The Holy Spirit has given to every believer gifts for the strengthening of Christ’s ministry in the world. Next week, COSROW will meet to consider ways to encourage women in all avenues of ministry in the local church, district, and conference.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
We in The United Methodist Church give thanks for the ministry of all people. The Holy Spirit has given to every believer gifts for the strengthening of Christ’s ministry in the world. In that spirit, the Commission on the Status and Role of Women is hosting a day-long retreat a week from today at Camp Don Lee. You are invited to support this effort with your presence and your prayers.
During this day, we will evaluate together the needs of our Annual Conference. We will consider ways in which we can offer opportunity for the strengthening of the gifts of girls and of women in our local churches, districts and our Annual Conference. We will vision together toward a pilgrimage for clergywomen in July of this year. The pilgrimage will be to Seneca Falls, NY where in 1848, like-minded women and men gathered to demand that women have more space in the public sphere, including the right to vote. It was many years later, in 1920, that the suffrage amendment was passed and women were granted the right to vote in the United States.
Thank you for all the ways in which you are welcoming all people back to the heart of God. Thank you for the ways in which you are developing leadership in your church. Thank you for your partnership in Christ’s ministry. May the light of Christ be upon all of us in these days after the Epiphany.