Testimony

Reflections on the Conference: Laura Stephens-Reed

This week I had one of those experiences that I know will be life-changing, though I don’t know exactly how.  I attended a preaching conference at the Cathedral College of Preachers in Washington, D.C, a beautiful setting where ministers have come to study and refresh for eighty years.  It was breathtaking to wake up every morning and see the National Cathedral from my bedroom window.  It was challenging to hear about new ways (to me at least) to think about preaching.  It was comforting to feel the watchful eyes of saints, keeping vigil from portraits and library shelves, as I wrote and thought.

Reflections on the Conference: Elizabeth Evans

"How to you read a text before you begin to write? How do you preach an inspired message when you are afraid it is too powerful for words?"

"How do you like being in a multi-staff congregation? Or would you rather have your own church?"

"Open-toed, red, black or green shoes? What is your favorite to preach in? Or do you like to wear shoes at all?"

"How do the early days of married life work in the pastorate? How do you breastfeed, take maternity leave and find good babysitters when you are the one leading the congregation?"

Young Women Preachers

  Young Women Preachers 
  Originally uploaded by youngclergywomen40

The Testimony: Young Women Preachers conference was held on August 6-10, 2007 in Washington, DC.  We were part of the Cathedral College of Preachers' extensive continuing education opportunities. We packed that lovely old building with forty preaching women! (Elsa is holding a photograph of some earlier participants at the Cathedral College of Preachers---all men.)

Anna Carter Florence (2nd row, far left) of Columbia Theological Seminary was our faculty member for a week-long look at the role of testimony in preaching.

For reflections on the event, read subsequent posts. We hope to hold another conference for young women preachers in the near future.

Reflections from a Less Young Clergywoman: Susan Olson

I was one of seven “older” women helping out with the Young Women Preacher’s conference last week.  I have to admit that it is a new title for me:  older. Although all seven of us are seeing 39 in our rear-view mirrors, most of us, myself included, are still considered young in our judicatories.  I am.  I am one of the youngest people in my presbytery.