Celebrating the Ordination of Women

TENDING THE FLAME—Notes to Planning Committees in Congregations

Remember that this celebration covers both 2005 and 2006.

Some points to remember:

• Work together with the groups in your church, encouraging each of them to honor the past, recognize leaders in the present, and encourage youth for future ministry.
• Work with your pastor for worship emphases, liturgical materials, special celebrations, sermon themes, resources, and encouragement.
• Include young people in all your planning and design special educational programs and classes for children and youth.
• Have youth take responsibility for some projects and activities.
• Identify sources of income, if necessary.
• If your plans need session approval, get the dates of their monthly meetings and allow enough time to get on their agenda and for them to make a decision.
• Plan to participate in the Celebration in Chicago, November 5-7, 2005 by attendance and helping prepare your presbytery’s exhibit of women “Firsts.”

Resources

• Check your presbytery Resource Center or your congregation’s library.
• Publications with help: Horizons, Presbyterians Today, Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society, your PW newsletter or presbytery newsletter.
• Congregations often have anniversary booklets and pictures. Ask members for memories, pictures, and stories. Check local historical societies.

For More Information

• Check with your presbytery Planning Team.
• For contact with the Chicago-based Planning Team email Betty McGinnis, staff person for this Celebration, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Eunice Poethig, chair of the planning team, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• More info www.pcusa.org/women/ordination/

Suggestions for Teams and Celebration on the theme “Tending the Flame”

Past: “Kindling the Fire: Re-membering our Community of Leaders”

Present: “Living the Light: Celebrating our Calling Today”

Future: “Igniting new Torches: Lighting up the Future”


Past: Kindling the Fire: Re-membering our Community of Leaders”

• Identify “Firsts” in congregations—deacons, elders, clergywomen.
• Identify leaders and officers in the presbytery, synod, General Assembly, Presbyterian Women, and seminaries and leaders in your community, regionally, and nationally.
• Find ways to reintroduce these women—posters, dramas, pamphlets, pictures.
• Participate in the national Biography Project of the Presbyterian Historical Society and Women’s Ministries (GAC program area).

Present: “Living the Light: Celebrating our Calling Today”

• Develop celebrations in congregations recognizing women today and their contributions.
• Try a Recognition Sunday with special liturgical materials, music, and sermon.
• Have an Advent or Lenten series led by special “light bearers” in your community or congregation.
• Tie ribbons on a tree with the names of the women in your congregation or special women you want to recognize.
• Participate in the Biography Project of the Presbyterian Historical Society. (Details coming).
• Participate in the Igniting New Torches Relay (more description to follow).
• Select a mission project to support in recognition or in memory of someone or participate in the Undergarment Offering for abused women and children shelters.
• Attend one of the national celebrations. We invite you to the Chicago gathering in Nov. 6-7, 2005.

Future: “Igniting New Torches: Lighting up the Future”

• Involve younger women in all your planning and projects.
• Have both younger and older women in dramatizations of women yesterday and today.
• Highlight youth who are leaders now in your congregation, school, and community.
• Connect your youth with presbytery and national youth activities.
• Elect youth deacons and elders.
• Encourage youth and young women to be involved in a mission project that helps women.
• Use stories and activities of leading women with children. Develop a Sunday School curriculum, a Vacation Church School project or a celebration day.
• Encourage storytelling at home about family women.
• Involve children and youth in the Igniting New Torches Relay.