Stories

An Encouragement for January

Stories Published on
January 17, 2023

The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Bryana Clover, member of Iglesia Fiesta Cristiana UMC and co-author of Wait, Is this Racist?: A Guide to Becoming an Anti-racist Church. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.

I’ve spent the past few years diving deep into the institution of the Church through the way of the local church as I support passionate (and skeptical) brothers and sisters as they embark (or consider a journey) on a path towards racial justice; truth; liberation; transformation; reconciliation. One of the most common questions I receive from my clients is, “I’ve attended all the book studies and workshops, but I still don’t know what to DO. What action am I to take, as a White person, without messing it all up?”

Is this you? Have you felt this tension before? If so, you are not alone. As Audrey Lorde reminds us, community is where it’s at. But, for those of us in the church, we know the community already. I mean, that’s what we do on a regular basis! So, why is this so hard? I believe the question we should be asking ourselves is more specific.

Read this quote from Audrey Lorde*:

Without community, there is no liberation.

Reflect: How might we build a community that includes the uplifting and empowerment of BILPOC women?

For centuries, Black women have been teaching us and encouraging us to work together for our collective liberation against the systems that oppress us. So, what does that look like?

Take Action:

Start with “being” rather than “doing.” We often skip this step, because White Supremacy culture often prioritizes the product over the process. If we view racial justice work as a list of “doings” that have a start and an end, we can find ourselves overwhelmed and fatigued. Get crystal clear on who you want to be. Write it down; reflect on it; let it evolve throughout the year.
Dedicate intentional time to unlearning harmful narratives of the Black experience, spirituality, and existence. There’s a treat that comes along with this unlearning, too. It gives you the opportunity to learn about your own heritage. You are not just a White woman. Or a Black woman. You are so much more than that. Take some time to discover your own Critical Family History. You deserve it.
Share the HECK out of Black women’s work. Commit to purchasing from Black-owned businesses; if you use social media, follow Black women and share their work on your own platforms; purchase Black-authored books for your children’s school; add Black authors to your own bookshelves; attend public gatherings organized by Black women with the only intention of experiencing what the Spirit wants you to experience.

It may even help to purchase a new journal for this year that is solely dedicated to your self-discovery. Your journey to being. And, when January 1, 2024, comes around, I am confident that the worry of what to do will at least feel like less of a burden.

In partnership,Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

*This quote comes from Audrey Lorde’s speech, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House,” delivered in 1979.

One Foot in Front of the Other: Tuna Run 2022

Stories Published on
January 10, 2023

“Being in the church, you spend a lot of days in your heart and in your head, and we say all the time, ‘We got to get out and move the body.’ For me, it is a spiritual practice.”
Rev. Laura Thompson

What possesses a group of United Methodist and Presbyterian pastors to embark on a 200-mile run across eastern North Carolina over 36 hours in the middle of November? What’s the appeal in being stuffed into a couple of vans, driving across eastern North Carolina, stopping at churches and other locations along the way, sleeping outside between runs, and dealing with wind and rain along the way?

“This is really a huge reason why we do this, is to feel part of something bigger, part of a team, running 200 miles, something I could never do on my own,” says Rev. Eric Prenshaw. They wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to be outside, run and exercise, and spend time with friends and colleagues in ministry. “This is really a huge reason why we do this, is to feel part of something bigger, part of a team, running 200 miles, something I could never do on my own,” says Rev. Eric Prenshaw. They wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to be outside, run and exercise, and spend time with friends and colleagues in ministry.

The 11 members of “Total Depravity Moving On to Perfection” (formerly Wesley’s Midnight Runners) gathered for all those reasons and more when they recently completed the 2022 installment of the Tuna Run, a relay race that starts in Raleigh and ends in Atlantic Beach. They joined over 1,000 runners from other teams for the annual event.

We met up with the team as the Run got underway and had the opportunity to hear from them about why this event is so important to them (and what that team name means). Watch our story in the video below.

Total Depravity Moving On to Perfection Team Members

Dustin Bannister, Adam Benson, Todd Davidson, Matt Drumheller, David Larkins, Jessie Larkins, Adam Ledbetter-Bock, Eric Prenshaw, Luke Schlimme, Jamie Thompson, and Laura Thompson.

An Encouragement for December

Stories Published on
December 14, 2022

The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging
fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Laura Dallas, director of the Media Center for the NC Conference of the UMC. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.

Last week, I asked my 7-year-old daughter when she wanted to go to her afterschool coding class, a class that she enjoys, and she responded that she didn’t want to go at all. I asked her why she no longer wanted to do this activity that she had been enjoying, and she responded, “it’s too much.”

She was right. We had been doing too much. At this age, I was trying to pack in all the magical holiday activities while they still seemed magical to her. We had been to five holiday activities in a week and a half on top of our regular activities, and we had a few more coming up. They were all fun and magical experiences, but it was too much, and it was causing us to lose some of our everyday joy.

Read: Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSVue)

Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Reflect: When I saw that Partners in Health and Wholeness was hosting a webinar on “How to Find Rest in the Holidays and Beyond,” I attended. Travis Jeffords addressed how ministry leaders can seek to make themselves worthy by sacrificing themselves for others – by doing too much. But God calls us worthy just as we are. Some verses in the Bible may lead us to think that we are called to give of ourselves constantly, but Jesus commands us to rest, and God commands us to rest for a whole day, every week. Even Jesus, with only three years of ministry available to him, often withdrew from the crowds to rest with God. You can, too.

Cultivating rhythms of rest may seem impossible, but why does it seem that way? What is your resistance to saying no? How can you have conversations with your community about the importance of rest and renewal for all of us?

Take Action: These are the suggestions Jeffords gave in the webinar. He recommends starting with just one. You have probably heard these before but consider them now in a new context where rest is a recognition of your inherent worthiness of God’s love for you just as you are.

Daily

Take a 30-60 minute lunch break where you’re not working and practice mindful eating
Take a 5-15 minute prayer walk and practice mindful breathing
Light a candle in the evening and practice prayer or contemplation

Weekly

Take one (or two) days off every week
Make sure several nights every week have nothing on the calendar

Monthly/Quarterly

Take regular breaks from the Sunday service
Get out of town
Take mental health days
Delegate

Annually

Take two full weeks of vacation
Take separate time away that is designated for writing sermons
Take a sabbatical

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

An Encouragement for November

Stories Published on
November 22, 2022

The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging
fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement
from Gypsie Murdaugh, pastor at Piney Grove UMC in Maxton, NC. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.

As I learned the names and genders of the newly elected bishops of the Southeastern Jurisdiction, oh what joy that filled my soul when I realized that two of the three were our sisters in Christ. Not that we don’t have some amazing male bishops, but this was definitely a blessing for us as women in ministry. It was an affirmation of our call, both clergy and lay, and confirmation that God is elevating us to new levels in this Kingdom work. In this season of Thanksgiving, we are very grateful that the Lord has chosen us to serve God and the people of God.

In Peter’s sermon in Acts, he shares God’s call and lifts God’s anointing from Joel 2:28-29.

Read: Acts 2:17-18 (CEB):
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Reflect: This passage is a constant reminder that as women in ministry, we are walking in our call and anointing. God has created and raised us up to do mighty work and we must serve God without timidity or hesitation. We may always encounter some who question our roles in the church, but we must be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in this good work of the Lord. God is calling us to be bold as we step out on faith to do that which is much needed to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Where do you see yourself in God’s plan for the healing and transformation of this broken world? How can you encourage other women to be confident enough to step out and take leadership in the church universal, as well as in our denomination?

Take Action: We can begin by ministering to young women, including youth girls, to help them gain a healthy and bold perspective of how they can be effective in ministry. So many times, they are victims of people discouraging them, so they need strong women to encourage them to aspire to be all that God created them to be.

We must encourage our sisters, again clergy and lay, to reach the highest level of authority in the United Methodist Church and all other denominations/movements. We are called to be district superintendents, bishops, leaders of faith-based organizations, and much more. God has empowered us to take our rightful places.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

Check out these events open to women clergy and laity alike.

Just Energy 4 All Monthly Webinar
United Women in Faith
November 16, 2022

Faith Talks
United Women in Faith
November 17, 2022

Biblical Women, Advent Waiting, and 21st Century Lives
BeADisciple.com
November 28, 2022

NC Conference ERTs Volunteer in Florida

Stories Published on
November 11, 2022

The devastating winds and flooding caused by Hurricane Ian in late September impacted many homes and lives. As the emergency response phase ended in Florida, Early Response Team (ERT) volunteers from the NC Conference traveled to Fort Myers to support the Florida Conference’s disaster recovery efforts.

A team of five volunteers arrived in Florida on October 11 to help two homeowners begin repairing their homes. The team removed debris, treated mold, and removed drywall and flooring damaged due to flooding. Cynthia Moscarito, an NC Conference volunteer, said the water level line in one of the homes almost reached her shoulders.

Corridor District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC), Martin Hunicutt, arrived early one morning to remove flooring, and the family joined in working alongside the volunteers.

Over the next three days, the volunteers connected with the families and listened as they shared their stories and experiences. “It is amazing how well you work with [one another] and watch out for each other. By the time the trip is over, you feel like family”, said Cynthia.

As the team traveled back to North Carolina, other volunteers and groups arrived to continue helping the families repair their homes. The support of volunteers across cities, states, and conferences shows the power of connection. Marty said, “even if you are a small team, you can make a difference.”

We continue to pray for all those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Thank you to all who give their time and gifts to those in need.

An Encouragement for October

Stories Published on
October 18, 2022

The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Grayson Dye, associate pastor at Millbrook UMC in Raleigh, NC. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.

It seems there is so much tension in the air. Disagreements are at every turn…on the news, on talk shows, on social media, in our churches, and sometimes within our own families. Disagreements over things big and small, from theology to politics to the most heated debate of them all, “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” Of course, pineapple has no place on pizza, but still, we argue about it.

All kidding aside, it seems we are so quick to debate and argue in the face of disagreement. Recently, at the Center for Leadership Excellence and the NCCUMC Christian Unity committee’s event, I was reminded of the very timely words of Paul in Ephesians 4.

Read: Ephesians 4:2-4
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

Reflect: Above all else, we are called to bear with one another in love. In the face of disagreement, we are first called to be patient and completely humble. What a breath of fresh air this posture would be in our communities.

Unity does not require uniformity. That is wonderful news. We can celebrate our diversity, celebrate our unique perspectives, and hold each other accountable for loving one another through all disagreements. This is often easier said than done. But I find peace knowing that we can be a united force through Christ’s unfailing love even when we do not always see eye to eye.

How can you seek peaceful reconciliation in your life? How can you foster a spirit of humility, patience, and love in spaces full of disagreements? How have you done this work already?

Take Action: I encourage you this week to highlight people in your life who are living into this calling well. Tell them how their humble and patient stance has inspired you.

In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women

Check out these events open to women clergy and laity alike.

COSROW Book Club
NCC COSROW
October 17, 2022

Just Energy 4 All Monthly Webinar
United Women in Faith
October 19, 2022

Faith Talks
United Women in Faith
October 20, 2022

Voices From the Field: Ukraine
United Women in Faith
October 25, 2022

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