February Conference Call
Thank you to all who joined the Women's Ordination Conference and
Women-Church Convergence discussion on the question, "What is Church for
me?" The outpouring of energy and support tells us that these
conversations and community circles are so needed as we navigate,
grieve, and create Church within and without the Institutional Church.
Two Saturdays ago, voices from across the U.S. shared both heartbreak
and loss, but also a knowing that the hierarchy cannot have control over
the Spirit, and the life-giving communion of the Faithful. Echoes of
"We are Church‚" and finding spiritual nourishment in new ways, with a
good friend, a good prayer, and the goodness within one's self, were
heard and affirmed during our time together.
We ended our call with this prayer:
" Psalm of Spirit",WomenWord: A Feminist Lectionary and Psalter".
Women of the New Testament
By Miriam Therese Winter
Come, Holy Spirit,
Rattle the rooms
In which we are hiding,
Shake the tired foundations
Until the institution crumbles,
Break the rules
That keep You out of all our sacred spaces,
Then lift from the dust and rubble
A completely new creation.
Come Holy Spirit,
Enter our lives,
Whisper our names
And scatter Your gifts of grace
With wild abandon,
Give Your silent strength to all those imprisoned
By the structures,
And let Your raging fire be our sign
Of liberty
Come Holy Spirit,
Help us find ourselves
In vital places,
Bringing Your word of freedom
To the poor and the oppressed.
We will remember
Women were there
When You burst upon a waiting world
Creating and recreating
Opportunities
For everyone
To feel and fear
Your face.
The first of Women-Church Convergence Conference Call Celebrations was Saturday morning - January 12,2013. As women came together to pray, remember those who are ill and hold in our hearts many who asked to be remembered, we were connected to the San Francisco Bay Area, Boulder, New Mexico, Chicago and D.C. The sacredness of our prayer flowed into discussion of the question - What is Eucharist for me? We were asked to expand our imaginations - paint on new canvases - look at how we have walked with Eucharist and how this has changed for us.
Everyone's experience was welcomed. This was truly a sacred hour with God's Finest. It was a time of Nourishment and Thanksgiving.
We ask you to join us next month -
February 9,2013 at 9-10-11 A.M. or Noon depending on where you are in the country to pray with us and discuss the the question - What is Church for me? Bring your lived experience. All are welcome. Donna Quinn
