WELCOME
Thanks for your interest. I know we’re all busy-so thanks for taking the time to investigate this blog. You may be wondering what this is all about.
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church defines agape as the Greek word for love. In Christian usage, it denotes spiritual and unselfish love. The term is also applied to the common religious meal. In the 20th century, it has been used as a means of reconciling Christians of different traditions. How perfect for us!
And who is US? We are a group of women of disparate faiths who gather every six weeks at an Episcopal Church in Oakland, Maryland. Our first gathering was in September of 2008 and we started with 5 women. We now have a roster of 50 or so-so we’re still pretty small by internet standards. We bring nuts, fruit, baked goods and most importantly, ourselves to be shared. We discuss issues pertinent to our lives-within and outside the church. I invite your comments as our group is open to a wider audience! Below are outlined some guidelines for our gatherings as well as information about me, the facilitator of this group. Some women may be able to participate in this group only via the blog, if so-welcome! Every six weeks, I will post background material relevant to our discussion. I welcome your input and look forward to having the opportunity to hear from women in and out of our community.
First things first, how are we applying the word AGAPE?
Acknowledge-our significant role in ministering to our families, friends, co-workers, churches and community. “Minister” according to Random House dictionary: to give care or aid, to contribute-as to comfort or happiness.
Gather-together for casual gatherings of women-opportunities to establish relationships between women of different faiths or even no faith. Not a meeting with Robert’s rules of order.
Affirm-encourage and equip women of our community, to recognize their God given talents.
Persevere-Isn’t that what we do so well? Persevere to establish a community of support, to nurture each other with respect and gentleness of spirit.
Ecumenical-all faith traditions are welcome-we can learn from each other.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
- Respect for your time. We gather every six weeks, 2 hours (10-12 on Saturday mornings), but the blog is open to all 24/7. I will monitor it often and respond to your comments regularly.
- Privacy –respect for each other-when discussing what is said here, please do not use names.
- STUDY OF WOMEN IN HISTORY
Within our religious communities: Mother Theresa, Theresa of Avila, Perpetua of Carthage, Catherine of Siena, Julian of Norwich, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Clare, Abbess of Assisi, Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Mary, the Mother of Christ
AND Secular heroines: Amy Kossoff, Jennifer Ackerman, Lucy Buffett, Spike Gillespie, Geri Larkin, Katri Sampson
Haven’t heard of these heroines? They’re everyday women-just like us-who have gone through “stuff”-just like us, and have overcome what life threw at them. We’ll look at their stories and see what we can learn. - SHARING OUR FAITH-What do you hold dear about your faith? What is special about your faith community? What led you to your faith?
- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES-practical suggestions, hand outs, OUTSIDE SPEAKERS (for the gatherings only!)
- FLEXIBILITY-Where we go depends upon YOU!
WHAT/WHO WE ARE AND WHAT/WHO WE ARE NOT:
- WOMEN’S MUTUAL SUPPORT. LET’S GIVE EACH OTHER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT-assume that we all did the best we could under the circumstances at the time-no working woman vs. stay at home, no 2nd guessing.
- FELLOWSHIP & NETWORKING-across all boundaries of age, religion, education, economic status.
- NOT-ANTI MEN-we ARE pro-women.
- NO PRESSURE-SALES, FAITH-If you sell something-great. You can let other’s know of your business, but don’t plan on selling anything here. No one is to feel pressured here.
- WE ARE NOT NOT PSYCHOLOGISTS OR PSYCHIATRISTS.
- GENERALITIES-qualifications will become boring. Example: If I say that women’s nature is to nurture, I’m fully aware that not all women are nurturers! You will get tired of hearing, “other than the many exceptions…”.
- EMAIL/PHONE LIST-for my own use exclusively to let you know about the next Gathering date or communicate a cancellation (rain/snow). No one-not even my church-will have your info.
WHO AM I?
BASICS:
I was born in 1946. I was married in 1963. I have 2 grown sons and 4 grandchildren. I was a registered dental hygienist for 25 years. I was ordained a deacon in July 2008 and ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church on June 27, 2009. I serve as an assisting priest at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Deer Park, Maryland.
BUT I AM ALSO-YOU!
- Girl given mixed messages-be pretty-be smart-career-stay home
- Married at 17-thought I knew everything
- Married college student-trying to keep all the balls in the air
- Married college student and working woman
- Young mother-husband at work
- Married working woman and mother, still with a husband at work
- Heartbroken-lost a child to miscarriage
- Good marriage-bad marriage-within the same marriage!
- Lost both of my parents, lost friends along the way
- I’ve seen myself age-half of me longs for my youth, the other half wouldn’t go back for all the tea in China!
- I’ve never been divorced or lost a spouse to death, but have close friends who’ve gone through both
I’VE ALSO!
- Triumphed under adversity, learned that I’m strong
- Graduated from college-even though it took me 12 years!
- Worked in a field I loved
- Adore my children and grandchildren, feel confident that I was/am as good a wife/mother/grandmother that circumstances would allow, i.e. I wasn’t/am not now perfect
- Adore my husband
- Love my friends
- Have been blessed beyond measure
AND I’VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY!
- To have compassion
- To be gentle with others and myself
- Persistence-there’s almost nothing you can’t achieve if you keep trying
- Dependence upon God-sometimes there’s nothing and no one else
ISN’T THIS A COMMON PATH FOR US ALL?
Saint Theresa’s Prayer (Mother Theresa):
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
