#1 Sunday School Teacher Fired For Being A Woman
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 5:47 pm
From local news Channel 50
Yes, this is a local news story, but I think it's interesting enough to warrant a thread. Mr. LaBouf is a City Council Member, but something tells me his political career is over. He and the church says that there are other reasons for her dismissal, yet the one reason they give is a blatantly sexist one?Newswatch 50 wrote:Woman out as Sunday School teacher at First Baptist
8/15/05
Mary Lambert says she has taught Sunday School at Watertown's First Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
But no more; Mrs. Lambert has been dismissed, she says, because she is a woman.
"Dear Ms. Lambert," the letter goes, as read by Mrs. Lambert to NewsWatch50 over the phone. "This is to inform you that it is the diaconate board's unanimous decision to dismiss you from the position of Sunday School teacher."
"The board has adopted the scriptural qualifications for Sunday School teachers which prohibit women from teaching men."
The letter is signed by Church Clerk Kendra LaBouf, Mrs. Lambert said. "Thank you for your anticipated cooperation," it concludes.
The "scriptural qualifications" the letter refers to is apparently 1 Timothy of the New Testament. In it, Paul writes (according to the 3rd edition of the New Oxford Annotated Bible), "I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent."
Mrs. Lambert said she believes her dismissal is part of an ongoing campaign under Pastor Tim LaBouf. Rev. LaBouf, also a Watertown City Council member, took over as pastor in May of 2004 and has been controversial at times with some of his more established membership.
"I guess I would describe this as an attempt to get all the established members out of positions of authority or decision making," Mrs. Lambert told NewsWatch50.
A message left on Rev. LaBouf's home phone Tuesday evening was not immediately returned.
Mrs. Lambert said she was not aware of any other Sunday School teachers who had also been dismissed. She said she had taught an adult class at the church since 1995.
She has taught various Sunday School classes at the church for about 54 years, she said, having been a member of the church for 60 years as of next March.
Mrs. Lambert has sent copies of her dismissal letter to some other members of the church.
She said she had no idea her dismissal was being considered. "I was dumbfounded. I had no idea," she said.
Mrs. Lambert said she has no plans to challenge her dismissal and doesn't know if she'll continue attending the church.
After 60 years, "It would be strange to walk out now to another church," she said.