Loved Like Me: DRG Women's Ministry Fall Gathering Oct. 25-27

 

Loved Like Me

Oct. 25-27, 2024

St. Francis on the Hill &

St. Christopher's, El Paso

Diocese of the Rio Grande: Fall Gathering 

If you have ever wanted to learn how the Biblical history of refugees and migration impacts our response today, this is the event for you. We'll see how Rio Grande Borderlands Ministry is being God's hands and heart to asylum seekers at the border.

All women in the diocese, and friends (men too), are invited to Loved Like Me, the Annual Diocesan Women's Ministry Gathering on October 25-27.

(Previously advertised for Oct. 18-20, we changed the dates so that Hannah Curtis can be one of the leaders. Her plans changed when she learned she and Canon Lee will need to be in the diocese of WTX for the election of the suffragan bishop.)

This year we are at St. Francis on the Hill (6280 Los Robles) and St. Christopher's (300 Riverside Dr), El Paso to learn about Borderlands Ministry. We will experience some of what asylum seekers face, hear about the men, women, and children the ministry serves, and discern how we can support this vital ministry. Hannah Curtis, the Rev. Kristin Kopren, the Rev. Ana Reza, and the Rev. Sondra Jones will be our leaders.

We’ll begin at 5PM on Friday evening at St. Francis on the Hill with a light meal, and end around 7PM on Saturday, after dinner at St. Christopher’s. A visit to the shelter at St. Christopher's will be part of the experience. 

In-person participation is encouraged, although presentations will be available on Zoom. Plan to stay for Sunday to hear Hannah Curtis preach at St. Christopher’s at 10AM.

Download a flyer to post at your church and share with friends. 

A list of donations, suggestions of hotels not far from St. Francis on the Hill, and the working schedule are here.  

Contact Cindy Davis with questions or if you need a scholarship.

To REGISTER ($60 in-person, $20 Zoom) scan the QR code, or use the link below  (some scholarships are available).

(Note: your receipt will say Footprints From the Bible)

or this link:  https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ARV87LFMGGHFJ

Upcoming Women's Ministry Events for Women in the Diocese of the Rio Grande

There's a lot coming up this summer and fall for Women in the DRG. We hope you can join us for some or of these events.  

Summer Book Study of Richard Rohr's book Falling Upward. Every Thursday evening on Zoom from 6:30-7:30pm from July 11-August 15. Contact Cindy if you want to join.

Episcopal Church Women of Province 7 Fall Gathering in Overland Park, KS, Sept. 27-29. We will watch and discuss The Philadelphia Eleven film. Full details on the ECW Province 7 website. (In person only.)

"Loved like Me": Diocese of the Rio Grande Annual Gathering. October 18-19 at St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso. We'll learn about the Borderlands Ministry of the DRG and what we can do as individuals, groups, and congregations to help. (in person and Zoom)

Borderlands and Women's Ministry

You can still join the diocesan One Book One Diocese monthly study of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's book Love is the Way. Follow the link for registration info. 

There is a special Zoom about UTO on May 1 at 2PM with the Rev. Heather Melton. This is for anyone interested in learning more about how UTO can make a difference in your personal and parish life. Please Register at https://tinyurl.com/7zet9ebr or email Cindy Davis (CynthiaDavisAuthor@gmail.com) to receive the link. Download a flyer to share.

On April 24, the Rev. Susan Hutchins gave an impactful presentation about the history and work of Rio Grande Borderland Ministry. She also spoke about the current situation and some of what can and cannot be done. Forty percent of the border between the US and Mexico is in the Diocese of the Rio Grande (about 800 miles). The Rev. Susan Hutchins has been active in this ministry almost since the beginning. The Rev. Mike Wallens is now the co-chair and Ana Reza is the Chaplain. 

The mission statement of Rio Grand Borderlands Ministry says:

Everyone Eats

Everyone is Clothed

Everyone has a Safe Place to Live

Everyone is Loved

The ministry also offers humanitarian support at the border to welcome asylum seekers with dignity. more info is on the Borderland Ministry website.

One way to support this ministry is via "Canvas of Hope" an online auction on May 1. You can view the art and other things available at Canvas of Hope — Rio Grande Borderland Ministries.

Ways that women's ministry groups, individuals, and parishes can offer ongoing support is via online donations, in kind donations of cotton fabric and thread for the Coopertiva in Palomas, making Christmas shoeboxes for children in Palomas, Mexico who attend school in Columbus, NM, Contact Susan Hutchins for information about these needs. 

Susan also talked a little about the Armenian genocide. A book suggested by Women's Ministry council member Linda White is The Sandcastle Girls, by Chris Bohalian.  It's a story about Armenia and the genocide but also about a granddaughter of one of the Armenian men who survived and came to the US.  Bohalian himself is Armenian, of course, so he draws upon personal knowledge, although the book is considered a historical novel. 

You can watch the video of Susan's presentation

Our next gathering will be May 22 with the Rev. Jan Hosea talking about Mothers, Mentoring, and Loving as a Mother. 

ANEW2 April 24: Rio Grande Borderlands Ministry

 

All women are invited to join the Zoom gathering on April 24 at 10AM to learn what is happening with the Diocese of the Rio Grande Borderlands Ministry.

Find out what we, as women of faith, can do to support this important outreach of our diocese. 

The Rev. Susan Hutchins has been part of this ministry for many years. She will bring us up to date on the past year and going forward.
If you would like to donate to support the work, you can do so online. You can also participate in Canvas of Hope  by taking part in the online auction on May 1.