For the Women
There are so many women on whose shoulders we all stand: champions of justice and faith, stewards of our stories and our souls.
For the women who have raised us up in the faith:
For my grandmother and mom who brought us to church without fail,
For Rev. Dr. Kathlyn James, Rev. Crystal Sygeel, and Rev. Elizabeth Ingram Schindler, my childhood pastors,
For Rev. JJ Whitney, my Hendrix College chaplain who guided me toward my call,
For Rev. Cara Scriven and Rev. Lara Bolger, my senior pastors at Redmond UMC under whom I grew to love ministry in the local church,
For Rev. Nataly Negrete and Rev. Kate Flint whom I served alongside at St. Paul’s UMC
For Rev. Katie Eichler, Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears, Rev. Ginny Griggs, and Rev. Brandi Horton with whom I have been in covenant for 10 years,
For Rev. Kate Conolly and Rev. Donna Pritchard who paved the way for me here at First Church and for Rev. Rachel Byers with whom I now serve,
And for countless other clergywomen who have lifted me and each one of our communities,
I give tremendous thanks!
This week we not only celebrate those who have been mothering nurturers in our lives, but also celebrate the 70th anniversary of clergywomen achieving full rights in the Methodist Church. Without this landmark decision at the 1956 General Conference in Minneapolis, I would not be leading amongst you today.
Who is on your list? Who are the women who have nurtured, challenged, inspired, and cared for you?
As is the case for many, the occasion of Mother’s Day brings up a whole host of emotions. Gratitude, grief, perhaps some unresolved anger or angst, and that strange and confusing and heart-filling feeling of love. This year, as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of women’s ordination and full membership in Methodism, I am filled with gratitude.
The General Commission on Archives & History of The United Methodist Church is celebrating these women all year long with a special series of stories, from Susanna Wesley to Jarena Lee to Georgia Harkness and many more in-between. For this week’s Word with the Pastor I invite you to listen to their words by picking one of these foundational stories to inspire your week: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/un-tied-methodism-women-in-methodism-series
As you listen, learn, and catch some of their courage, I invite you to join me in celebrating the women of history and of our present day lives who have raised you in the faith and who continue to do so today. The path has not been perfect (we’ll talk more about that on Sunday), but it has been filled with goodness and mercy. Thanks be to God for the women and for you all.
In thanksgiving,
Pastor Karyn
Rev. Nataly Negrete, Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan, and Rev. Kate Flint at St. Paul’s UMC