Who Joins Voices of Sophia? Why?
Why Sophia?
Sophia is the Greek word for "wisdom".
Wisdom/Sophia language comes from a strong biblical tradition. In the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures Sophia has a significant relatedness to God. In the letters of Paul, Jesus is described as the "Sophia of God" (1 Cor. 1:24)
Whether seeing Sophia as a "reflection" or an "aspect" of the Triune God, feminist thinkers find value in the Sophia tradition. It invites insights for our understanding of God and asserts women's right to claim their own experience in relationship to the Bible and in speaking of God to the Church.
What is the Purpose of Voices of Sophia?
Voices of Sophia is a community of women and men, being reformed by God through the Spirit of the Living Christ, working in the Presbyterian Church (USA);
We exist because the full equality God intends for all has not yet been realized;
We work toward the reformation of the church into a discipleship of equals, and focus this work on challenges to the full participation of women in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
What is our Vision for the Church?
As a discipleship of equals, the church would...
Embrace the gifts of all the diverse peoples of God and invite their voices to inform our theology and direction;
Recognize and use the breadth of images of God present in the Biblical tradition;
Invite and empower all to engage and interpret Scripture;
Hear and value individuals' stories;
Stand in solidarity with all marginalized persons;
Nurture truth-telling in the church, and recognize human experiences as essential to the community;
Open itself to ecumenical communities of similar purposes and to new ways of being reformed by the wild and untamed Spirit!
Why is Voices of Sophia's Presence Important?
Transformation: Voices of Sophia works for the transformation of the church so that
women may participate fully and be accepted for the gifts and wisdom they bring.
Participation:
We still struggle with gender equality. Presence and ordination brings some of us to the various tables. However, change is not accomplished by presence only, but by full participation at all levels of our life together.
Advocacy:
Advocacy on behalf of women, feminist, womanist, and mujerista theologies is still necessary to prevent the continuing disintegration of progress made. Voices of Sophia is unique in its ability to speak its mind from outside the institutional structures, to not be silenced.
What does Voices of Sophia offer?
Connection and spiritual support, as well as challenge through:
- Information in our newsletter and on our website www.voicesofsophia.org
- Strong advocacy present during the year and at General Assembly;
- Networking with other Justice Seeking Presbyterians;
- Annual Gathering.
Who Chooses to Join Voices of Sophia?
Those who
- Seek a vision that carries the church forward into the future;
- Believe in a church reformed and always being reformed;
- Are excluded by the structures and systems of the church;
- Are faithful, progressive, justice-seeking servants of the church.
Voices of Sophia can advocate!
In 1998 members of the Presbyterian Coalition (religious right umbrella group) unsuccessfully attempted to defund a General Assembly program (NNPCW) for young college women...
and
In 2000 the authority of a representative committee of the Women's Ministry Program Area to nominate The Rev. Dr. Janie Spahr, a lesbian and an evangelist, as the honoree for a Women of Faith award, was threatened...
Voices of Sophia can bring diverse women together!
Individuals and churches resist the service of women in ordained status and leadership roles...
Voices of Sophia can be a prophetic voice for change!
Voices of Sophia Central Team
You may send an email to any member of the Central Team at voicesofsophia2@yahoo.com.
Beth Beall (El Paso, TX): Beth is a beginning poet and an advocate for children. She has worked as a Christian educator in a variety of PCUSA churches. Currently reading "If I Had Wheels or Love" (Vassar Miller), and "Congregation & Community" (Nancy Ammerman). She is an elder in the PCUSA and cares about inclusive/expansive language and about the potential for feminist-liberationist theologies to contribute to the healing of the world.
Janet Bohren (Ohio): Janet retired in January 2007 from the College of Education faculty at the University of Cincinnati. She is now finishing her commissioned lay pastor's license in the PCUSA and is also working on a master of theological studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton. In the future Janet hopes to develop online feminist studies in the area of feminist theology, feminist biblical interpretation and recent history of women in the church.
Carol Davies (Louisville, KY). Carol is an elder at Highland PC, and is retired from the PCUSA Criminal Justice Program. Her continuing interests include women’s issues, inclusiveness, the environment, and the disparity betweem the haves and the have-nots. Current activites include prayer quilts, a Wednesday lunch for the 'homeless' at her neighborhood Presbyterian Church, and gardening (mostly flowers).
Kate Holbrook (Colorado Springs, CO). Kate is the Assistant Chaplain at Colorado College.
Ann M. Olson (St. Paul, MN). Elder, Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area.
Jody Phillips (Brighton, CO). Jody is an elder in the PCUSA. She recently retired from her work as the Administrative Assistant at the First Prebyterian Church in Brighton. She just finished Harry Potter (6th book) in anticipation of the last in the series arriving sometime in July, and is currently reading "Leaving Church" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Since working with No More Deaths, No Mas Muertas a couple of years ago, Jody has developed a passion around immigration issues and will be working to bring justice to the people of Mexico.
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