Where were you on July 29, 1974?

Where was I on July 29, 1974?  That was the date of the ordination of the first women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church.  

I'm not quite sure.  It was a Monday in the summer between my third and fourth grade years.  I might have been in Florida with my family; we went there for 2 weeks annually.  If we were at home in Houston, I was likely involved in a lovely peaceful summer round of swimming at the neighborhood pool (we rode our bikes there), going to the library to get stacks of books for the Summer Reading Club, and playing with my friend Cathy, who lived 2 streets over.  I am quite certain that I did not hear this news when it happened.  My family was never one to discuss current events and especially not controversial ones.  I doubt my father woud have been supportive; I'm pretty sure my mother was, whether she said so or not.  She was the first female layreader in our parish, and she'd had to fight for that.  I was the first female acolyte (after a similar fight on her part).

The thing that I am almost sure of about that summer is that it's right about that time that I "played Communion."  Again, I'm sure that I had no idea that any women had been ordained...that was never discussed in the church of my childhood.  The 1928 prayerbook, which we used at that time, gives the rubrics for what The Priest shall do during the services, and The Priest is referred to as "he, him, his."  There is no question.  However, I had no thought that I could NOT have Communion.  I was me.  I was God's person. 

I remember asking my mother if we could do it, and she said, yes, she thought it'd be fine, as long as we were serious about it and didn't treat it in a silly way.  (Go, Mom!!!)  Cathy was spending the night and I set up a little altar on a night table in my parents' bedroom...made "communion wafers" by cutting out little circles from smashed white bread...poured grape juice into a wine glass (I knew better than to ask for wine!) and we did it.  You can see here the order of service we used.  It is LONG.  But we did it all. 

Cathy was a little girl who did most anything I suggested, and so that night I administered the Eucharist to her with these words: 

¶ And when the priest delivereth the Bread, he shall say, THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving. ¶ And the Minister who delivereth the Cup shall say, THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

What my little Roman Catholic friend thought about this, I cannot say.  We didn't talk about it afterward, and I doubt she said anything to her parents.  But I have never forgotten it.  And now, for the first time, at age 45, I am now in a parish with a female priest on staff.  I love it.   

Thanks be for the Philadephia 11, and for those with the courage to move ahead prophetically in their ordination.  For their first congregations, for those who supported them.  And for the possibilities of change. 

 

The Philadelphia 11 July 29, 1974

On July 29, 1974 eleven women broke the barrier so long in place against the ordination of women to the priesthood of the Anglican Church when they were "irregularly" ordained to the priesthood in Philadelphia.  These women are often referred to as the "Philadelphia 11." Although there was no specific canon that specifically prohibited ordaining women to the priesthood, the canons required a recommendation from the standing committee.  Many were upset because these women did have such a recommendation.  While others were ready for change and ventured into new territory for the Episcopal Church.    On August 15, 1974, the House of Bishops, called to an emergency meeting, denounced the ordinations and declared them invalid. Charges were filed against the bishops who ordained the women and attempts were made to prevent the women from serving their priestly ministries.   In September 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate. Philadelphia 11: Merrill Bittner   Alison Cheek Alla Bozarth (Campell) Emily C Hewitt Carter Heyward Suzanne R. Hiatt (deceased 2002) Marie Moorefield Jeanette Piccard (deceased 1981) Betty Bone Schiess Katrina Welles Swanson (deceased 2006) Nancy Hatch Witting   Ordaining Bishops: Daniel Corrigan Robert L DeWitt Edward R Welles Assisting: Antonio Ramos

source for above article:  The Episcopal Church

Read more reflections on 7/29/74 at +Muthah's place and Elizabeth Kaeton's.