Editorial
Women's History Month Women’s History Month was begun in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women's History Week. The observance of a Women's History Week during the month of March continued under the leadership of Congress and President Ronald Reagan, although the week was not always the same one. The entire month of month was designated Women's History Month in 1987 under the leadership of the National Women’s History Project. These presidential proclamations have continued since that time, designating the month as a time to honor and recognize the achievements and contributions women have made throughout American history. In recognition of both Women's History Month and the invaluable contributions of the women who have served among us, here is a brief and selected history of the progress of women Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Editor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. In 1909, Helena B. Cobb opened a school for girls in Barnesville, Georgia. Named the Helena B. Cobb Institute, it provided education primarily in the areas of religion, intellect or academics, and domestic skills. The Department for Superannuated Preachers, Widows and Orphans was introduced in 1918 by Thomas H. Copeland of Kentucky, with hopes of the church providing care for these persons who had been affected by the preaching ministry. Also in 1918, in spite of years of resistance from the College of Bishops, the Connectional Woman's Missionary Society (now the Women's Missionary Council) was finally established due to the persistent efforts and leadership of physician Dr. Mattie E. Coleman, who was subsequently elected its first president. Since its founding, the Council has been the most consistent and active arm of broad missionary work in the CME Church. Though the Council has its own constitution, it continues to operate under the authority of the General Conference through the presence of a patron bishop. In 1922, a woman was elected a delegate to the general conference but was not seated. In 1926, the Constitution of the Church was changed to allow the election and seating of women delegates, and 18 women delegates were seated in 1930. There remains much opposition to women serving in leadership and pastoral roles in the Church, even though their leadership is vital to the operation and sustainability of local churches, annual conferences, and the Connection. Thankfully, the presence of women in these places of service continues to increase, and their effectiveness is evident. In 1966, under the hand of Bishop B. Julian Smith in the North Arkansas Conference, Rev. Virgie Jackson Gant became the first woman ordained an elder in our church. The Commission on the Concerns of Women in Ministry was established in 1998 to discuss and address some of the issues that women in the church face as they seek to answer their calling and execute their ministries among us. A member of that group, now Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, was elected the first female bishop of the CME Church in June 2010, and she was followed in June 2022 by now Bishop Denise Anders-Modest. Thank God for the women who have served in the past and continue to serve with distinction in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and in the world. References Spragin, Ore L. 2011. The History of the Christian Methodist Epist Episcopal Church (1870-2009): Faithful to the Vision. Lima: Wyndham Hall Press. n.d. Women's History Month. Accessed February 17, 2023. https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/.
Mission Statement of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The mission of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be disciples of Jesus the Christ by serving individuals, communities and the world as the representative, loving presence of God and as witnesses to God’s salvation and grace.
Vision Statement of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The vision of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be a transforming church for Jesus the Christ within a changing world. March 2023 • The Christian Index
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