wfn.org | Connection of Evangelical Clergywomen

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (194
notes).

Note 191 by UMNS on July 1, 1997 at 15:46 Eastern (3261 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                              379(10-71B){191}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              July 1, 1997

EDITORS NOTE: This story may be a sidebar to UMNS # 378 {190}

Evangelical clergywomen 
organize support group

     LANCASTER, Pa. (UMNS) -- A new support group for United
Methodist clergywomen who believe in the authority of Scripture
was formed here June 25 during the annual Good News meeting.
     Clergywomen from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland,
Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, formed the Connection of
Evangelical Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church. 
      According to the Rev. Helen Rainier, pastor of The Church of
the Master United Methodist Church, Howell, N.J., the group
provides a connection among all clergywomen who affirm "that Jesus
Christ is Lord, and who proclaim the traditional orthodox truths
of the Bible within the Wesleyan heritage."  She was selected to a
two-year term as convener. 
     The "much needed" support group is for women who are
"disregarded and marginalized because they are considered to be
different," according to Ranier. These women are not "radical
feminists nor theologically liberal" but live out biblical truth
within the Wesleyan heritage, she said. 
     In her greetings to the group, Rainier, said the vision of
the Connection of Evangelical Clergywomen is to "be a voice not
often heard from, with a message of Christian faith, hope and
love." 
     According to the mission statement, the group seeks to:
     * provide connection, fellowship and communication among
evangelical clergywomen;
     * offer avenues for creative writing and discourse by
evangelical clergywomen on theological issues impacting the church
and society;
     * encourage and support evangelical clergywomen to speak
through proper channels on any concerns related to United
Methodist seminaries, boards, agencies, programs and policies;
     * network with clergywomen who feel marginalized because of
their more traditional orthodox Christian theological beliefs and
lifestyles.
     The Rev. Joy Moore, director of women's ministry at Asbury
Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., gave the connection's
inaugural address. Her message focused on "Dressing for Success"
and she said that Christians often toss out their best coverings
to a needy world that has no comprehension of how to wear the
garments. 
     "Experience is our wardrobe," Moore said and challenged the
clergywomen not to make the gospel credible to the world but to
make the world credible to the gospel. "Our job as Christians is
not to transform the gospel but to allow the gospel to transform
us."
     Helping launch the clergywomen's group was the first issue of
"The Credence Connection," a quarterly newsletter. The editor is
the Rev. Pat Looper, pastor at Faith Memorial United Methodist
Church, Riverdale, Ga.
     A second gathering of the Connection of Evangelical
Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church is being planned for
February 1998.
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