Texas United Methodist Historical Society Annual Meeting

The Texas United Methodist Historical Society will meet in Abilene March 24 and 25 on the campus of McMurry University to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our denomination's granting full clergy rights to women. Tentative speakers include Dr. Robert Pace who will speak on the 1956 General Conference debate which resulted in full clergy rights for women and Mrs. Pat Thompson of Morrisville, Vermont, president of the United Methodist Historical Society. Mrs. Bonnie Sandberg, a member of the Texas Conference Commission on Archives and History will tell the group about her grandmother, the Rev. Bessie Hedgepath Risinger, who became a preacher in 1927--well before 1956, in the Methodist Protestant Church. The Rev. Ava Berry is also on the program. Rev. Berry is district superintendent of the Abilene District of the Northwest Texas Conference. Her presentation will concern the appointment of women clergy.

More information, including registration materials, can be obtained from the president of the TUMHS, the Rev. Ken Goodell at 281-427-9874 or vice-president Wm. C. Hardt at 979-830-0136.

Hope to see you in Abilene.