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The Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, new pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C., gives the benediction on July 27, 2014. She stands with the Rev. Theresa S. Thames, associate pastor, left, and the Rev. Dawn M. Hand, executive pastor, right. Religion News Service photo by Adelle M. Banks

(RNS2-aug27) The Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, new pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church, preaches on July 27, 2014. For use with RNS-WOMEN-CLERGY, transmitted on August 27, 2014, Religion News Service photo by Adelle M. Banks.

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Jennifer Harris Dault (center) graduated on May 12 as the only woman in her Master of Divinity program at Central Baptist Theology Seminary in Shawnee, KS. President of the school, Molly Marshall, alumnae and new graduates gathered on Monday, May 7, 2012 for the Graduating Sisters' 2012 Blessing Ceremony, which honors past and present female graduates.