wfn.org | NAPC Convene For Luncheon

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99088 
25-June-1999 
 
               National Association of Presbyterian 
                 Clergywomen Convene For Luncheon 
 
FORT WORTH-Downtown First Christian Church was the setting for a  luncheon 
hosted by the National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen (NAPC), 
Thursday, June 24.  Themes of affirmation, encouragement and optimism 
resounded throughout the modest church hall, as members of the NAPC 
steering committee celebrated the many and diverse ministries of 
clergywomen. 
     The association, which drew some 80 women clergy, friends and 
supporters, names as its stated purpose the convening of "a national 
organization for Presbyterian clergywomen, with local and regional 
emphasis, that is inclusive in membership, supportive in community and 
representative in advocacy within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)." 
     An opening prayer by the Rev. C. Wylie Smith, moderator of NAPC, was 
followed by a brief presentation by Donna Cook, associate for 
Certification, Churchwide Personnel Services, National Ministries Division. 
Cook reported on items of interest concerning the Interim Ministries 
Network.  A representative from the Association of Presbyterian Tentmakers 
was also on hand to speak. 
     Recognized at the luncheon with a small gift for her many gifts, the 
Rev. Margaret E.  Howland received acknowledgment from her colleagues and 
supporters for her nearly 41 years of ordained ministry of the Word and 
Sacrament.  Ordained by the former Brooklyn-Nassau Presbytery in 1958, 
Peggy was the 12th woman ordained in the Presbyterian Church.  The most 
recently ordained clergywoman present at the gathering was also affirmed 
with a small gift. 
       Opportunities abound for women clergy, according to the speakers, 
since the post World War II seminary graduates are now retiring.  There are 
more churches seeking to fill positions than ever before. 
     The Rev. Lydia M. Rappaport, associate pastor of First Presbyterian 
Church, Hilton Head Island, S.C., and a minister commissioner from 
Charleston-Atlantic Presbytery, made this her first NAPC event.  "It's 
always affirming to recognize the diversity of ministries that we have as 
clergywomen," she said.  "I was especially thrilled to sit among the number 
of older women who have received calls to ministry.  I found myself 
wondering how many of those women might have experienced a call in their 
younger years when doors were not open to them, and marvel that they now 
have that chance." 
 
Emily Enders Odom 

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