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Hello, !
 

Tomorrow is American Thanksgiving. All our communications for this week are coming to you today, the day before the American holiday. First off I want you to know that I'm grateful for each of you, the times you take a moment to send me feedback, the work you do to join the Spirit and make the world more livable, and your willingness to stay in conversation with me and this growing community. 

I've just returned from the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR). Meeting together with the Society for Biblical Literature, it is among the largest gatherings of religion nerds, bible junkies, and theology geeks in the world. 🥸🤓😎

Even in the dystopian times we are living through, I experience both hope and joy being in solidarity with my fellow nerds and geeks at AAR. Why? Passion for justice fills their presentations. Splendid ideas about teaching and writing run through our conversations. Lives of commitment - forged in spite of the grinding violence of institutions - inspire me. Decades of friendship help me feel both grounded and willing to risk something for change. 

Speaking of risk and change, I am also incredibly grateful for this month of conversation with Dr. Charisse Gillett. I invite you to share my delight in Black women's stories. Today Dr. Gillett, president of Lexington Theological Seminary, reads from her new memoir, That Little Girl. She reads for us a story about arriving late to her Grandmother's funeral. Then she tells about a surprise she receives after the service.

Following her book reading, Charisse and I talk about the critical importance of making space for Black women's stories. Together we hosted a half-day writing retreat for women of color in July. More than a dozen women gathered, wrote, and talked about the process of writing. They worked on projects of their own design, and they supported each other to speak their truths. We're doing this again on December 5.

Charisse's book honors her own young life, and she also speaks to the lives of young people who aspire to grow into their full potential. She shares part of her life and story in her own voice in this book, which we are giving away at the end of November.

That Little Girl: Memories, Challenges, and Reflections on Black Girl Dreams will inspire many people, and already has. What books by Black women are you reading?

Listen in with me in this week's video as we hear Dr. Charisse Gillett read from her book. Then keep listening to hear our discussion about why we need the stories of Black women in their own voices. 

We are hosting the next Mini Writing Retreat for Women of Color on December 5. Learn more about it. And register today!

More with Dr. Gillett

Hear more of my conversations with Dr. Charisse Gillett. This month she's shared with us about the roll call of gratitude, encouragement and hope for our vocations, and what went into writing her memoir. I think everything she shared is an inspiration, and I hope you will not miss it!

I'm grateful for you, , and may hope, peace, love, and joy be heading your way in the coming season of Advent. Watch this email for weekly prayers for you in the coming weeks. 

🌲November Giveaway!🌲

This month, we are giving away a book stack!

Three books and a cool tote bag for carrying them.

You can be in on the drawing when you make 

any Writing Table purchase 

in our shop.

New State of Clergy Report

As you are opening this email, I'm just home from AAR where I had some really great conversations with people interested and eager to see the new State of Clergy report. I also attended the Louisville Institute reception. They have funded my work on the report, and I am so grateful!  

Here is a question from the 2018 SoC Report. Maybe it will give you something to consider this week: 

If women are called to pastoral roles in your denomination what can you report about how you have assisted churches in making the call to a woman for the first time?

All of you reading this are welcome to tell me 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. 

My questions for you today: 

Where are you listening to the voices

and stories of Black women?   

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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