CELEBRATE THE GIFTS OF WOMEN 2012

Rev. Tom Cundiff

On this day as we celebrate the “Gifts of Women in the Church” who have DEDICATED their lives to Christ’s service….on this day we are reminded to listen carefully to the voices of our mothers and sisters;  our daughters and grandmothers;  women whose voices can no longer be silenced by a male dominated society – voices empowered by God to speak of God…..

There are few interesting stories from church historical records about how the women of the church helped motivate the building of this church to quote one source “in order to keep their men away from the saloons and gambling down on Water street….J!”[1] 

To get really specific:  it was the women of this congregation who were instrumental in taking care of church Manses –- as early as 1906 when Mrs. J.E. Rose actually gave her house to the church to be used as a manse.  I can only imagine the women’s association going in to help the pastor’s wife clean and decorate the home! [Like Mrs. Bucket in the British  TV show Keeping Up Appearances, watching over everything the pastor’s wife does!]  Anybody watch that show?

There is also the story that the women of this congregation, faithful in their stewardship, “in 1916 the women pledged $2,000 toward the completion of the church basement.  This was a cause that was dear to their hearts., for many of them had fought the battle of the rats when they were working on the  dirt floors of the unfinished basement.:”

Women have always had a key role in teaching Sunday school, providing nursery care for infants, in lifting up the Presbyterian standard that we serve God as “Educated servants of the Lord.”

Today, we truly celebrate the powerful and influential voice of women who have helped sustain the ministries of this church for over 145 years.

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[1]   I had this quote in my notes in a “church  history” file for the Warren Avenue Presbyterian Church.  Author unknown.