Women's Caucus Elects Officers, Discusses Concerns
Episcopal News Service. May 12, 1977 [77164]
Ann Knight
St. Paul, Minn. -- Upwards of 500 women were ordained as deaconesses prior to 1970, but no comprehensive listing of them has ever been attempted.
This piece of information -- and countless others ranging from the latest news concerning regularizations to the number of emerging chapter groups -- was shared among members of the Episcopal Women's Caucus at the group's annual meeting in St. Paul, April 23.
Half the corporation's membership cast ballots for a record field of 12 nominees for four positions on the board of directors.
Elected to the board were Susan Skinner of Webster Groves, Mo., subsequently named president; Elvira Charles of Salt Lake City, Utah, vice president; Ann Knight of Iowa City, Iowa, secretary; and Marilyle Sweet-Page of Rochester, N.Y., treasurer.
In accordance with the by-laws, those persons selected the officer positions each would hold and, further, named three other members of the Caucus to serve with them. They selected Fredrica Thompsett, Evanston, Ill. (temporarily of New York City); Martha Winslow, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Susan Rich of Washington, D.C.
Members discussed the deployment of women ministers, prayer and the sorts of prayer networks the group should foster, non-sexist liturgies, human sexuality and lifestyles, and other specific concerns such as the sponsoring of a conference on ministry to feminists.
Problems with the corporation model of organization for the group were surfaced and alternatives along the lines of General Convention or diocesan conventions were mentioned.
One hundred new members were welcomed, but an almost equal number of former members had allowed their tenure in the organization to expire.
"We are no longer truly a caucus," suggested the Rev. Dr. Jeannette Piccard. "Some people wonder if we still have anything different to offer than more traditional women's groups. " A recent survey of the membership, however, had shown there was opposition to the group's considering a name change at this time.
"Though women may now be ordained priests in the Episcopal Church," said President Skinner, "much remains to authenticate the reality of this recognition."