MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR
REV. ELDER FREDA SMITH
ON DECEMBER 21 AT
1PM PST AT THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ANNE, STOCKTON, CA
Rev. Elder Freda Smith has inspired a generation of women, lesbians, and people of every gender and orientation. She is survived by her long -time spouse of 40 years, Kathleen Meadows.
...Freda….was the first woman ordained in MCC, as well as the first woman elected as an Elder….She is the one we should credit for bringing about inclusive language as an early value and guiding principle of MCC. In every General Conference, she stood up when there was a gender-specific word in MCC bylaws and petitioned for it to be change to “he or she” instead of only “he.”
Freda is noted for the sermon she gave a number of years ago at Sunshine Cathedral MCC in Ft. Lauderdale, as well as the sermon known as “Purple Grass,” and a poem called “Dear Dora,” which was read in the California Legislature in the early 70’s.
On her website, Freda said this was her final prayer as an evangelist: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and that I could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
Cards to Kathleen may be sent to PO Box 881, Sutter Creek, CA 95685. The service will be streamed for those unable to attend. A link will be available closer to Dec. 21.
