacon in 1965 (the year Bishop Pike made Deaconess Edwards a Deacon) and Priest in 1966, eight years before the Philadelphia 11, has been one of joy and celebration. Bishop Stough invited a woman to celebrate the Eucharist at a clergy conference shortly after General Convention approved such ordinations. I felt a wonderful warmth in her presence at the altar. I’ve always felt that God is both masculine and feminine and will always believe that the Holy Spirit has made the incarnation of this a part of every aspect of our ordained ministry. I believe I was led by the Holy Spirit when I met and married Lori several years after my wife’s death. And, I believe St. Paul’s, here in McHenry, was also moved by the Holy Spirit, when in October 1983, the Rev. Marion Mailey was called to be the rector; the first such call in the Diocese of Chicago. Truly, as Jesus said to Mary and Martha, “Mary has chosen the better part.”
Thoughts from Lori+
Last week, I participated in a Living Compass (LC) training session for “Congregational Wellness Advocates.” From Thursday evening through late Saturday afternoon, we focused on ways to promote and encourage wellness in our congregations. And since wellness involves every aspect of our lives – heart, soul, strength, and mind (to use the familiar biblical language), those are the key features of this approach to wellness.
You may remember that last year St. Paul’s hosted a one-day Living Compass mini-retreat. It was attended by about 20 people from our deanery (the geographic group of Episcopal churches St. Paul’s is in) which introduced us to the basic methods of LC, the goal of which is to help us find balance in our lives. Most of us would agree, I think, that balance is sorely lacking in our often frantic and/or isolated lives.
Living Compass was developed by Scott and Holly Stoner. [Scott is the brother of our own Beth Lukas, so we have a special connection!] Their work began in Milwaukee and is steadily expanding to reach across the country. Recently, thanks to a generous benefactor, the previously unused fifth floor of the diocesan office building at 65 E. Huron has been transformed into the Nicolas Center. It is a state-of-the-art retreat and conference center in the heart of Chicago, capable of hosting 12 to 15 individuals for training events, vestry retreats, and other special gatherings.
Living Compass is designed to be available in three formats. One is simply information in the form of brochures for use by individuals. These will be available at St. Paul’s in August after being introduced to the vestry. The topics currently available include the following:
Wellness for Parents Mindful Eating Forgiveness Building Healthy Relationships Grief and Loss Spiritual Practices Aging Well and Emotional WellnessThe second format is in the form of four-week groups designed to casually explore a particular issue such as parenting, aging, retirement, or grief – just to name a few. The third format is in the form of more in-depth ten-week groups, similar to the shorter groups, but requiring more of a commitment. When we get to this phase, all of these formats will be offered here at St. Paul’s in such a way as to make them accessible to everyone, including day-time and evening groups. Meanwhile, you can expect to hear more about Living Compass in the days ahead and throughout the year. Our use of and participation in this opportunity promises to enrich us as individuals and as parish.
Thanks be to God and to those who have made this ministry of balance and wholeness available to us.
Available for your convenience
For the ease and convenience of those of us who need special assistance, we have a wheelchair and two walkers available for use here at the church. In some cases, that might make attendance easier than unloading your own wheelchair or walker. Feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. Also, the clergy are most willing to take Communion to you in your seat. Simply let the usher or the celebrant know of your request.
Men’s Breakfast resumes
All men of the parish (and their friends) are welcome to share breakfast and conversation at 8am on Saturday, August 2nd, at Kim & Patty’s.
Women’s Wednesday returns!
The first Wednesday in August, the 6th, at 7pm all women of the parish (and friends) are invited to meet for wine, refreshments, and conversation.
Blues, Brews, and Barbeque
The Rotary Club of McHenry is hosting its third annual BB&B August 1 – 3 at Petersen Park. Rotary has been a frequent benefactor to our Diaper Bank and of other worthy local and international good works. Both Lori and Bill are members of this club and have tickets available.
August 3rd Servants:
Ushers: Bob Backer, Terry Jaworski Lector: Rick Carlstedt Intercessor: Judy Robel Eucharistic Ministers: Deb Lang, Charlie Boak Vestry Person of the Day: Pam DietmeyerAltar Flowers
Please contribute to the beauty of our worship by dedicating the altar flowers. The suggested donation is $35, and your dedication may be “in memorial for…” or “in thanksgiving for…” There is a calendar of Sundays on the bulletin board in the narthex where you can sign up. Your dedication will be listed in the Sunday service bulletin on the appropriate date. Thank you so much for adding to our worship in this way.
Summer Diaper Drive is still going on!
The summer months are vacation months for many of us, including schools, organizations, and charities. Consequently, there is little activity for donations and diaper drives. But as you know, baby’s bottoms don’t take vacations EVER. St. Paul’s Diaper Bank is in need of children’s diapers, especially size 5’s. Here’s the great news! St. Paul’s Church will be conducting a diaper drive on behalf of the Diaper Bank in June, July, and August. Please help us by bringing your diaper donations to church on Sunday mornings. We will also accept monetary donations. Checks should be made out to the “St. Paul’s Diaper Bank.” Let’s make this a huge success! Remember, every little bottom counts.
June Collection = 619 July (as of 7/30) = 556From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore
1965 – 2014.
101 Reasons to be Episcopal
Reason 9
“Anglicans do good deeds to increase understanding of God, not out of fear or to earn admission to heaven.”
Robert L. Neal III, Diocese of Chicago
