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CFUW Stratford

Monthly Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

7:45 PM

1. Call to Order: President Nancy Hallowell-Scott welcomed current members, new members and guests to the April meeting at Central United Church.

2. Speaker: Meagan Collings-Moore introduced our speaker, club member Lynn Mitchell, Associate Priest, St. James Anglican Church. Her talk reflected her experience as a female theologian “God can’t be calling you dear, you’re a woman!”

Reverend Mitchell began by unveiling a banner that read “A woman’s place is in the house --------------- of bishops,” the slogan used by a UK movement for the ordination of women in the Church of England. The role of women is one of the most discussed and most divisive issues in all churches. Some theologians believe that the ordination of females goes against nature, since women have been created by God as inferior beings. In the early 1970’s to ordain a women was likened to baptizing a teddy bear. As recently as three years ago, Pope Benedict equated women priests with pedophiles, as abominations. Nevertheless, the Church of England has approved the ordination of women, though not their appointment as Bishops.

The Anglican Church is the third largest church in the world, the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches are numbers one and two. Anglicans have no Pope or patriarch and each region/diocese is autonomous, but they try to ‘move’ in unison. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the nominal head, though the position is largely ceremonial.

Attitudes about women and gender equality go back to religious teachings in the Bible. Though there are models of strong women in both testaments, these have been downplayed or distorted and women are traditionally disempowered compared to men. The disciples are all men. Mary, mother of Jesus, is portrayed as passive; Jesus’ colleague and companion Mary Magdalene, is typically depicted as a prostitute, though the evidence for this is questionable.

Historically women have had numerous leadership roles within the church. In Pagan traditions women were respected and influential. Women also held positions of authority in the Celtic church, which predates Roman Catholicism by 450 years. However, by the latter 600’s A.D. the R.C. church under Pope Gregory had successfully subsumed the Celtic Church, incorporating much of its mythology, but not its tradition of female leadership. The traditions of the Roman church were determined to some extent by the circumstances of Roman soldiers. Hence, the notion of celibacy for priests and extensive anti-female writings, including the concept Eve’s responsibility for original sin.

Before the 1960’s women were not allowed to sit on Anglican church councils or take other lay leadership roles. In the early 70’s when Lynn entered Trinity College in Toronto, she often encountered open hostility, though many her male colleagues and teachers were supportive. At that time it was possible for a male student to refuse ordination by a bishop who had also ordained women. Hostility continued after her ordination in 1988 and often the most vehement opposition came from other women, in particular the wives of clergymen. It was not until 1992 that the ordination of women was approved in the United Kingdom, though females could not be appointed as bishops. A vote in the UK General Synod this past November to allow women to serve as bishops failed, even though female bishops have practiced successfully in Canada, Australia and the United States for several years.

Ordained women have made significant contributions to the modern church and society, especially concerning issues of social justice. In the late 1990’s Alice Medoff called the 40 million Anglican women worldwide to action through formation of the International Anglican Women’s Network, formed to enable and empower all women of the Anglican Communion and to ensure women are influential and equal participants throughout the entire church. In 2009 they called for elimination of all forms of violence against women and children, including trafficking; elimination of extreme poverty, by ensuring access to health care, safe water, and employment opportunities; and promotion of gender equality in decision making throughout the Anglican Communion. Though the goals are clearly stated, the church is not yet there, and when change is pushed underlying hostility becomes apparent. The International Relief and Development Fund has targeted projects that support and empower women, and when women handle budgets, then change occurs; but there is a culture of corruption among male overseers in many third world countries, which is difficult to overcome.

Language remains a powerful determinant for behavior, thus the predominance of masculine words in religious writings has reinforced male stereotypes for leadership. In 1973 Mary Daly wrote “Beyond God the Father,” which contends that the use of exclusively male pronouns to describe God and the clergy is an insidious but influential barrier to the advancement of women in the church. In addition opponents of female ordination have linked feminism and sexuality, such that Pope Benedict actually suggested that feminism drives male homosexuality. Perhaps it is no wonder that female clergy continue to experience the “stained glass ceiling.” Nevertheless, intelligent committed women continue to make inroads. It is perhaps acceptance of the leadership role of women in the church and society that will enable the church to remain relevant to the future of the church.

Pat Reavy thanked Reverend Mitchell for inspiring and enlightening talk.

Business Meeting

a. President’s Remarks:

• The Ontario Council AGM is May 3 and 4 in Sudbury. Our club has been nominated for an Advocacy Award for the efforts of the transportation group. No one on the executive is able to attend, but if another member would like to represent us please let Nancy Hallowell-Scott know.

• Our nominating committee is recruiting for several executive positions for 2013-14. If you are interested in serving on the executive or on any of our committees, please contact Nancy H-S. The new slate of officers will be announced at our AGM May 28.

• The Spring Works Artistic Festival will take place May 9 -19 in Stratford. Eileen Smith, the Artistic Director was our speaker at the January meeting. Please see the website for more information. springworksfestival.ca

b. Approval of Minutes of March 26, 2013.

Liz Dolan requested amendment of the last sentence in item 2, on the transportation project, to “The project will be publically launched in April or early May.”

Approval as Amended Moved by Georgina Cameron Seconded by Jean Hillen CARRIED

c. Correspondence

• A letter signed by our president Nancy Hallowell-Scott was sent to local Conservative MP Gary Schellenberger urging the Government of Canada to halt the variety registration of Roundup Ready (RR) alfalfa by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and to take a public stand against the introduction of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa in South Western Ontario. A copy of the CFUW’s position on GMOs was attached.

• Louise McColl circulated a large card signed by students in Northwestern Middle School, thanking us for supporting them during the past school year.

• A letter was received from the young woman who was the first recipient of the newly established “Achievement Award” for a student in an alternative high school program. Although the cheque was late in arriving due to some confusion about the address, it arrived at a perfect time and was very much appreciated.

• Barbara Collins took the opportunity to inform members that the Three Cantors, a group of Anglican Priests, would be performing at Zion Lutheran Church, May 1 at 7:30 PM. The concert is a fundraiser for the World Relief Fund and is sponsored by St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

d. Reports:

• 1st Vice-President: Katherine Gunnel Gavin

Our comments on proposed CFUW Resolutions for 2013 will be sent to National by May 1. Final versions of the resolutions will be voted on at the CFUW National AGM.

• Program: Pat Reavy

The Elizabethan Dinner was an artistic and financial success, with 74 people in attendance.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the Queen’s Inn May 28. Dinner commences at 6 PM, followed by the speaker, Bridget Tolley founder of “Families of Sisters in Spirit” at 7:30 PM, then the AGM and induction of executive for 2013-14. Dinner tickets are $ 25.00 and must be reserved by contacting Lois Battle - lbattle47@- or 519-273-0176 by May 21. Because the talk will be made available to non-members we need an accurate count of member attendance to determine the number of available seats.

• Membership: Louise McColl

Members are reminded that the membership fee for 2013-14 is due now. The fee is $95.00.

• Treasurer: Thelma Sumsion

The balance for the fiscal year, ending March 31, 2013, was $4680.58 in cash and $6172.05 in GICs. Expenses for the Elizabethan Dinner are yet to be paid. Income is expected to increase next year as there are 10 new members, but the amount remitted to CFUW National is increased by $10/members and only $5 of that amount was added to member fees locally. Overall we are in excellent financial shape.

Since this is Thelma’s last year serving as treasurer and because she will not be able to attend the AGM in May, Nancy Hallowell-Scott thanked Thelma for her service as treasurer and conveyed the club’s appreciation.

• Interest Groups: No report

• Advocacy: Liz Dolan

Things are moving forward for the working group for Integrated Public Transportation policy. Formal meetings with other public interest groups are imminent. Liz thanked Nora Walden for assistance with the website which now includes a list of groups in Southwestern Ontario and an expanded statement of purpose. Interest is quite high, especially among seniors and young adults, many of whom do not drive or own a car. Public transportation is definitely on the radar at Queen’s Park and we are not the only group lobbying for improvement. There is a group in St. Mary’s with the very specific goal of improving VIA Rail service. Though we have a broader approach, their efforts help draw attention to the problem. It has been suggested that our website include links to the articles used in research and to documents outlining successful policies in other jurisdictions and countries. We will attempt to do this.

Pat Reavy indicated that Mr. Schellenberger’s office has acknowledged receipt of our letter regarding GMO Alfalfa. His responses re-iterated the government’s position that research to date shows GMOs are safe.

• Scholarship : Liz Dolan and Louise McColl

No Report

• Fund Development: Nancy Hallowell Scott for Connie Stewart and Ann Reynolds

Plans for next year’s Art Series are progressing. An announcement will be made at our AGM in May.

Motion to Adjourn 9:20 Louise McColl

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MAY 28, 2013, 6PM, the QUEEN’S INN, STRATFORD

Speaker: Bridget Tolley, founder of “Families of Sisters in Spirit”

on the topic “Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women”

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