Women in Leadership

Women in Leadership (WiL) works to dismantle patriarchal systems in Mennonite Church USA by empowering women to live out the call of God on their lives, increase their capacities, and contribute their wisdom in congregations, area conferences, agencies and institutions.

It creates space for resources, conversation and action for all women in our churches who are in leadership.

Denomination-wide research study: Learn more here.

The work of Women in Leadership includes:

• Women Doing Theology conferences
• Holding it Together podcasts
• Women in Leadership blogs, written by Steering Committee members
• Laboring Toward Wholeness curriculum for dismantling patriarchy
• Worship resources
  • Do You See this Woman?: Undoing Patriarchy and Moving Toward Right Relationships resources for worship
  • All You Need is Love resources for worship

The work of WIL is guided by a diverse steering committee. They are committed to intersectionality and centering the wisdom and leadership of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) women.

Women Doing Theology

Women Doing Theology conferences flow out of a history of Anabaptist theologians, ministers, teachers, activists, creatives and many others gathering together to do theological work born out of women’s experiences. Our theology is enriched and more deeply grounded as we listen, hold space, challenge, come into new awareness and practice presence together.

Past Women Doing Theology conferences:

Resources

Holding it(,) Together podcasts: Mennonite Church USA’s Women in Leadership has produced Holding it(,) Together, a podcast that delves into the lives and experiences of people across Mennonite Church USA.  It connects with folks from all over the country: people living into the fullness of who God created them to be, people stepping out in faith and standing in their conviction, individuals who are doing their best, one day at a time, to love God and neighbor, midwifing new systems and new ways of being in the world. Podcasts include:

• Episodes 1 – 5: Women in Leadership
• Episodes 6 – 10: Breaking Silences: Infertility, Miscarriage and Infant Loss, Mental Illness, Wholeness, Failure, Singleness
• Women Doing Theology Shorts from 2018 conference speakers: Malinda Elizabeth Berry, Yvette Blair and Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros

Holding it(,) Together Podcast

I’ve Got the Power! Naming and reclaiming power as a force for good, an essay collection from the 2016 Women Doing Theology Conference.

Created Equal
A persistent question in the church concerns the relationship between women and men. What did God envision? Should women and men work together as equal partners, or have clearly defined roles and responsibilities? And who should take the lead? Although much of church history has assumed male leadership and distinct gender roles, there are also strong voices in the Bible that support equality and mutuality between men and women. There are also many situations in which individual gifts and abilities determined responsibilities more than gender. How are we to understand what the Bible teaches? This resource includes some answers to questions that often come up in these discussions. There are also reflection questions and a list of additional resources, inviting us to further conversation and Bible study.

Steering Committee

Shannon Dycus is co-pastor at First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she leads missional and faith formation ministries for the congregation. She is active with Faith in Indiana, a local PICO network of faith communities seeking justice and holds multiple leadership positions with Mennonite Church USA. Shannon has published articles for The Mennonite and Leader, and she has loved supporting MC USA convention worship planning the last few years. Before congregational, her ministry was teaching middle and high school students and directing after-school programs. Shannon holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from Butler University and received her Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary where she continues to mentor students in The Discipleship Project. With a love for journeying with people, Shannon is completing certification as a Spiritual Director at San Francisco Theological Seminary.  With her loving husband, Gregory, the Dycus family includes two energetic elementary-age boys. Shannon is a listener and a foodie. She loves live music and dancing. She believes in doing justice and creating space to breathe.

Erica Littlewolf is from the Northern Cheyenne tribe of southeastern Montana and currently lives in her home community of Busby. She works for Mennonite Central Committee Central States with the Indigenous Visioning Circle, where she is committed to the work of decolonization, authentic relationship and healing. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and American Indian studies and applies her schooling to social justice issues and how they affect Indigenous people.

Sue Park-Hur serves as the director of racial/ethnic engagement for Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). She works with the various racial/ethnic entities within MC USA, supports the program agencies in this work and helps denominational leaders to define MC USA diversity, equity and inclusion goals, standards, and desired outcomes. Park-Hur co-directs ReconciliAsian, a peace center in Los Angeles specializing in conflict transformation and restorative justice for immigrant churches. A former co-lead pastor and co-church planter, her passion is to see the church living out the shalom of the gospel. Park-Hur is trained in Intercultural Development Inventory and is a Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) practitioner. She has a graduate degree in Christian Formation and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Asian American Studies from UCLA in California. She attends Pasadena Mennonite Church in Pasadena, California.

Bonita Croyle (she/her/hers) is a transracial adoptee, speaker, and writer. As the Founder of The Ebenezer Project, Bonita routinely engages with interfaith communities and individuals on topics regarding racial justice, transracial adoption, faith formation, liberation theology, womanism, and intersectionality. And as a Black transracial adoptee, Bonita also leverages her unique lived experiences to make clear the urgency to cultivate sustainable anti-racist systems and reform policies. Bonita is a graduate of Hesston College and Millersville University and has a Bachelor of Arts in English. She lives on the land of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pasqua Yaqui Tribes (Tucson, Arizona) with her husband Ian and her puppy Roar.

Contact:

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz
LorraineSA@MennoniteUSA.org

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz serves as denominational minister for Peace and Justice for Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). She works to resource conference ministers, conferences and pastors with opportunities to strengthen capacity and engagement in Christ-centered peace and justice, as well as serves as a liaison and coordinator for peacebuilding initiatives throughout MC USA. Stutzman Amstutz graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She earned her master’s in Social Work from Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Stutzman Amstutz was the coordinator of Mennonite Central Committee’s Restorative Justice program for over 25 years and has co-authored “The Little Book of Restorative Discipline for Schools” and “What Will Happen to Me?” She most recently served as the foster care supervisor for COBYS Family Services, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She attends Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Brief History of Women in Leadership