Inside the July, the new Rev. Bronwen Boswell is actually appointed Pretending Stated Clerk of one's General Construction of your own Presbyterian Chapel (U.S.A.), pursuing the senior years of one's Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II.
When requested from the reports solution from the their new part, Boswell told you, “I'm humbled and thrilled through this possible opportunity to serve brand new denomination in this way. It's a visit, by the COGA [Committee with the Workplace of your own Standard System] together with Holy Spirit.” Like other Presbyterian female prior to their own, she's got increased to the right position out of leadership when you look at the believe no matter if strength, passions additionally the elegance of God.
The latest naming out-of Boswell as stated Clerk echoes other firsts, and other female frontrunners, in the Presbyterian records – Louisa Woosley, Margaret Towner, Rachel Henderlite, Katie G. Cannon and Thelma Adair becoming a few who are worried.
The newest Rev. Louisa Woosley turned the original woman minister away from checklist out-of an enthusiastic American Presbyterian denomination whenever she try ordained inside the 1889 by their unique domestic chapel in the Kentucky, a member of the new Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC). Despite a complete confidence regarding her congregation, Woosley's ordination was not completely acquiesced by this new mГ¤n som sГ¶ker Г–sterrike kvinnor CPC General System. It outline did not halt Woosley – instead, she went on to speak about pulpit for a long time.
In the receiving one telephone call, Boswell turned into the first woman Mentioned Clerk of one's denomination
In 1930, Tillie Paul Taerican lady chose given that a dominating older about Presbyterian Church from the You.S.Good. Prior to their election, Tillie Paul worked while the a great translator, civil rights recommend and you can missionary teacher in Tlingit area into the the fresh new Pacific Northwest. In being a ruling older she flat the way in which to have coming generations off pleased Native Western feminine leadership such as for instance Elona Highway-Stewart, the original Native American so you're able to serve as good synod executive and co-moderator of the Standard System.
The newest Rev. Margaret Towner made history and you may headlines within the 1956, more than sixty years immediately following Woosley is actually welcomed on the pulpit, is the original lady ordained regarding the Presbyterian Chapel throughout the You.S.An effective. (PCUSA). In an excellent 1978 interview, she shown on her behalf event because the an excellent minister, proclaiming that “There clearly was still people who find themselves offended by [ordained female] because they get back practically to Basic Corinthians and, you understand, women must not chat into the church, etc. I think that is providing much less.”
Brand new Rev. Dr. Rachel Henderlite paralleled Towner's travels, is the first lady ordained about Presbyterian Chapel from the United states within the 1965. Even after such as advances, of several Presbyterians would not support female leaders. Henderlite gotten an annual letter regarding a resigned pastor within the Southern Carolina with a contact regarding ordination of females: “[It] is a great grievous sin because it says regarding the Bible, ‘Allow the feminine keep silent about churches.'” Henderlite would not be silenced and you can continued in order to stick to the decision of your own Holy Heart.
In the event that Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon are ordained by the Catawba Presbytery within the 1974, she turned into the original Black woman minister regarding the United Presbyterian Chapel from the You.S.A. (UPCUSA). A founding sound when you look at the Womanist theology, Cannon besides supported trailing brand new pulpit however, spoke from the front away from classrooms, teaching for years within Temple College and Commitment Presbyterian Seminary. For the 2018, she depending the heart to have Womanist Integrity in the Partnership during the Richmond; she passed away within the age season. Their thoughts lifetime toward through the of a lot lives she influenced and you will touched.
This new labels above are merely a number of a much bigger amount
Being the first need resolution and you can dedication. Dr. Thelma Adair generated statements 24 months shortly after Canon, inside the 1976, whenever she try elected moderator of one's 188th Standard Set-up regarding brand new UPCUSA, the initial Black woman for the reason that role. (Lois Stair came into existence the first white woman moderator of your own General Installation several years prior to, when you look at the 1972.) Because the moderator away from 1976 so you can 1977, Adair journeyed the country, visiting seventy places and conducting conferences which have local and you may national leaders and additionally President Gerald Ford.
From inside the Summer 1975, the latest Rev. Blanca Estrella Otano-Rivera – also known as Blanqui Otano – turned into the original Hispanic clergywoman ordained on UPCUSA. She generated an excellent bachelor's knowledge on the College or university of Puerto Rico and you will good divinity education on the Latin american Biblical Seminary into the Costa Rica. Immediately after graduation, Otano gotten an invitation of their particular Presbyterian church for the Caparra Terrace to help you serve as a location “missionary.” Following label, Blanqui served the chapel in various most other jobs, as well as their own time toward teams from the Ladies’ Program on the UPCUSA System Agency.
Even as we enjoy Boswell's management as the Acting Stated Clerk, let's at exactly the same time look back and you may getting appreciation for the the numerous Presbyterian women that paved the way in which submit.
Add a Comment