Episcopal News Service October 24, 2006
Storytellers emerge at ecumenical gathering of women
By Daphne Mack
[ENS] More than 200 people gathered for the "Women in Religion in the 21st Century" conference, held October 17-19 at the Interchurch Center in New York City, to hear the history of various faith traditions and share stories of the strength, courage and vision of women.
The conference featured speakers, presenters and moderators who represented the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Shinto, Afro-Caribbean, and Zoroastrian faith traditions.
"The level of intelligence and engagement on the part of the women has been extraordinary," said Sue Dennis, president and executive director of the Interchurch Center. "It was magnificent."
During the course of three days, ecumenical and religious organizations, seminary and theology students, and representatives of non-profit agencies from the U.S., Africa, India, and Lebanon explored the roles of leadership for women, the impact of women in religious communities, how religion affects women's lives and the historical perspective of women in religion.
The opening plenary recognized the contribution and vision of Ruth Stafford Peale as a guiding force in the establishment of the Interchurch Center, home to more than 60 faith and non-profit agencies. Peale, who recently turned 100 years old, was unable to attend but sent appreciation and greetings through a brief videotaped message.
Setting the tone with the first presentations of the conference were Dr. Ann D. Braud, senior lecturer on American religious history and director of the Women's Studies in Religion Program of Harvard University, and Lorelei F. Fuchs, theological consultant at the Interchurch Center. Their themes, "Faith-Filled Foremothers: Women in Religion in America in the 19th and 20th Centuries," and "Ecumenical Foremothers: Women and the Intra-Christian Conversation," provided a brief overview of the historical roles women have played in religion.
Fuchs' presentation focused on the contribution of a select group of women, among them Anglican Janet Lacey and former Episcopalian Dorothy Day.
Full story and photographs:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_78878_ENG_HTM.htm
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