Sarah's Circle records, 1989 -- 1996
Collection context
- Creator:
- Sarah's Circle
- Abstract:
- Sarah's Circle was a Catholic women's group founded in 1989 and based in Binghamton, New York; the group was dedicated to promoting the ordination of women in the Catholic Church. The collection contains member lists and biographies, meeting minutes and schedules, correspondence, newspaper articles, materials on worship services and theatre productions, information on conferences, VHS cassettes, and the organization's T-shirt.
- Extent:
- 1.5 linear feet 1.5 linear feet; 3 boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
This collection contains member lists, meeting minutes and schedules, correspondence, newspaper articles, worship services, material relating to theatre productions, information on conferences, member biographies, VHS cassettes, and the organization's T-shirt. Correspondence is from Yvonne Lucia-Readling, Patricia Donohue, and Rose Marie Noonan, among other members.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Sarah's Circle was started in 1989 in response to "Called by Name", a campaign sponsored by the Diocese of Syracuse of the Catholic Church to encourage vocations to the priesthood. Several local women announced a public meeting for all women in the area who felt a call to be ordained. About 20 women attended the meeting, out of whom emerged a core membership of about 15. The name Sarah's Circle was derived from the matriarch of the Hebrew Scriptures, a woman who knew how to wait. Sarah's Circle consisted of both men and women, most of whom were born and raised in the Catholic Church, ranging from early 30's to late 70's. The members were dedicated to the full inclusion of women as ordained members of the Roman Catholic Church. To further this end the group promoted alternative worship services, theater productions, letters of protest, and workshops to raise awareness on this issue. There were protests surrounding their activities, as well as accusations of heresy.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research.
Onsite storage.
- Terms of access:
-
Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.
- Preferred citation:
-
Item description, AWTS: Sarah's Circle records, 1989-1996, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers must book an appointment at least 5 business days in advance to view special collections material in the reading room. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to one item per hour of appointment time.
- Contact:
- burke@library.columbia.edu