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Pioneering Bishops Speak on Issues Facing UMC Clergywomen

GBOD Communications and Marketing staff with pioneering bishops following media luncheon at the clergywomen's consultation in Chicago. L to R: Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Jill Ridenour, Bishop Rose Marie Wenner, Bishop Violet Fisher, Carolyn Dandridge, Bishop Janice Riggle-Huie, and Jeanette Pinkston.

Bishop Minerva Carcaño, of the Phoenix Episcopal Area and the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, and the first Latina bishop; Bishop Violet L. Fisher, Resident Bishop of the New York West Area of The United Methodist Church, and the first African-American woman from the Northeastern Jurisdiction to be elected to the episcopacy; Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, the first woman bishop elected outside the U.S.; and Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, the current president of the Council of Bishops participated.

The bishops responded to questions from the news media and spoke about the progress United Methodist clergywomen have made in the five decades since women were first granted the same clergy rights as men. The bishops also shared their ideas about the work that remains to be done.

Bishop Violet Fisher was raised in the Methodist Episcopal Church and called at age 16, but she didn’t see role models, which led her to the Pentecostal movement. Having served as a pastor, district superintendent and now bishop, she believes “Women of color are affirmed."

"The Methodist Church is a minority church in Germany. Being a part of this consultation is amazing," said Bishop Rosemarie Wenner. "I am glad to be a part of this community of the sisters…the global church," Wenner said.

Wenner was the second woman to be ordained in her annual conference. She was the first female pastor and first superintendent in the Frankfurt area.

Bishop Minerva Carcaño, a third generation Methodist, said she has seen "how different ministry is for men. I can only imagine what it will be for you" [younger clergywomen].

Bishop Violet Fisher believes that the church must "affirm women in appointments by not placing them in small rural churches." She suggests that what is needed is "A change in the system of appointments to one that affirms the gifts that women bring. Where you have key churches, appoint key women," she said.

"Racism has been the greatest challenge for me," said Bishop Carcaño. Though she is a daughter of immigrants, and has been tapped by the Council of Bishops to speak on the issue of immigration, constituents ask, "What gave her the right to speak for the United Methodist Church? What gave her the right to speak as a brown woman?" said Carcano.

Bishop Riggle-Huie sees "The encouragement of gifted young, diverse women as one area the church should pursue. "The worlds’ population is a young population.

God is calling gifted young women. Be attentive to young women. Support them along the way. Train, nurture and deploy them," Riggle-Huie says.

"Take seriously the declining membership in ethnic churches. Get serious about ministry of invitation," says Bishop Fisher.

"Move maintenance of existing churches to expansion of churches – youth, children, and young folk. Be more serious about re-tooling and re-equipping older members; motivate, challenge and affirm them ecumenically," Fisher said.

"In European countries, many people who are unchurched don’t know what Easter means or why we celebrate Christmas," said Bishop Wenner.

In response to questions about the future, Bishop Carcaño, suggested the UMC"plant new congregations – congregational development. Recapture the sense of urgency and sense of privilege. How do we use the internet for evangelization or receive young members via the web?"

Carcaño also believes churches should be missionary congregations with a commitment to the elimination of poverty.

The bishops agreed that conference and camp ministry and campus ministries are the first items cut from the budget.

"Many of the children attending camp experience their calls at camps. They are sanctuaries for people who struggle. For some, it’s the only vacation they have," said Carcaño.

The bishops were among the 1,500 United Methodist clergywomen meeting in Chicago this month to celebrate the contributions women have made in the 50 years since gaining the same clergy rights as men and to explore how women in leadership influence the church.

This article was written by Jeanette Pinkston, Media Relations Director for the General Board of Discipleship.