This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Sunday, in the Episcopal Church, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women. It's an important celebration being marked in all sorts of ways. At Fort Jackson, Women Army Chaplains from around the country have gathered for a time of continuing education, fellowship, and celebration.

At the National Cathedral, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferrts Schori will be preaching, celebrating, and teaching. Here at St. Martin's this Sunday, our Eucharist will be led by a team of all-female clergy.

I am struck by the sense of call those first women clergy must have had. The adversity they faced from both inside the church and outside was enormous. That adversity had to be matched by an equally enormous sense of faith. I give thanks for their legacy and, I give thanks for the women clergy in my life who have ministered to me and with me.

I ask this week that you take a moment to give thanks for the remarkable legacy of those who came first. I also pray that you give thanks for folks like Sally Johnston, Susan Prinz, Caitlyn Keith, Dianna Deaderick, and all of the remarkable women who have served in our parish and built it into what it is today.

In Christ,

Mitch