Holy Week

Dear ,

What is Holy week for you? Will there be an hour somewhere this week to reflect on your own life? What does the presence of the holy look like in a week full of work, preaching, teaching, or spiritual care for a community? Where is there time for your own quiet breathing? 

These questions do not hold any judgment. Or expectation. They should not be read as a burden. They are filled with mercy and compassion for your life. Whatever your soul looks and feels like right now. 

God in Christ awaits. Even as you dance through in the flurry of preparation and carry the weight of leadership. There is presence for you. Love anticipates you. Grace is welling up to fill your heart. 

This week of the church year holds every possible feeling and human experience. It is something of a looking glass. What do you see when you open yourself to it? 

Blessings as you go through the deep waters this Holy week.

Peace,

Eileen

How has your Lenten journey prepared you for the coming Holy Week? We are grateful to have been walking along with you on the way this season.

I want to offer you a nested prayer this week. Each line opens up onto the next line, like nesting dolls. Yet changing slightly when words are added to each next line.

What is God saying? 

What is God saying to me?

What is God saying to me this week? 

What is God saying to me this week in silence? 

What is God saying to me? This week in silence while we wait together. 

Holy Week & Easter 

Holy Week and Easter are here, and this week my friend Dr. Mary Foskett wrote a piece for The Conversation about the first witnesses to resurrection and the ongoing barriers for women who are called to preach.

For additional ideas about Easter preparation, take a look at these posts about practicing resurrection. Thank you for stewarding the mysteries of this season. Bless you on each step of your way this week. 

Warmly, 

Eileen

An Update from the 
New State of Clergy Report

As promised, we are sharing milestones and news related to the new State of Clergy Report as it becomes available. 

I want to remind you about the changes to women leading in full-time paid clergy work since 2020. The quick summary is big drop, slow rebound, and new high point in clergywomen's labor, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

My latest piece over at Good Faith Media details the numbers: 

International Women's Day coincided with significant news about changes for U.S. clergywomen. Following a major downturn to the numbers of clergywomen who left their work in 2020 and 2021, the number of women laboring in ministry has risen to a new all-time high point. You can read more about it in my article over at Good Faith Media.  

I've interviewed clergywomen (pastors, ministers, chaplains) who departed their work in ministry in 2020 or 2021. I listened to people who returned to clergy work following the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns, and also those who did not (changed ministry jobs, retired earlier or later than expected, or left without returning, etc.). Some of these clergywomen experienced challenges and/or stresses induced by the pandemic that contributed to their decision to depart ministry. I highlight some stories in this new analysis piece.

If you want to know more about the revised and expanded State of Clergy Report that is currently under construction, please stop by and read more here:  

What changes to ministry did you experience during the pandemic shutdowns? How has your work changed 

in the last six years? 

We welcome your input as we continue researching the next State of Clergy report. What would you like to share?

• 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. 

Our question for you today: 

Where am I paying attention to the holy this week?   

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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