Peggy Muncie (1971 - 1974): “yes, I am the woman”

The Rev. Margaret A. ‘Peggy’ Muncie ’74

It was a rainy September afternoon when I arrived at 175 9th Avenue to embark on my path toward ordination.

Where would I be housed? How would my classmates receive me? What would the professors think of me? So many questions I could not process them all.

One thing I do recall is a first encounter with a fellow student. My room was on 4th floor Eigenbrodt. Walking up the steps I met an individual sitting on the stairs. In a friendly tone he offered a greeting, “Hi, welcome, whose wife, are you?” My reply, “No one’s.” The conversation continued, “Oh is your finance or boyfriend a student?” “Ah, no!” Then it dawned on him…silence. Oh, you are the woman.”

I thought yes, my friend, I am the woman who will in time change the culture of this institution, to be more inclusive and help open the door for women to claim their place in the priestly succession.

Those first few days were strange; I was in an unknown land. A student much in need of formation. Chapel and its rituals were confusing, Girls were not acolytes. The texts and canticles of morning and evening prayer left my fingers fumbling.

My advisor was kind, understanding, a wise non-judgmental individual who offered help when I asked. Dr. Robert C. Dentan, holds a place in my heart as one who listened, encouraged and told the truth in love as needed.

Other professors were open, willing to give this ‘different’ student a chance to prove she belonged. I still have the blue book from Dr. Bennett’s first OT exam. The comments read, “A clear and articulate understanding of the concept of covenant. Good Work.” A little encouragement goes a long way.

There were lonely moments. Moments I would sit in the window of my ‘apartment’ overlooking the close as the Chapel bells rang and say to myself, “God if you want me here, please give me a sign. If this is not your will help me find my call.” Each time the message was – be still – stay.

In second semester junior year two things happened. One, I was not alone as a women M. Div. student. Page Bigelow joined me. Page was 25 years my senior, married, her family raised, a truly spiritual woman who loved the Church and had experienced nearly every dimension of Episcopal Church life. Page and I were very different. We became dear to each other. Our support for each other was unwavering.

The second thing happened the first morning of the semester. Walking out of Eigenbrodt to Chapel I encountered a man with children in tow and he asked, “Oh, are you the woman M. Div. student?” “Yes.” “Good, I look forward to getting to know you.” The exchange began my lifelong friendship with Professor Dick Corney, one of the true champions of women’s ordination.

Toward the end of my junior year, I was offered the opportunity to join an archeological dig at Tel-El-Hesi. Thrilled, I jumped at the chance. Not only was it another vote of affirmation, but it would also allow me to immerse myself in the culture of ancient Israel, to walk the path of scripture.

Returning to the Close in September of 1972 I am not sure if the sun was shining or not that, but I felt it was in spirit. There were sister M. Div. students on the Close! Women joining me on the journey to ordination, Columbia Gillis, Sandy Michaels, Mary Ann Bogle, and more the next year, my dear friend Susan P. Mills, Ellen Barret, Martha Blacklock and the presence of the world-famous Jeannette Piccard and Pauli Murry.

Our fellow classmates realized our intentions were pure. Time allowed us to come to know each other as individuals sharing a common goal, one we arrived at via different paths.

Memories stand out in one’s mind. For me one involves a prospective student visiting the Close. I was sitting in the choir stall I called ‘mine’. She was in the ‘Court of the Gentiles’ casting an eye toward me. I nodded and beckoned her forward. Years later we came to know each other as priests and chaplains. She told me that moment of me calling her forward she knew it; she could be a priest.

The change of Canon Law took time. 1973 was a year of disappointment at the General Convention. The joy came three years later. Once the door to the order of priests I helped open swung wide, many GTS women entered the priestly succession. April 25, 1977, St. Mark’s Day, I entered the priesthood, a GTS graduate. Thanks be to God.