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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1968-02-29, Page 4.1 • ••.8 4 toiks, .& - +414I.0*ra. • filatures from Th. World of Women 4+0U0 • May become first woman in the Presbyterian ministry By RUTH ANN SODEN ROCOrt1 Religion --Editor Kitchener -Waterloo Record TORONTO- -" Why is he a girl, Mommy?" A small youngster was con- fused when he saw Ann Wightman in the processiOnal at a Toronto church. He had never seen anything but a male minister before. Miss Wightman, 22, a for- mer University of Waterloo student, who is in her second year of theology at Knox Col- lege, Toronto, may well be the first Presbyterian woman minister. While she was at University of Waterloo, she worked at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Queen anclideber Sueets, for the summer of 1965 and the winter of the following school year. That was the year she decided to enter the ministry, • although she had toyed with the ' idea since she was in Grade 13. Several women have taken the three-year course at Knox; but have not been ordained. Until June, 1966, the Presby- • terian Churclidid not allow • Women ministers. If these grad- uates decided to seek ordina- tion now, they would have toti 'serve fora full year ori a mis- sion field and many of them re already established in Christ.- , Ianedudation or social works. One women, now in herlinal year is uncertain whether she wants ordination. •• • • - "One of the main things is that we accept ourseives•as wotnen' and as people, and that we don't do the'job the same way as meti,do,"Isaid Miss *ighttnan. , We tend to take the minis• try 'from theWonianws 'Viewpoint • time messing over little things, .but sometimes`we go deeper.. Into Iitt/e -things too. We get more emotionally involved. "With pastoral eounsellii'10 -sometimes it s a real advantage to be a women. Men, on the '• whale, tend to be a little re- moved, though, they can be a -*little moreobjective. , But people seem to be able ,to.epen up to a woman mote easily.", • Miss Wightrnan, who has ' -11ever ,known any Women clergy,: kels that it warlitake the whole church stronger to have men-andivotrien ministers work ing together. • It's wrong for women to enter the- ministry with the idea that • . .they're going to show the men bow it's done, she- said. Miss Wightman grew up on a farm near Belgrave with two blethers and a sister. The fam-- ily attended thePresbyterian Church in ,Belgrave„ • • • - • At that time women could not be ordained although there were 'indications that this ruling might be changed: "I feltthat if I couldn't be •ordained by -the -time I had. fin- ished I might. go into Christian education or social work -- sotnething along that line. "I was really aiming for the ministry but 1 Wasn't going to campaign for It... There are enough other areas in the church where trained people are needed that I didn't need to be ordain- ed.' "Sometimes I sound like a suffragette but I don't mean to. A lot of things women feel they have to campaign for are not worth it. They should just ac- cept that they already' have a lot of these things. - While she feels there are a few things.women do have to lobby for, she is not willing to give up being a women and all the little courtesies that are itex- tended to wo . "I find if I o about it like a man I get nowhere. But if I go about it like a woman I can get ,S11 -sorts of things done," •she said. • • When she was on a summer mission fieklat Tolland, Alta., - last summer, she found the best way ril'heeIt'llieteldfdair;;Provid- ed in running order was to bat her eyes and took feminine did helpless. „ • She found her rural back- • . ground a help last •summer be- cause she was able to talk to the men about the crisps and the effect the weathet was hay-, ing. And unlike most of the male students, she was abiays interested in the numbers of jars of peaches or tomatoes that had been preserved. Her congregation laughed] at their Eastern woman student • minister who had never seen gophers before and who fre- quently stopped to stare at, or' photograph them. The day she left they presented her with,a • stuffed gopher. "At the end of the summer one of the women told me to tell the mission board to send out- another woman next year • because they hadn't had so many men out to churchin . years. "The congregation were very accepting of it. Country con- gregations are much more will- ing to accept it (women clergy) • than city ones. 'There is an occasional murmuring when a coregatlon sees their student minister for the day is a girl. Out I find, it a real advantage when it comes to the sennon, They don't seem to go to sleep quite 'as fast." She believes ixr short ser- mons. "When I've said what I want to say. I don't see any sense in repeating myself just to make it 20 minutes long." • She and other student min- isters go out each Sunday to supply churches needing a min- ister that day. She is now work- ing as a student assistant to the minister at a Willowdale church. • • • Sometimes, preparations for Sunday morning and .for the youth Meetings on Sunday keep -her home Saturday night, "But sometimes the reason up ) so late preparing for the next day is that I went out anyway and have to stay up until the wee hours to get the work done," .she said with a grin. She hopes to go into the • parish ministry, but this will not prevent her from marrying or having childten, she explain- ed. "I think it's possible that a woman minister can be married. I can see some difficulty when she has to ask, for a sabbatical to have a baby. It (marriage) would need serious eonsidera- tion. You would need to have a very special kind of a hus- band, though I don't think he would have to be a minister., • • • • "It is rather ridiculous to think that women couldn't be married just because they are in the ministry. As for being pregnant, if they make us wear gowns, kt won't be that notice- able. Aleit depends on the congregation and the minister • herself --if the accepts it. Let's not -flaunt it but let's not be ashamed of it.", • I enjoy preaching, young people. teacliing and.visitation. The minignis, afigerad „way to have all of, it." Her father, Edgar Wightman, is really pleased about the de- cision, , although one of the most difftult,parts of het train- ing so far, was having her fam- • ily hear her preachfor the first time. . ---,Her older brother refers to her as, "my sister, the parson." - Although she and her family and many others, have accepted her as a minister -to -be she ,still surprises and shocks a good number of people. 'The most frequent question I get asked is, 'well, what in the world do you want to befa minister for -- particularly a girl,'" she said. • Personals • --Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Devereaux, Molly and Danny . of Alliston visited with his par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Gut Dever- eaqx in St. Augustine and with other relatives in Winghaln over the week -end. Her moth- er, Mts. Jos. Brophy,. returned - home with then after spending the past three weeks in Alliston. --Miss Agnes Williamson spent a couple of days last week with Mrs. Marguerite Chopin in 'Guelph. ACCORDING 1' TE More O0itiOnding Iife now than for pioneer women BELGRAVE-4411. Cliff A Logan was convener of the his- torical meeting of the Women's Institute held in the COMMunity rooms with Mrs. WinWight. man presiding. • Items of business included a motion to cater to the Co turkey banquet on Marek \ with Mrs. Cliff Purdon, Mori. Robert Higgins and M. Anderson in charge of arrange- ments; 425.00 was donated to Belgrave, Blyth, and Brussels School Fair with Mrs.: Albert• Coultes, Mrs. Walter Scott and Mrs. Jack Taylor to arrange prizes; $10.00 was voted for •-75th anniversary Macdonald Institute Fund. Mrs. Stewart Procter and Mrs. Richard Procter were named to the nominating cenr mitte. Mrs. Norman Coultes Receive awards for atlendance, BLUEVALE- -Clifford-Brewer, assistant superintendent bf Blue - vale United Church -Sunday School, presented the following awards for attendance in -1967, on Sunday: Diplomas, Judy Sellers, Ken Warwick, David Brewer; 2nd year seal, Mary Ann Nicholson; 3rd ear,' Kathy Willits, Joanne Edgar;,4th year, Danny. David, Joan, Ruth and -Jane Campbell; 5th year, Bill Sellers; 6th year, Glen Warwick, *Allan gth year, Louise Stamper. Mary.E. Garniss; 8th year pins, Jim Hetherington. Bruce and Murray Willits. Doug and Bill Gamiss, Don Edgar; 9th, Doug and Darlene StamPer, Mac Wil- lits; 10th year, Betty and Cliff Hetherington. Bruce and Bob, Corrigan; Ilth year, Marg eraig 12th -Ken Mathers; 14th; •Itiltir Mathers, Lloyd Peatock; 15tir,- Terry Johnston. and Mts. Cliff Logan wili plan, an arterneen euchre for (Matett 12 in the eeriiraynity rooms% There will be*. food -return. "Hew to Make the Most of Tour Freezer' otrApril 18th in Wing - ham. call was answered by naming a Canadian and stating why he or she is remembered. ot debate." Resolved that the average pier woman led a more demanding life 'phreial- ly and mentally than -the aver- age homemaker of today"; was well presented by Mrs. Clay - ence Hanna and MIs. Victor Youngblut for the affirmative and Mrs, William Coultes and- mii. Stan Hopper for the nega- tive. Mrs. Ross Anders011, Mrs. George -Procter and Mrs. Leslie Bolt were the judges and their decision was in favor of the negative side. Mrs. Cliff Logan gave two readings,. "Somebody said It Couldn't Be Done" and "Grow- ing" . Nancy Andetson was the accompanist for Doreen and Sheila Andetson who sang "I'M %Little Teapot" and "Billy Boy". Sheila sang "Frosty the Snowman". • Mrs. Ivan Wightman and - Mrs. Cliglogan thanked all who helped with the meeting. Lunch was served by Mrs. •Stewart Procter, Mrs. Gordon Higgins and Mrs. NelsOn Hig- gins. --Mr.—and Mrs. George Fitzpatrick of London, Mrs. Jack Rich and Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Van Grekanof Hamil- ton, Mrs. Leah Fitzpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Holmes, Mr. • and•Mrs. Doug Dunn and Mr. and Mrsi, Jim Winner of Kitch- ener, .Mts. Edith•McLeod,14r. • and Mrs. TomAldis, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Martin, Mr. John Mcl.eod and Miss Shirley Mc - Leal of Tailicr, 14.#11M ,` were out-of-town guests at the Rich - Peterson wedding on Saturday. Per;onais .-Mr, and Mrs. (rick Briphy and family Spent Sunday with her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Letidy of Kitchener.. They were • godparents for Michael John teddy, who was christened on Sunday in St. Anne's Church. by Fr, Quinlan; ,-"°11/It. and Mrs. Albert Smyth and daughter Andrea, of Kitchener. spenvthe week -end at the home of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smyth and with her mother, Mi. Leach of Olussels. New member for Ladies' Auxiliary A poi luck supper preceded , the regular meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Legion on Monday evening, for which there was a good attendance. Mrs. Joe King presided and Mrs. Bill Hogg was pianist. The charier as draped in memory of Mrs. T.Y. Smith. Mrs. Stuart 'Henry was in- stalled as a new member and applications for membership Were read from Mrs. Frank 01- heiser and Mrs. Percy LeBlanc. It was decided to donate to the Legion Scholarship Bursary Fund. Thank you notes were read from the veterans and shut-ins who had received treats. The zone commander, Mrs. H. Carrolrof Goderich attended the meeting and presented Mrs. K. McLaughlini.with her past - president's badge. Mrs. Bill Walden, sports convener, announced that Wingham players won both euchre and bridge prizes at the card party in LucKnow. Other announcements were for the branch St. Patrick's dance on March 16. an -Invitation euchre on April 15, the spring rally in Hensall on May 15, and the convention In Ottawa in Sept- ember. .. Mrs. McLaughlin expressed„ - ry for Mrs Cant a and presented her with a gift. Rich -Peterson vows said at Sacred ea in, Wing am ered with lace,and carded .muffs with yellow and whit* mums, Darlene Rich, sister of the groOM, Was the flower girl, wearing.white oystal thattn and carrying a basket yellow and white mUMS..„ GroelPSMaii was Warren Rich of WridOn, brother of the groom and the ushers were.Etic Peter', SQ0 of lAndOn, brother of the - • bride and,Ken Chettleburgh of Hensill, the bride's step -broth-. A receptiOn was belt/ at Danny's Resaiirant where the bride's motherreceived, in a • pink 'crimp knit dren. pink_ hat and brown aceessories, tier corsage was yellow rosebuds. The mother of the greens' %%rote navy blue linen with red acces- sories and -a corsage of white rosebuds. • Special gueits s'irere the three grandmothers of the bride and groom. Mrs, Nicholas Bon's of London, Mrs. Ann Rich of Wing - ham and Mr. Leah Fitzpatrick of Kitchener. • Mr. and Mrs. Rich will re- side in Waterloo. , Sacred Heart Roman Cabo - lie Churchln Wingham was the setting for a pretty winter wed- ding on Saturday at 5 p. mt. .when Louise Anne Peterson be- came the bride of George Ed- ward Rich of Waterloos The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Robert Chettleburgh of Wing - ham and the late Mr. Olas Peterson. The groom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. EdOard Rich of Wingham. Father J.G. Mooney, parish ' priest, officiated and the organ- istslr)was Mrs. Richard m peau. The church was dec ed with gold, mums for the odc-asion. Given in marriage by her stepfather. Mr. Chettleburgh.. the bride was attired in a dress of satin overlaid with chiffon, fashioned with fitted bodice, full skirt and long sleeves. Pearls and rhinestones enhanced the neckline. She carried yellow rosebuds and white carn- ations on a white Bible. , Miss Mary Chettleburgh of Wingham was the maid of honor wearing a long dress of apricot crystal charm in A-line design. Bridesmaids were Ruth Anne Chettleburgh; Esther Chettle- burgh, both 9f Wingham and Anne Marie Steinsland of Lon- don, the junior bridesmaid. °They' wore dresses of satin cov- er. --Mr. and Mrs, Allin Stall of Toronto visited with Mr. and " Mrs. Hugh Mundell on the • week -end. Arall11111111111111111Mill111111111111111011,111111111111111111111111111111111111,11.111111111111111111111111111111.1 § . . j .11 • .! • F.,- • E-1Our prices are .low... i BUT LAST WEEK'S AD WAS, RIDICULOUS" WINGHAM MEAT MARKET 'is known for its fine quality, top' service and low prices . . but last i• week's ad, we must admit, was a typographical i error. The item Burns Wieners in a 6-1b.,box should = have read $2.69. i A 4 ill11111111111111111111111111110111111101nalifiltlitillillilliliallallibiliffirinfitill • May we take this opportunity to invite you to visit our NEW FABRIC DEPARTMENT. At present our services include sales of SINGER SEWING MACHINES, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. Our colourful 'Materials include Broadcloth, Dan River Cottons, Linens b0tb printed and plain, Linings, Cashmenne Crap's, Banded Knit, Shan7 hang, Printed Sauna and Printed Minket*. Our rouge win include Coats Zippers and Thread/Timex Seam Binding, Simplicity Patterns and 'Notions. In the. future we hope' to expand our lines and offer Ibri evengreater selection of materiak for every season. 0 '