taken from:
Networking in the
Re-Imagining Community
Re-Imagining Small Group
Happenings
…for inspiration…to make connections…for help finding
resources…
Minneapolis, MN:
St. Paul, MN:
- Jan, Julia, Carmen, Karen and Denise have been part of a Re-Imagining
small group for five years. They meet monthly in one another’s homes.
Their format includes a time for checking in, followed by the Sophia
blessing sung to each person, discussion of a reading selected by someone
in the group, a ritual prepared or selected by a member, and a closing
hug. They are currently reading Quantum Theology: Spiritual
Implications of the New Physics by Diarmuid O’Murchu (New York, NY:
Crossroad Publishing Co. 1997). (8/00)
- “There comes a time in the life of a small group when you begin to
trust each other enough to want to become more involved with each other’s
lives. Our monthly meetings never gave us enough time for both study and
catching up on what was happening in our lives. So we planned an
overnight retreat. We gave each of the six members some uninterrupted
time to talk about the impact that freedom has had upon their life. After
each person told their story, the group took time to probe more deeply,
challenge and encourage, react, and give advice. The talks were peppered
with poems and quotes. We all feel that we have gone from a cadre of
women brought together by intellectual and spiritual concerns to a group
of friends who love and support each other. The retreat happened to be on
the very day of a significant birthday for one of us and all that sharing
put us in a very celebratory mood. We painted our fingernails bright
purple, put on tattoos, blew bubbles, ate M&M’s (plain and peanut), and on
and on. It was a great way to affirm the freedom we felt as women
celebrating our lives together.” (11/98)
California:
-
The California Sophia Circle, a Delta District Unit of United Methodist
Women, continues to meet and grow. The group uses
Re-Imagining as its meeting focus. For more information, e-mail Elaine
Jacobsen at
ejacobsen@vikingbridges.com.
- Long Beach, CA: A group called Women-Church has been meeting since
1990 to tell stories and discuss subjects of interest. The group meets
the second Sunday of each month from 3-5 p.m. Call Rev. Grace Jones Moore
at (562)595-0268 for more information. (5/99)
Claremont, CA: A retirement community for Christian workers in Claremont
called Pilgrim Place holds a monthly forum on women’s issues. Community
members eat the noon meal together and hold table prayers using inclusive
language. There are small groups and book discussions for women, and the
group used tapes from the 1998 Revival for discussion. (2/99)
Connecticut:
- New Haven, CT: The Sophia's Circle, a re-imagining community of women
and men honoring and re-imagining our faith, embracing our call to
justice, plans and holds feminist worship events. For information about
the group or upcoming events, contact Charlotte White at r&cwhite@cshore.com.
(06/08)
Iowa:
- For information about The WOMEN AND THEALOGY Re-Imagining small group
in Clinton, Iowa contact Lois at seger.loisbob@mcleodusa.net.
Georgia:
- Atlanta, GA: Circle of Grace Community Church is a group of women and
men who meet weekly on Sunday nights at 6:00 pm for worship and prayer and
to re-imagine our Christian faith! Our group is small, but
diverse...women, men, children, gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered,
people of color, people with disabilities, younger, older, single,
partnered, from all different religious, social, economic backgrounds.
All are welcome! For more information, contact Shelly Hart, member, at
shart@emory.edu
Nebraska:
- Wanted: Individuals in the Omaha - Council Bluffs area who would be
interested in forming a reimagining small group. The content and schedule
for meeting will be decided by those who indicate interest. We will plan
on having an organizational meeting at the end of August, and go from
there! Please contact Deborah Boucher-Payne at debrev@aol.com if you are
interested.
New Mexico:
- The Santa Fe Re-Imagining Ecumenical Women’s Group sponsored a weekend
with Chris Smith of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in
March of 2000. For information, contact Betty Kersting at sfkerst@rt66.com.
(05/01)
- Christine Smith will lead a seminar titled, "Risking the Terror:
Resisting Crucifixions--Embodying Resurrection" from July 9-16, 2001, at
Ghost Ranch. See the Ghost Ranch Summer Bulletin for details; telephone
1-505-685-4333. To contact the Santa Fe Re-Imagining Community, write
Freda Elliott at sffredae@aol.com, Betty Kersting at sfkerst@rt66.com,
Mary Ann Lundy at willun@qwest.net, or Jeanne McGown at jsfnm@aol.com.
(05/01)
New York:
- "Wanted: Third Wave Reimaginer Spirituality Circle/Social Group for
those of us in the New York City Area. All who are interested, please
contact Carrie Brunken at cmbrunken@yahoo.com Once I get a general idea
of who is interested, the planning can begin!"
Ohio:
- Cleveland, OH: Wednesday Women 's Spirituality Gathering
Wednesday evenings 7 - 9 PM, May 9th - Aug. 29th. Join a group of
people gathering together to explore a variety of writings on Spiritual
themes; to create a welcoming space for support, discussion and fun; and
to experience the magic of connecting with the Divine. This will be
an open group. All are welcome to any meeting. You don't need to be
there every week. Please contact Diane at schurrd@ucc.org, or the
Re-Imagining Community if you have any questions. And know that you are
welcome. The following is a list of the topics or books to be
discussed on eachnight. People are encouraged to get a copy to the two
complete books that we will be using: Dreaming the Dark by
Starhawk and The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk
Kidd. Copies of the single chapters or selections will be available at
the meeting a couple weeks ahead of time, or by calling Diane.
May 9th - Introduction
May 16th - Dreaming the Dark by Starhawk
May 23rd - " " "
May 30th - " " "
June 6th - No Meeting
June 13th - Discussion about the Reclaiming Tradition camp
that Diane will have just returned from
June 20th - Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa
Pinkola Estés "The Little Match Girl" pgs 318-326
June 27th - Women Who Run With the Wolves, "The Three Gold
Hairs" pgs 327-333
July 4th - No official meeting, maybe something fun
July 11th - No Meeting
July 18th - The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue
Monk Kidd
July 25th - " " " " " "
Aug. 1st - Weaving the Visions edited by Judith Plaskow
and Carol P. Christ "Grandmother of the Sun" by Paula Gunn Allen pgs
22-28
Aug. 8th - Weaving the Visions "God is Inside You and
Inside Everybody Else" by Alice Walker pgs 101-104
Aug. 15th - Dear Heart, Come Home by Joyce Rupp "Midlife
Transformation: Shedding the Skin" pgs 104-119
Aug. 22nd - To be determined
Aug. 29th - "
Washington State
- Lacey, WA: A small gathering of Christian women: “Twice a month we
share ‘life stories’ and discuss a chapter from the book The Feminine Face
of God. We are adult women searching for and seeking to know God
intimately through the Spirit. We have committed to each other to keep
our conversations in confidence, to listen without interrupting by using a
talking stick, and to encourage each other to find peace in our lives. We
are open to new members. We are currently deciding on a name, not rushing
it, just waiting patiently for God’s direction on a name and our
covenant. We do not have one leader—we all share responsibility for the
group—however, if you are interested in knowing more about us you can
contact Susie at szych@aol.com.” (2/99)
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