Savell and Anne (Nancy) Scheibner organized a major conference in Dayton in October 1974 to create the basic

framework for collaborative action leading up to the Minneapolis General Convention. Women and men, both lay

and clergy and representing thirty-seven dioceses from every corner of the church, brought to Dayton a shared

excitement about the inclusion of women in the total ministry of the Church. Three goals were identified:

affirmation of the prophetic witness of the Philadelphia ordinations, improvement of the environment of the

Church related to the full personhood of women and commitment to canonical change at the 1976 General

Convention.

At the same time dioceses by the dozens were being petitioned by local EWC chapters to affirm the ministry of

women as priests and bishops and to work for the election of deputies to General Convention who would support

the efforts of the National Coalition formed in Dayton. A movement by the Standing Committee of Washington

calling for a Special Convention to resolve the issue of ordination proved unsuccessful.

A service in celebration of women in ministry sponsored by the Commission on Women in Ministry of the

National Council of Churches was held at Riverside Church in New York City on October 27. Planned to honor the

Philadelphia ordinands and bishops, it was cosponsored by the Caucus. Celebrants at the Eucharist were Alison

Cheek, Carter Heyward and Jeannette Piccard; they were assisted by deacons Pat (Park) Merchant, Barbara

Schlachter and Carol Anderson, who preached. The designation of the offering to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for

World Relief caused considerable controversy when Bishop Allin returned the check because of its "tainted"

genesis.

The end of 1974 saw the onset of contentious acts against the Philadelphia women and their supporters, and a

defense fund was established to help with legal expenses. Katrina Swanson was "confined" to her diocese when the

bishop refused to release her to a more accepting diocese. Struggles over their validity and status were taking place

within the dioceses of most of the Philadelphia women; concern for collegiality and order prevailed.

CHARGES BROUGHT

Formal charges were brought against William Wendt for permitting Alison Cheek to celebrate the Eucharist in

the church where he was rector. "The well-being of the Church will not be served" stated the Bishop of Washington

in trying to prevent such an action. He did not prevail, however, and eventually there was an ecclesiastical trial in

that diocese. Peter Beebe of Ohio also had charges brought against him for permitting Carter Heyward and Alison

Cheek to celebrate Eucharist in the church where he was rector.

Ruach began to take on a more professional appearance, and discussion around the language of worship with

its overwhelming use of masculine pronouns for both God and God's people made its first appearance. Members

were urged to communicate with the Standing Liturgical Com-mission before work was completed on the "new"

prayer book. Feminist perspectives, highlighting both art and printed materials, became a regular feature, and the

Caucus contracted with Ellen Wondra to prepare an inclusive bibliography of such works. The December issue

contained a special liturgy created by Ellen in celebration of the 80th birthday of Jeannette Piccard. In using the

liturgy, Jeannette's supporters across the church paid special homage to a real pioneer who was the first woman

ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

The Caucus comes of age, as a dues structure and a formal election procedure with nominating biographies is

included in the first issue for 1975. Commitment to one of the Dayton goals -- improvement of the environment

related to the full participation of women -- is evident in the news of EWC chapters, ECW branches and a wide

variety of ministry groups.

The creation of the policy board of The National Coalition for the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood and

Episcopacy is completed with Patricia (Park) Merchant and George Regas as co-chairs. Its primary task is to

organize and coordinate a national effort for a change in the canons to allow ordination to both priesthood and

episcopate. "Canonical change would facilitate the regularization of the Philadelphia ordinations, the ordination

of other women to the priesthood and encourage full lay ministry for women in leadership positions." The policy

board includes Hunsdon Cary, Oscar Carr, Pamela Chinnis, William Coats, Robert Cooper, Janice Duncan, Marge

Gross, George Guernsey, Marion Kelleran, John Krumm, Marjorie Nichols, Henry Rightor, Bennett Sims, Richard

Trelease, John Walker, and Stewart Wood. Seven were lay people, three were deacons, six were priests and four