Reflections on Clergywomen’s Consultation

Clergywomen’s Consultation

From the Spring 2002 edition

Laurel Scott, Henrietta Lehlohonolo Montjane, and Nizzi Santos Digan

The 2002 International United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, was held January 7-11, 2002 in San Diego, California. The theme woven through the worship services and sessions was “Creating a Women’s Sabbath.” Participants attended workshops throughout the week focusing on writing, painting, music, movement, relaxation and more.

The Anna Howard Shaw Center sponsored five Boston University School of Theology women at the Consultation. Three of these women, Nizzi Santos Digan, Laurel Scott, and Henrietta Lehlohonolo Montjane spoke to me afterward about the rich experiences they had at the event.

A Glorious Experience

Laurel Scott says that she came home from the 2002 United Methodist Clergywomen’s Consultation a changed person. Having only recently completed three years in seminary and being in a new appointment for only five months, she needed the jolt that the preachers gave in their sermons on Sabbath-keeping. She returned to Boston determined to keep Sabbath and instituted her Sabbath that very week. Laurel found that the benefits were immediately apparent. The days following her Sabbath are far more productive, and she consistently looks forward to her next Sabbath.

Dr. Lydia Jackson-Water’s story of health-related problems that resulted from too many demands made Laurel sit up and listen. She decided then and there that she did not want to suffer negative effects on her health resulting from a schedule that leaves no room for rest, refreshment and renewal. Being the best pastor she can be means, as Bishop Linda Lee said, setting the right example for the congregation she serves—taking Sabbath so that God can renew, refresh and equip her, and keeping the Sabbath holy to the Lord so that she can be kept whole to answer her calling. Laurel finds that she is not alone in this, because—as The Reverend Minerva Carcaño reminded her—God is always there waiting to give us all new strength, new courage and new energy.

Additionally, Laurel came home with a determination to live into the authenticity of her Christian and Wesleyan heritage. One example she cited is praying in public. In deference to the culture, we often decline even to say a short grace while eating restaurant, or to pray at times other than those designated in the order of worship. Laurel believes it is important for congregations to see pastors praying and for pastors to encourage those with whom they minister to pray not just the prayers that are written, but also to pray from the heart—to cry out God, since the heart-prayers are those that are heard and answered.

Seeing the Worldwide Church

When Henrietta Lehlohonolo Montjane returned from the conference, she described herself as “drunk in the spirit,” celebrating her experience with the approximately 1200 United Methodist Clergywomen from all over the world. Henrietta said the best part of the Consultation was the cultural diversity of the participants and presenters, which was carried through to many of the workshops and worship services. Attendees participated in worship services that reflected African, African American, Native American, Korean, and Taizé traditions.

Henrietta now applies the Sabbath to her vocation. She believes that instituting Sabbath is an important issue for women clergy especially, because we tend to feel guilty when we aren’t working, and we focus so much on taking care of others that we often neglect our own needs for spiritual rest and renewal. Despite the new insights she gained from the planned events, Henrietta insisted that the true highlight of her experience at the Consultation was spending time together with other United Methodist Clergywomen. She enjoyed bonding with roommate Nizzi Santos Digan, and was also thrilled to spend time with Boston University alumni and seminarians from other schools. The gathering enforced a global understanding of the United Methodist Church, and Henrietta was honored to meet some other African Clergywomen.

Since the consultation, Henrietta has applied the Sabbath in her life, and has gained confidence in her preaching and in her role as a student and pastor. She said that the conference demonstrated how her ministry fits into the larger picture of the worldwide United Methodist Church, and has given her new insight as to how she might move forward in her vocation.

Empowered to Spread the Good News

Nizzi Santos Digan was inspired by the various ways that the Bishops and ordained pastors each incorporated their traditions and experiences into their heart-felt preaching. She reiterated how important it was that each day of the consultation started and ended with worship in various styles. Nizzi especially enjoyed the Baptism Renewal service and the following demonstration staged by anonymous homosexual clergywomen who covered themselves in black from head to toe and held signs to claim their baptismal rights. Nizzi found this statement an important reminder of the constant changes and dialogues within the United Methodist Church, and a vision of hope for continued discussions.

Nizzi greatly appreciated the opportunities at the conference for free time, which reinforced the commitment to taking time for one’s self. These moments also allowed for informal fellowship, and she was thrilled to join the Boston University Luncheon and to meet with the other clergywomen from the New England Conference and speak informally with Bishop Susan Hassinger until late into the night.

Perhaps the most exciting thing for Nizzi was the opportunity to meet six Filipino United Methodist Clergywomen. Throughout her life in the Philippines and the past eight years in the Boston area, Nizzi never had the opportunity to meet a Filipino Clergywomen. At the Consultation, she found herself with six other clergywomen, who invited her to attend and support the first Filipino Clergywomen’s conference in October 2003.

Upon returning from the Consultation, Nizzi had several occasions to preach, and found that her experiences in San Diego made the task easier, empowering her to share her message and her culture in her own unique way. She sees her challenge now to be to go on and spread the “good news” of how God touched her at the consultation, and encourage other women to attend the Consultation in the future (tentatively set for 2008), and experience this incredible event.