Presbyterians and Gender Justice: The Church and Advocacy for Women by Sylvia Thorson-Smith

In 1973, Elizabeth “Liz” Verdesi published In But Still Out, a critical examination of the status of women in the Presbyterian Church to that time. Her book begins with this General Assembly incident and her observation that “the issue of power for women in this Presbyterian denomination has always been a difficult one. . . . Whenever women have had access to power, they have made advances toward full equality in the church. But an effective, continuing share in power has always eluded them.”

More than 30 years later, as we look back on the status of women in the church, would we still concur with this analysis?

Sylvia Thorson-Smith lives in Tucson, Arizona. She serves as an elder at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church and on the leadership team of PARO (Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options), a network of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Associateion. Sylvia is currently a liaison member from PHEWA to ACWC, the Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns.

Illustration: StockArt.com

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Brush up on the history of women's advocacy in the Presbyterian Church, and be ready for a look at the present and future in the upcoming issue.	Presbyterians and Gender Justice: The Church and Advocacy for Women by Sylvia Thorson-Smith In 1973, Elizabeth “Liz” Verdesi published In But Still Out, a critical examination of the status of women in the Presbyterian Church to that time. Her book begins with this General Assembly incident and her observation that “the issue of power for women in this Presbyterian denomination has always been a difficult one. . . . Whenever women have had access to power, they have made advances toward full equality in the church. But an effective, continuing share in power has always eluded them.” More than 30 years later, as we look back on the status of women in the church, would we still concur with this analysis? Sylvia Thorson-Smith lives in Tucson, Arizona. She serves as an elder at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church and on the leadership team of PARO (Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options), a network of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Associateion. Sylvia is currently a liaison member from PHEWA to ACWC, the Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns. Illustration: StockArt.com Other Articles Online This Issue Until Every Need Is Met Of the People, For the People Rebuilding Hope: One House at a Time Creating a Hospitable Community for Homeless Families Presbyterians and Gender Justice Faithful Food: Social Justice and Food Production Fellowship of the Least Coin 2006 Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Nurturing Our Faith Supporting Mission Health Connections Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue Nov/Dec 2006 About This Issue Features PW Resources Departments FREE Resource Nov/Dec Index How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the November/December 2006 (HZN-06-250) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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