Public Screening: The Philadelphia Eleven

Fifty years ago this July, a brave group of women shattered the stained-glass ceiling by challenging the very core of patriarchal culture to seek ordination as Priests in the Episcopal Church. St. Matthew’s is proud to host a public screening of “The Philadelphia Eleven, a compelling new documentary film about the first women to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. Despite resistance, disrespect, and exclusion, these women defied the norms and transformed an age-old institution. The film sheds light on their lives, exploring the personal risks they undertook for the sake of their beliefs and their love for the church. It is a powerful story of faith and conviction. It is a story for all of us, regardless of faith tradition, that doesn’t just recount history but reflects the continuing struggles faced by women today.

As a special bonus, we will be joined that day by one of the eleven, the Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward. You can read more about the film and watch the trailer here.

Come to worship at 10:00am to hear Carter preach. Then come back at 2:00pm for the screening of the film and a special conversation with her.

Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it! Share this invitation with friends who might be interested. All are welcome. This is a FREE event and childcare will be provided upon request.

Margo Guernsey, the film’s director and producer who is not an Episcopalian, emphasizes that this is a story for everyone. “It is about how to break down barriers with grace and be true to oneself in the process. This story reveals ways in which voices that are inconvenient are often buried. It also provides a vision for what a just and inclusive community looks like in practice.”

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