Galatians 5:22, 25 But the fruit of
the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in
step with the Spirit.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Miss Sallie Stuart was the first
President,
Secretary and Treasurer of
the Women’s
Auxiliary (a precursor of the
Episcopal
Church Women) in the Diocese of
Virginia.
She served in this position
from 1890 until
her death in 1916. Miss
Sallie, as she is
lovingly referred to as, was a
formidable,
forward-thinking lady who
unselfishly gave
of her time to start and lead the
Woman’s
Auxiliary in an era when her bishop
said
“The time is not ripe for organized
woman’s
work.” She heard her call
from God and answered. Whenever Miss Sallie presided over a Woman’s Auxiliary
meeting she would wear her black onyx cross. In 1950 the Stuart Family gave
the Diocese of Virginia Miss Sallie’s cross. In 1980 it was taken from the
vaults and once again placed around the neck of the President of the Episcopal
Church Women. Thus started the tradition.
So, each time I put on “Miss Sallie’s Presiding Cross”, I feel as though
I’m putting on a heavy yoke. Wearing this cross is a great honor, but it also
carries many heavy responsibilities. Following in Miss Sallie’s footsteps is
no easy feat (pardon the pun). However, I am comforted in knowing that its
weight is shared and upheld by all the women who have gone before me and who
now surround me in my ministry as President of the Episcopal Church Women of
the Diocese of Virginia. Most importantly, with God’s help, the cross becomes
weightless because God not only supports it, He also supports me - holds me up
and honors what I am doing to further His kingdom on this earth.
I also live in great fear of harming or breaking the delicate onyx cross. I
think though that my breaking the cross would be far less damaging than if I
were to harm it by dishonoring it, thereby not honoring God.
When Miss Sallie Stuart first put on this cross in 1890, I know she did it
reverently, honorably, and with great joy and pride. To wear such a symbol as
this, one must also assume a certain posture of humility. She was a true
example of how one should submit to God’s will - twenty-six years of joyfully
submitting to God’s will. She was and is a woman to be greatly honored and
remembered. Miss Sallie was a pioneer in our church and a forceful leader. She
brought the women of the Diocese of Virginia into the 20th Century.
Now I wear this amazing cross, bringing the women of this diocese into the
21st Century. What an honor and challenge. Miss Sallie’s lived by her motto,
“Joy in Service”. Just as she joyfully went about God’s work, I, along with
all the women in the Diocese of Virginia live by the fruits of the Spirit and
find “Joy in Service”.
God’s work is never finished. I hope in some way, with the help of the Holy
Spirit, I am doing my part - joyfully following the way of the cross.
Ruth G. Gibson, Past-President 2000-2002
Episcopal Church Women
The Diocese of Virginia
Episcopal Church Women
