Letters of Support
These letters and telegrams from friends as well as prominent feminist leaders indicate widespread support for Jody, Loey and Stacy and what they were doing together.
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Letter of support from Committee on Women in Church and Society (undated)
October 26, 1977 letter of support from Cathy Carlson
Cathy Carlson sent a letter to advocate for the ordination of Jody, Stacy, and Loey. As a member of conference staff in ministry, she knows the process and fully supports the three women. She recalls her own ordination and speaks to the feeling of unease she had as she was standing up alone as so many people had a hand in her call and getting her to that point, Carlson closes by stating that the idea of a group ordination is a physical manifestation of the path people take to get to ministry - together.
October 27, 1977 letter from Mary Hunt
Mary Hunt also wrote a letter in support of Jody, Stacy, and Loey. In it, she states that a joint ordination brings new opportunity to articulate Christian teachings. It is an example of the covenant tradition where people bond in community and that is what is happening with this group ordination. This collective service is hoped to be a move towards a model of shared leadership in the church. These three women, in their journey to ordination, has raised questions about faith and putting it into practice.
October 28, 1977 letter from Michael Bausch
Minister Michael Bausch is another supporter of Loey, Stacy, and Jody. In this letter of support, he states the while group ordination might be new to the church, it is not a new concept in the Bible. He goes on to give the example of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He gives his well wishes for those that are struggling with different ways to view ministry in the UCC.
November 22, 1977 letter of support from Barbara Gerlach
Barbara Gerlach, of the UCC Commission on Women wrote to express her support of Loey, Stacy, and Jody. Gerlach, like Basuch, wrote that there are Biblical examples of collective ordination and that early Christians often went out to preach in twos and threes. Community in the church is crucial, especially among women and a joint ordination of three women would affirm this sense of community. Gerlach acknowledges that ministry can be lonely and that it’s good to have others with you. She also states that it would be good to jar folks concept of ordination.