What makes sex such a diverse issue? What is out real fear? A compassionate look at what drives the debate.

The Rev. Ann Tiemeyer serves as the Program Director of Women’s Ministries at the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC).  The NCC is a community of thirty-five Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant, Historic African-American and Peace churches united by a common witness to the Christian faith and a cooperative effort in the ministries of education, service and witness.  Further information can be found at the NCC website. 

Rev. Tiemeyer in her capacity at the NCC facilitates the NCC Justice for Women Working Group which has four focus areas:  domestic violence, human trafficking, poverty and language – inclusive & expansive.  Rev. Tiemeyer has also developed the NCC Young Women’s Leadership Experience program that networks women of faith ages 18 to 30 by providing information and opportunities to participate in ecumenical justice and advocacy events.   Rev. Tiemeyer assists the 35 member communions of the NCC to work together in seeking full participation of women in church and society.  More information about the Women’s Ministries program can be found on the NCC website or become a friend on facebook at “Ncc Women’sMinistries”. 

Rev. Tiemeyer was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) twenty years ago.   She has served as a parish Pastor in three urban congregations in New Jersey, California and New York.  Prior to beginning her ministry at the NCC, Rev. Tiemeyer served a specialized ministry in disaster response post September 11^th in New York City, where she developed a mental health parish based Day Camp, Servant Events in NYC and Faith Walks at Ground Zero.  Rev. Tiemeyer previously served as the chairperson of the Commission for Women in the ELCA and is currently on the leadership team of Ecumenical Women at the UN and on the planning committee for the North American Women of Faith Network of Religions for Peace.  Rev. Tiemeyer holds a B.A. degree in Theater and Sociology from Wittenberg University.  Her Master’s of Divinity degree was earned at Yale Divinity School, where she also received an excellence in preaching award.   She resides in New York City with her spouse Rev. Dr. Thomas Taylor who serves as a pastoral psychotherapist for the Lutheran Counseling Center.