CHARMAINE ROBLEDO
Mountain Sky Area UMC
In response to the popular “Chuck Knows Church,” four United Methodist clergywomen in the Yellowstone Annual Conference have come together to offer “Chicks Know Church.”
This online forum share inspiration and insight on ministry from a woman’s perspective.
One of the four founders, the Reverend Sarah Beck, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Billings, Montana, said Chicks Know Church is an opportunity to “share our stories, share how we’re learning” as young women in ministry. She hopes to have open conversations about the different work lay and clergywomen do in the church.
“I think there’s a need for this kind of thing, for women and for men,” Beck said, adding there’s a need for clergy “to be very real and honest about their experience with the church.”
“It’s at times hard and lonely,” Beck continued, “but we’re blessed to do this work. God’s right there in the middle.”
The group debuted its website, www.chicksknowchurch.com, in November and already the Facebook page has garnered more than 400 likes. The website will feature a bi-weekly podcast with women who are leaders in social justice and religion. The first interview was with Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area.
Beck said the name “Chicks Know Church” came about when co-founder Sami Pack joked that though “Chuck” may know church, “chicks know church, too!” They’re offering resources online, such as devotions, litanies and articles. Another co-founder, Wendy Ochs, who pastors at Evangelical UMC in Billings, is contributing the daily devotions.
“We’re trying to encourage a culture of support,” said Dawn Skerritt, pastor at Columbia Falls UMC in Columbia Falls, Montana.
Both Beck and Skerritt said they were amazed by the amount of interest they’ve gotten so far. They do hope to bring more awareness about Chicks Know Church through press releases and more podcast interviews.
Last Updated on October 27, 2023