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Noting that two
women from Milwaukee Presbytery preceded her on the national
stage — Elder Lois Stair was GA moderator
in 1971 and the Rev. Margaret Towner, the first woman ordained
to the ministry in the PC(USA), was vice-moderator in 1981 — Block
said, “This presbytery is an important part of the story
of women’s ordination and leadership … and I feel
called to tell that unfolding story. There is much to be
learned from the long struggle for women’s ordination. It
was slow and it was difficult, but it was where God was calling
the church. Where would we be without these gifts?”
Block was a Youth Advisory Delegate at the Assembly that elected
Stair and considers Towner a mentor and friend. She is working
on a book that intertwines the stories of their lives.
A graduate of Carroll College in Waukesha,
WI, and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Block
also holds a D.Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary. In
2005 she was named McCormick’s
Distinguished Ministry Award winner. She has served on the staff
of Immanuel Church since 1978 as assistant pastor, associate
pastor, co-pastor and since 1997as pastor/head of staff.
In addition to moderating Milwaukee Presbytery,
she has also served on the presbytery’s Personnel Committee
and the Committee on Ministry. She is a founder of the local
Jewish-Presbyterian dialogue group and has been involved in
Jewish-Presbyterian consultations nationally.
She is a member of the board of directors of the Covenant Network
of Presbyterians and is serving her first term on the board of
the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. |
