The Episcopal Church of the Ascension - Hickory, North Carolina
Screening of "The Philadelphia Eleven"
Wed, Jun 12
|Hickory
The compelling documentary "The Philadelphia Eleven" will be screened in Hickory, NC on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome. The event is free, with donations welcomed at the door.
Time & Location
Jun 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hickory, 726 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601, USA
About the Event
The struggle for women's inclusion in church leadership and ordination remains a pressing issue within many Christian denominations. This ongoing battle garnered widespread attention when the Southern Baptist Convention recently barred women from senior leadership roles. The historical roots of this struggle and the ongoing fight for gender equality within the church are powerfully documented in the new film, The Philadelphia Eleven.
The Philadelphia Eleven revisits a pivotal moment in 1974 when eleven women were ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Philadelphia, defying the church's constitution and canons which restricted ordination to men. This courageous act broke through the so-called stained-glass ceiling, providing hope and inspiration to Christian women worldwide.
The film tells the stories of these remarkable women who faced significant personal risks and institutional rejection. Despite these challenges, they succeeded in transforming an age-old institution and remain a beacon of hope for future generations of women in ministry.
The Rev. Nancy H. Wittig, one of the Philadelphia Eleven featured in the film, reflects on the ongoing struggle for equality in the church. "It's amazing that women are still fighting for rights in the church, and continuing to feel blowback, similar to what we experienced 49 years ago," she says. "We are proud of the changes we have accomplished through our priesthood and the ordinations in Philadelphia."
Director Margo Guernsey, who is not Episcopalian, emphasizes the universal message of the film. "This is a story for all of us. It is about how to break down barriers with grace and be true to oneself in the process. This story reveals ways in which voices that are inconvenient are often buried. It also provides a vision for what a just and inclusive community looks like in practice."
The Philadelphia Eleven continues to resonate today as women seeking ordination face resistance and exclusion. This documentary is not just a historical recount but a call to action for justice and inclusivity within the Christian Church.
To view the film trailer, please visit www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com.