Help COSROW identify women to grow leadership
Oklahoma’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) is seeking to bring greater balance in male/female leadership in both programming and administration at the district and Conference levels.
This is a priority for the commission as a new ministry quadrennium (2017-2020) begins for The UMC.
That’s why we are asking for your help to identify and name women interested in the work and service of district and Conference boards and committees.
Laura Glover’s story portrays how leadership opportunities can shape lives. She is a 2016 COSROW scholarship recipient, attending seminary.
Each year the commission awards scholarships to women answering a call to clergy ministry. Those who apply range from recent college graduates to second-career women. There is great diversity in the lives transformed as women make commitments to follow God’s leading.
Laura’s ministry journey began 20 years ago. Her leadership roles have included education, mission, Bible study, prayer, social justice, and committee work. A Local Pastor, she currently serves Perkins and Ripley United Methodist Churches. She is a member of the Conference’s Mission & Service Ministry Team and the Northern Prairie District Committee on the Superintendency.
She noted how very active the women in her local congregations have been. “If you wanted something done, you went to the women of the church.”
In her experience, female leadership in the programming and mission-oriented areas of church is more prevalent than that of men.
However, statistics on the Conference and district officers show disproportionately high male leadership.
COSROW has identified these administrative offices as where decisions and policies are most affected.
Glover stated, “The leadership of the Church needs to reflect the diversity of God’s creation and should have the face of all we serve.” This is a statement consistent with the type of advocacy with which COSROW is tasked.
COSROW celebrates Laura’s experience and faithfulness. She represents many women willing to serve in both programmatic and administrative capacities. “Laura assumes the best in people, but she doesn’t shy away from conflict,” said her colleague Jessica Maynard of OKC-Village UMC.
If you know of women with gifts and interests for serving on district or Conference boards and other committees, send their names and contact information to COSROW Chairperson Jennifer Ahrens-Sims at jennifer@mychapelhill.org.