Taste and See and the Enneagram

The 3rd Annual Women's Retreat at the Bosque Center was quite successful. Our theme was 'Taste and See'. We 'tasted' God's presence in our fellowship and worship. We were able to 'see' God in each other and in the beauty of the Bosque Center. We also got a 'taste' of the Enneagram, which is a tool to help us 'see' ourselves and others more clearly as individuals and beautifully created Children of God.

Over 40 women from all around the Diocese, including some guests from other denominations, were present. We started with a soup and salad supper on Friday evening, then moved on to share our ministries, focusing on how they relate to the 'spirituality wheel' of Union, Action, Evangelism, and Study. This was an inspiration to all as we heard of the multitude of ministries we women are active in. Many of the ministries could have fit into more than one of the quadrants, so it was hard to determine where to put them. You'll notice that many of the 'leaves' ended up in the Action quadrant, but they could have also been placed in Study or Evangelism or even the Union areas. As someone noted, "It's easier to identify an action ministry, than some of the others." It was a great way to get to know a bit more about each other.

On Saturday, Kathleen Pittman from Roswell presented an introduction to the Enneagram. She explained the basics of the 9 'types'. Most of us were intrigued about our 'type'. Interest was expressed in having another retreat on this topic where we can go deeper into the subject.

Kathleen based much of her presentation on her years of work with the Enneagram and on the work of Don Riso & Russ Hudson. Anyone interested in learning some about this tool can find information online and in their book "The Wisdom of the Enneagram".

Next year's retreat will be led by Katrine Stewart and will focus on what women in the Bible can teach us about living fully. There will be time for journaling and quiet and other fun activities. Mark your calendar for November 6-7, 2015 and join us at the Bosque Center.

Taste and See Retreat: Coming in November

All women (lay and ordained) are invited to the Third Annual Women’s Retreat at the Bosque Center on November 14-15.
Come for a weekend of fellowship, fun, faith, and a bit of learning starting on Friday night with registration at 5:30 PM and light supper, followed by a fun introduction to ‘spiritual types’. The retreat will end by 3:00 PM on Saturday. Plan to stay at the Bosque Center and enjoy a real retreat away from family obligations.
If you attended last year or in 2012, you know how much fun this retreat is. Invite a friend to come with you this year!!

Kathleen Pittman of St. Andrew’s in Roswell will lead us in an exploration of the Enneagram. Kathleen has many years’ experience teaching the Enneagram. She will share how the Enneagram can help us find balance and wake up to our true selves as we grow faith and build community. Come and learn how this tool can help you understand your own, and others’, ‘spiritual types’. Kathleen is an Education for Ministry (EFM) mentor, professor at ENMU, member of the Daughters of the King in Roswell, and past member of the Diocesan Women’s Council. If you would like to learn something about the Enneagram before the retreat, the book Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso & Hudson is suggested (not required). It is available from Amazon for about $12.

 

Registration of $75/person covers a room at the Bosque Center, supplies and 3 meals. Commuter fee is $35 to cover supplies and 3 meals. (Registration is $5 more after November 1.) You can download the registration or register online for the retreat via the links on the Women’s calendar page. Each parish will also have registration forms. (Some 1/2 scholarships are available. Contact Cindy)

 

The Women’s Council continues to work on ways to make it easier to attend events. If you would like to carpool from the Southern part of the state, contact Amiee. The cost/person for this will be determined by response.

Share your Ideas for Women's Ministry

Women of the Diocese, we want you! 

Help us mix fun and faith! 

How can we support you? 

What do you want? 

What do you need?

The Women’s Council of the Diocese of the Rio Grande states the mission of the Women’s Ministry is “to empower all women in their diverse Christian ministries.” Distances and demographics are just a couple things we work to transcend. We want to make it possible for more and more women to come together, share in fun events, and build a ministry to inspire each woman’s life and church.

Give us your ideas. Who are you? What do you want? How can we make it happen together?

Your thoughts are important. We are asking for your input on ways to reach more women in all places, in all households, in every kitchen, in every office, in every ministry. We want to make Spirit-filled mini-vacations for you, by you, and through you.

Help by completing the survey here.

You can request a paper copy or email your comments to Cindy Davis.

Your input is vital to

truly creating a ministry for

ALL women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande!

 

 

Come Unto Me all who labor and are heavy laden...I will give you Rest

Did you miss it?

Twenty women gathered at the San Geronimo Lodge in Taos on June 13-14.

We had chocolate and conversation, Pilates and prayer, facials and fellowship, meals and music, some wine and lots of fun.

We also contemplated ways to respond to Jesus' invitation to 'Come unto Me...' and how that might be similar to the little bird's search in Are You My Mother?
During the Eucharist, Pam Tyler suggested we consider the 'shoulds' and 'oughts' of our lives and how they might keep us from Rejoicing in the Lord and letting him relieve us who 'labor and are heavy laden'. 
Finally, after lunch, Cindy urged us to share the fun of the weekend with those in our parishes, just like we share stories of vacations. After all, Christ calls us to believe 'I will give you rest'-and isn't that worth sharing??
Some of us added images to the collage that reflected our weekend. Others enjoyed the pool and the labyrinth and the facials and oils demos. As more than one woman noted, "being able to choose what we wanted and not having to participate in everything was the key to the relaxation of the weekend." 

You can see some of the events of the weekend and hear Pam's sermon on the weekend videos, linked below

Part 1 of the weekend and sermon:

Part 2 of the sermon and weekend:

Join us next year when we'll meet in the southern part of the diocese for fellowship with one another and with Christ.

And come to the Bosque Center in November for "Taste and See" the 3rd Annual Women's Retreat. We'll be learning about and sharing our spiritual styles! Registration will be posted soon on the calendar page of the blog.

Memorial Day Thanks

Happy Memorial Day to you all.

To all women in this diocese who are now or who have served....we thank you! Men and women through the centuries have given of themselves to create and preserve the freedoms we, too often, take for granted.

Did you have an ancestor in the Civil War? in the Revolutionary War? the War of 1812? the Korean or Vietnam conflicts? One or both World Wars? Think about the human link you have to that person. Like you they had a family that they left behind when they went to fight for their country. They were fighting to create a new nation or preserve that nation or to ensure the freedoms of this nation. The rows of white markers in cemeteries around the country and across the world testify to their sacrifice for you and me.

Do you know someone who is now serving or recently served in the military? Send them a card or give them a call to say 'thank you' for your sacrifice.

Please keep all military, past and present in your prayers.

Ministry to Women of the Rio Grande

Christ, Chocolate & Cherishing

“come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden…”
 

If you've been considering attending the 'pampering and cherishing yourself' retreat in Taos  there are still a few days to sign up, either online or via the downloadable registration form.
It will be so much fun!

• Give yourself the gift of a time of relaxation and fellowship.
• Visit around a chocolate fountain and sip wine starting at 5PM on Friday, June 13, then have a delicious dinner at San Geronimo.
• There will be masseuses at San Geronimo Lodge on Saturday ($75/hour massage) and you can sign up for that indulgence.
• Other (free) opportunities for physical, mental, and physical relaxation will be available all day Saturday.
• Swim in the pool (weather permitting) and/or watch the movie Saving Mr. Banks on Saturday evening. 
• If you need to leave early to be at your own church for Sunday morning, you can register for just one night, or as a commuter.
• You are invited to stay the night of June 14 and attend St. James' on Sunday morning.

Registration is $25 to cover supplies, plus room cost, which includes all meals.
Commuter registration is $100 and includes 5 meals. 
Reserve your room directly with San Geronimo Note: You cannot book on line as the rooms will be all blocked for the retreat. Call the Lodge at 575-751-3776 with your room choice. Mention Women of the DRG.  San Geronimo will require a credit card and a non-refundable $25 deposit  in order to hold the  room. If you wish to share a room, please identify your room mate(s) at the time of booking.
Rates range from $170.04/person (for 2 nights, triple occupancy plus 5 meals) to $214.90/person (for 2 nights, single room plus 5 meals).
One night rate of $153.72/person (single room plus 4 meals).

(Half scholarships are available to help with room cost. Contact Cindy Davis.)

If you have any questions or trouble with the registration form links, email Cindy Davis.
If you have suggestions for other retreat topics, locations, speakers, etc., please contact Cindy.

We need your input to make this truly a ministry
for ALL women of the DRG!

Mothers and Sisters and Daughters...to each other

Happy Mother's Day to all

Even if you do not have a biological child, you have been a Mother to someone (probably more than one person) in your life.

A Mother offers a word of encouragement when you are discouraged.

A Mother provides a hug when you are in need.

A Mother laughs with you when you are happy.

A Mother cries with you when you are sad.

A Mother is a strong arm when you are weak.

A Mother seeks for you when you are lost.

A Mother never gives up on you.

A Mother... (add your own accolade)

We are also each of us daughters of a mother, and we are sisters to each other. Those relationships make us more fully a member of the household of God. Mostly we think of God as Father. What if you took a little time to think of the ways God has acted as Mother to you-in cherishing and strengthening and nurturing you?

Recently I've been reading a book that takes the children's story Are You My Mother? by PD Eastman as a metaphor for our search for the relationships and support we need in our lives (Nurture by Lisa Bevere). Bevere challenges us, as women, to be Mothers and Sisters and Daughters to one another. She suggests that it is in that partnership that women have always built strong relationships both among ourselves as women AND with God. In that relationship with God and each other, we are able to be more fully partners in the incarnation of God's Love into the world.

Consider coming to the Christ, Chocolate, & Cherishing Retreat in Taos next month (info below) to be part of the continuing growth of mutual fellowship, encouragement, and exploration of our various callings as women of the Diocese - and as Mothers, Sisters, Daughters of each other. And we'll take a bit of time to think about PD Eastman's book...just for fun!

Pamper Yourself at the Retreat in Taos

Christ, Chocolate & Cherishing

Sign up NOW for the Christ, Chocolate & Cherishing Retreat on June 13-15, at San Geronimo Lodge in Taos.
This will be a time of cherishing ourselves as women of God. The Rev. Pam Tyler and Cindy Davis will lead us as we meditate on Jesus’ invitation to “come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden…”
There will be pampering with massage, mani/pedi, quiet, and other activities including a movie, labyrinth walk, and enjoying the pool at the Lodge!

Registration is $25 to cover supplies. You can register for the retreat online or via the registration form. Room reservations are made directly with San Geronimo Lodge (575-751-3776).

Reserve your room at San Geronimo by June 1 by viewing rooms online. Note: You cannot book on line as the rooms will be all blocked for the retreat. Then call the Lodge at 575-751-3776 with your room choice. Mention Women of the DRG.  San Geronimo will require a credit card and a non-refundable $25 deposit  in order to hold the  room. If you wish to share a room, please identify your room mate(s) at the time of booking. 
Rates range from $170.04/person (2 nights, triple occupancy plus 5 meals) to $214.90/person (2 nights, single room plus 5 meals). One night rate of $153.72/person (single room plus 4 meals), (Half scholarships are available to help with room cost. Contact Cindy Davis.)

We had a great time last year and all came back quite refreshed. Do yourself a favor and consider signing up for this retreat!!

 Consider coming a bit early to do some browsing around Taos, or stay later on Sunday! There's lots to see and do in Taos!

Love as Life in Relationship with One Another, Bishop Vono

Excerpted from Bishop Vono's Afternoon Meditation at the Holy Lent Through Love Retreat at the Cathedral on March 15

The Bishop reiterated his morning message by saying that the relationship of God with us is Love and that is the reality of life. God never lets go. He can take us from bitterness to the wings of eagles. God’s love is divine and God’s love is transforming.

We want to have people look at us and say, “There is the Love of God”. We want God’s love to radiate through us.

During the season of Epiphany we have become conscious of many revelations of God. We may have become conscious of discerning moments and we have been made conscious of the paths of those seeking revelation. In reality the church lives epiphanies all year. Lent also is a time of epiphanies as we ask and discover ‘Who is this Man?’

Bishop Vono explained that Romans 12:9-16 includes the 12 ingredients for living a life in incarnated Christian love. According to John Stott, it is a recipe for Love. The ingredients are Sincere, Honor, Generous, Discerning, Enthusiastic, Hospitable, Tender Affection, Patient, Kind, Sympathy, Harmony, and Humility. These are how the Love of God is channeled to the world.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.”

Then the Bishop unwrapped the ingredients with further explanation.

• Love incarnate is Genuine or without hypocrisy. Eugene Peterson expands vs. 9 to read we should “love from the center of who you are, don’t fake it.”
• Love also discerns and holds to what is good.
• Love has tender, that is brotherly, affection for each other. This is the philos affection meaning loving someone as ‘born of the same womb’. Indeed we are all born of the same womb-of God and Christ.
• Love should compete or strive in showing honor, like an athlete who works to get better and better at a sport.
• Love is enthusiastic as in earnest endeavor and aglow with a spirit of service toward the Lord.
• Love is generous in contributing to needs.
• Love gets involved and is sympathetic to each other.
• Love lives in harmony by loving others as we love ourselves-that is to be of one mind.
• Love has humility and is not haughty or conceited. The Bishop referred to Pat Green’s sermon illustration of DL Moody who once was staying with some European clergy in a hotel. The other clergymen left their boots outside their rooms to be polished, as was the custom in Europe. Moody gathered them up himself and polished them for the fellow clergymen.

At the break, Bishop Vono suggested that we re-read Romans 12:9-16 and pray over the ingredients of love to see which one(s) we need to work on.

After questions from the ladies, the definitions of Love, written by the ladies at the start of the retreat were read. Love is:

• Caring deeply for the welfare of another and when necessary putting their needs before your own.
• Praying for family and friends, forgiving those who have hurt us & compassion to those in need.
• Sharing your life with someone, or God, to help and be present as needed without intention of recognition or reward.
• Deep caring and wanting good for the other (person, animal, deity).
• An action that supports the highest good for another.
• The intense sense of caring and needing to belong to another.
• Sharing God’s feelings for you.
• Appreciating and accepting all the ways we are the same and different.
• Joy in sharing both the good and bad aspects of ourselves with another.
• Giving oneself without qualification.
• Seeing Jesus in someone else.
• A relationship in which one is accepting, forgiving, always promoting the other’

 
Below are links to the afternoon mediation by Bishop Vono (in 2 parts because of the length of the total talk).

http://youtu.be/0CnQskRrlNw    part 3

http://youtu.be/HvGkGDvKqnk         part 4

Love as Life in Relationship to God (Bishop Vono)

Excerpted from Bishop Vono's Morning Meditation at the Holy Lent Through Love Retreat at the Cathedral on March 15

There were over 40 women present from around the Diocese for the retreat. We started with Eucharist in the Choir. Pastor Pat Green officiated and preached. She said we are Loved by God and live out this love by loving one another and ourselves.
The prize for coming furthest went to Amiee from Carlsbad and the youngest present was Elizabeth from the Cathedral. Both women got door prizes and 7 other lucky ladies took home a shamrock plant.  

Bishop Vono started by noting that there are many kinds of relationships. There are also many kinds of divine relationships or encounters, too. Jesus calls us to the ethics of Love. However, there are many definitions of love. (The Bishop asked each lady to write their definition of love. These were read at the end of the retreat.) He asked if we are “known by love”.

Prince Andrew, in Tolstoy’s War and Peace says, “Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.”

A higher meaning of love is found in John’s Gospel. It has been said that ‘Love is a sermon you live to see and experience rather than hear’. John says that the fullness of God is Jesus Christ, as in John 3:16 and the story of the vine and branches.

What are the implications for believing that God is Love and that we are connected to Jesus? It means that we are connected to God and therefore we [too] are love incarnate. This is because love is the result of connection to God.

Bishop Kallistos Ware said, “The whole person is on the one side open to God, and on the other side open to other people. The isolated individual is not a real person, for a real person lives in and for others. This idea...could be summed up under the word love. We become truly personal by loving God and by loving other humans. By love, I don’t mean merely an emotional feeling, but a fundamental attitude. In its deepest sense, love is the life, the energy, of the Creator in us. We are not truly human as long as we are turned in on ourselves. We become whole only insofar as we face others, and relate to them.”

We are not objects or servants or slaves of God-we are friends. Jesus said “I have called you friends,” which is a deeper relationship. We are loved as we love a true friend. Throughout history, many have followed this love: Albert Schweitzer and Martin Luther King to name just a couple.

We are each called to be a vehicle of God’s self-giving love. In First John we are admonished “little children let us love one another…” Love flows through us, to others, then through them to still others, and on and on.

The Bishop noted we receive [God’s] love in order to give it away. Tolstoy said “The simplest and shortest ethical precept is to be served by others as little as possible, and to serve others as much as possible.” Madeline L’Engle agrees. She says, “Following Christ has nothing to do with success as the world sees success. It has to do with love.”

We are told to abide in Christ be keeping his commandments-the greatest of which is to love others as ourselves. Too often we don’t know how to love ourselves because of our brokenness, sinfulness and weakness. (The afternoon talk focused on Love as Life in Relationship to one Another) When we do abide in love we find our highest joy.

God’s love comes to us on our way to somewhere else. The Bishop suggested we mediate on Life as Relationship to God.  Following questions, the ladies were given time to consider the talk or to just take some quiet time on the labyrinth or saying the rosary with the Society of Mary. There was also a table where 'Love Notes' could be created and the opportunity to pray at the cross. Several ladies took time to check out the books Rickie Sherrill had for sale through Good Books New Mexico.

After lunch Bishop Vono spoke on Love as Life in Relationship to Each Other. His afternoon talk will be posted next week.

Videos of the Bishop's morning talk (in 2 parts) are at:

http://youtu.be/hE5iYHZDB_4     (Part 1)

http://youtu.be/CqfENkTMrms         (Part 2)

Lent Retreats and Devotions

Believe it or not, Ash Wednesday is less than a month away (March 5)! During Lent many of us take on new spiritual disciplines, or give up something, or attend retreats. As Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande we are blessed with many opportunities for spiritual nourishment before and during Lent. There are 3 retreats in March that sound deeply spiritually nourishing. I am sure that there are others around the diocese...these just happen to be ones I was informed were happening. More info on each of these is on the calendar page.
There is the Bishop's Retreat: Holy Lent Through Love at the Cathedral on March 15 (8:30-3). The cost has been reduced to $20 for this event (those who have already registered will get a refund of the additional fee.) Bishop Vono will be with us to inspire Women of the DRG to a Holy Lent Through Love. His message will be based on Galatians 5, There will also be time throughout the day for quiet reflection on the Bishop’s message, including opportunities to walk the Labyrinth, join the Society of Mary for the Rosary, and just meditate in the quiet of the Cathedral.  Lunch is provided by the St. Agnes Chapter of the Daughters of the King. Register online, follow the link on the blog, or email Cindy Davis.

A simultaneous Day Camp for children (ages 5-12) will be offered at the Cathedral on Saturday so interested mothers can participate in this refreshing time of quiet and preparation for Lent.

Another option in the Women's Spirituality Gathering and Quiet Day on March 1 with Deborah Smith Douglas at Holy Faith in Santa Fe. Last year nearly 90 women found relaxation and inspiration from Deborah's talks. There is no cost, bring your own lunch. Contact the Very Rev. Peggy Patterson(Details on the calendar page.)

On March 8, you can attend "Seven Words, Seven Witnesses" at San Gabriel Mission in Corrales. No cost. Contact the Rev. Rhonda McIntire (Details on the calendar page.)

Lent can also be a time of picking up a new devotional habit. The Daughters of the King of the Diocese have just completed a Lent Devotional called "Renew a Right Spirit Within Us". This includes meditations by Daughters, Bishop Vono, and the Very Rev. Jeanne Lutz. Prayers and prayer activities with special meaning to Daughters around the Diocese will deepen your Easter preparations. If you'd like to get a copy for yourself, contact Cindy Davis. The cost is $5 (covers printing and postage).

Other Lent study and devotion books can be obtained from the Forward Movement, Christian Book Distributors, and others. Many of them can also be purchased through our own Rickie Sherrill with Good Books New Mexico!

There are of course online resources for Lent, too. One fun one is Lent Madness. Learn about saints of the church throughout Lent and find out which saint gets the most votes.  Join the new Women's Ministry Facebook page and share your own favorite Lent devotionals or something that inspires you and see what inspires other women around the diocese. We can inspire one another to keep a Holy Lent.