To Change the Church, Have the Conversation p.10 | A Life-Long Dream

A Life-Long Dream

BY REV. MARY KAREN BROWN

“ I believe that the denominations that ordain women have been enriched by the unique perspectives that women can bring to churches through their callings into ministry.”

At 86 years of age and as a retired United Methodist minister, looking back over my life I realize that my desire to become a minister emerged in my young childhood. My parents, sister, and I attended the Beverly Vista Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles where Dr. James Stewart had been a beloved pastor for many years. Dr. Stewart had three grown children, two sons, one of whom was a minister, and a daughter with two children.

Although I enjoyed Sunday school, I liked being in the church service even better. I enjoyed singing the hymns, listening to the choir sing its anthem, but most of all listening to the sermon. I thought to myself, “What a joy it would be to tell people about God’s love.”

One Easter Sunday, Dr. Stewart revealed in his sermon that his daughter had died the night before from cancer. I don’t remember what he said in that sermon, but I just remember feeling that he had such a powerful faith that God would comfort him in this time of great loss. It was this experience that solidified my desire to become a minister.

Each week we repeated the Nicene Creed during the service. As I grew older, I wasn’t sure I believed every part of this creed, but I didn’t express my doubts to anyone. However, in high school, one of my best friends invited me to attend a United Methodist camp with her that summer. I had a great time! As I learned more about John Wesley’s theology, I learned about the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which simply means that there are four aspects to Christian faith: the Bible, tradition, reason and experience. In other words, one’s faith is a combination of the Bible stories we learn from the Old and New Testament, the traditions of the church we are attending, our own personal experience, and finally, our acceptance of this faith as reasonable. Wesley also believed that there was no exact creed that one had to accept to become a member of a given denomination because the mystery of Christ was not reducible to a given set of words.

Creeds were attempts to express the essence of the Christ mystery in words, but no set of words could definitely express this mystery. So though I was excited to learn about the Wesleyan quadrilateral, I sort of put my desire to be a minister in my back pocket, so to speak. After high school, I attended Stanford University majoring in drama with a minor in Humanities. After college, I worked for three years in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at UCLA. Next I went to San Francisco State College to work towards a master’s degree in Radio, TV, & Film. Then, one weekend, I met William Brown on a Sierra Club hike. He was working towards a PhD in Anthropology at the University of Utah. Once William and I were married, we started attending the Wallingford United Methodist Church, which had a pastor just out of seminary, Becky Parker. Becky was an inspirational preacher and resurrected my desire to become a minister.

Becky was my mentor for three years, when I considered applying to the Claremont School of Theology. I listed the pros and cons of this decision and finally decided that whether I succeeded or failed in my aspirations to become a minister, God would journey with me. So I applied to seminary in 1986, was accepted, graduated in 1989, went through the ordination process and was appointed pastor of the Snoqualmie United Methodist Church (SUMC) in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church in July 1990. I was pastor at this church until I retired in July of 2000.

Despite all the vicissitudes of this world, joys and sorrows, nothing in life is more wonderful than being part of a community of hope and journeying with God. It is more wonderful than feeling that you don’t need anything more than your own wit, skills or tenacity. There were many wonderful people of hope at the SUMC who strengthened my faith! I was the first woman pastor at this church. After a period of the congregation getting used to having a woman as pastor, I was accepted. At least the parishioners didn’t ask the bishop to move me, and I stayed until I retired!

Each woman pastor brings a different personality and set of skills to her ministry, just as men do to theirs. But I believe that the denominations that ordain women have been enriched by the unique perspectives that women can bring to churches through their callings into ministry. Both male and female pastors can enrich the ministry of a congregation. Therefore, I am so thankful that God finally led me through all the twists and turns of my life to achieve my childhood desire to become a minister!

Rev. Mary Karen Brown, Easter Service

Rev. Mary Karen Brown served as pastor of the Snoqualmie United Methodist Church from 1990-2000.

Reflection Process

Readers are invited to use the following reflection

BY SAMANTHA YANITY AND THERESA SHEPHERD-LUKASIK

From the earliest days of the Church and still today, women have been the faithful, prophetic servants, and heralders of the Gospel in both word and deed. Women in the Gospel were the first called to the faith, the first to proclaim the Good News, they had the strength to remain faithful at the foot of the cross and were the first to witness the resurrection. Yet, throughout much of Church history, women have been silenced, many have been nameless figures, and their contributions have gone mostly unnoticed. But, if you asked the people of God, “Who has healed your wounds? Who tended to your community?” the answer w0uld most likely be a woman religious or non-religious laywoman who came to their service.

Jesus, then and now calls all women forth, “talitha koum” (Mark 5:21–43), to rise out of death and despair and into new life with authority as heralders of the Gospel. Scripture tradition gives us several examples of bold, prophetic women—here are five.

Throughout the Gospel, women like Mary, Elizabeth, Phoebe, Mary Magdalene, and the Samaritan Woman have been the image-bearers of Christ, modeling for the world the servant nature of Christ. In the sacred scriptures, the word ‘servant’ appears throughout the Gospel and again in Paul’s letter to the Romans. ‘Servant’ in the Greek translation of the sacred scriptures, is diákonos, the root of deacon. Heralders of the Gospel, women have served as deacons to the world in service to those on the margins.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, faithful woman, servant of the Lord, and bearer of the Word teach me to serve like you: “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

How is God calling you to be like Mary, bringing Christ’s love to the world? How are you being life-giving?

How is God calling you to bring Christ to the world?

Elizabeth, cousin of Mary, prophetic voice, teach me to sing praise and speak truth: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1: 41-43

Righteous Old Testament Women icon detail, St. Paul Orthodox Church

Is there a woman in your life who affirmed your gifts like Elizabeth? How can you affirm others?

Phoebe, sister in Christ, anointed woman, teach us how to lead with grace and charity: “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is [also] a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and me as well.” Romans 16:1-2

What gifts has God given you that need to be shared? Have you or someone you know felt the call to the diaconate or ordained ministry? If so, how do you or they live that out?

Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus and apostle to the apostles, gives us the courage to proclaim the Gospel with our lives: “Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and what [Jesus] told her.” John 20:18

How are you proclaiming the Good News of liberation to others like Mary Magdalene?

Samaritan Woman, outcast raised to be the missionary to her community, teach us our worth to stand in God’s presence and serve God: “Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done.’ When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” John 4: 39-41

How has God used your story to bring Good News to others?

Samantha Yanity is the Editor of A Matter of Spirit and Justice Educator for the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center. She holds a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago.

Theresa Shepherd-Lukasik is the Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Joseph Parish and provides spiritual direction through the Ignatian Spirituality Center in Seattle, WA. She received a Masters of Arts in Ignatian Spirituality at Loyola University Chicago.

FALL 2021 What’s Happening at IPJC

Justice Rising Podcast

Check out our new podcast as we work towards healing, liberation, and transformation one conversation at a time! Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Podbean. New episodes are published every two weeks. Our first two episodes, Education Equity with Marcos Gonzales and Finding Our Purpose with Dr. Patrick Reyes are ready for you to listen! For more information visit ipjc.org/

justice-rising-podcast

End‑Title 42 Campaign

Stand with our migrant brothers and sisters seeking asylum and tell the Biden administration to stop using Covid-19 as a justification for blocking asylum. In partnership with Kino Border Initiative and the #saveasylum movement, IPJC is advocating with the Biden administration to restore protections for Holy Families. Take action at ipjc.org/restore-asylum

Migrants march September 25, 2021 in the streets of Nogales, Sonora to restore asylum. Photo © Christoper Kerr

Justice for Women

Five new Circles begin this fall in the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Burien, Port Townsend and Marysville! We are excited and honored to walk with these communities and look forward to supporting their actions in the coming months.

Season of Creation

Creation Care Network

IPJC had a busy and generative Season of Creation through its participation in the Creation Care Network! Member communities hosted prayer services, novenas, and blessed animals to celebrate the season. IPJC coorganized an event, “Restoring Our Relationship with God’s Creation: From Stewardship to Kinship,” that focused on grounding participants in prayer and on the indigenous history of Seattle. Participants identified ways to support our Duwamish brothers and sisters. Look for more events from CCN this winter and spring.

IPJC Joins ICHRP

We are excited to join the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) as we stand in solidarity with our Filipino brothers and sisters. Check out our work to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act tinyurl.com/3y5mh73n and join us for events and actions!

NWCRI Addresses Gun Safety

44% of Smith & Wesson

shareholders voted in favor of a resolution requesting the adoption of a Human Rights policy to de-escalate gun violence. This is an 8% increase in support as compared to 2019. Sr. Judy Byron, OP was featured in an article by the Global Sisters Report about the effort. As we move into the 2022 shareholder season, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility members held their annual meeting to strategize for the coming year.

Donations

IN HONOR OF Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary-70th Juilarians Sisters of Providence 70th Juilarians Judy Byron, OP Jeannie & Erv DeSmet 50th Wedding Anniversary Lorene Heck, OP Graduates Aurora Kreyche, Jacob Clements, Elizabeth Ford, Maura Switzer, Alex Battle

IN MEMORY OF Brad Anderson Gael O’Reilly Joan Trunk

Intercommunity

Peace & Justice Center Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center 1216 NE 65th St Seattle, WA 98115-6724

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SPONSORING COMMUNITIES Adrian Dominican Sisters Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Jesuits West Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, US-Ontario Province Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Tacoma Dominicans

AFFILIATE COMMUNITIES Benedictine Sisters of Cottonwood, Idaho Benedictine Sisters of Lacey Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Dominican Sisters of Racine Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters of St. Francis of Redwood City Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Society of the Holy Child Jesus Sisters of the Holy Family Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco Society of Helpers Society of the Sacred Heart Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union

EDITORIAL BOARD Gretchen Gundrum Vince Herberholt Kelly Hickman Tricia Hoyt Nick Mele Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos Will Rutt

Editor: Samantha Yanity Copy Editors: Gretchen Gundrum, Erica Eberhart Design: Sheila Edwards A Matter of Spirit is a quarterly publication of the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID# 94-3083964. All donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To make a matching corporate gift, a gift of stocks, bonds, or other securities please call (206) 223-1138. Printed on FSC® certified paper made from 30% postconsumer waste. ipjc@ipjc.org • ipjc.org Prayer for Vocational Direction

Dear God, You call us each by name. You called me to… To do what exactly? To preach, preside, serve, and share To lead, witness, laugh, and cry To accompany your people On their spiritual journey. Yet, God along the way At times your voice is Loud and clear And at times, your voice Hardly whispers. This labyrinth of life That begins and ends with you Which winds in the shadow of death And beside still waters, The path is mysterious and convoluted. And yet our internal compass orients us So we place our trust in you, Our creator, our sibling, our inspiration The Holy Trinity, one being. Seen and unseen, we call on you. And you call each of us by name, To be ministers of your word and sacrament And proclaimers of your name, Abba, YHWH, Sophia, Christ, Ruach We, like Mary, are God-Bearers. The priests of the church The deacons of the church We who share the good news of the Resurrection We whom you have called by name. Amen

The Rev. Kimberly A. Reinholz has served at Grace and Holy Trinity Church since 2015. Ordained in The Diocese of Bethlehem (PA), Kim graduated from The General Theological Seminary. She holds a Masters in Literature, Religion and Philosophy from the University of Sussex (UK) and two bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Asian Studies from Temple University. When not at church, she lives with her husband The Rev. Andrew Reinholz who is also a priest in the Episcopal Church.