FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2026
Glenview, Ill — Seventy years after women were first granted full clergy rights in The United Methodist Church, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW), in collaboration with United Methodist general agency partners and ministry leaders worldwide, is marking the milestone with a new downloadable worship resource celebrating the impact and faithful leadership of clergywomen across the connection.
“Women have always played a vital role in proclaiming the gospel and pursuing justice within the Wesleyan tradition. Long before ordination was formally granted, women preached, served as class leaders, missionaries, and carried the work of ministry in their communities,” said the Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, GCSRW’s director of leadership development and community engagement. “This anniversary honors both the past 70 years of ordained ministry and the women who paved the way, including early leaders such as Sarah Mallett, Sojourner Truth, Helenor Davisson, Anna Howard Shaw, Grace Bragg, and many others whose courage shaped the church we know today.”
Hitchman-Craig added, “This 70th anniversary worship resource was created to help the church worship together. Featuring voices of women from around the world, it is designed for use in annual conferences, local churches and various ministry settings, offering an opportunity to celebrate the faithful leadership and wisdom of women throughout the church.”
The downloadable worship resource can be accessed on the GCSRW website at gcsrw.org/downloadable-resources.org.
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About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God’s human family. They believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church’s mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media contact:
Royya James rjames@gcsrw.org