One of the concerns I had in 1973, when I started my seminary training, was the lack of female leadership and feminine symbols in the systems of the church. This imbalance, in my opinion, impaired the strength and viability of the church.

As a woman ordained a priest and serving as rector of St. John's Episcopal Church and functioning in a multitude of ways in the community, being a woman along with other women serving as priest has perhaps brought some balance into the matrix of the church.

In the Episcopal Church women's leadership roles have increased significantly in the last four decades and now the Episcopal Church has called a woman to be the presiding bishop. She is the leader who serves as primate in the U.S., our branch of the Anglican communion.

The inclusion of women in all positions of leadership in the Episcopal Church has been expanding steadily since the 1960s, when women could be deaconesses. In 1970, those deaconesses were allowed to be identified as ordained clergy. In 1977, the first women were regularly ordained priests. In 1989, a woman was consecrated to be a bishop.

Since those first calls into leadership, the numbers of women in the threefold ministry in the church have increased significantly. These changes in the church are consistent with increased freedoms, responsibilities and roles of professional leadership for women in our culture at large.

Some would say that this shift in roles for women and rights for ministries of every description, people of color, gays and lesbians. etc., has led to the "breakdown of our society," "marriage" and "the home," etc.!

We also know that these cultural shifts have caused consternation in other parts of the world. The inclusion of homosexual people and women in positions of leadership in the Episcopal Church has brought about a possible schism in the unity of the Anglican Communion.

I believe birth into newness is always painful. The Episcopal Church in the USA is aware of the inclusive nature of the spirit of Christ.

"In Christ, there is no male or female" (Galatians 3:28). We are also told, "Do not be astonished that the world hates you" (1 John 3:13).

The ministry of the church is to free the captives, feed the hungry, house the homeless and recover the lost. This important work requires the loving ministry of all of us.

With his ministry, Jesus ushered in a new era. He was killed because of it and I believe in the resurrection!

The Rev. Heather Mueller-Fitch has been rector of St. John's in Kula, Maui, since 1981. She is one of the first women ordained as priest in the Episcopal Church. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes written works from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.