22 March, 2009

Wild Women's Weekend

I am back home this morning after an amazing weekend away with my daughter and over one hundred sisters in faith. It was an awe-inspiring, renewing time; my heart is full to overflowing with the love of God. We explored God's different names and faces this weekend, names and faces that aren't always male. We threw away stereotypes and embraced new concepts as we studied scripture and searched for clues that led us to God the mother, child, wife, homemaker. Along with Bible study there were small discussion groups, meals together, and, as always, story time. The presiding Pastor for the weekend is an accomplished storyteller, she closed Friday night's session with her version of The Lamb Who Came For Dinner by Steve Smallman, this was a new story for me, if you have a chance to read this book you won't be disappointed, I promise you that. Told with wolf and lamb hand puppets, characters from the story, they came to rest under the pulpit for the remainder of the weekend. Yesterday morning as we entered for worship the Pastors' stoles were in place on that same pulpit, adding reverence to this meaningful vignette. Yes, the stole on the left is made from a quilt, a grandmother's much loved quilt, another face of God! The table was set beautifully for communion and all were invited to come and eat, come and drink; I know that I approached that table with new eyes and an increasingly grateful heart, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, my sisters in Christ~ faces and embodiments of God, each and every one! Who is God for you today? Who are you for others? For while God is still Father, King, Shepherd, Judge how very comforting it is to know and understand that MY God is so much more!

Life is Good!




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11 comments:

Nane said...

Sounds like a great weekend and thanks for the book reccomendation!

Domestic Designer said...

Sounds like a wonderful and inspiring weekend. I love the stole made from a quilt. What a meaningful thing! Thanks for the book recommendation. Sounds like something I would like. I am glad you had such a great weekend and were able to get away and be refreshed. Have a wonderful spring day!

*karendianne. said...

Such light, such grace.

~~~

"...and embraced new concepts as we studied scripture..."

~~~

You have to know I dig this! And I love the fact that you're far enough along in your Walk that you can share this with us all. It's difficult to comment in some ways but ohhh, so neat to read. (how's my comment, is it weird?) hee!

In Prayer and Love, *karendianne.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a very uplifting weekend! We could all use more of those, couldn't we?

Quiltdivajulie said...

I'm surmising that you have read The Shack ~ again, the many personifications and faces of our amazing God . . . and I love that a treasured quilt has become a stole.

Mama Spark said...

Wow, this sounds amazing and inspiring. Glad to see you recharged and ready for life!

Carrie P. said...

Amen!!

Rhonda said...

What a wonderful weekend!

Kimberly Mason said...

Oh how I would love such a weekend! I'm reading Sue Monk Kidd's "The Dance of the Dissident Daughter" and am having my own little mini retreat on my own...although, wait a minute, now that I say it, I'm really not alone on this road, am I.

Great Inspiration!

Tanya said...

I've never thought that a quilt could have such a wonderful role as a pastor's stole. I will check out the book you recommended. And as for "who is God for you today?" I know every time I visit your blog you will share God with me whether by words or actions or just your attitude. Thank you.

Nan said...

What a beautiful post! So full of love and grace. I'm glad your retreat was so uplifting to your spirit, heart and mind.