Fifty years ago, the Episcopal Church ordained its first female clergy, a milestone that reshaped faith leadership. This Lenton season, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will mark the anniversary by hosting a special lunch and speaker series featuring women in ministry.

The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, assistant bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, will speak on March 12. Harris, ordained in 1982, previously served as bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts and has held leadership roles in interfaith and pastoral development committees within the Episcopal Church.

On March 19, The Rev. Jan Brown, founder and executive director of Spirit Works Foundation Center for the Soul, will be the featured speaker.

SpiritWorks is a recovery and wellness organization specializing in addiction recovery support.

The series will take place on Wednesdays from March 12 through April 9, with the speaker program held from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the church, followed by lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Parish House. 

Take-out lunches will be available until 2:30 p.m. Lunch options, including a weekly cheese soufflé and a rotating entrée, will be prepared in St. Paul’s kitchen. A suggested donation of $10 is requested for meals, with orders due one week in advance.

For more information or to order lunch, visit stpaulsrva.org.