Dispatches from the Front: Confessions of a Convergence Newbie
"Wear the funkiest clothes you have," I was advised. "I was planning on just wearing black," I replied. "That'll do," she said. Wait ... I thought this was a women's event where we don't have to worry about what we're wearing! Isn't this the "anti-women's-retreat," where all the "typical" rules for a Christian women's event are suspended? Bring an instrument if you want-or not. Bring art to share or sell if you want-or not. No big-name speakers. More tattoos than at a Harley convention.
So why am I worried about what I'm wearing, or whether I have enough holes in my ears?
You see, these are the cool women-not superficially cool, not wannabe cool-but truly cool women. Women who give their lives to and for the disenfranchised, who don't care about what people think, whose language may be salty but their hearts are made of gold.
Someone once said seminary students were among the angriest people she'd ever met. There's plenty of anger here, too-anger at churches that don't support our calling, that don't "get" the mandate to serve the poor and make the peace, that embrace tradition even when it's killing them to do so. One woman, when asked what she does with the small churches she serves in her itinerant work, said, "Well, sometimes it's church revitalization and sometimes it's hospice care ..."
Friday night revealed that although I was not the only one worried about what I would wear, I needn't be anxious. Lots of jeans, and plenty of variety. And such interesting people! The woman from Langley who wrote a dissertation about how folks who leave churches under traumatic circumstances can find healing and hope again. The gal who brought her dulcimer on the plane from Colorado so she can contribute her gifts to this glorious montage. The three seminarians animatedly discussing ecclesiology over dinner ... it was a vibrant group.
"What a hoot," as we say in Oregon. Carley photographed a woman's ears, sporting the funkiest ivory gauges you ever saw. I see pink hair and breastfeeding babies. A photo of women from Burundi sits near our breakfast tables, reminding us that our world and our work extends far beyond this place. We are putting fabric on our nametags, and talking about the metaphors inherent in the table centerpieces. The schedule for the day promises "speed dating," values, grieving and remembering, tapestry, dancing, rest, play, and show and tell. Tomorrow we can join new and old friends for yoga, weaving, communion, circles, prayer, and communion.
The "Gallery of Awesome Women's Work" is slowly expanding-poetry added to the photos, collage, fused glass, paintings, jewelry and music. There's even a spinning wheel off to the side-and someone there spinning during one of our worship times. An artist has designed the space, and it is astonishing-rocks and fabrics and weavings and pictures and textures, all for the experiencing.
There's something about understanding each other's lives and stories that opens us up, and we get to do so much of that here. Our sisters from one local church draw us into God's presence (and our own pain) with their singing, enhanced by other musicians' contributions. We share tears and laughter; we support and build up.
I've stopped worrying about what I'm wearing and whether I know folks or not-now I'm just glad I came. Wish you could be here.
This is a story from Convergence 2009. If you missed it and want to participate in a future Convergence gathering, check out the Convergence website for updates on what's coming up.
Laura Simmons is Associate Professor of Christian Ministries at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon.
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Comments
This is great…last year was great, and I am looking forward to this weekend, too. Thanks for this write-up, Laura!
Posted on 03/3/2010 by Pam Hogeweide