Loading...Women from across East Tennessee gathered Sept. 29 at St. Paul, Athens, for the Twenty-Eighth Annual Meeting of the Diocese of East Tennessee Episcopal Church Women. Nearly 70 people participated in the spirit-filled day that incorporated meaningful liturgy, recognition of achievements, remembrance of those who died in the preceding year, conversation, good food, and an inspiring keynote presentation by the Rev. Kammy Young, Director of Contextual Education and Lecturer in Contextual Theology, Sewanee, on the Five Marks of Mission.
Young said that the 5 Marks of Mission are not an addition to our To Do list; they are part of our everyday life. She said that the Five Marks of Mission are a way to “celebrate being part of what God is doing – if we get over our fears and trust that all will be well.” She said she wondered if church women are being called in this generation to use their voice and vote to help women around the world. “God’s people are the solution to the problems of the world,” she said.
Young commended “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” – a book, TV special, and upcoming DVD – as “it gives concrete examples of how women are working together worldwide in simple and amazing ways to do what the Five Marks describe. Towards the end of the video, Desmond Tutu sums it up: ‘If we are going to see real development in the world, then our best investment is women.’ ” Click here for the the You Tube video about Half the Sky that Young played for the gathering on Saturday. The program is available for online viewing at the [i]NEDPENDENTLENS web site //www.pbs.org/independentlens/half-the-sky/. A video of Young’s presentation will be available later.
Bishop Young presented the Province IV Distinguished Woman of the Episcopal Church Award to Pat Rutenberg. Rutenberg was not able to participate in the ECW Triennial, held in conjunction with the General Convention this past July, during which the awards were presented to distinguished women from each province.
Bishop Young said, “Patricia Brake Rutenberg is a member of Church of the Ascension in Knoxville, Executive Director of Blount Mansion Association and an Adjunct Lecturer in History at the University of Tennessee. She is the former Dean of Studies and teacher at Webb School of Knoxville and Middle School Director and teacher at The Episcopal School of Knoxville and Middle School Director and teacher at The Episcopal School of Knoxville.
“She has received numerous awards as an outstanding teacher. Pat is a current member of the Knoxville Rotary Club and Knoxville Museum of Art Education Committee. A former Diocesan [ECW] President, she now serves on the executive board. Pat is married to Alan Rutenberg; they have three daughters and two grandchildren.
“Pat continually uses her God-given talents to lead, teach and serve others in educational, cultural and historical organizations as well as in her church, on the Diocesan ECW Board and throughout the diocese. Her enthusiasm, passion and energy encourage others to get involved and develop programs, from singing ensembles to Sister-to-Sister Mission projects."
Elizabeth Steifel, a member of the Mollie Tucker Scholarship Committee, announced that Lauren Sisk, a parishioner of Good Samaritan, Knoxville, was the 2012 scholarship recipient. Sisk plans to study education at ETSU and pursue a career in teaching like both her parents. Sisk sent her thanks to the ECW and regrets that she was not able to be present at the gathering. In the time leading up to the fall meeting, Steifel had contacted previous Tucker Scholarship recipients, and she provided updates on their statuses.
As the gathering ended, the women were sent out into the world with a blessing by Bishop Young.
