In 1936, a woman named Elma Hobson transferred her membership to our church, along with her husband. They had been members at Independence Blvd Christian Church where she taught the Business and Professional Women’s Class. She then began to teach that same class at Country Club. This was in an era when many believed that women shouldn’t teach at all and if they did, they should not teach men. So Elma was out on the cutting edge. Her faith propelled her forward. Elma became the first woman to ever preach a sermon at our church. And she, along with another very strong church leader, Elizabeth Schmidt, were elected as Deacons in 1960.
As we look back on our first 100 years of ministry, we will recall the names of many great men who preached and led our church. But I take great joy in also remembering the labor, love, and leadership of those women who were not always given a formal voice but who embodied God’s spirit in truth and faithfulness to build a strong and vital church.
Grace and Peace,