Clergywomen event will celebrate milestone, address challenges

From United Methodist News Service

When 1,500 clergywomen gather in Chicago for the 2006 International United Methodist Clergywomen's Consultation next summer, they will reach forward to a new generation, even as they celebrate the historic 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women.

The Rev. HiRho Park, coordinator of the Aug. 13-17 meeting, which is sponsored by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, says the gathering provides an opportunity to address barriers that remain for women in ministry. The final plenary session will be devoted to considering the future of clergywomen in The United Methodist Church.

Park hopes the consultation will help develop strategies to strengthen and nurture the next generation of women leaders. Those strategies could include establishing a support system in each annual conference, encouraging women to explore global leadership opportunities and developing seminary curriculum that encourages greater diversity. In addition, she hopes the conference can look at why ethnic minority clergywomen are less likely to stay in local church ministry.

Registration brochures were mailed in November, and more clergywomen are expected at the 2006 consultation than at any of the previous seven gatherings. That is partly because of interest in the 50th anniversary of the historic vote at the 1956 General Conference in Minneapolis, which gave full clergy rights to women. The anniversary will be observed at a banquet during the meeting.

For more information, log on to www.gbhem.org/clergywomen/home.asp.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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