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Today in the Mission Yearbook

Presbyterian Mission Agency announces scholarship fund in memory of Katie Geneva Cannon

Women’s Ministry Fund will support women’s leadership development

September 18, 2018

Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon delivering the keynote lecture at the 2017 Women in Ministry Conference at Princeton Theological Seminary. (Courtesy of Princeton Theological Seminary)

The Presbyterian Mission Agency has created a scholarship fund to honor the name and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon, a pioneer and legend in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Dr. Cannon succumbed to leukemia Aug. 8.

Cannon, a leading voice in the subjects of womanist theology and women in religion and society, was a renowned lecturer on theological and ethical topics and the author or editor of numerous articles and seven books, including Katie’s Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community and Black Womanist Ethics.

The scholarship, the Women’s Ministry Fund (E049991), is a fund of Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries at the Presbyterian Mission Agency and has been established for women of color to attend leadership development events. The Women’s Ministry Fund supports Presbyterian women of color, clergywomen, college women and other women with opportunities for leadership and spiritual development as well as mission opportunities in the PC(USA).

“Katie Cannon had a heart of gold and mentored many women of color, myself included,” said the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “I have been tremendously blessed by her life. She taught us to be radically inclusive and touched many lives. Though this is a tremendous loss, Katie’s imprint is on us. It is her shoulders that we stand on today; she is now among that great cloud of witnesses.”

“The Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon is an important part of the landscape and contemporary history of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),” said the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter, director of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries.

“Katie was a mentor and a colleague. She was also a role model, breaking ground and providing opportunities for women of color to lead in ministry positions in the PC(USA). That is why donations to this PC(USA) fund, in honor of Dr. Cannon, are meaningful to so many of us. Women of color, clergywomen and other women will continue to be provided with opportunities to attend national and regional church events, connect with others like themselves, network with those who are involved in searches and nominations processes, and be equipped for ministry,” Hunter added. “This work is some of the work that Katie did, so her legacy continues. And she continues to live in our hearts. I am forever grateful for the witness and ministry of Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon.”

Gail Strange, Director, Church and Mid Council Communications, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Today’s Focus:  Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Flor Velez-Diaz, OGA
Michael Wade, PMA

Let us pray:

Almighty God, please continue to guide us as we seek to nurture the next generation of community and religious leaders — leaders committed to vibrant and revitalized life. Amen.

Daily Readings

Morning Psalms 123; 146
First Reading Job 40:1, 41:1-11
Second Reading Acts 16:6-15
Gospel Reading John 12:9-19
Evening Psalms 30; 86