Hoping the Past will Shape our Future

By The Rev. Karla Woggon, Alternate Clergy Deputy

My day started sharing breakfast with my mother; my best friend from seminary, The Rev. Debra Trakel; the retired bishop of Maine, the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen; the first woman bishop of the Episcopal Church, and retired bishop who served in Massachusetts and Washington, The Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris; five or six other bishops; several international visitors; and about 400 other women and men. We gathered to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the ordination of women and the 20^th anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Harris at the triennial breakfast of the Episcopal Women’s Caucus.

One of the speakers was Pamela Darling the author of a wonderful book about the history of women in the Episcopal Church: New Wine in old Wine Skins. I’d read her book in seminary 12 years ago but the history came to life as I sat at a table next to Bishop Harris. Bishop Harris the first woman ordained to the Episcopate was also present at the ordination of the first women in Philadelphia. At the time she was a business woman and served as the senior warden in the parish were the first eleven women were ordained. She was the crucifer for the service. After Bishop Harris shared her story we heard again the story of the struggle to include women in the full councils of the church. It is always shocking to me to remember that it was not until the early 1970's that women were allowed to serve as Deputies in the House of Deputies. It was shocking to hear again how reviled the first women priests were by many in the church and the society at large. Bishop Harris and the first women ordained to the priesthood received death threats and were often spat upon.

Following breakfast we walked across the street to the convention center to celebrate Eucharist with about 8000 people. The service was led by the Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts-Schori; the prayers were led by the president of the House of Deputies, Dr. Bonnie Anderson. The two deacons serving were the both women as well, because they are currently the president and vice president of the national deacons association. Women are fully included in all the councils of the church and in represented in all orders of the church. And yet there are still parishes in our church that do not accept or honor or recognize the ministry of women.

This afternoon I sat in the House of Deputies and listened to a debate about resolution D-025 which sought to find a way to honor our relationships within the Anglican Communion and also honor the gay and lesbian members of our church. The debate was more compassionate than it had been at previous conventions but there is not yet full consensus in the church. D-025 passed the House of Deputies and will now move to the House of Bishop's for their consideration.

I hope that 35 years from now we will be celebrating the fact that our church found a way to honor all the members of our community. I hope that we continue to find ways to raise up all who are called to serve. We need more not fewer servant leaders. I hope that 35 years from now we are celebrating the fact that we left this convention filled with an even greater desire to go out into the world and share the gospel's of Christ's wide open, grace filled love to all.