Who We Are

  • The Young Clergy Women Project is an initiative---a collection of new programs that are by, for and about the youngest ordained women, defined as those under forty. We started out in November 2006 as just an idea, really, about getting young ordained women together to talk online. In the spring of 2007, we received a grant from The Louisville Institute that supported our preaching conference, board meeting, and our web page. Energy begets energy and these initial funded programs have created more ideas and programs.

Chalice Press

  • Christian Board of Publication, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1911, publishes Christian content for people who want to make a positive difference in the world. The CBP imprint, Chalice Press, develops resources to support congregations that invite people into deeper relationship with God, equip them as disciples of Jesus Christ, and send them into ministries as the Holy Spirit calls them. Learn more at http://www.chalicepress.com/.

TYCWP Imprint with Chalice Press

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In 2008, Chalice Press and The Young Clergy Women Project entered into an agreement whereby 

  • Members of The Young Clergy Women Project and Future Young Clergy Women will be able to propose book projects to a review panel of young clergy women, bypassing the normal "letter of inquiry" process.
  • Selected books will be published and advertised as a collection. 
  • The Young Clergy Women Project will earn a small royalty from books in the series. This will help fund our ongoing programs in support of young clergy women.  
  • The authors will also earn a royalty. 
  • Chalice Press gains access to writers in their target demographics including women, people under 35 and people of color.  

Our First Book

BlessHerHeart In October 2011, our first book with Chalice Press was released. 

Bless Her Heart: Life as a Young Clergy Woman by Ashley-Anne Masters and Stacy Smith was inspired by the stories shared on own Fidelia's Sisters published since 2007. Chalice Press offers this synopsis:

Comprising essays from young women clergy, this book is a reflection on the everyday realities of pastoral ministry for the young, female professional. Presenting real-life, first-person scenarios from young, female pastors in a variety of denominations, church sizes and ministries, this book is intended for young women in ministry, as well as those considering a ministerial calling.

This is the first in a new series of books from our collaboration with The Young Clergy Women Project. The series will feature writing from young adult clergy women on topics that give meaning to their lives and ministries.

Read the review on Fidelia's Sisters here. 

Order a copy of this soon-to-be bestseller here. 

Upcoming Books with Chalice Press

This is just the beginning of this partnership between The Young Clergy Women Project and Chalice Press. We look forward to future publications including:

Any Day a Beautiful Change: A Story of Faith and Family

By Katherine Willis-Pershey

Available February 2012

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the minister with the baby carriage. In this collection of interrelated personal essays, Katherine Willis Pershey chronicles the story of her life as a young pastor, mother, and wife. At turns hilarious and harrowing, deeply moving and gently instructive, Pershey’s reflections will strike a chord with anyone who has ever rocked a newborn, loved an alcoholic, prayed for the redemption of a troubled relationship, or groped in the dark for the living God.

Read about Katherine in the recent Christian Century feature entitled Bearing Testimony.

Other titles will be listed on the Chalice Press page featuring our imprint. Find the full list here.

Want to Propose a Book for our Imprint?

All members of The Young Clergy Women Project (TYCWP) or Future Young Clergy Women (FYCW) are welcome to submit proposald for our Chalice Press imprint. All proposals must be submitted by TCYWP or FYCW members at the time of the proposal for consideration. To join this project, please submit a a membership application. Proposals from non-members will be returned unread. TYCWP members that are on the verge of aging out of the organization may submit their proposals. So long as you are a member at the time of proposal, you are eligible. One does not have to be a US citizen to write a proposal.

Continue reading "Want to Propose a Book for our Imprint?" »