This book is about my journey to ordained ministry – from a semi-illiterate Episcopalian who grew up in the church (St. Paul’s in Petersburg, Virginia), but basically learned nothing to a seminary-trained ordained priest. In this journey I basically learned most of what I was supposed to know in seminary. I also learned many things I didn’t want to know about the discrimination against women that was rampant in the church of the 1980’s. This was my journey and as it played out over the years, I kept saying to myself, “I really need to write a book.” So, I did.

Lady Father is brutally honest but kind as no one who hurt me is named and there is no hint of unforgiveness or bearing grudges. It is also uplifting, humorous, and even triumphant, especially in the secondary journeys of the two Bishops who didn’t accept women’s ordination. They struggled with their own consciences to come to the conclusion that ordination is indeed God’s business and he is in charge of who is ordained in the church. (Of course, a lot of responsibility is given to Bishops and Commissions on Ministry to lead the discernment process for aspirants to the diaconate and priesthood.)