Story and photos submitted by the Very Rev. Deborah White, Ph.D.
The Contra Costa Deanery celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church in grand style this past weekend. About 100 people, including Bishop Austin and Meleah Rios, gathered Sunday evening at the Contra Costa Stadium Cinemas in Martinez to watch “The Philadelphia 11” on the big screen.
The documentary tells the story of the 11 brave female deacons (and four male bishops) who took on not only a divided church but a disapproving world to confirm that God’s call to ordained ministry is for all people.
Many of our local churches were “in the house,” including St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek; Resurrection, Pleasant Hill; St. Timothy’s, Danville; Holy Spirit, Concord; St. Anna’s, Antioch; St. Anselm’s, Lafayette; All Souls, Berkeley; Christ the Lord, Pinole; and Grace, Martinez. Contra Costa’s regional dean, the Very Rev. Dr. Deb White, offered appreciation for the collaborative work of the deanery’s clergy to make this event happen. The Rev. Krista Fregosa, rector of St. Paul’s, Walnut Creek, provided insight and offered a question-and-answer session following the film.
