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Women Leaders Connecting.

About

What is Convergence?

We are women who lead others in following the way of Jesus. We come together to connect, encourage, and empower one another. We lead in a variety of ways, in a variety of settings, from a variety of theological traditions. We come together to learn from one another, build friendships, and explore our experiences as women leaders together.

Part of the`DNA’ of Convergence is to bless other women around the world. Proceeds from Convergence Edgefield 2007 went to help eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation in sub-Saharan Africa. At Convergence Mississippi we wrote notes of encouragement to be delivered to women leaders in Africa. Stephanie Tama-Sweet of Oregon Center for Christian values brought us current on health care legislation for children when we gathered for Convergence at Fox. Each time we gather we remember and take small steps to improve circumstances of women and children in needy communities.

What can I expect at a Convergence Gathering?

At Convergence, you are an active participant rather than a passive observer. We have steered away from keynote speakers and instead, we recognize that all the women who come are leaders with much to offer one another. Our gatherings are times of connecting, including engaging with others different from ourselves but united with us in love of God and neighbor. You can expect to forge new relationships, to be surprised, and to be encouraged through times of listening, speaking, eating, worshiping, creating, and praying together.

How did Convergence get started?

Formerly known as NW Emerging Women Leaders, Convergence began with small conversations between a few women who were desiring the opportunity to connect with other women leaders. From those early conversations, the first annual weekend event at Edgefield was created in February of 2007. The sixty women who participated were not all from the Northwest, and were not all involved in the emerging church conversation. In order to reflect better the diversity of women involved and the dynamic connection we experience together, we’ve evolved into the name Convergence.

Who is organizing Convergence?

The team is evolving and expanding over time and always willing to welcome new participants. Currently, the women involved in organizing Convergence, with help from several others, are:

Kelly Bean

  • Cultivator of Third Saturday, a faith community in Portland, Oregon.
  • 14 year volunteer with Potluck in the Park, providing food and dignity to the homeless.
  • 7 years with Clackamas County Commission on Children and Families, innovating and overseeing programs that build healthy community.
  • One term with Women’s Peace and Justice Circle, local officials, women living with AIDS, clergy and lay people building relationship and advocating for affordable housing
  • Small group coach for Church Resource Ministries
  • Active affiliate of Emergent
  • National Emerging Women Leaders Initiative team, 2003-2005
  • 2007 Amahoro, Africa

Kelly is pursuing a Masters of Divinity from George Fox Seminary and working to complete a certification in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Marylhurst University .
Her most remarkable endeavor is learning from her three children: Elliot, Kate and Emilie, and gorgeous grandson Gabriel, along with her marvelous Harley riding husband, Ken. For additional soul enrichment Kelly paints, rows her Walker Bay called “Being”, cooks, eats, feeds others, naps, reads, travels when possible, establishes cross cultural relationships, retreats for spiritual direction at Mt. Angel Benedictine Abbey, cultivates good friendships and learns from a broad constellation of wise mentors and spiritual friends.

Deborah Loyd

Since 1998 Deborah has worked as a pastor at The Bridge Church in Portland, Oregon, a subculture community that serves street dependent youth, young adults and anyone who slips through the cracks of regular social systems. She has a passion for the hurting and displaced which expresses itself in service to the poor and to women. Deborah has a Masters Degree in Exegetical Theology from Western Seminary and is currently working on her Doctorate of Ministry. She is a frequent conference speaker and teaches Ethics and Inductive Bible Study at a local Bible college.

Karlene Clark

Karlene is currently working toward her M.Div. at George Fox Seminary and in the early stages of church planting with her new husband and co-pastor Josh in Springfield, Oregon. Karlene has been involved in preaching and leading worship for men’s chapel services at the Eugene Mission for seven years. She and Josh have recently left their posts at Crossroads Church in Corvallis, Oregon in order to start a church oriented toward community development and class reconciliation in Springfield. Her greatest accomplishment thus far has been putting herself through school while being a single mom for many years. Her wonderful and witty daughter Maria is in 7th grade, and their family life brings Karlene her greatest joy. Karlene blogs at www.karleneclark.com.