Black Women in Church and Society

This is a program at The ITC with local and national foci, seeking to enhance the participation and function of women in the church and society.  The focus is church structures and seminary/theological education, using education and re-education as tools for constructive and positive change.  As an organization, it seeks to establish a network of Black women, locally and nationally.  A part of the aim is to develop support systems for Black women in religious professions.  There are at present four components of Black Women in Church and Society: the Dialogue; the Biannual Seminar; the Mid-Year Institute; the Research/Resource Center, and the Leadership Training Program.  The program involves a variety of educational, research, and training ventures.

For information go to:  http://www.urbanrainbow.net/bwcs/

Mission
The office of BWCS was organized in 1981 to encourage and to facilitate the inclusion and full participation of women in the life and work of the Church and the larger society. Using education as a tool, we seek to create a context for constructive and positive changes in women’s reality and thus, in the Church and the larger society.  Black Women in Church and Society is a program with local and national foci.

Goals
To this end, BWCS is committed to increasing the knowledge base about Black women in the Church and the society. Every aspect of the work of BWCS supports the acquisition of knowledge for the purpose of correcting miseducation and misconceptions with respect to African American women, and thus advancing their cause.

Programs and Activities
The programs, new initiatives and activities to fulfill the mission of the BWCS include:

Formal Courses

• Black Women in Ministry (Summer Intensive*)
• Women in Religion (Interdisciplinary Fall/Spring)
• Womanist Theology (Spring) (*Also available for continuing education units)

Informal Dialogues

• Womanist Talk (Fall & Spring)
• Sisters and Brothers in Dialogue (Spring)
• The Womanist Scholars Program (WSP)

A one-year research and teaching program that supports study and research on Black women and religion/spirituality by Black women scholars.

Ford Fellows in Community Service Ministry Program (FFCSMP)

A one-year internship pairing clergy and human service professionals in direct service delivery to increase professional development opportunities for women in religious and church leadership.