Fellowship Baptist Church, from its very inception, has affirmed the equality of women and men in the service of God. This belief has led us to practice and encourage openness to both men and women in all places of ministry in the Church. We recognize, however, that at the present time, not all Baptist churches are open to and affirming of the place of women in ministry. Especially lacking are preaching opportunities for women preparing to enter the ministry. Therefore, the members of Fellowship Baptist Church have created the Emily L. Weatherspoon Ministry Weekend to provide support, encouragement and a preaching opportunity for a woman seminarian. 2011 marks the sixteeth annual observance of the Weatherspoon Ministry Weekend.
This weekend is named in honor of one of the women who has enriched and inspired our life together as a church, Dr. Emily Lansdell Weatherspoon. Dr. Weatherspoon was a gifted scholar, teacher and writer who modeled the life of Christ in her service. Dr. Weatherspoon’s life is a testimony to the long standing and rich tradition of women in ministry in Baptist life.
Our 2011 Emily L. Weatherspoon Preacher is Sarah Sheehan Reddish. Sarah lives in Decatur, GA and is in her second year of the Master of Divinity program at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She received her undergraduate degree in religion from Furman University. Sarah has thoroughly enjoyed her studies in religion and theology, especially classes in Scripture and Interpretation. Sarah’s husband Michael, is also a student at Emory, studying chemistry. When not studying, Sarah enjoys being outdoors, baking, and celebrating the power of stories. We welcome Sarah and Michael as they join us this weekend, and look forward to what Sarah has to share with us from the pulpit.
