Pioneer Black Clergywomen
Stories of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church 1974 - 2016
by
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Black clergywomen are pioneers in the United Methodist Church constituting only approximately 2.3 percent of the clergy. They have broken barriers of injustice, blazed trails for Black clergywomen and clergywomen of color, and laid the groundwork for inclusion of marginalized people in the church.
Under the dynamic leadership of Black clergywomen, Black and White churches have experienced spiritual, numerical, and financial growth despite the enduring injustices of racism, sexism, and economic discrimination. These victories and accomplishments were made possible by the intervening power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, fasting, hard work, and perseverance.
These stories can be a resource as the United Methodist Church intensifies their efforts to dismantle racism. Further, they can be utilized for women’s studies, church history, African American studies, and other classes in seminaries and universities.
The inspirational stories begin with childhood and traces the journeys as Black women accepted the call to ordained ministry becoming pastors, district superintendents, seminary faculty and administrators, conference staff, and elected to the highest office as bishops.
Black clergywomen are fervently committed to be the embodiment of Christ-love to all people which is the foundation for Christian living.
Stories: Bishop Linda Lee, Rev. Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields, Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton, Bishop Tracey Malone, Rev. Cheryl Bell, Bishop Sharma Lewis, Rev. Edna Morgan, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Rev. Ella DeDeaux.
Proceeds to benefit Black clergywomen scholarships.
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About the Book
Black clergywomen are poineers of the United Methodist Church who continue to significantly contribute to making disciples and spreading the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their stories are inspiring illustrations of the Holy Spirit at work in ordinary people who said yes to ordained ministry.
Black clergywomen have endured many challenges and injustices in the predominately White male vocation. However, they have also experienced accomplishments and victories, despite the opposition, that were made possible by the intervening power of God through prayer, hard work, perseverence, and the efforts of other women and men of various races and cultures in the United Methodist Church, other faith persuasions, and members of the greater society. Black clergywomen have been able to facilitate spiritual, numerical, and financial growth in Black and White churches under their leadership.
Black clergywomen have endured many individual, institutional, and systemic acts of racism, sexism, and ageism while being subjected to economic discrimination. They often fight for equality of others in our society while being denied those same rights in the church. Their continuance exemplifies their commitment to be the embodiment of Christ-love to all people.
The United Methodist Church has intensified their commitment to dismantle racism, but the question still remains, “How will the specific dismantling of racism, sexism, ageism, classism, and economic discrimination, against Black clergywomen, be addressed?”
STORIES: Bishop Linda Lee, Rev. Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields, Rev. Dr. Tara Sutton, Bishop Tracy Malone, Rev. Cheryl Bell, Bishop Sharma Lewis, Rev. Edna Morgan, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Rev. Ella DeDeaux
About the Author
Josephine Whitely-Fields retired after forty years of ministry. She pastored churches in three states, ministered as the Director of Missions and Outreach in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, was Founder and CEO of four 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Corporations, served as Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies and Adjunct Faculty at United Theological Seminary. She earned a PhD in Formative Spirituality, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Formative Spirituality, Master of Arts in Religion, and an equivalent Doctor of Dental Medicine.