Louisville, KY–Over forty women from across the United States gathered in Louisville on Friday, October 13th to participate in the two-day 2013 Women of Color Consultation “Measure for Measure: Assessing the Impact of Hearing and Singing New Songs to God.” They departed on Sunday afternoon, filled with gratitude to one another for committing to a time of sharing, truth-telling, listening, educating, laughing, mentoring, celebrating, and worshiping. The diverse tapestry of God’s community unfolded in the various ages (21-73), races and ethnicities (African-American and Black, Asian-American, Chinese, and Korean, Hispanic, Native American, and South Asian), and ministries (teaching elders and ruling elders, deacons, laywomen, caucus/committee leaders, and Presbyterian Women) represented by participants and leaders.
The consultation featured keynote speakers and presenters including:
Laura Cheifetz, Executive Director of Church & Public Relations, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Louisville, KY
Magdalena Garcia, Chaplain, Vitas Healthcare, Chicago, IL
Diane Givens-Moffett, Pastor and Head of Staff, Saint James Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC
Elona Street-Stewart, Director of Racial Ethnic Ministries and Community Empowerment, Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Eagan, Minnesota
Gloria Tate, Pastor, Teaneck Presbyterian Church, Teaneck, NJ
Speakers focused on topics lifted up in the Women of Color Consultation Report: Hearing and Singing New Songs to God: Shunning Old Discords and Singing New Harmonies (approved by the 218th General Assembly (2008), particularly:
Gender Lens and Intersectionality
The Church as a System of Privilege and Discrimination
Commitment to Inclusivity with Justice, and
Making Visible the Leadership of Women of Color
The Women of Color Consultation was offered through the Office of Gender and Racial Justice by the Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, in partnership with the Joint Women of Color Committee of the Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns (ACWC) and the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC), to lift up and affirm the voices, vision, and leadership of women of color in the PC(USA), as the church celebrates the 2009-2022 season of Hearing and Singing New Songs to God. The 220th General Assembly (2012) called for the church to recommit to this season of celebration, and to include and affirm women of color of all ages in leadership.