McConnell, Beatrice W. (1923-2018)

Beatrice grew up as one of three sisters on a Pennsylvania German farm in Bethlehem, PA. She was the daughter of the late Howard and Daisy Bloss Weaver and the beloved niece of Stewart Weaver. She aimed to become a doctor, graduating with honors from Ursinus College in 1944 in chemistry and biology. She worked briefly as a chemist in munitions, but after the war she turned to ministry. She graduated from the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1948. That year she became the first woman to be ordained in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, now part of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Beatrice had a lively and active intelligence. She was a strong presence and an engaging storyteller. Her sermons led people to spiritual growth through her homiletical skills and her pointed illustrations. Her adult Sunday school classes were dynamic and popular. Beatrice always showed the best of leadership in her churches. She made a point of speaking personally with each of her parishioners about their lives. When a family needed help, she paid attention to the details. Beatrice began her ministry at St. Paul's Church in downtown Lancaster (now Church of the Apostles). After a year of graduate study at Union Seminary in New York, she had her first solo job in 1955-58 at a four-church parish in Lemasters, PA. In later years she served at several churches, especially in Conestoga and Columbia, PA. In 1958, Beatrice married Frank McConnell, the organist at St. James' Episcopal (across the street from St. Paul's) and music professor at Lancaster Seminary. They had one son, Mark. In 1959 Beatrice served on the commission that wrote the UCC Statement of Faith. In 1975 she wrote and produced a historical drama about Lancaster Seminary for its 150th anniversary. In 1985 she received the UCC's Antoinette Brown Award for service as a woman in ministry. Lancaster Seminary has honored her with its Founder's Cross.