"I gave up, God won" with Rev. Carol Rawlings

What does it mean to be called when the world says you can’t, or shouldn’t?

In our latest episode of The Collective Table Podcast, we hear from Rev. Carol Rawlings - the second woman to pastor at Oceanside Sanctuary - as she shares her story of saying yes to ministry in a time (and a church) that wasn’t sure it wanted her.

With warmth, grit, and wisdom, Carol reflects on how her call to preach collided with real-world resistance - and how, ultimately, the Spirit wouldn’t let her go. It’s a story about surrender - not to patriarchy, but to God.

Hosts Jason, Jenell, and Claire reflect on the broader story that surrounds Carol’s: one of silenced women, erased histories, and the ongoing fight to be seen and heard in sacred spaces. From Apostle Junia to clergywomen today, this episode traces a holy lineage of resistance and resilience.

Questions to Consider:
– How does it make you feel when you hear that the apostle Junia’s name in Romans 16 was changed to a man’s name in the 12th century?
– Can you remember a time when you were treated unfairly because of something about yourself you could not change (e.g., sex, race, nationality, disability)?
– What is giving you hope around the continuing struggle faced by women in our society? Or how do you feel called to subvert patriarchal norms that hold women back?

Further Resources:
Read the 1985 LA Times article about Rev. Carol Rawlings’ appointment and early ministry:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-25-vw-20043-story.html 

Learn more about the erasure of women in church history in When Women Were Priests by Karen Jo Torjesen:
Find it at your local library: https://libraryfinder.org/ 

or purchase online: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/when-women-were-priests-karen-j-torjesen?variant=32154107346978 

Listen to All the Buried Women hosted by Savannah Locke and Beth Allison Barr: https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/all-the-buried-women/ 

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The Collective Table is a production of Oceanside Sanctuary Church. Learn more about what we do at https://www.oceansi...