Where we are going

The final session of the weekend involved concrete planning of steps to get to the envisioned results.

               Three things were identified as the first steps.

Organization Structure of Women of the DRG

A definition of role of the Women of the DRG and a mission/vision statement is needed. We will meet in February (in conjunction with the Feb. 9 retreat) to develop this, based on email and other conversations between now and then.

The statement might incorporate such things as:

[We] Encourage, recognize, support, and empower women (lay and ordained) in the DRG to see that each activity is a ministry whether in a church or in a family or community.

[We] Support and include diverse opportunities for spiritual formation by leadership training, retreat opportunities, and fellowship among all women in the DRG.

[We] Acknowledge and embrace the multiplicity of demographics present in women of the DRG and encourage them to participate fully.

Inclusivity of all Women of the DRG

Sub-committees and/or focus groups will be formed to gather input (younger, Hispanic, Native American, etc.) Women from these demographics will be identified and invited to participate in the groups.The Rev. Jennifer Phillips from Rio Rancho was suggested as a person to include re: Native American contacts.

Communication to all Women of the DRG

The key to successful ministry will be communication across the Diocese. Some ways to accomplish this include:                

Personal invitation (Members of the SE Deanery covenanted to bring 10 women to the Feb. event)

                              Blog (www.VarietiesofGifts.blogspot.com)

                              Link on Diocesan website to blog

                              Facebook page link to and from Diocesan FB page

                              Together articles and In the Loop notification

                              Contact person in each Deanery to assure that info is shared at Deanery meetings.

      

Already we have the opportunity to hear important women leaders like Bishop Barbara Harris and Dr. Ruth Anna Hooke.

Already many women represent the diocese in leadership roles including as CATO. 

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!!

Crazy Quilt Conversations-

Last week's post was an over view of the entire women's retreat. This week and next will give more details about what we did and discussed as we visioned an exciting future for all women in the Diocese! Those who gathered are enthusiastic about the potential for all women-young, older, working, single, moms, and career, and all ethnic demographics that are represented in the DRG. Read on to learn some of what we did.

How we are

Crazy Quilt Conversations was a time for women of the DRG to come together and vision where our ministry as women of faith could go. The retreat included some fun games, laughter, and some deep planning. After a game of “Me too” to demonstrate how we are linked in a web, we talked about how we like the warp and weft of fabric

               Warp: the backbone of weaving

                              For Women in the DRG, this is such things as Christ, faith, ministry, God, demographics

               Weft: the things that build the design

Based on ‘Varieties of Gifts’ scripture (I Corinthians 12 we discussed the positives in the life, ministry, church, and DRG that make up the weft of us as individuals and as women of the DRG

Ministry is not just in the church, but rather is everything we do in our lives. This truth needs to be shared and acknowledged because what women do M-F is just as much ministry as Altar Guild or DOK or food pantry, etc.

               We need to have focus groups with young, Hispanic, African-American to hear what they want

Who we are-Patchwork

Each woman chose a bracelet from the basket and told why we chose “ASAP-Always Say a Prayer” or “Jesus Loves Me” or other saying on bracelet was important to her. Like Patchwork we come from many different places, with assorted needs and wants. Just as the same saying means different things to different women, so too our lives are formed in different ways, but we can all come together as one ‘quilt’.

               Over the weekend notes were jotted about things we didn’t want to forget. These are some of the things that make us a patchwork because they are important to different women.

               Same gender demographic

               Spiritual Growth Retreats

               Remember ‘the least of these’

               Child care at events with a purpose, not just watching movies

Affirm the wide definition of what ministry is, esp. for young women/mothers

Look at new territories, i.e. autism, ADA, other-abled needs

Be models/mentors for younger women

Events in the ‘south’ and other far reaches of the Diocese

Network of women in, throughout, across the diocese.

Field trips to visit other churches around the diocese and meet the women there

Hat retreat, to look at all the ‘hats’ we all wear and how to take off some of them, maybe

We talked about How can we come together so God can be glorified in all [that we do] based on 1 Peter 4:10-12.

               We need spiritual growth retreats, time to be still and know God, so there needs to be provision for ways to get/have spiritual growth opportunities.

Spiritual growth helps us learn that we are showing God to others through our actions. We also gain understanding that we don’t necessarily have to go far afield to find ministry opportunities to ‘the least of these’, esp. because NM is 2^nd poorest state in the nation. (Ruby Payne was suggested as a speaker)              

Crazy Quilt Conversations

Women of the DRG met at the Bosque Center for Crazy Quilt Conversations on November 9 and 10. We were the inaugural group to use the Center and found it to be a delightful venue. Two dozen women from across the Diocese gathered the evening of November 9 for a time of fellowship and conversation with Bishop Vono. Saturday was spent in creating a vision for Women in the DRG. With broad strokes, the women painted a dream of active, diverse lay and ordained women involved in ministries both inside and outside of church walls. Participants created a vision of women as leaders empowered with retreats, mission, and education through communication and fellowship.

The final session of the 'Crazy Quilt Conversations' involved planning concrete steps. The steering committee will meet in February to create a mission statement for the Women and set up focus groups to build communication with various demographics to help identify needs and desires of all women.  If you are interested in being part of one of a focus groups, are curious about an event, or have ideas for Women in the DRG, email Cynthia.

Several women's events are already planned:

February 9 Retreat for Women

March 2 Lenten Retreat with Bishop Vono at St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso (co-hosted by St. Christopher's)

March 23 Lent Retreat with Canon Kathleen McNellis at St. Andrew's, Roswell

May 17-18, 2014: A Day for Women with The Rt. Rev. Barbara Taylor Brown

Summer 2013: Body, Mind, Spirit Retreat in Taos

Fall 2013: Women of the DRG Retreat at the Bosque Center

Watch the What's Happening page of this blog for more information about each of these events as it becomes available. 

Over the next few weeks, more of the work from this retreat will be posted here-so check back! 

Skunks and Quilts?

What do you think this conglomeration of items might have to do with Women's Ministry in the Diocese of the Rio Grande?

 

They are all things that will be found at the Crazy Quilt Conversations Retreat November 9-10 at the Bosque Center in Albuquerque.

Be part of the fun!

Invite a friend and come together!

Why not invite a younger woman to help vision ministry in the Diocese of the Rio Grande?

 

Registration forms can be found here, or contact Cindy Davis.

 

Celtic Spirituality

This weekend I am in Amarillo at a retreat of Celtic Spirituality led by Mary Earle, author and priest. I hope to come back, not only refreshed, but with fresh ideas of ways to build up the Women of the DRG.

Remember to register for the upcoming Crazy Quilt Conversations Retreat at the Bosque Center on Nov. 9-10. More info on the What's Happening page of this blog. Registration forms are here and in the e-newsletter that many of you received last week. If you aren't yet on the DRG Women email list, send me your email and I'll be happy to add you. Then you will be in the loop for all the retreats and other activities coming in the next year.

Feel free to post and share the registration info with other women in your parish. You can also stop by the Women of the DRG table during convention to pick up registration forms.

Retreats Nourish the Soul

Last week we looked at some study opportunities for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande. Study is one way to enrich our lives as women. Learning about the work and word of God gives us new insight into our own lives.

Another important way to nourish our spirit is taking the opportunity to go on a retreat. There are many retreat centers around New Mexico that are wonderful places to go on a personal retreat. Getting away from the day-to-day busy-ness is more important than we may realize until we take time for a retreat.

Some retreat centers are: the Canossian Center & Norbertine Center in Albuquerque, Christ in the Desert Monastery near Chama and the Pecos Monastery east of Santa Fe. In the southern part of the Diocese you can visit the Holy Cross Center in Mesilla Park. Of course, you can take a personal retreat by finding a favorite place in nature and being still with God there. There are also other retreat centers around the state and in TX. Comment with your own favorite retreat locale.

Quiet and private retreats are certainly important. Equally important is taking the time to go on a retreat with other women (and men). There are retreats around the Diocese at various times that appeal to a variety of interests. Earlier in June there was a retreat in Santa Fe, sponsored by the Frederick B. Howden Chapter of the Daughters of the King.

Coming up in July is a week-long Icon Painting retreat in Santa Fe. You can get information about that here.

Mark your calendar for the “Crazy Quilt Conversation” retreat at the Bosque Center on Nov. 9-10. This will be an opportunity for women around the Diocese to share our stories and gifts with each other. Watch your mail and Together for more information.

Next spring, watch for a Lenten Retreat and a ‘Mind, Body, Spirit’ retreat in the summer of 2013 in Taos!

Some groups have special retreats, like the upcoming Back to the Mountain retreat for people who have attended Cursillo. Next year we hope to have a Cursillo weekend. The Daughters of the King will be holding their annual Assembly and Retreat in early August, too.

One goal of this blog is to help all Women of the DRG keep track of retreat opportunities, so send me information about retreats your churches or groups are sponsoring! Check the “What’s Happening” link regularly for new opportunities for retreats and studies.