For all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:27-29.
Welcome to March 2021 and to Women’s History Month. One of my favorite topics is history and I am grateful for the time to honor women in history and specifically, women of Methodism. Of course, one of the first things that I did was to “Google it.” The number one result, https://www.umc.org/en/content/timeline-of-women-in-methodism. I encourage you to check this site out!
This page names numerous women and their role in history. As I scrolled down the list and read each accomplishment, I praised God and offered up my thanks. Each name and each deed laid the foundation so that I (and many others) would be leaders in the church, lay, ordained and/or commissioned. These pioneers of faith broke down barriers, of both gender and race, to bring the United Methodist Church to where we are today.
The Wisconsin Conference’s quadrennium theme is, Radical Inclusion and Racial Justice. As I contemplate on this theme, I offer up prayers of gratitude for the radical inclusion of women in church leadership, as licensed local pastors, as ordained clergy, as a Bishop, as the Council of Bishop’s President, and so much more. I am grateful for the women who demonstrated a faith lived out that gave me the courage to answer the call, “Yes, Lord, here am I.” I lift these women by name and encourage each of you to name those that have gone before you – blazing a path of example, mentorship, and courage.
Thank you, Lord, for (name your own_______) (Linda, Rita, Mary Gay, Kate, Amanda, Sharon, Anita, Linda, Carol, and Velma) for being an example of Your abiding grace and love. Help us to be all that You have called us to be and embrace each other as You have called others to be. Lord, may we honor the other. In Your Holy name we pray. Amen.