Lectionary Study Returns for Advent!

After a hiatus, Elaine Wilson, member of the Women's Ministry Council will be resuming her lectionary study this week. You can also participate in person at the Cathedral! 

Next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent and the fourth Sunday before Christmas, is the beginning of a new Church Year for most Christians.  Every week, going forward, you are invited to receive and discover the depth of meaning in the designated lectionary, or lessons, you will hear in church on the coming Sunday morning.

Enjoy knowing more about what you will be learning.  Spread the good news with friends and family.  And, when you can, come anytime to be part of the informal weekly lectionary group on Wednesday’s at 10:30 AM at your Diocese of the Rio Grande Cathedral in Albuquerque.  You will be joined by many other online participants in this lectionary study to gain new knowledge about the riches of the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer, as you ponder and pray the words used by our Episcopal Church tradition.

To enroll to receive your weekly online lectionary information, send your email address to wdrgstudy@gmail.com to receive this free, one-of-a-kind opportunity available to both men and women. The weekly study will also be posted on this website each week, if you prefer to simply read it here. 
Elaine Aniol Wilson returns as our WDRG online guide.  She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and holds a journalism/advertising degree from The University of Texas at Austin.  As a lifelong Episcopal layperson, Elaine had 25 years as a professional, creative liturgical artist; her design company produced religious commissions spread across the Western Hemisphere.  Throughout the country, Elaine has presented a variety of classes and workshops on Bible and Church history topics, always with the point-of-view of strengthening personal awareness of the experience of God’s love.

Study, Fellowship, Retreats, and more for Women in 2016

During the recent Does My Life Have a Message weekend, Katrine Stewart reminded attendees that ‘retreat’ is a time to regroup, rest, heal, strategize, and refocus our goals. A retreat gives us time to remember that we are under the loving guidance of our Lord. With that in mind, women are encouraged to take advantage of a multitude of retreat opportunities coming in 2016.

Mysterious Lent, Diocesan Lent Retreat for Women will be on March 5 at Epiphany Church, Socorro. The Rev. Carole McGowan will lead us in contemplation of a mystery novel (A Trick of Light by Louise Penny, available from Amazon and elsewhere) in relation to the mystery of God all around us. There will be discussion and quiet time, and maybe a ‘mystery meal’. Registration forms and more info will be available soon here.

Other retreats sponsored by the Women of the Diocese will be the Spirited Summer Weekend in Farmington on June 10-11 where we will focus on being co-creators with God. Our 5^th Annual Women’ Retreat will be held at the Bosque Center on November 17-18, with Elaine Wilson as our leader in contemplating the Puzzle Pieces of our lives that make up YOU…Yearning, Owning, Understanding.

An ongoing, weekly study opportunity is the Women of the Diocese e-study. During 2016, participants will explore the Biblical use and background of the Gospel of Luke, Revelation, and many of the Epistles. Both women and men are welcome to sign up by emailing wdrgstudy@gmail.com. Some participants share their insights with family, friends, or small groups. Others use the study as personal enrichment.

There are other retreats around the diocese, too. These include Beyond the Magi, a Quiet Day with Deborah Smith Douglas on January 30 at Holy Faith in Santa Fe;  A Day with Julian of Norwich at St. Alban’s, El Paso on February 27 led by the Rev. Dr. Jeanne Lutz. Contact the churches for more information.

E-mail Cindy Davis, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries, if you have questions about the women’s ministry, or ideas for future events. Keep up with upcoming events the women’s website and Facebook page.  

Exciting E-Study Opportunity

You are invited to be part of the Women of the Diocese E-Mail Bible Study!  This is meant to enrich your understanding of Scripture.

 

Each Monday, beginning on January 19, you’ll receive a simple, short, e-mail in your inbox. The focus for this initial study, during the Season after Epiphany, will be Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians.

This is another way to keep in touch and to deepen both our spiritual lives and our community across the miles of the diocese. You can participate by responding with comments if you desire, or you can just use the meditations for your personal reflection and growth.  

 

Both men and women are invited to participate. Sign up by sending your email address to WDRGstudy@gmail.com, or use the link in the right panel.