EPISCOPAL OFFICE FOR GENDER JUSTICE

During the General Convention of 2022, a new position was discerned for the Episcopal Church. This position originates in the Office for Women’s Ministries which was expanded to include Gender Justice. This means that the office now recognizes and considers a more inclusive and welcoming nature of the Episcopal Church towards those communities that may face injustice because of their gender. The committee was created with the intent of helping to define the expectations of this new position and to help promote it on a national level. The Office for Gender Justice will include a full-time officer who will serve as a leader for this position and promoting the topics of Gender Justice and Equality throughout the Church. Since its creation, I have been a member of the committee formed to help create and establish this new ministry. The committee is chaired by the Rev. Melanie Mullen who serves as the Director for Reconciliation, Justice and Creation in the Episcopal Church. Together with ten other members of the Episcopal Church, both lay and ordained, we are working to articulate the parameters within which the person in this position will work. Thus far, it has been a privilege to work on this committee, especially as I serve with other members of the Episcopal Church from across the country.