For some, there has never been a time where there were not women ministers. But others remember when there were no women preachers, no women role models in seminaries and divinity schools, and no women engaged in pastoral care, at least not professionally.
If the mountains deliberately invoke a feminine aspect of the divine, as Biblical scholars have posited, it was only fitting that a select group of racial ethnic clergywomen in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – nominated by their presbytery and synod executives – gathered here in the heart of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains to be inspired, connected, equipped, and encouraged to pursue key leadership positions within the denomination.
Held here from September 19-22, the inaugural Racial Ethnic Clergywomen's Leadership Institute was presented by the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area, PC(USA), in partnership with the Center for Faith and Life at Montreat Conference Center.
Affirming the institute's spiritual dimension and its "serene setting" – including break times, networking opportunities and wisdom sharing – as equally important as its programmatic content, the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter, director of Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/Presbyterian Women for the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC), described partnering with Montreat as "a beautiful thing," essential toward achieving both the institute’s practical as well as its spiritual objectives.