Interview by MaryAnn McKibben Dana We continue our intermittent series of interviews with YCWs who blend art and ministry in ways that are nourishing and inspiring. The Rev. Mary Allison Cates is our subject this month. Also, do you know fabulous YCWs with a story to tell about pursuing art and the creative life along [...]
Being a Foster Parent
by Patricia Watson A little over a year ago, my husband and I made the decision to open our home to foster children. It had been something I always wanted to do, and it seemed the right time in our lives: we had no biological children, so we didn’t have to worry about this decision [...]
Commended to God: A Service for Embryos
by Sarah Kinney Gaventa A few years ago, a couple came to me, because they had to make the difficult decision of what do with the leftover embryos that were created as part of the process of conceiving their twin children. They were so grateful for these embryos—and the beautiful children that had come from [...]
Where There is Love, There is Family
by Laura Stephens-Reed In my ministry and personal life, I have noticed that there are three basic questions new (adult) acquaintances ask either to get to know me better or to kill time in polite conversation: 1. “Where are you from?” This inquiry is straightforward enough. 2. “What exactly do you do?” This is the [...]
Cuss Words and Cocktails
Name Withheld I cried…I cannot believe I cried. I absolutely cannot believe I did that. A month ago I met a cute guy. He was with a few of his buddies and someone apparently said to them/him that I was a priest. So they began to ask me questions. (Ladies, you know the questions, I [...]
The Church Needs More Dance Parties
by Lucky Fresh Today in church, I was thinking about fear. For the most part, I think of myself as a courageous person. I don't really have phobias, in what I would call a psychological sense. I'm not afraid of heights or flying or speaking in public or mice or spiders or the dark or [...]
Reviewing An Old Favorite
by Janelle Rozek Hooper On the days when I feel “nobody understands” I remind myself of one of my favorite books about spiritual journeys, Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. This book reminds me of what I loved about seminary – the imaginative and “out of the box” experiences of God. In [...]
Mixing Religion and Politics
by Mihee Kim-Kort As many young clergy women begin to navigate the sometimes rough waters of the local congregation, we also realize that even rougher waters can be found in the politics and polity of our national denominations. How should a YCW handle these issues? Some of us feel strongly that we should keep our [...]
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July 1, 2009 byConferences & Events
OUR FIRST CONFERENCES In 2007 & 2008 TYCWP and the Cathedral College of Preachers in Washington, DC, offered young clergy women the opportunity to fellowship with one another and hone their homiletical skills. Both conferences were times of great encouragement and intensive learning. To read reflections on and see pictures of the 2007 “Preaching As Testimony” [...]