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Dear ,

Believe it or not, here in the U.S. it is time to think about back-to-school season. (Our community members who live in northern states and other countries have a few more weeks!) Nevertheless, it is a time of year many of us face personally now or later! So Back to School is our theme on this Monday morning. 

First, I want to share (again if you missed it on Friday) I'm going back to school in a very different way this fall. 

NASHVILLE, TN – Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed has won two grants to revise and expand “The State of Women and LGBTIQ Clergy in the U.S.” Data collection begins August 1, as Campbell-Reed takes a new one-year position with Vanderbilt Divinity School. She expects to release a newly revised report in late 2026. 

Video Recap of the News

I spoke directly to friends and colleagues gathered at The Writing Table on Friday. This short video (11 minutes) is a recap of my story of applying and being awarded two grants for the State of Clergy Report and finding a new institutional home for 2025-26 at VDS.

I also want to invite YOU to be part of helping me revise and expanded State of Clergy report about women and lgbtiq ministers. If you have questions or suggestions, please make them using this form.  

Your insights and perspective can be part of making the next report better. Thanks to those of you who have responded already! 

All of you reading this are welcome to tell us about: 

• information
• stories
• data
• books
• articles
• blogs
• news reports 
• elections of bishops or other church leaders
• conferences and events
• people we should interview
• questions you must have answered! 

All contributions will be independently verified before including them in the report. 

Back-to-School

Lots of our community will soon be, or is already deep in the all-consuming events of going back to school. Students. Parents of students. Teachers and professors. And the ministers who give pastoral and congregational care to those going back to school.

We invited Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford,  to share a blessing that you can borrow, revise, or adapt for your congregation or ministry setting. She shares why it matters to bless the season of back-to-school.

So if you are planning to give attention to back-to-school season in worship services or other faith gatherings in the next weeks, Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford has you covered! She is the Intergenerational Discipleship Coordinator of the Great Plains Conference, and creator of Dandelion Marketplace. 

Melissa has very generously given us a code that you may use to access her website and download some resources for your worship and social media posts for free. She's also invited you to use the blessing in your worship services and faith gatherings. You'll find the blessing, link, and code at our website: 

Mini Writing Retreat

Back-to-school season is a good time to get into - or back into - the habit of writing. Our retreat on August 15 could be just what you need. Maybe you would like a daily practice of writing - just a little each morning to process whatever is filling your life or the world in this moment? In that case, please join us for the month of August at the OG Writing Table! 

Maybe you just need to work on your fall sermon series? We’ve got space for you, too! Perhaps you are hoping to put the finishing touches on your summer writing projects? The retreat could be just what you need!

My questions for you this Monday morning: 

What blessing does the approaching season of back-to-school need? How can you embody the blessing that folx in your care are seeking? 

Mercy and peace,

Eileen

Remember, , what you do and who you are matters! I believe in you, and I hope you will let me know how I can support you!

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