Yesterday at the Preacher Coffee Drinking and Complaining Meeting (held each Wednesday at the same place, same time and same preachers, mostly) one of the preachers looked me in the eye and said, "One of the things I've learned from you is to be more gracious."
Boys and Girls, I am horrified.
I am my worst self at that group: confrontational, sarcastic, interrupting, cackle-laughing.
If my graciousness filters through, I am amazed.
The group is a place for each of us to tell what we want to tell, let down our proverbial hair and know that what we say stays in the group. Ok, so I quote another member above. I think this is ok.
My dear preaching pals, please find a group like this for yourselves. The steam I blow off at the group is safe with my group. Listening to other pastors helps me understand them and myself.
I go to group every week regardless of my schedule or health. Go ye, and do likewise.
11 comments:
AMEN!
My group like this has morphed somewhat into a group that seems a little more concerned with appearances and propriety. Much to my dismay.
I'm part of a group that gets together once a year for a week. The amount of steam blown is truly alarming, actually. Not to us so much as to fellow diners, passing motorists, and anyone so unfortunate as to book themselves into the same retreat center that week.
I saw your comment on my blog -- thanks for stopping by. So good to know there are others out there! Looks like you've got a great group!
I have a couple of these groups. One is intentionally set up by Presbytery. It is all the newbies (ordained after 2003). It's co-ed and there is one clergy couple in it.
Another group, where we *truly* let down our hair is an interfaith group of women I meet with once a month. All clergy, various flavors of Christianity (or not), gay, straight, married, single, grandmothers, moms, childfree. Wonderful!
I'm about to explore a group that is underwritten by "The Church's One Foundation" if you know what I mean. I think they will be pretty intentional, but I'm looking forward to it.
PH moderated a group like revmom's, set up for newly ordained clergy as a safe haven. He is ordained in another denomination, so was viewed as safe. One of the Bishops underwrote it. It was (as Martha S would say) a good thing.
I've got a small circle of individual clergywomen i talk to, but once I get through The Process, I hope to have something like what you describe.
And St. Cass, you're just sweet in spite of yourself!
You are graciously sarcastic dear!!
I've never had a group like that one locally. But I had a "professional organization" that was pretty much a cover name for an annual meeting of little content and much frivolity. I miss them.
That's what I have with my weekly lectionary group, although I would love one that is just women, for some purpose. I just find that when they meet as a group, the clergywomen around these parts are very, very guarded.
I sure hope there's a group like that around if I manage to get ordained. My own rector often seems to struggle with the "lonely at the top" problem.
Mibi, I'd love to chat with you. I'm in the ECUSA process too, in a different diocese, but I can't comment on your blog. Stop by mine and email me sometime.
I would LOVE to be a part of such a group, if only I could find one! I got a little taste of what it would be like on a clergywomen's retreat last spring. Unfortunately our churches are too far apart for it to be a regular group. I'm still looking . . .
My group is mixed. I'm the only Presbyie. I think a mixed group is less competitive.
Ah, I wondered about that, St. C.
I also used to be in a supervision group that met twice a month, but that had a fee associated. That was probably the place i most let down my hair, and I miss it. If I stay put, I may try to start another group with the same facilitator.
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