The Publication of the Episcopal Women’s Caucus


Winter 2004 Vol.24:2-3

Letters to the Editor

New from Bishop Jane Dixon.

Dear members of the board, and all members of the Caucus,

I have been blessed to have a number of honors in my life and yet being honored by the Caucus at that incredible breakfast in Minneapolis will always be one of the most important to me. To have a group whose mission and ministry I so admire, thank me for my work for justice means so much I have not the appropriate words to express it. You brought me to the place that the Rt. Rev. Walter Righter said I would arrive one day; that it was a privilege to do the work I did as Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore. Thank you.

Retirement is a strange and foreign land for me. There is both cost and promise. The cost is that I miss the active ministry I had for almost 35 years as both lay woman and ordained person. I miss the struggle for justice and inclusion on a regular basis, and I miss the people with whom I worked and prayed and agitated. The promise is that I now have discretionary time to enjoy my family and friends, and I can say yes or no to the invitations I receive. And I will teach a course at George Washington University on women in religious leadership in the winter and spring. Also I have the freedom to consider two options being presented to me for work. That is really fine.

You have further honored me be inviting me to be a member of the board of the Caucus. Now I have group of peers with whom to work and pray and agitate once again. Thanks be to God! I am convinced that the fear of inclusion of all God's creatures in the life of the Church and the world is having a deleterious effect on our society and community of faith. Thus to be joined with workers for justice is a great gift.

So many thanks for 30 years of support, for you in fact, helped make my ordained life possible, the wonderful tribute in Minneapolis, and for giving me a new band of sisters and brothers. I will be forever grateful.

May God bless us always,
   + Jane


Ruach welcomes your letters and comments. Please send them by email or regular post to Editors Katie Sherrod or Anne McConney at the addresses on the Member's Page. In the interest of including as many letters as possible, the editors reserve the option of editing for space.