February 3, 2023
On January 10-12, 2023, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Women in Ministry (WIM) Initiative hosted the 2023 Safe Harbor Conference. Inspired by the John A. Shedd quote, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for…,” the hybrid conference named a need for shielded shelters and provided a two-day docking on a safe harbor for women in ministry. The proceedings featured keynote speakers, preachers, workshops, and meals together.
The first day featured an opening worship service with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Rigby and an evening keynote address from Rev. Martha Simmons, Esq. titled “New Modes and Methods for Safely Ministering in the Midst of Storms.” Simmons empowered women in ministry to persevere even though one is scarred and scared, remembering numerous women who have fought for a seat at the table in a myriad of places.
The second day began with worship and a sermon by Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace with the second keynote address immediately following from Princeton Seminary’s Rev. Dr. Kimberly Wagner. Titled “Cultivating Safe Harbors: Collective Trauma, Preaching, and Ministry,” Wagner separated layers of trauma, noting how they interact and inform other layers in groups, churches, and communities, so that ministers may better identify layers in their communities and minister accordingly.
Watch or listen to these cogent keynote addresses below.
“Trenton Psych was a fantastic place to work and learn, a seminal part of my Seminary experience and the most important thing I did at Princeton.”