A documentary about women’s struggle for inclusion in church leadership will be screened at Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N. Witchduck Road, in Virginia Beach at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
“The Philadelphia Eleven” follows the story of 11 women who were ordained into the Episcopal priesthood at a church in Philadelphia in 1974, in violation of the church rules at the time.
“This film tells a story that continues to resonate today as women seeking ordination continue to face resistance, disrespect and exclusion from roles reserved by men for men,” states a press release from the Old Donation.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the milestone, but women in many faiths continue to fight for full inclusion. Last month, the Southern Baptist Convention ousted an Alexandria church for affirming that women can serve in any pastoral role. Southern Baptist doctrine states that only men can serve as pastors, though some interpret that to mean only senior pastors must be male.
The screening is free and open to the public, but registration is required; visit olddonation.org.
Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
