Since 2019, the Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, has been lifting up the voices of lay and clergywomen in ministry through Encouragements—monthly emails designed to inspire, encourage, and offer practical ways for women in ministry to support one another. This month, we’re honored to share words from Sung Moy, elder in the NC Conference and a clinical therapist with Kids On Up Psychotherapy.
Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragements—and the full archive of past emails is available for you to explore. Please share this link with lay and clergywomen in ministry who might be interested.
In January, Buddhist monks traveled through North Carolina on their way to Washington, D.C. They call it a Walk for Peace. Regardless of the trials of bad weather and rough roads, they travel together. The amazing thing is that every day, they are met by locals who come out to greet them and hear their message of peace.
Read:
[Do] not [give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Unverified African Proverb
We all feel the need for peace as we hear of injustices and wars near and far. When times get tough, we may feel pressure to do more things or shut down. The former leads to burnout, and the latter leads to traumatic isolation.
In tough times, we can learn from the monks to get together and go together. I read their Facebook posts nearly daily. The monks and their dog, Aloka, give each other encouragement and strength to complete this difficult journey. The people who come out to greet them and listen also give them strength and a sense of solidarity. We each have our own work for peace, and we might learn from these monks. We too can meet with others to lift each other up in prayer and encouragement in our daily walk as we serve God and others.
When times are hard, we should not go alone. The nature of the Holy Trinity reminds us that our souls need community. God has called you to God’s mission, but you also need the support of others to sustain you in your journey. You have friends, allies, and the church community who God has sent to get with you and go with you.
The Conference offers opportunities such as a bus trip to Washington, D.C., for Faithful Resistance and bimonthly Immigration Check-In meetings. But if these gatherings are not aligned with what you need, what do you need?
Who are the people that you can meet to find fellowship, encouragement, and support? How can you find ways to regularly meet with others for this purpose either in person or virtually?
Take Action:
Reach out to a friend and get on each other’s calendars to connect with the purpose of encouraging and uplifting each other’s faith. See what the Holy Spirit does out of your get-together.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women