March 2008
Women of Community of Christ in the United States and Canada

Dear Sisters:

An ecumenical women’s conference is being held at our International Headquarters June 19–22, 2008. This unique opportunity comes through Gail Mengel’s role as the National President of Church Women United. Community of Christ has been a supporting denomination of this organization for more than 30 years.

This special opportunity to be the host site offers us the occasion to provide a warm welcome to many who have not experienced the sacred spaces of the Auditorium and the Temple. We encourage you to join in this celebration of worship and learning. The schedule is dedicated to inspiring women ages 15 to 100. Special workshops and small groups are being prepared for every age group. We have teen and young women presenters and activities for everyone. We hope mothers, daughters and granddaughters will come together!

The main objective of this gathering is very much like our women’s conference in 1993, and will once again provide an experience with vibrant worships, noted speakers, small group communities, and motivating workshops. Outstanding speakers and presenters will bring dynamic vision, insight, and practical suggestions about issues before women today. Contemporary issues will be addressed including peace and justice, diversity, racism, reconciliation, ecology, health issues, family, sexual trafficking, theological perspectives, outreach opportunities, and more.

The conference provides a unique opportunity to hear and interact with top rated presenters. For example, we will hear from Kikanza Nuri Robbins, of the Robins Group, dedicated to “Facilitating Processes that Heal and Transform.” Dr. Nuri Robbins, a trustee of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, also serves as Presbyterian pastor. Her focus is helping congregations that are seeking to become whole and healthy communities of faith.

We will also have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Glory E. Dharmaraj, who is the Director of Spiritual Formation and Mission Theology for the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Dharmaraj is the Administrator of the United Methodist Seminar Program on National and International Affairs at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York.

Rev. Cynthia L. Hale (D.Min) is the founding and Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia. Beginning with only four persons meeting for Bible study, over 8,500 persons have joined Ray in the last 21 years. Dr. Hale has received many honors and awards. She was inducted into the African-American Biographies Hall of Fame and the Martin Luther King’s Board of Preachers in Atlanta, GA.

And there are more!

Nancy Hastings Sehested is a state prison chaplain in a maximum security prison for men in North Carolina. She is also a Co-pastor of the Circle of Mercy Congregation, an ecumenical church in Asheville, N.C. The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Alliance of Baptists.

Gillian Martin Sorenson – formerly the Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations, now Senior Advisor at the United Nations Foundation, is a national advocate on matters related to the United Nations and the United States.

The Rev. Dr. Trinette McCray – Member of the General Board of American Baptist Churches, Dr. McCray serves as a preacher, teacher, retreat and workshop leader, and spiritual life counselor. In June 1999, she was elected president of the American Baptist Churches and served in that position until 2001. Dr. McCray’s current work is primarily focused on providing housing, education, and social empowerment support for fighting against the impact of systemic poverty.

Dr. Marie M. Fortune – Founder and Senior Analyst at the Faith Trust Institute in Seattle, Washington. The work of the Institute focuses on education and advocacy related to the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. Dr. Fortune was a recipient of the Community of Christ International Peace Award.

Sally Rymer – A young woman who felt a call to research modern day slavery of women. As she uncovered more and more about the horrors of female slavery today, she decided she had to become a modern day “abolitionist.” She has done some really “cool” things to organize a growing number of teens to fight slavery.

Community of Christ women will have the opportunity to further explore how to apply what they have learned and experienced once they return to their home communities to share the peace of Jesus Christ. A lunch and closing session will be held following the final worship of the ecumenical gathering. There is no additional charge to attend. More details about both of these events are available at www.CofChrist.org/womensconf/.

We are hoping 1000 or more Community of Christ sisters will join in this gathering. Go to www.gathering08.org for more information. Register with a credit card through the secure site at www.gathering08.org or use the printed form sent with this message and mail it soon.

We look forward to sharing in this special experience with you.

Gail E. Mengel                                                 Stephen M. Veazey
Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer                      President