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ECW Special Event: Philadelphia Elevent
January 12 @ 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of St. James Parish is excited and grateful to present the documentary The Philadelphia Eleven. This powerful film highlights a dramatic breakthrough in 1974 when eleven brave women were ordained to the Episcopal priesthood at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. Their actions challenged the Episcopal constitution and canons, which at the time stated that only men were eligible for priesthood.
This historic act of defiance shattered the so-called “Stained Glass Ceiling” and gave hope to Christian women everywhere. These women, known as the Philadelphia Eleven, faced threats to their safety and rejection from the church they loved but remained steadfast in their mission to serve.
Join us on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the St. James Sanctuary for this inspirational event. Following the screening, we will host a panel discussion featuring women priests sharing their own experiences. Special guests Carter Heyward and Marie Moorefield, two of the original eleven, will join us via Zoom. A reception will follow in the Great Hall.
Director Margo Guernsey reminds us, “This is a story for all of us. It is about how to break barriers with grace and be true to oneself in the process.” The film explores not only the courage of these trailblazers but also the enduring struggles faced by women seeking ordination today.
The ECW of St. James hopes this event will embrace and highlight the inspiration these women bring to ministry and serve as a clarion call for inclusivity in the Christian Church community.
