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THE MONTHLY CAUCUS*
The Episcopal Women's Caucus:
Advocating for women since 1971,
theologically, spiritually and politically.
MAY 2013 |
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Mother's Day
Standing with Others (Standing women; We are enough)
Bishop Suffragan Nominations Open Diocese of New York
Military Justice?
Summer Programs
Several of you emailed to tell the editor that she had omitted the name of The Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, vicar of The Church of the Advocate in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the Bishop Suffragan election for North Carolina. Please accept my apology for the omission. Women who are willing to stand for elections such as this are highly valued.
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MOTHER'S DAY
This Sunday is Mother's Day and we pray for mothers: those who gave us birth, those who have raised us and care for us still, for "mother-hearted women" who make us feel special, for aunties and grandmas and neighbors and friends, for all of the women who touch our lives and for all the men who are both mother and father to their children. We pray for those who are sorrowing: those who are missing their own mothers or the mothers of their children.
The origins of Mother's Day were far from the flowers and card we associate with this day. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, tried to get a formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace by calling all women to gather to " promote the alliance of different nationalities, an amicable settlement of international questions, and to lift up he great and general interests of peace."
Her efforts were not successful but her proclamation lives on. (Scroll down for proclamation).
Julia's idea was influenced by Anna Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who had attempted starting in 1858 to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers' Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.
Anna Jarvis' daughter, also named Anna Jarvis, would of course have known of her mother's work, and the work of Julia Ward Howe. Much later, when her mother died, this second Anna Jarvis started her own crusade to found a memorial day for women. The first such Mother's Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1907 in the church where the elder Anna Jarvis had taught Sunday School. And from there the custom caught on - spreading eventually to 45 states. Finally the holiday was declared officially by states beginning in 1912, and in 1914 the President, Woodrow Wilson, declared the first national Mother's Day. Anna Jarvis fought against the commercialization of Mother's Day saying, ""A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world," according to the book Women Who Made a Difference.
Mother's Day Proclamation - 1870 Julia Ward Howe
Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
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NOT TOO LATE TO STAND WITH OTHERS
Find out where people in your area are standing
or what they are doing.
http://www.standingwomen.net/english_story.cfm
We are enough
 | | Standing Women 2008 |
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Diocese of New York Searching for Bishop Suffragan
The Committee to Elect a Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York announces the opening of the time period to propose candidates for consideration to the office of Bishop Suffragan. The Profile describing the Diocese and Suffragan position as well as forms to Propose a Candidate and the Candidate Application Package may be found on the web at: http://suffragan.dioceseny.org/. Candidates may submit their own names, or they may be proposed by others, beginning May 6th.
The period for proposing names of candidates ends at 5 p.m. Monday, June 3. Candidates may submit their application packages at any time; the final deadline for packages is 5:00pm, Friday, June 14.
The Special Convention to Elect a Bishop will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, on Saturday, December 7. Other details surrounding the timeline for the process may be found on the website.
The Diocese of New York is diverse in geography, culture, and demographics. It is composed of some 66,000 members, 72 deacons and 600 priests. It stretches from Staten Island to Sullivan County and from Wall Street to the Catskills. The Diocese encompasses ten counties that include some of the most densely populated urban landscape in the country and some of the least populated; some of the wealthiest parishes in The Episcopal Church, as well as parishes in the poorest communities. Most importantly, it is inhabited by children of God who are seeking a faithful pastor to join the people and clergy of the Diocese and our Diocesan Bishop in the work that God has given us to do.
We bid your prayers both for the Diocese and for those who will be in discernment to determine if this is the vocation to which God has called them.
Members of the Committee to Elect a Bishop are: Susan Heath, The Rev. Martha Overall, Tina Pinckney, David Shover, The Rev. Nora Smith, The Rev. Buddy Stallings, Chancellor of the Diocese George Wade, and Co-Chairs The Rev. Loyda Morales and The Rv. Wm. Blake Rider, Co-Chair.
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| WOMEN in the MILITARY
The Invisible War
documentary available
for purchase from Amazon.com or Netflix
 | | The Invisible War - Official Trailer |
MOVEMENT
Invisible No More is a non-partisan coalition working to end sexual assault within the U.S. military and to help survivors of Military Sexual Assault heal.
Today, a woman serving in Iraq or Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow service member than to be killed in the line of fire.
The Invisible No More coalition seeks to ensure that the theatrical release of the film The Invisible War serves as a catalyst in creating a movement to cause lasting change in how the military handles sexual assault. We engage with advocacy organizations, key policymakers, military leaders, and other stakeholders to raise public awareness, coordinate policy, and energize the grassroots to change military policy and behavior.
While the Department of Defense claims to have a "Zero Tolerance Policy," the numbers of sexual assault occurrences within the U.S. military have continued to rise.
- Since 2006, more than 95,000 service members have been sexually assaulted in the U.S. military
- More than 86% of service members do not report their assault
- Less than five percent of all sexual assaults are put forward for prosecution, and less than a third of those cases result in imprisonment
The three main objectives of Invisible No More are to:
- Raise awareness
- Effect political and cultural change
- Serve as a means of healing for survivors of Military Sexual Assault
Our brave troops protect our country, our freedom, and our livelihood. We can't turn our back on them. The 2.9 million active duty and reserve personnel in the U.S. Armed Services should be able to serve with dignity and pride, and without fear of rape.
RESOURCES Not Invisible Resources
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26TH ANNUAL JOINT WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM
The Sea Service Leadership Association (SSLA) announces a new date for its 26th annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, the largest gathering of military women in the nation. The two day symposium will now be held June 6-7, 2013, at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Attendees may continue to register at www.sealeader.org.
Women from each of the five service branches are encouraged to register. With the theme, "Stronger Self, Stronger Service," the symposium will provide participating servicewomen with tools for both their personal and professional lives, to make them better leaders.
From: The Rev. Babs M. Meairs, Caucus Board Member
I was on active duty in the USMC when women started entering the military chaplaincy in 1973. Since the Episcopal Church requires ordination to the priesthood for federal chaplaincies, I put off pursuing my call to this until 1976 when I entered seminary in conjunction with the General Convention vote on the priestly ordination of women. My first position at a church ( two years of ministry also required before serving as a federal chaplain) was in Fort Worth, Texas, and it wasn't until I returned to California in 1991 that I was able to continue my process toward priesthood. Though never serving as an active duty chaplain, I was privileged to serve as a federal chaplain in the Department of Veterans Affairs. After retiring from the VA, I served as the Field Coordinator for the Episcopal Bishop Suffragan for Federal Chaplaincies, where I met many women chaplains and heard their varied stories. I admire these women greatly and celebrate their ministries.
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| Women's Leadership Circle Kit
Women all over the world - in villages, governments, organizations - are stepping forward to offer their leadership in service to the issues most affecting their communities. The Women's Leadership Circle Kit is designed for you to explore your contribution as a leader, using circle process. The experience of calling a circle and exploring the gifts and power of women's leadership is frequently one of joyous discovery, companionship and encouragement.
The Women's Leadership Circle Kit contains an abundance of resources to support you to host women's circles, including:
DVD with three presentations:
*The Need for Women's Leadership - Margaret Wheatley
*What is our Role in Creating Change? - Margaret Wheatley
*A Guide to Hosting a Women's Circle - Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea
CD of Print-Ready Downloadable Guides and Articles for Hosting Women's Circles:
*Women's Leadership Guide (for 7 circle sessions) written by Christina Baldwin
*PeerSpirit Circle Guidelines
*Components of Circle
*Nine articles by Margaret Wheatley
Know you are in good company as you start a circle. Women all over the world are taking time for reflection and learning, and planning wise actions that will make a difference in their organizations and communities. We need to claim our role as leaders, not for power or status but because the world needs what we offer.
http://www.margaretwheatley.com/seminars.html
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| SUMMER PROGRAMS @ Adelynrood
Adelynrood is a retreat and conference center owned and operated by The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross.We offer women and men an opportunity to visit and to discover new resources for spiritual development through conferences and workshops, as well as individual or group retreats.
Adelynrood
Too Close For Comfort? Living With the Psalms and Ourselves June 14-16
Leader: Kathleen Norris
This retreat will be a close look at the psalms, both the glorious hymns of praise and those that include bitter curses. Why is this book of poetry in our holy book, and why does it continue to be at the center of Christian devotion? Participants will be asked to reflect on and discuss their own experience of the psalms. total cost $320
And Still I Rise: Women's Work in Scripture, Song, and Church July 19-21
Leader: The Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris
The voice and leadership of women of faith has too often been obscured or marginalized in the Church due to social and cultural prohibitions. This workshop will re-examine the voice and ministry of powerful women in scripture to find models for leadership in our contemporary context. Through the use of song, icon, poetry, discussion, small groups and guided meditations, we will look to our own unique gifts to strengthen our voices and discern God's call to be leaders in the Church of the 21st century. Cost $320
Practicing Presence: How can we find God in one another? October 19
Leader: Ana Hernández, SCHC
We'll begin by finding and nurturing God within us using simple chants and global songs as icons of divine presence. We'll find places of comfort and repose, and learn to negotiate the uncomfortable places, encouraging one another as icons of that presence, too. We will attend to the sense of how we sing what we sing, reflecting on the things we tell ourselves and others, and learning to make our lives a communal offering. This is the work of the Spirit at play. We will coax her from her hiding places. She will leap out and surprise us when we least expect it. Warning: You may have epiphanies in the context of group learning. Transformation, fun, and improvisation are highly likely to happen in a roomful of strangers. Program fee $75 (includes lunch)
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SUMMER PROGRAMS AT KIRKRIDGE
Kirkridge Retreat Center
2495 Fox Gap Road
Bangor, PA 18013
610-588-1793
Beyond the Emerald City: Praying with the Wizard
June 28-30, 2013 - Cindy Garis
This retreat focuses on the spiritual life by letting themes from The Wizard of Oz invite us to a richer prayer life. We will be going 'behind the curtain' as we follow the yellow brick road of our souls to draw personally closer to God. Come enjoy the summer vistas of Kirkridge. Cost $355
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with the Earth and Our Selves
Sally Hare and Caroline Fairless
July 23-25, 2013
Humans are hardwired to connect, building relationships both human-to-human and human-to-non-human. Although such interdependence is often diminished, dampened, distorted, or ignored, the knowing is innate and cannot be extinguished. Our sense of place and innate knowing of time are birthright gifts that deepen with our experiences. Living in the Space Between is a three-day retreat to explore and reclaim our connectedness with the Earth and with our Selves. By creating a safe, supportive space, facilitators Caroline Fairless and Sally Z. Hare invite you into a space in which we can let down the defenses we have built around our own deep listening to our Selves and the Earth -- and the wisdom of both. Cost $650
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Sisterly Conversations 2013:
Coming Out: A Lifelong Process in Faith
Sept. 6-8, 2013
Virginia Mollenkott & Mary Hunt
Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women of Faith and our allies gather to discuss the challenges of coming out-not only regarding sexual/gender identities but also our convictions on personal, family, national, and global justice issues. Presentations by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and Mary E. Hunt, three panel discussions, singing, worship, alcohol-free partying, and opportunities for individual participation will make for a happy celebration of what has become a year-round support group. Cost $355
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The Episcopal Women's Caucus strives to offer views from different women, lay or ordained, throughout the Church and to hold up celebrations, events, achievements, or struggles that involve women. If you are interested in contributing, whether through an article you have written or a newsworthy item, please contact either Karen Bota, editor of RUACH, at kdbota@aol.com or Gigi Conner, editor of "The Monthly Caucus," at gigipriest@prodigy.net.
The Episcopal Women's Caucus is on Facebook and we have a website. Follow us on Twitter @ewcaucus.
Please feel free to pass along articles to friends or forward this email ... and let us hear from you. And if you are a member and would like to "re-up" your membership, please do so by filling out the coupon at the bottom of the page. If you are new to the Caucus and would like to become a member, please use the same form.
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Use this form to join the EWC, renew your membership, or make a donation. Make check out to EWC and mail to: Episcopal Women's Caucus, 1103 Magnolia St., South Pasadena, CA 91030
attn: Chris Mackey-Mason, Please indicate if this a:
___new application
___renewal
___donation to the EWC
Amount: $________
For new and renewing members, please select the appropriate membership level below.
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