Bridging Pulpit and Practice: Carter Heyward

Carter Heyward on The Enigmatic God

Carter Heyward was a part of the Philadelphia Eleven, a group of women who were ordained at the Church of the Advocate in 1974, two years before the Episcopal Church approved the ordination of women. Three years later, she was invited to preach at Duke Chapel. Learn more about the story of the Philadelphia Eleven here, written at the 2019 reunion of several women.1

Listen to Heyward’s sermon, The Enigmatic God, (November 20, 1977) and watch the interview below.


 

"Jesus Christ did not come to help us put God into an incarnate box that we can carry around with us and show off as God … Jesus came as one created in God, by God, empowered to move with God into the pain, the passion, and the wonder of creation itself.”"

 ― Carter Heyward, The Enigmatic God,  (November 20, 1977)


For Discussion
  1. Heyward's sermon weaves in uncommon, even shocking, images of God. How do these images of God intersect Heyward's reading of scripture and understanding of preaching? What was an image that struck you and why?
     
  2. What do you think about Heyward’s response concerning her use of hateful labels as "icons of evil" (8:30)? In explaining her rationale, she mentions that she would make different choices today. What factors are part of this discernment process for her? Have you ever experienced a sermon that intentionally engaged language considered profane? What possibilities and dangers are present in such sermons?
     
  3. Heyward describes the enigma of God as both undefined and present in the everyday. How does her scriptural work and her use of language hold these ideas together? What questions does her understanding of God raise for you?
     
  4. Heyward notes her own blind spots and the ways that "collectivity" has helped her grow in understanding of herself the world. She also notes the dangers of getting "too boxed in by organized religion (14:32)". How can religious collectives better serve the purposes of justice? What role does preaching play in that work?
     

1O'Dell, Darlene. “Philadelphia 11 Reunion Recalls Ministry of Pioneering Women Priests.” National Catholic Reporter, 25 Nov. 2019, www.ncronline.org/news/people/philadelphia-11-reunion-recalls-ministry-p....