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Wesleyan Life

Eighth Conference for Women Clergy

From a Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy news release

More than 500 women from the United States and 15 other nations attended the three-and-a-half-day eighth biennial Come to the Water (CTTW) conference, held in Nashville, Tenn., April 10-13, 2008. The event was sponsored by Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy Inc. (WHWC). Twenty-two delegates were present from The Wesleyan Church. They were joined by women and men from each of the other six supporting denominations of WHWC—Brethren in Christ, Church of God (Anderson), Church of the Nazarene, Evangelical Friends, Free Methodist, and Salvation Army. In the spirit of ecumenical fellowship, there were an additional eight denominations represented by women clergy seeking support and encouragement in their calling to ministry.

Inspiring Workshops

The conference theme—"Come to the Water: Sit at Jesus' Feet"—was realized through each day's emphasis on one or more aspects of the experiences that occur when one rests at the feet of the Lord. Women came to relax, release their burdens, rest in God's provision, and be reaffirmed in their call to ministry. Thursday evening's opening service was full of laughter as the Rev. Susie Shellenberger, founding editor of Brio magazine, used humor to draw participants closer to Christ.

The workshops held on Friday and Saturday included themes of spiritual formation, social justice, and biblical foundations for women in ministry. Darlene Teague represented The Wesleyan Church by presenting a workshop entitled "God, Is That You? Confirming and Living Out God's Call." The addition of a prayer labyrinth contributed to the opportunity for each woman present to experience personal renewal.

Leadership Transition

This conference was the first held since the leadership transition following the 2006 CTTW conference in San Diego. The Rev. Dr. Susie Stanley, founder, original president, and long-time convener of the conferences, was present on Friday morning for a service honoring the past of the WHWC. Stanley was recognized for her devoted service and passion for the organization and its conferences. The Rev. Sheryl Colter, current president of WHWC, used this general session to share the mission and vision of the organization, as well as to promote the organizational and structural changes that occurred in the past two years. She invited conference participants to volunteer to serve on committees focused on academic initiatives and international involvement.

At the conclusion of the weekend, conference convener Lynn Clouser-Holt announced the dates and location of the next CTTW conference: St. Louis, Mo., April 15-18, 2010.

International Vision

Birthed in 1994, the purpose of Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy, International is to assist women in the world-wide Wesleyan/Holiness tradition in discerning a call to vocational ministry; to nurture the call through education, networking, resources and personal encouragement; to advocate for women clergy in all aspects of church and professional leadership; and to serve as a resource to our supporting church traditions. The vision of the organization is full partnership between female and male clergy whose unique giftedness and perspectives are appreciated and utilized for the advancement of the Gospel worldwide.

- For further information on Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy, visit www.whwomenclergy.org.