wfn.org | Episcopal women's ministry director leaves

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2000-093

Women's ministry director leaves after reorganization

by Jerry Hames

     (Episcopal Life) A reorganization of the 
congregational ministries work at the Episcopal Church 
Center has caused the departure of Ann Smith, director of 
Women in Mission and Ministry (WIMM). Smith ended 17 years 
on the national staff in late April after a meeting with 
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold.

     "During this time of transition we will review the 
various activities undertaken during Ann's time and make 
certain that this change will not jeopardize the many fine 
things that have developed during her stewardship," 
Griswold said.

     Smith is the second appointed staff person in the 
cluster to leave since the restructuring began. The Rev. 
Hugh Magers resigned from the evangelism office in late 
February to return to parish ministry and his family in 
Texas. Magers had served in stewardship before taking the 
evangelism portfolio two years ago.

     The presiding bishop said he plans a consultation 
later this year to seek ways to strengthen women's 
ministry, intending both to serve congregations and 
dioceses through the congregational ministries cluster and 
in partnership with other organizations that do women's 
ministry. He met with representatives of women's ministry 
groups May 3 to begin those plans.

     "I sense that ministry to and with women will gain 
energy and additional force through a more intentional 
interaction with other program elements," he said, citing 
justice efforts in the Washington office, the office of 
liturgy and music and ministry with girls and young women 
in the young-adult ministries cluster as examples.

     Executive Council, meeting two weeks after Smith's 
departure, approved a resolution praising her work in 
developing women's ministry within the Episcopal Church and 
overseas.

     Virginia Paul of Shreveport, Louisiana., praised Women 
of Vision, an educational and training program begun in 
1987 by Smith's office, and Episcopal Church Women, which 
has brought leadership and assertiveness skills to women 
throughout the world.

     Sonia Francis, assistant to the presiding bishop for 
program, said the staff of congregational ministries was 
reorganized on February 1 to begin to work in teams in 
partnership with dioceses and networks in the church. The 
reorganization began with a wide-ranging meeting in St. 
Louis in 1998.

     "This shift brings together more of the expertise in 
congregational development, church growth, evangelism, 
stewardship and those involved in women's, African-
American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Native-American, rural 
and small-communities ministries to help build the capacity 
of congregations," Francis said. "The change in work style 
is intended to provide more resources for the work that is 
needed."

--Jerry Hames is editor of Episcopal Life, the national 
newspaper of the Episcopal Church.