In the very first chapter of the very first book of the bible God both male and female were created in God’s divine image.
From the very beginning, women have been used by God as divine instruments in the history of societies, cultures and revolutions – Eve, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Deborah, Esther, Miriam, Jehosheba, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla, Martha, Ruth, and of course Mary the mother of Jesus – all played pivotal roles in God’s plans for humanity.
Our founding pastor, Marsha Jean Moors-Charles grew up in rural Eastern Kentucky feeling the call to ministry, but as a girl attending a church with firm rules prohibiting female clergy or church leadership. She began the search for other ways to serve. It was many years later that she was able to shake off those misunderstood and outdated notions and started her journey toward pastoral ministry and ordination, ultimately founding and serving as lead pastor here at Bluegrass. Today Pam Lee-Miller, another strong leader serves as co-pastor.
In 1853 the United Church of Christ became the first Christian denomination to ordain a woman. Just like the denomination we are affiliated with, Bluegrass believes women are as equipped and prepared for pastoral leadership and ministry as men.
However, there is much more to women’s justice and gender equality than church issues. Gender bias continues to create huge barriers for many women. Human trafficking and violence against women, women’s healthcare and reproductive justice, the rights of women in the workplace, educational opportunities for girls and women, and women in the criminal justice system are all very important issues.
We acknowledge those concerns, and we use our voices to speak out on behalf of women, for systemic changes, and against discrimination against women.
We commemorate and honor Women’s Equality Day on August 26th, and we march alongside our Lexington neighbors for the rights of women in our city and our state.
Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to know more about our positions on women’s and gender issues.