For the first time in the 32 years that they have been priests in the Episcopal Church, ordained women gathered the first week in October to imagine a greater role for themselves in leading the Church, and to train for how that might happen. Their meeting, "Imagine: Claiming & Empowering Ordained Women's Leadership� was held at Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina.

Early in the week, Presiding Bishop-elect Katharine Jefferts Schori told the women part of her story and connected it to the way she thinks about leadership.  Beginning a list of six principles that are essential for leadership, Schori spoke about courage, particularly the courage to get out of their own way and �to give ministry away.� Leaders have to be willing to take risks, be curious and question things. They must be able to be creative or playful, which allows them to hold their positions lightly and to think �outside the box.�  Schori suggested that the interconnectedness of all things is a principle that leaders have to recognize and honor, and that living with hope is essential.  Lastly, leaders must have the ability to �dream the big dream.� 

Later, the group aimed to expand their vision of the Episcopal Church. Leadership under a new model would involve inclusion, healing and hope for the world.  Ministering outside of a hierarchical system while transforming that system, and overcoming obstacles and fears were themes heard in those visions.  One presenter, Episcopal Church Black Ministries Missioner, Angela Ifill imagined womens� roles in that vision.  She said that loving and caring come naturally to women who can soothe the suffering and sing a baby to sleep, and who will also lay down their lives for those they love.  The light carried by women can reach to �every dark corner� of the world.

How women chose to lead and the implications of making that choice was the topic of another discussion, which stressed personal transformation as well as transformation of the hierarchical system of church and society.  In one presentation, Atlanta-based Emmaus House director and vicar, Claiborne Jones, stressed that leadership is a choice for women and that they must recognize the responsibility to bear the costs of their choices.  Catherine Roskam, New York Bishop Suffragan, spoke of a new way of interacting with hierarchy, which would transform current structures in an effort to �renew and revitalize authority.�

Researchers Matthew Price (of the Church Pension Group) and Paula Nesbitt (of the University of California in Berkeley) presented the message that more needs to be done to document the stories of women. Topics included salaries, clergy career paths, and even the very methods of research which collect such information.  Forming and building alliances for mission and transformation was also stressed, especially alliances across perceived boundaries.

Other presenters included Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, Bob Cowperthwaite, Jennifer Linman, Martha Horne, Carolyn Tanner Irish, Carter Heyward, and Tracey Lind.

The conference was sponsored by the Office of Women�s Ministries of the Episcopal Church, Margaret Rose, Director, and organized by a planning group consisting of:

Lynne Grifo
Elizabeth Morris Downie
Barbara Schlachter
Bp. Nedi Rivera
Lisa Gray
Office of Women�s Ministries