TODAY: February 25, The Philadelphia Eleven Film Screening
Exclusion of women from ordination and other church leadership roles made headlines earlier this summer when the Southern Baptist Convention banned women from the most senior leadership roles. Women in many parts of the Christian church continue a struggle for full inclusion in the sacraments and leadership of the church, a struggle that some women started 50 years ago.
In 1974, there was a dramatic breakthrough of the so-called stained glass ceiling that gave hope to Christian women everywhere. At a church in Philadelphia, a group of eleven women were ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in violation of the constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church—which at the time stated that only men were eligible for ordination. This story is told in a compelling new documentary The Philadelphia Eleven.
The feature documentary film will screen on Sunday, February 25 at 4 PM at The Falls Church Episcopal. This event is FREE and open to ALL.
Following the screening, five former female clergy of The Falls Church (including The Rev. Rosemari Sullivan) will participate in a panel discussion on the film, and their experience and reflections as ordained women in the church.