On Sunday and Monday the Women's Center sponsored the Katie Cannon Lectures. It was a good event, complete with reception, silent auction, lectures and workshops.
I had the privilege of introducing the Women's Center so thought I'd post my introduction so that you could see what kind of group this is.
You can find out more about the Women's Center on our blog at www.lpts.edu.
Introducing the Women’s Center
Katie Cannon Lecture III
March 30, 2008
Tonight it is my privilege to introduce the Women’s Center, sponsor of the Katie Cannon Lecture Series.
The Women’s Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary was founded fifteen years ago with a three-fold purpose: support, education and advocacy of women in Christian ministry.
The Women’s Center supports women by providing a place to be—a place to read, do crafts, meet for conversation. We support women by affirming each one’s call to the ministry of the church. Mentoring and mutual sharing somehow happen when women gather at the Center. We hear and respect difference; we search for and find commonalities. We support each other.
Through our programs, the Women’s Center, in conjunction with the Gender and Ministry Committee of the seminary, facilitates the study of issues that affect women socially, economically, and religiously. Gender dynamics, AIDS, healthcare issues, issues of sexuality, and violence against women are a few of the topics that affect the lives of women on a daily basis. Church leadership, ordination, and gender issues in the church are also studied. Finally, we celebrate women’s talents, bringing the affective and artistic dimensions of life into Women’s Center activities.
Our third goal is advocacy—bringing the voices of women from the margins to the center. This goal takes us beyond the seminary into public ministry. We advocate the equality of women in all areas of life through modeling, through practicing equality, and through announcing women’s equality to the world. This lecture series is a prime example of our advocacy work in the larger community.
At its founding fifteen years ago, this ministry for Christian women was crucial for Seminary women in the male-oriented fields of theological study and church leadership. It is still crucial today. Louisville Presbyterian Seminary provides a prophetic service as the only Presbyterian seminary to have a Women’s Center.
The years since our founding have seen a flourishing of programs and advocacy efforts. In 2003 we took a great leap forward, both in program development and financial backing. Two years Johanna Bos took on the heavy task of acting director to support our expanding programs. This year Heather Theissen has taken on that important role, overseeing the move into our expanded space in White Hall, so graciously provided by the seminary.
So here we are tonight—a vibrant and expanding ministry celebrating a highlight of our academic year, the annual Katie Cannon Lecture. We appreciate having Dr. Floyd-Thomas with us and look forward to the wisdom she will bring to our gathering. Her lecture will bring together our three goals: support, education, and advocacy for Christian women in ministry. Her presence with us is no accident. It is predicated on fifteen years of Women’s Center work to fulfill our three goals, none of which could be reached without the support of each one of you. Thank you.
Frances S. Adeney
Chair, Gender and Ministry Committee
