Sunday, June 5, 2011

SORRY, WE'RE NOT READY FOR A WOMAN

A good many folks in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, who see Christians arguing about women clergy and bishops and same-sexuality, bi-sexuality, trans-sexuality look at us in wonder, and not a few conclude, "I want no part of that." Women clergy, women in leadership in the church, same-, bi-, and trans-sexuality are simply not issues for them. Yet, those of us in the church continue to waste time and energy on these matters instead of being about the business of building the Kingdom of God. Is it any wonder that the generations vote with their feet and don't occupy the pews in the churches?

The Episcopal Church has progressed toward implementing just and equal policies for women in the church, but, at the grass roots level, those of us who are present know that in certain parishes and dioceses, all is not as rosy as it might appear in the press reports. The church has had women priests since 1977, 34 years, if you want to count from the date women were" regularly" ordained. It's way past time for those in parishes who say, "We're not ready for a woman priest," and those in dioceses who say, "We're not ready for a woman bishop," to put their (I call it what I believe it is.) misogyny behind them and begin to focus on calling or electing the most qualified of the candidates and the person who is the best fit for the parish or diocese where they will be serving, leaving aside entirely the gender of the candidate as a consideration.

Sadly, the present situation on the ground for LGTB clergy shows even less progress toward justice and equality than for women, but I'll leave that discussion for another post. In the meantime, let's not deceive ourselves into thinking that we don't pay a price for the inequality that remains.

21 comments:

  1. It would be interesting to know the average age of the congregations that don't want women priests, much less bishops, and where most of the members went to church before they became Episcopalians. I seem to remember that a lot of newer members of certain southern states(Texas and Virginia come to mind)were Baptists and Presbyterians that came for the "services," and immediately started changing the services, and railing against any innovations.

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  2. Yes, it is sad. The world is watching us tear the church apart over stuff most people really don't care about. You're right - no wonder they don't want to be part of the church.

    Sadly, the numbers of women bishops and rectors is decreasing, despite the fact that at least half of Episcopal seminarians are women. From anecdotal evidence as well as the Church Pension Group's report Called to Serve (see it here: http://download.cpg.org/home/publications/pdf/CalledToServe.pdf)
    women are still not getting the rector jobs, not getting paid the same as men, or not being able to get past the "motherhood penalty" to be able to accept or stay in rector positions.

    It troubles me that the "we're not ready" argument persists, especially when there are so many wonderful priests out there who are not able to give the gifts they have and want to give to a parish because someone might not be ready. Women's gifts are being wasted. It's just so sad.

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  3. susan s., I believe it was Elizabeth Kaeton who jokingly suggested that we should begin collecting stats on the former Roman Catholics who join the Episcopal Church, mainly due to the suggestion that the Episcopal Church is hemorrhaging members to the RCC.

    In all seriousness, I believe that it would not be a bad thing to collect records of the former denominations of adult converts to TEC.

    Sadly, the numbers of women bishops and rectors is decreasing, despite the fact that at least half of Episcopal seminarians are women.

    Penny, that is a shameful statistic. I'm sorry to learn that depressing bit of information.

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  4. ". . .not be a bad thing to collect records of the former denominations of adult converts. ."

    Ah but then what would we do with them? We'd be accused of just looking for someone to blame . . .

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  5. And there's a lot to be said for wiping the slate clean. . . as in "though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow." :-) I was once a Methodist, myself.

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  6. Yes, indeed, there is something to be said for a new beginning with the slate wiped clean.

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  7. It's also interesting that in my parish I see retired/non stipendiary priests who are women mostly refuse $$ for serving as supply priests while the men expect it. (One exception -- a woman priest formerly from New Orleans!)

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  8. susankay, I say good for the woman priest from New Orleans. The other women should take the money, too. They can give it away if they like. All of our supply priests take the $$, as is their right.

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  9. I attended the ordination of a young woman yesterday. Two thoughts occurred when she spoke. Mom would not have liked her. She needs a vocal coach. I'm surprised she got out of seminary with that little girl voice. I would not hear what she was saying after the first few minutes. That is part of the reason Mom didn't like female preachers. I didn't blame her.

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  10. On the other hand, I recently heard a woman preach a terrific sermon in a strong voice that few would have difficulty in hearing. I don't think you can paint all women with the same brush when it comes to speaking styles, Piskie. After all, we do have women stage performers, too.

    And I've heard men preachers who were difficult to hear and understand.

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  11. Having been a rector of a small congregation for 14.5 years and a priest in partnership of a Vermont medium-sized congregation (110 ASA) for 2.5 years and an assistant for one and wondering if I am even going to be called as rector as the congregation wakes up to the fact of 'Good God, we may get stuck with her' when they really want a 'Father knows best' type and pondering all this on my near 18th anniversary of ordination, I do wonder how much progress we really have made... and I am in a very progressive diocese that is welcoming to LGBT clergy.

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  12. Ah Caminante, the stories roll in. I could tell stories, too, but I can't - if you know what I mean.

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  13. We're lucky to have a young woman as priest in our small but growing church. But it always frustrates me to see those in my age group and a bit older NOT want a woman priest. Thank goodness our church feels the need for equality in all areas including LGBT within our community. I pray constantly for the churches that are not dealing with these issues and shoving them under the rug. Sadly there are many of those still in our Episcopal Church.

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  14. I am very lucky/blessed to belong to a parish with a husband and wife team - the only one ever in Ottawa. And the cool thing is that it's the woman who is Rector and the man who is Associate! (They met at university and were ordained together 35 years ago) They make a wonderful team. Susan has amazing organizational and admin skills and Peter is very much a people person. Both are very pastoral and compassionate and I hope they will be with us for a long time.

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  15. Grandmère Mimi,

    As to collecting stats on the former Roman Catholics who join the Episcopal Church... Did you know that Rome still considers me, and perhaps you as well, "Roman Catholic"? I'm told we have to go to the Chancery to become "de-Catholicized" there. I understand I'm still on the roles here in Maine.

    I've been working on what to say when I go in. I was thinking along the lines of "I reject Benedict, and all his evil works and all his empty promises"

    WV=holey

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  16. Ciss B, folks don't realize how freeing it is to let go of prejudices.

    SimplySuzi, you are very fortunate, indeed.

    Wade, I did not know that. Will you really go to the Chancery to have your name removed? I suppose I'm still on the RC rolls, too, but I won't take the trouble to get it off.

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  17. A woman priest in New Orleans, now an associate rector, has just been elected rector of a parish in Virginia.

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  18. I will, and I'll enjoy it. So far there are 4 of us going in together. Looking for a few more.

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  19. Ormonde, it's too bad the diocese will lose the woman priest.

    Wade, so you will go in a group! Sort of like the Anglicans who go to the ordinariates.

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  20. Yes, I hear St. Luke's in Mayland just went over. But they'll be paying rent for the buildings. I know when I left the RC Church I didn't try to take St. Mary's with me.

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  21. I know when I left the RC Church I didn't try to take St. Mary's with me.

    Wade, the thought would never have entered my mind. I can't imagine where the folks who left got the idea they could take the property.

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