Women in Church Leadership project making steady gains

The Women in Church Leadership (WICL) project keeps moving ahead. Some milestones:

"WICL Anchors": 27 women and men have agreed to be a national network of local WICL promoters. First meeting was in Cleveland in October. Anchors will be writing parish bulletin and op-ed pieces, taking the "Jesus and Women" brochure to women's shelters, bringing "inclusive Jesus" ideas into parish programs, and encouraging local groups and Catholic colleges to sponsor events. Next Anchor gathering is Apr. 28-30, and new participants are welcome.

Mary of Magdala makes good copy! U.S. Cathofic plans an April St. Mary of Magdala cover story by Heidi Schlumpf - just the latest in great press since the 123 St. Mary of Magdala celebrations last July got writeups in diocesan and secular papers. Stories in the Dallas Moming News, the Los Angeles Times and the Cleveland Plain Dealer went out on the national wire.

"Celebrating the Inclusive Jesus" by WICL coordinator Sr. Chris Schenk appeared in February Celebration. It sketches the central roles of women in the Gospels and suggests how to bring them into preaching and worship especially for Lent and Holy Week (with women disciples at the cross and as first witnesses to the resurrection). FutureChurch has extra copies.

WICL is a joint project of CTA and FutureChurch. To get involved, contact WICL.