Fr. Joe Alsay of St. Augustine's OKC invited me to preach on the Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22nd, 2018. He thought it would be most fitting to have a female preacher on the day we celebrate the first disciple male or female who was commissioned by Jesus to spread the word of his resurrection. Mary Magdalene was the first person to meet the resurrected Christ.
Also, following in her legacy, I wanted to note that yesterday, July 29th was the 44th anniversary of the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven. In 1974, The Philadelphia Eleven were the first women to be ordained in the Episcopal Church two years before the General Convention authorized the ordination of women. Most folks don’t realize the Episcopal Church was relatively late to ordain women to the priesthood compared to it’s other protestant friends but as an Episcopalian I am grateful for these women and their trailblazing, persistent attitudes and spirits that opened up the possibility of priesthood for us women.
Therefore, to honor the legacy of women being commissioned by Christ to do God’s work from St. Mary Magdalene to the Philadelphia Eleven to all the amazing women priests out there I know and love, here is a sermon to honor you all.
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