Crazy Quilt Conversations Part 2

Why we are

Small groups put together random pieces of paper into a square as way of demonstrating that seemingly unconnected things can form a design and create something.

Starting with this idea of unconnected things, the groups brainstormed ‘outside the box’ to vision who Women of the DRG are in 5 years.

Then the ideas were shared in the large group, captured as if the 5 year dream was a present reality:

Demographics of Women of DRG:

We have a ministry to the ‘differently abled’.

We have churches full of children (and by extensions families, which can mean single parents).

We realize we have many roles/ministries that are not church related and we honor those roles.

We have women lay leaders, training lay leaders and more clergy women.

We have articulate, grounded women (lay and ordained) who can respond to seekers and to fundamentalists.

We have women as active lay preachers, and who can give inspiring testimonials.

We have shared leadership between lay and ordained.

We, as women, are leaders in taking the diocese ‘out of the box’.

Spiritual Life of Women of DRG

We promote spiritual development education for all ages, esp. for women.

We have a fully understood baptismal ministry.

We have joyful, gender inclusive liturgies.

We draw inspiration from our historical past.

We focus on wholeness in women: spiritual, safety, mental, physical, emotional, health, intellect.

Women are free to express their creativity in artistic, intellectual, relationship, leadership ways that are not necessarily ‘traditional’.

Activities of Women of DRG

We hold events where all (ages, demographics, economics, ethnicity, etc.) can come together.

Events are planned with input from all target audiences.

We have childcare (including activities) in conjunction with women’s events.

We always have scholarships for events.

Half of the attendees at women’s events are under 50.

We hold periodic meetings with women’s groups in various places in the DRG (ECW, DOK, MOPS, etc.) for input.

We facilitate varieties of ministries in our parishes.

We have reciprocal ministries, i.e. cross border, cross age, cross economic lines where we not only minister to them, but also learn from our sisters in ‘different’ circumstances.

We encourage eco-friendly homes and churches.

Communication

We get news about women’s events in a timely fashion via many media (diocesan website, email, blog, Facebook, etc.)

We are connected via social media.

We have virtual study and/or book groups and online forums so women around the diocese can participate without having to travel.

 

Next week, we'll conclude this report with the action steps ahead! See how you can be part of this ministry!!

We are a Prayer Shawl

As described in Together, Bishop Vono has a vision for greater communication and interaction and support between and among women of the DRG. Communication will strengthen women individually and corporately in ministry and worship and study. 

Sally Blackstad, Cindy Davis, Jane Madrid, Sandy Martin, Rickie Sherrill, and Elaine Wilson met in the Clark Center of the Cathedral on Saturday, April 14 to brainstorm, in broad strokes, a starting point for ministry to and with Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.

We began with each of us sharing a time when she felt particularly close to God or when she felt like an ‘instrument’ of God’s work. Two parallel themes emerged as times when God is present. There is a quiet/peace component and the creative/active side.

After exploring some current ministries and women’s demographics in light of these themes (see below*), we agreed that a basic need, as we move forward with women’s ministry, is to LISTEN and to REACH OUT to all women. There is a great need to be in communication with each other. This will have many benefits, not least of these is ‘breaking down’ the tendency to stick with just 'our own' ministry group within 'our own' church and not look beyond to see what other groups and other women are doing across each church and esp. across the Diocese.

A metaphor for what we see the Women of the DRG becoming is that “we are a Prayer Shawl,” jointly offering prayerful, quiet comfort and also we are a way to be active in creating and offering ministries. Under the mantle of "Prayer Shawl," we can begin the process of listening to each other and explore ways to enrich our ministry as women in the Diocese. Within the shawl, we can share Christ’s love with each other and hold open the shawl to welcome others into ministry, study, and prayer.

Some ideas for starting this process included having something like a social gathering, or a dance, or a convention, or a retreat format. Perhaps Skype can be used to include women who cannot attend discussions in person. Bosque Center or Camp Stoney are a couple of places that offer accommodations for this sort of meeting. Watch for more information about events and opportunities to share your ideas. 

Of course-an easy way to share is to comment on this blog or email Cindy.

 (*an outline of our discussions)

We explored the work of some current ministries of the Diocese in light of these 2 themes:

Ministry	Quiet/Peace	Creative/Active
DOK	Quiet Day events	Sharing between individuals and within chapters of insights
EFM	Gathering time of quiet and prayer	Active discussion
Altar Guild	Time in the church doing the work	Taking time to see that the “Home is in order”
UTO	Individual prayers and gifts	Posters, advertising, telling about
	Self-giving	Joint offering and subsequent grants
ECW in Diocese of Chicago	Always a worship/prayer component	Discussion of lessons in midst of worship

We then considered how several women’s demographics would relate to the dual themes:

Demographic	Quiet/Peace	Creative/Active
Single women (is there a difference based on age?)	Personal invitation	Group studies, lunches
Young mothers	Offer of childcare	Gift of child care
Moms of teens	Quiet time while waiting for child	Blogs, online & other resources that can be read in car
Divorced/widowed	Too much ‘silence’ not enough quiet	Opportunities for classes, retreats, activities