Catalyst Community
Since 1994, Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy has been creating opportunities for women leaders following their holy calling to engage with each other, be equipped to fully participate in the advancement of God’s Kingdom, and leave conferences feeling empowered to boldly persevere in the work. As I created a graphic of the conference locations over the past 32 years, memories flooded my mind. In my final year as a Master of Ministry student at Southern Wesleyan University in 2006, I was invited to Come to the Water—A Mosaic of Holy Love, where I heard Wesleyan Holiness women preach for the first time and truly embraced my calling to the church. In Estes Park in 2013, amazing leaders like Janet Munn, Carla Sunberg, and Joanne Solis Walker poured truth into us. I was excited to return to Estes Park again in 2018 as part of the conference planning team. This deeper involvement led me to become treasurer, then appointed to the board by The Wesleyan Church, and eventually named president at the close of E2024. As I served, WHWC helped me to observe women leading both within the organization and in their ministry contexts and gave me the confidence to do the same.
Many people have said our organization’s name is too long. I get it. I was a marketing major. I understand branding. A four-word name is clunky. But there isn’t a word I would remove from it. Our theology is Wesleyan, our doctrine is Holiness, and God’s unique call to ministry makes us Women Clergy. I love that WHWC believes Christ’s Church is most effective when women and men work together, both leading based on gifts and calling, not gender. Our sponsoring denominations all believe this, but WHWC’s collaborative effort allows everyone from denominational leaders to ministerial students to actively witness women in leadership and in the pulpit.
During this Advent season, we are called to wait. No longer waiting on the coming Messiah to be revealed in human form, believers are awaiting his return. In this liminal space, women who are called to ministry may find themselves waiting for their purpose to be fulfilled. Have you ever asked: How long do I wait? What should I do while I am waiting? How hard do I press in? How long before I give up? Why am I in this place, at this time, with these people? Where does God want me? When will I know? Are you asking God one or more of these questions? Have you waited on the Lord and received answers to one or more of these questions?
At E2024, Pastor Tatum Osbourne encouraged us to find our Elizabeth and to be an Elizabeth. Scripture describes Elizabeth being filled with the Holy Spirit and blessing Mary, encouraging her that “the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” We all need women filled with the Holy Spirit who have lived through more waiting than we can imagine but have seen God fulfill his promises to remind us that God is good and it’s worth the wait. The theme of the E2026 conference is Parakaleo. At the top of this newsletter each month, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 highlights parakaleo: coming alongside, lifting up, being a blessing. Elizabeth saw a woman obeying God by carrying Christ (literally). We all need an Elizabeth to see us, come alongside us, lift us up, and encourage us as we carry Christ into our contexts. Whether you will be at E2026 (I hope to see you all there!) or not, let’s take time to gather, wait on the Lord, learn, and grow together as Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. I will be facilitating a 6-week Catalyst Community on Mondays, Jan 12 – Feb 16 at 8 pm EST. If you are an Elizabeth or in need of one, register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88658114804?pwd=OHGxfCIWOyLHvqsOZ5CTQ4h5k2M7LV.1
________________________________________________________________________________
Rev. Dr. Priscilla Bray Hammond is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and currently serves as President of Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. She holds a Master of Ministry from Southern Wesleyan University and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, bringing together church leadership and organizational insight in service to the Kingdom. Dr. Hammond teaches ministerial preparation and leadership courses through The Wesleyan Church and higher education institutions, helping pastors and students connect leadership principles to the work of the church. She is also Dean of the Benson School of Business, serves as Director of Operations for Kaleo Church, contributes regularly to the Wesleyan Publishing House devotional Light from the Word, and is a Certified Missional Coach.
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Check out our amazing designs for Shirts for Scholarships via our Bonfire Campaign: https://www.bonfire.com/store/whwc
Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy has a long history of creating events for women exploring and living out their call to ministry and the ministry leaders who support them. E2026 is a unique opportunity for 800+ women clergy to connect with like-minded women spanning many denominations. This is a place where women will be re-energized, reaffirmed, and re-ignited as they explore and live out their diverse callings.
____________________________________________________________________
