Dear Friends,

You will no doubt be aware that there are parts of the Church of England that

do not accept the right of women to enter the priesthood or to hold the post

of Bishop. That is their theology and the Anglican Church is a broad church

which seeks to embrace all views. It was only in 1994 that women were

admitted to the priesthood and Libby Lane was the first woman to be

consecrated as a Bishop in 2015.

People outside the church find this concept of women being excluded from

leadership roles difficult in an age where you cannot legally face discrimination

due to sex.

Women matter to God. Unfortunately throughout the history of the church

that has not been evident.

On 22nd July it was the feast day of Mary Magdalene, healed by Jesus, she was

one of his most loyal followers, remaining at the foot of the cross and meeting

Jesus in the garden following his resurrection. It was Mary who told the other

disciples about the resurrection earning the title “the apostle to the apostles”.

She was however branded as a prostitute by Pope Gregory in the 6 th Century

with no Biblical support. St Paul is often quoted in the arguments against

women in ministry yet he valued them, for example he entrusted his Letter to

the Romans to Phoebe- a woman.

Women matter to God. We all matter to God.

I think a huge problem is when the world views people as less. Everyone

matters to God. He created each person on earth in his image. Everyone has

value and God can work by grace through all of us.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who

believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Everyone. Not a select <span style="font-size: 1rem;">few.</span>

Everyone matters to God. Everyone should matter to us. Not just the people

we like but everyone, irrespective of age or gender or views.

God places a high value on individuals.

Never feel that you don`t matter, because you matter to God and to us.

If anyone tries to put you down – look them in the eye and say “I am a child of

God and I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

You matter.

Christina