Clergywomen 'nourish the soul' at retreat.

More than 60 Church of the Brethren clergywomen gathered in south-central Wisconsin Nov. 14-17 for a retreat on the theme, "Nourishing the Soul." The event was sponsored by the Ministry Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board and attracted licensed and ordained ministers from across the US. The group included women of all ages, students at Bethany Theological Seminary, active pastors, denominational and district staff, retirees--and a baby. Liz Bidgood-Enders, a member of the planning committee, brought her infant daughter along. The planning committee also included Kelly Burk, Mary Jo Flory-Steury, Kristin Haberzetle, Nancy Knepper, Linda Lewis, Cara McCallister, and Myrna Long Wheeler.

Leadership was provided by Jan Richardson, with a focus on scriptural depictions of spiritual nourishment. Richardson is a United Methodist artist, poet, and ordained minister and visiting artist at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, Fla. Her several books include "Sacred Journeys" and "Night Visions."

"For most of us, if not all of us, it's no easy task just to get here," Richardson told the group. For busy clergywomen–many of whom are mothers, wives, daughters, or work second jobs in addition to serving the church--she focused on images of hunger and sustenance. "Sometimes it's a challenge to let ourselves seek comfort," she said, to nods of agreement from many. "Open your mouth wide and I will fill it," Richardson quoted from Psalm 81:10, emphasizing that the retreat was an opportunity to be fed spiritually as well as emotionally and physically with good food, fellowship, and time for rest and relaxation.

"Sustenance comes in a variety of ways," including in the form of "Christ the Word," Richardson said. "Each of us is given a word (that) may shift and change over time as we come to a deeper understanding of our calling." Using words and images from her work, illuminations from medieval manuscripts, and writings of women mystics, she examined ways that women search for sustenance from God. In times of creative meditation using decorative papers--Richardson is known for paper collages--she invited the women to be open to the Holy Spirit and to where the textures, colors, and designs of the papers led them. "God may have a challenge in store for you these days...to go in some direction that you hadn't counted on going," she said.

The retreat also included workshops and informal times of sharing. A chocolate fountain--filled with 16 pounds of melted chocolate to be dipped up by an array of fruit, nuts, and cakes--brought "oohs" and "aahs" from those who gathered for the first evening's "snack and chat."

At a camp fire, held indoors because of the first snowfall of the season, several women shared their stories of calling to ministry. In another time of sharing, participants talked about what the retreat meant to them. "For me it has been eye-opening and empowering," said a young seminary student. Another student said she was stimulated by "the heartfelt passion for ministry and for God." "We didn't know how hungry we were because we haven't been putting out the feast," said one pastor. She looked forward to returning to her congregation, saying, "now I want to go put out the feast."

Love feast the final morning began with a time of confession before breakfast. A brunch filled in as the fellowship meal. "When we walked from our worship space over to breakfast, we did that in silence," said Mary Jo Flory-Steury, executive director of the Ministry Office. "However, we did not eat in silence! We enjoyed good fellowship," she added. For communion, the women were invited to dip bread into honey. Scriptures referring to honey as a symbol of the nourishment God offers were read throughout the retreat: "...The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether....sweeter also than honey..." (Psalm 19:9b-10).

Source: 12/21/2005 Newsline
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