The Philadelphia Eleven

The Philadelphia Eleven
Documentary
Director: Margo Guernsey
Cinematography: Nikki Bramley
Composer: Saul Simon MacWilliams
Time Travel Productions
No Rating
Running Length: 90 Minutes
Release Date Summer 2024

This is the 50th anniversary of a monumental happening concerning women and the Episcopal Church. On July 29, 1976, eleven women were formally ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church. It took years to accomplish this, making sure the “t’s” were crossed and the “i’s” were dotted. Finally, it was a reality. Going back to the time of Christ, women were mentioned in the Bible for their good deeds, but not with having their own congregations. Moving ahead centuries, women became stronger figures in the Church and just coming short of having the acceptance as a Priest. Voting in various church conferences was close, but never enough to allow women into the priesthood until a final vote of acceptance. Then, where to have this momentous event? There was not exactly a rush to submit names of accepting churches, but at last, at The Church of the Advocate, eleven women were ordained as Priests. Protection was provided by the Black Panthers, as Church of the Advocate was in an African-American community. No curtains in the sanctuary were split, no thunderous covering of the sun happened, it was a service of acceptance and the road for other women to follow was now open. One of the reasons being, there are many churches, but fewer men to pastor those churches. Churches then wanted a woman priest for baptisms, weddings, funerals and other church services.

This film, “The Philadelphia Eleven” offers a close look from individual viewpoints as to what happened in the years before and since the first Ordination. Frustration, years of theology studying for naught could happen, friends could depart as being friends, this is discussed with openness as to what happened. Even after the Ordination, as women were preparing in other parts of the U. S. to be Ordained, sly individuals around the country were sending hate mail to these women, including fishing line, encouraging them to hang themselves. In later years, questions were raised about God being referred to as “Father” so what is a woman priest called? When will a black woman be ordained as a Priest? (about two years later) Would women ever be ordained as Bishops in the Episcopal church? This took a bit longer, but it has happened greatly. What comes later is the acceptance of gay priests.

Women have always had to work twice as hard, it seems, to be given the right to vote, accepted in a business world, military world, medical world or religious world. From my own experience in church music, it wasn’t until I achieved several degrees that I was accepted to play a church organ for a service because there was no male musician available to play a service or direct a choir.

“The Philadelphia Eleven” moves smoothly from one section to another with photography giving you a close look at what was religiously happening at that time. It takes you right into the midst of large groups of people. You are there. People interviewed, speak to the audience and your interest is caught right away. Facial expression and body language all show the importance of their experiences. Soundtrack accompanies the scenes well.

As we move forward in time, into the age of robotic work, electric cars, space stations, trips to the moon and beyond, religion is still the bedrock of it all. No matter who offers you the Communion wine, we are all in this together.

The women known as “The Philadelphia Eleven” are Merrill Buttner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeannette Piccard, Betty Bone Schiess, Katrina Swanson and Nancy Wittig.

Four Tocks

Copyright 2024 Marie Asner