Fort Collins Coloradoan from Fort Collins, Colorado • Page 13

Friday, Not. 10, 1972 Fort Collins Coloradoan 13 Women lib enters church affairs By BECKY STEHMAN Of the Coloradoaa Women's liberation. Is its presence felt in Fort Collins churches? Several of the approximately 40 churches in Fort Collins were contacted at random to see what influence the movement has had on their church affairs. The answer? Some. The Rev.

Robert G. Nelson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, said the subject of women's liberation has been discussed quite often in his church, and in the national organization, the American Lutheran Church. "Women have always played a prominent role in the church, but perhaps not in the context of ranking positions," he said. However, in recent church council elections, he noted that women have been nominated for office but have not won. Nelson thinks this is rather peculiar in that the majority of active church workers are women.

crimination in the Presbyterian church board or other governing structures and that women have always been on the same parity as men. The role of women is to be a subject of discussion in his church's Sunday morning dialogue services. Dunford noted that statewide and nationally, the Presbyterian Church has had an increasing number of women in prominent roles. For example, in 1971-72, the national moderator of the United Presbyterian Church was Lois Stair; the moderator of the senate of Colorado-Utah was Mrs. Elmaar H.

Bakker of Den-ger; and the moderator of the presbytery of Boulder was Mrs. R.N. Keller of Boulder. Dunford also knows of a woman pastor, but this one is local. She is Judy Mead, pastor of Nunn Presbyterian Church and Pierce Methodist Church, both east of Fort Collins.

THERE IS another view of the influence that women's liberation is having in the church, however. The Rev. M.R. Siemens, pastor of First Baptist Church, said the subject of women's liberation has not arisen in his church. There has always been a board of deaconesses that has great responsibility, he said, and other offices have been held by women.

Siemens thinks his church does not have a problem in this area, and that the whole subject of women's lib does not much affect his congregation. "As a rule, Baptist churches and do not receive a national or organizational policy on the role of women. It's up to the individual churches," he said. However, he did say that scrip-turally, Baptists do not approve of women as pastors. He said that when Christ called his disciples, they were men and that idea has remained in the Baptist Church.

He doubts there are any ordained woman pastors in the 1,300 Baptist churches in the country. "We do have women missionaries, though; perhaps we're not being consistent," he said. ceive a call for ordination (that is, a request from a congregation to serve as pastor), Nelson concedes that it is difficult for a woman to be ordained. Obtaining a theological degree is not enough. Personally, he feels there is no reason that a woman could not serve as effectively as a man in pastoral work.

He commented, "It's similar to realizing that women are competent as medical doctors, a concept which also seemed strange a few years ago. And "It's harder to implement the role of women in the grass roots congregations than in the state or national bodies." AGREEING WITH Nelson Is the Rev. Philip Dunford, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. "Women," he said, "are slowly being accepted in the pastoral role because of fixed ideas of people." But locally he feels that women are taking willing responsibility and making contributions in church affairs. He stressed that there is no dis "It's easy to convince women to run for office," he said, "but they don't win." A class at Trinity Lutheran has studied a pamphlet entitled "The Role of Women in Church and Society" for several weeks.

The pamphlet is published by a national Lutheran committee. The class attempted to understand some of the concepts of women's liberation and the lead, ership role of women. "Surprisingly," Nelson said, "the women in the church were very conservative and the men seemed more receptive to the idea of women in more prominent roles." The American Lutheran Church has ordained several women as ministers. One of them, Barbara Andrews, is an acquaintance of Nelson's, and he regards her as an "extremely interesting, intelligent woman." Miss Andrews, who in 1970 was the first woman to be ordained in the Lutheran Church, is a paraplegic now serving as a hospital chaplain in Minneapolis. Explaining that in the Lutheran Church a person must re- art Women demand church The Camerons: Simon (left), Wendy, Philip Scottish family to give programs :::5 Lester Kinsolving a quality sermon each week.

I don't think I'm shortchanging my congregation if I find some, thing suitable from an outside source." Father Hund might be even more "practical" were he to emulate a long deceased (1895) Chaplain at West Point named Postlewaite, who doubled as a member of the faculty. Chaplain Postlewaite prepared 12 sermons, which, after he had preached them once, he repeated in an undeviating 12-week cycle as long as he was chaplain. He did leave a lasting effect, however from one of these sermons which every cadet heard 17 times before graduating. Its text was: "Felix trembled." (Acts of the Apostles And for generations at the U.S. Military Academy, a similarly recurrent jellied dessert served in the mess hall was known to all cadets as "Fe lix trembled." Some clergy practice lifting sermons without either permission or acknowledgement.

This can be risky as in the case of a young minister in Maine who boldly lifted one of the classic sermons of Harry Emerson Fosdick in its entirety. THE LAST person to greet this preacher at the door of his church that Sunday was an elderly man who expressed interest in the sermon and pleasantly inquired as to how long it had taken the preacher to prepare. "Oh, it took me about three hours," replied the youthful parson, loftily. "Youne man. that sermon took me 21 to prepare! shouted the summer visitor, in what became immediately apparent as a full pulpit voice, freauentlv broadcast over radio.

"Well, Dr. Fosdick," replied the parson with all the apiomo of a charming rogue, "You keep writing 'em and 1 11 keep preaching 'em!" The Cameron Family of Scot land, who have presented other programs in Fort Collins this week, will appear at Faith Tab ernacle for gospel services. The family will give its pro grams at 7 p.m. Friday, Satur day and Sunday, and at 11:45 a.m. Sunday.

Topics announced "Come Fight the Dragons" is the theme for the Northern Colorado Christian Education Conference at the First Baptist Church this weekend. The following seminars will be offered: "Music to Learn By" and "Lesson Preparation" the Rev. Byron Cressy, Gospel Light representative 8:15 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

"American versus Christ' an Style of Marriage," "God's Order for Wives" and "God's Order for Husbands" the Rev. Cliff Bajema, University of Colorado pastor 8:15 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

"Astrology, Casting Your Horoscope," "Witchcraft, Power from the Moon" and "ESP, From God or the Devil" C. David Beckman, president of Denver's Rockmont College 10 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. REV.

BARBARA McCALL ison: Who will hire women? The Rev. Simon Cameron, convention speaker, revivalist and author, his wife, Wendy, and son, Philip, will participate in the musical revival service. Their theme song, "The Dancing Heart," was picked as best gospel song in 1967. for education clinic "Planning and Directing Vacation Bible School," "Holding Youth in the Church" and' 'Christian Education for' Adults" the Rev. Arthur" Blakely, Scripture Press repre-' sentative 8:15 p.m.

Friday, and 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Satur-, day. "Team Teaching," "How to Discover and Enlist Leadership," "How to Discover Your' Spiritual Gifts" and "Mobilizing Man in the Church" the Rev. Ronald Chadwich, professor, Calvary Bible College, Kansas City, Mo.

8:15 p.m. Friday, 10 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Story Telling, It's Easy" and "Learning by Seeing and Doing" Mrs.

Elaine Mannes, children's worker, First Christian Reformed Church, Denver 10 a.m. and, 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Tho seminars are open to the public and nursery facilities will be available. AT STUVtK FOR ALL SERVICES By GEORGE W.

CORNELL NEW YORK (AP) The forbidden "apple," that storied old lure to human sin, got a new, honored place at a worship service here as the fruit of freedom. Church women dreamed up the idea, and celebrated it. They also communed by sipping apple juice. And they joined in affirming the "liberation of apples." Declaring 3rd graf Declaring they rejected ''man's traditional interpretation" of the Adam and Eve story, the congregation of Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, United Church and various other Protestant women chanted in un- been angered that the marching gals who banner Fifth Avenue can never seem to get up to Albany when the abortion hearings need their presence and voice. The leading denominations in the Christian ranks (save the mighty Roman Catholics) are quite satisfied with the abortion law in New York.

Yet the recall movement is racing along, in spite of 250,000 abortions in the past two years, and might strike down the present state law permitting such medical attention. Some clergy workers feel that the Women's Lib is great in the editorial offices but invisible in day-to-day struggles. The quandary for mainline denominations and their seminaries is this: Who is going to hire all these women who want to be ordained? Will the congregation in Des Moines or the parish in St. Louis? There are not enough board job and insti tutional positions to take on those who cannot or will not make the scene in the local church. Most churchmen (again, the male bias) are aiming at legal change and support for women rights at the state and national level.

Patriotic house STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) To celebrate their becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, Scotland born Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Wemyss trimmed their house with red, white and blue paint.

to 'repent' "We affirm that it docs not convey truth to us about apples, and certainly not about ourselves. We hold that Eve performed the first free act." "Ah woman," someone added, instead of the usual "Ah-men." The ecumenical "sister-celebration," held at the Washington Square Methodist Church here last Sunday, was part of a spreading women's crusade for fuller rights in church affairs. "We as women feel it is time that the church repent of sexism and be reformed," said the Rev. Barbara W. McCall of New York, executive of the United Church Task Force on Women which sponsored the service here.

It began with readings of the Genesis account of humanity's creation and "fall," the first defiance of God as portrayed by the eating of forbidden fruit on Eve's initiative. Actually, the story never mentions "apple" a mere elaboration of folk lore. "We were told that we were agents of evil, corrupters of perfect creation," intoned the leader, the Rev. Tilda Norberg, of Staten Island, N.Y. Chorused the female worship pers: "We fell for all that." "We were told that we were subordinate beings, derived from man, not uniquely created," the leader said, and the worshippers responded: "We fell for all confess that we bowed down to that old But they vowed to seek "the liberation of the whole human family and all creation." FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 531 S.

College Avenue 482-6107 Sunday Worship 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. "There Are Giants in the Land" Dr. James William Baird Church School 9:30 a.m. University Class 11:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Service 8:00 p.m.

Nursery Available KIEX Radio-600 on the dial Dial-A-Prayer 482-9406 1 East Prospect Church Activities FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, F1I7ARETH by Rev. The Wall Street Journal's recent report of an estimated clergy who are preaching $1 million worth of sermons purchased from a dozen firms is about as morally edifying as the purchase of term papers from similar firms, by lazy and dishonest college students. Among proprietors of this homiletical prostitution, the Journal identifies Father Lawrence Brett of Baltimore, as well as former sportscaster Red Barber, an Episcopal layman who explains piously: "God is the greatest manager of us all." Also among these procurers for pulpit plagiarism is one James Colaianni, who is quoted as explaining: "Keeping the sermons non-controversial broadens their appeal." (There was, nearly a decade ago, a James Colaianni who was a crusading editor of Ramparts Magazine. But that was before this periodical abandoned its Catholic identification in favor of fhat far-left literary wonderland which is as sweetly undisturbed by scruple as is Colaianni the sermon-peddler). ANY CONGREGATION which discovers its pastor engaged in this sort of preaching-by-purchase has every reasonable right to ask: (1) Was his seminary training comprised of theology or was it limited to instruction in reading? (2) Why can't the parish save on its budget by eliminating the minister's salary in favor of mailing mimeographed copies of his sermon service to the parishioners at home while replacing his pastoral counseling with special subscriptions to either Dear Abby or Ann Landers? The Journal quotes the Rev.

Charles Hund of St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Chicago as making the following admission: "FRANKLY I don't have the time or the training to produce Episcopal; to give music for service A group from St. Paul's Episcopal Church will provide music for the service at St. Gregory's Episcopal Mission in Littleton Sunday. John Wengrovius, recently elected as general Episcopal convention delegate from St.

Paul's will lead the group. MEMBERS OF St. Paul's will hold a diaglogue on parish concerns Thursday evening. Eucharist will begin at 5:30 p.m., a covered-dish supper at 6 and the dialogue at 7. Baha'isto honor prophet's birth Sunday is the 155th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, prophet and founder of the Ba-ha'i Faith.

The Fort Collins Ba-ha'i Community will join the Greeley and Loveland and other Larimer County communities for this year's observance in Loveland. An informal buffet and discussion of the significance of Baha'u'llah's revelation for mankind today will be in the Community Building at the 4th Street Park in Loveland from 3:30 to 7 p.m. The theme of the observance, open to the public, is "Baha' u'llah the Divine Peacemaker." Personal involvement to be emphasized The Northern Colorado Church of the Brethren and the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Windsor plan to offer a new type of service, beginning Sunday. The 8:30 a.m. service will emphasize personal involvement in a relaxed atmosphere.

Specific themes for a worship center, one-to-one expression of ideas and personal responsibility for meditations will be part of the services. Sunday's service will be in Windsor at the corner of 6th and Walnut streets. Ronald Finney may be contacted for more information. Area HENRY BAKER, MINISTER Leroy B. Lewis, Associate minibier Mrs.

Ronald Sarlo, Ed. Coordinator Or. Larry Day, Minister of Music SUNDAY SERVICES 8 :i5o.m. Worship Srvle 9 :00 o.m. CoUbration Cnopol 1 0:00 a.m.

Church School Baptists to mark 93rd year The First Baptist Church will celebrate its 93rd anniversary Sunday with a cantata during the 7:15 p.m. service. The Rev. M.R. Siemens will speak on "A Knowledge to Gain and an Attitude to Maintain." Conrad Krieger will direct the 65-voice chancel choir in the cantata.

It's called "To Tell the Untold," by Dick Anthony, director of music for "Day of Discovery," a weekly television program. Persons having solo or accompanist parts in the cantata are Conrad and Donna Krieger, Lynn Asmus, James Kasparek, Georgia Young, Mrs. Donald Redabaugh and David Palermo. "To Tell the Untold" is a scng written originally as a memorial to Paul Carlson, an American missionary who was martyred in the African Congo in 1965. The expanded cantata concerns individual involvement in the gospel, according to Siemens.

At the morning service, Douglas Kraxberger of Portalnd, son of Mrs. Laura Kraxberger of 1705 Remington Street, will present the music. Religion Page Deadline For articles to appear in the Friday issue 10 a.m. Thursday. Contemporary service to feature dancer Mrs.

Paula Douthett, leader of a liturgical dance group from Boulder, will be part of the contemporary worship service at Westminster United Presbyterian Church Sunday. At the 9 a.m. service, Mrs. Douthett will do interpretive dances to several hymns, including one called "The New Tes-tement Woman." Discussion of the service will center on the charismatic movement, wrich involves speaking in "tongues" as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Mrs.

Douthett will tell of her experiences in dance as related to this movement. Her group, known as the Sacred Dance Group, toured several states in August and hopes to tour Israel next summer. Angel Flight collects food for the needy A canned-food drive for de prived families in the Fort Col lins area was held recently by the Angel Flight at Colorado State University. The 45 members of the organi zation collected about 2,000 pounds of canned food. The food will be given to the Salvation Army, which will distribute the groceries to needy families during the Thanksgiv-ing and Christmas holiday sea-sons.

The drive did not cover the entire city, and the organization is asking anyone wishing to con tribute to contact the group at CSU. Nine billion pieces of mail expected this Christmas WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. Postal Service has proj ected a holiday volume oi nine billion pieces of mail this Christmas season. The service made the pre diction Thursday while issuing its annual plea to send Christmas mail early. It said surface parcels within the United States should be mailed by Dec.

10 and surface greeting cards by Dec. 15. 'lit Colobration Sorvlco Journoys RADIO KIIX A.M. FUllYOUtH PROGRAM (Call 482-2436) NURSERY PROVIDED By REV. DAVID POLING Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Those active in women's liberation zoomed in on the church two years ago. Boards and agencies were pressured to check out their hiring practices and job descriptions. More women sought ordination and several national denominations elected women to top offices. Chairman gave way to chairperson. Times were changing.

But this is not two years ago and a quiet pause has come to Women's Liberation. Liberal clergymen in New York have REV. RAY JONES Poudre Valley church plans revivals Revival meetings are planned at the Poudre Valley Christian Church Sunday through Friday. The services will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and at 7 p.m.

Sunday. The Rev. Ray S. Jones, pastor of the Forest Dale Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio, will be guest evangelist. Jones, a graduate of the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, has served as pastor in Ohio, Kansas and California, as well as evangelist in several areas of the country.

Music for the services will be provided by Mr. and Mrs. Don Kincaid, formerly of Fort Collins, and the Glen Kirbys and Bill Olivers of the First Christian Church in Longmont. The Rev. Harry T.

Porter, pastor of the Poudre Valley church, said that the services will be open to the public and that a nursery will be provided each evening. Jehovah Witnesses attend assembly One-hundred ninety Fort Col lins residents attended the re cent circuit assembly of Je hovah's Witnesses in Rawlins, Wyo. Activities included the bap tism of 54 persons at Rawlins High School, a model ministry school and service meeting and discussion of the recent contro versy in Malawi concerning Je- hovah Witnesses. THANKSGIVING EVANGELISTIC CRUSADE FORT COLLINS BAPTIST TEMPLE TEMPOROARY LOCATION RIFFENBURGH SCHOOL Orville Emery -Pastor Alton Weidel Music Youth Director Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m.

Youth Service 7:00 p.m. Evening Service 7:30 p.m. NURSERY A Church With A PROVIDED Passion For People FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH REV. JAMES JOHNSON Thanksgiving crusade features missionary The Rev. James Johnson, missionary to the Aleut Indians of Alaska, and the Shook family of Fort Collins will be guests in the Thanksgiving Evangelistic Crusade of the First Bible Baptist Church.

Johnson, a Colorado native, is sometimes known as the cow-hnv nreaeher from Colorado go ing to evangelize the Indians of Alaska, according to tne nev. Gary Matson, pastor of the church. In addition to being a preacher and evangelist, Johnson is a chalk artist. "The Sineine Shook Family" has gone into full-time western gospel music and are memoers of the local churcn. The services, which are open in the nnblic.

will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 19. A western gospel rnnnert will be held Nov. 17 and 1R at 7 p.m.

in conjunction with the crusade. House Speaker Albert to seek re-election WASHINGTON (AP) Rep. Carl Albert, says he will seek re-election as speaker of the House. Albert said in a statement Wednesday that the election Tuesday of a Democratic Congress "is clear and convincing evidence that the people of the United States recognize that only the Democratic party can provide the leadership necessary to meet the vital needs of our time." 900 OR. M.R.

SIEMENS Potior Rv. Nothoniel Ptrry, Asit. Pastor Rtv. Jon Wolborn, Campus Ministtr Conrad Krioger. Minister of Music SUNDAY SERVICES 9:00 a.m.

Bible School 10:15 a.m. Morning Worship OUR 93rd ANNIVERSARY "THE LAW AND THE CARNAL MAN" Radio Broadcast, KIIX. 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Baptist Leagues 7:15 p.m.

Evening Gospel Service "A KNOWLEDGE TO GAIN AND AN ATTITUDE TO MAINTAIN" "TO TELL THE UNTOLD" A Cantata of Missions by Dick Anthony 7:15 p.m. wed. Hour of Power (Including Children and Youth Meetings) Nursery provided (or all services Rev. Jim Johnson Gospel Preaching WESTERN GOSPEL MUSIC CHALK ARTIST November 15th through 19th Evening Services Wednesday 15th Sunday 191h at 7:00 P.M. Morning Services Sunday 19th at 9:30 A.M.

REV. JOHNSON HAS PASTORED IN KIMBALL. NEBRASKA AND CHEYENNE. WYOMING. NOW HE IS GOING AS A MISSIONARY TO THE ALEUT INDIANS OF ALASKA.

HE IS AN OUTSTANDING PREACHER AND CHALK ARTIST First Bible Baptist Church 2420 Laporte Avenue Rev. Gary Matson, Pastor Information of for Ride Call 484-2477 8 i 1 II HiJ.