European clergywomen share and inspire
|
United Methodist clergywomen gather at the
Methodist retreat center in Braunfels, Germany, for the Feb. 25-28
European Clergywomen's Consultation.
A UMNS photo by the Rev. HiRho Park.
|
A UMNS Report by Linda Green*
March 30, 2007
United Methodist clergywomen in Europe face similar struggles to
those of their U.S. counterparts as they try to respond faithfully to
their call.
Nearly 50 European clergywomen, along with a few of their American
sisters, met recently in Germany to discuss those barriers - including
gender discrimination - and to support one another.
|
The Rev. HiRho Park
|
"Usually, the (European) church does not have the confidence in women's
leadership, and due to the lack of experience of women in the church or
the pulpit, the clergywomen have to really prove themselves to be
ordained. It is very similar," said the Rev. HiRho Park, a staff member
of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, which
provided some scholarships for the women to come together.
"I think we really have a distinguished style of women's leadership
in the church in America. But in European countries, they are still
seeking the models from their own voices."
Pioneering ministries
The United Methodist Church in Europe is small and has few
clergywomen - just 15 percent of the 350 ordained clergy in Germany are
women, for example. The women pastors often feel the same isolation as
their counterparts in the United States, according to Bishop Rosemarie
Wenner, the denomination's first woman bishop elected outside the United
States. She leads three annual (regional) conferences in Germany.
European clergywomen are still pioneering ministries in their own
countries, according to Park. "They are in a different place compared to
American clergywomen . . . who are in a more mature stage of solidarity
and of providing models and examples of women in leadership."
But, she added, freshness is a characteristic of being a pioneer. She
noted that characteristic as she reflected on the Feb. 25-28 European
Clergywomen's Consultation at the Methodist retreat center in Braunfels,
Germany.
The women centered themselves on the theme "True
Nourishment-Spirituality in Our Daily Living" and shared stories about
being among the first women ordained in their countries or preparing to
be the first ordained in their areas. In some countries, The United
Methodist Church is the only denomination to ordain women.
"They were so fresh in terms of their calling and ministries and
spirituality. Their call was very clear and they had clear vision about
the future, about what they want to do for others and the younger
generation to spread the gospel," Park said. That is evidenced by the
ministries to orphans, women, children and homeless people, she said.
"The reports opened our eyes and hearts for challenges in Europe, and
we learned that Methodists indeed are bringing evangelism and social
work together," Wenner added. She co-organized the three-day
consultation with the Rev. Ingeborg Dorn, a pastor from Germany.
"The aim of providing a platform for encounter, fellowship and mutual
sharing and learning was more than fulfilled," Wenner said. "The times
for worship and prayer were a source of encouragement, and the
willingness of all participants to contribute by reporting, by sharing,
by listening to others, was overwhelming."
The European clergywomen were joined by clergywomen from the British
Methodist Church and the Waldensian Church (the Methodist Church in
Italy).
1 in 5 clergy are women
In comparison to an international clergywomen's consultation held
last August in Chicago, the size of this consultation allowed it to be
"more relaxed, reflective and intimate," Park said.
"Three days of worship, fellowship and learning were a short time,
but all participants were thankful for the possibility to gather and
share their experiences," Wenner said.
|
Bishop Rosemarie Wenner
|
Last August, the United Methodist Church celebrated 50 years of women
having the same rights for ordination as men. In 1956, 27 women
were accepted on a trial basis for full clergy rights in their annual
conferences. Today, the denomination's 44,091 clergy members include
9,749 United Methodist clergywomen - about one in five, or 22.1 percent.
For the participants at the European consultation, "meeting other
clergywomen and speaking to those who have served for a long time or who
have leadership experiences as a district superintendent or bishop was
encouraging and inspiring," Wenner said.
The consultation provided the participants from Switzerland, Germany,
Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Russia, Italy,
Bulgaria, Norway, Great Britain and the United States with "solidarity
and a place of support to one another," Park said.
"One of the unique characteristics from that perspective was that the
women from the countries represented shared their ministry. I think
that time was most meaningful to everybody."
At the gathering, "clergywomen saw colleagues, those who do the same
kinds of ministry in different places. This consultation provided so
much meaning and support for these women. I appreciate Bishop Wenner and
her conscious decision to pursue this kind of gathering," Park said.
The clergywomen were encouraged to network with one another.
Park noted that the consultation has been described as a "Pentecost"
experience. "Everybody spoke in different languages, and we learned to
listen to each other in different languages; we sang in different
languages," she explained.
Dorn reminded participants about the importance of imbedding
spirituality in their personal lives and in their daily tasks as
clergywomen. The Rev. Sally Harrington, a missionary with the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries, spoke on Methodist spirituality,
examining John and Charles Wesley's concept of grace and holiness.
Helping the oppressed also was a key focus at the consultation.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related Articles
European clergywomen will have consultation experience
Clergywomen celebrate advances, reflect on call
First non-U.S. woman bishop preachers to United Methodists
Pioneer women pastors share stories, advice for ministry
Resources
United Methodist Clergywomen
United Methodist Commission on Status and Role of Women
United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry |