Forgotten Women from Jesus' Genealogy

By: Rev. Stephanie York Arnold
Dec. 4, 2025

This Advent season, as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, you are likely to hear or read the genealogy of Jesus whether you are studying Matthew or Luke’s gospel. If so, hopefully it will be obvious to you that there are persons missing.  While some scholars believe Luke’s recounting of Jesus’ lineage is from Mary’s family line, Luke never mentions a single woman’s name. Matthew, whom scholars believe is recounting Joseph’s family lineage, mentions only a total of five women…Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Giants in our faith to be sure, but nowhere near representative of the number of women who are a part of the heritage that ultimately births our Savior.

Raising Concerns, Making Complaints recording now available

Rev. Dr. Tyler Schwaller, Director of Sexual Ethics, facilitated by Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, Director of Leadership Development & Community Engagement share a time of learning and Q&A focused on options for addressing concerns and complaints within the UMC, with particular attention to sexual misconduct and gender discrimination.