Celebrating The Role Of Women In The North Texas Conference
Nov. 16 event aimed at helping churches tell their unique stories
The North Texas Conference Commission on Archives and History is sponsoring its annual Workshop for Local Church Historians on Nov. 16 at the NTC Ministry Center. This year’s theme, “Telling the Story of the Women of North Texas Conference,” celebrates the achievements and advancements women have made in the NTC.
The theme was chosen to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the United Methodist Women and the discovery made by NTC and South Central Jurisdiction archivist Frances Long.
The North Texas Archives was given the manuscript of Biddy Steincamp by her family after her death. Steincamp was active in the two women’s societies that led to United Methodist Women. The manuscript shares the life and stories of Steincamp, who was born in the territory that would become Oklahoma but then moved to North Texas.
Along with Long, other women will discuss unique ways of telling churches’ stories.
Lillie Jenkins Walker will share histories through quilts, and Conchita Franco will communicate the stories of the women who formed Agape Memorial UMC. Two long-serving female pastors, Revs. Donna Whitehead and Barbara Marcum – who currently serve at Lovers Lane UMC – will discuss their ministry.
The 2018 Workshop for Local Church Historians focused on how to tell your church's story.
“The importance of the workshop is what it gives as a whole to those that attend. They learn how to better care for their history, how to present it in different ways and who the resource persons are. Also, they learn where the archives are for the conference.” Frances Long archivist for the North Texas Conference and the South Central Jurisdiction, Frances Long.
New to the conference this year is a history book exchange. The committee is asking for attendees to bring books they no longer want to exchange with others.
The workshop is open to anyone interested in church histories especially those in the beginning stages.
“Workshops are always a way of church historians getting together to learn and compare notes,” said Long.
Kent Roberts, chair of the Conference Commission on Archives and History, is excited to feature the work of women in the NTC.
“The women of Methodism have been the heavy lifters from the beginning and will be the heavy lifters going forward,” Roberts said. “We want to talk about all the ways to tell that story.”
Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2019