Come Grow with Us!

As I have shared, I am a new board member of the Women’s Ordination Conference.  I am also a member of the board’s outreach committee which is the group that spearheads our Wildflowers of the Grassroots effort. I wanted to share some information on both of these groups, in the hopes I can entice some of you to apply to be board members or get involved with our Wildflowers.

WOC is currently accepting applications to join our board. They are due by April 15, 2024.

On February 8^th we held a meeting of our Wildflowers group, and I was asked to reflect on three questions regarding my ‘call’ to join the board. I am sharing my full responses here as a plug for YOU to join us.

What made you decide to apply/take the leap to apply to be a board member of WOC?

For me, I had received so much from WOC in the short time I knew about them that I felt like I had to give back. I had to pray about it because I honestly did not think I had any skills that would help the board. I was Catholic and had attended Catholic schools (as I have shared). I had a little experience in my college days with feminist theology, but nothing like the people I had met in Zoom rooms around North America, who are supporting the cause of women’s ordination and who are ordained women Catholic priests.

I do have an advanced degree in organizational leadership and management with a focus on program evaluation – so I thought this would be ‘the thing’ that would make me a “good candidate”. As a lifelong educator, I knew those skill sets could potentially pay dividends for WOC. At the end of the day, I just knew I wanted to be a part of this organization and I would let them decide if I was “right” for the organization. I listened to the Holy Spirit and Nike and just did it. If you feel called you should too, as our executive director Kate says, “Bring your gifts”, we need them.

After two board meetings and meeting these amazing justice workers and the knowledge I am gaining in justice work and advancing the cause of women’s ordination, I am so grateful I was provided the opportunity to serve.

What surprised you the most about board membership?

The biggest surprise is they picked me 😊 Aside from that…

This board truly is a “working” board. I have been on other boards where it was a time commitment to get the meetings, provide support, etc. But this is truly a collegial environment, and we are valued members of the team. I have learned that there is a feminist process of running meetings that focuses on mutual respect and consensus-building and this is something that I will use outside of WOC.

I realized I was not a member of a man-hating feminist club. What I have now come to realize is I hate toxic masculinity, but WOC has introduced me to men who are feminists and support women as co-equals. I have not had a lot of men like this in my life and to meet them has helped me understand this is not a man/woman/binary/non-binary undertaking it’s a human undertaking. 

I think our diversity in age, gender, and sexual orientation is a strength. It’s great to hear so many various perspectives and voices. The other thing I noticed is we disagree – and it is truly OK. I don’t feel like people get their feelings hurt – I think this is due in part to the feminist process and the true desire to build consensus. But it’s great to be able to engage in dialogue and not be divisive – maybe the United States should start a feminist process.

I do hope and pray for more diversity from the perspective of race and ethnicity, full disclosure. At our recent Wildflowers meeting, someone brought this up. I assured her, that the board is aware of this and we truly want to have a board that reflects the universality of being Catholic. We know the Spirit and this movement will provide.  

What skills have you learned as a board member?

As previously mentioned, the feminist process we use to guide our meetings is one skill I have been exposed to and can use moving forward.

I also believe my association with WOC complements my need to be a life-long learner. I am learning so much about the theology that forms women’s ordination, and other organizations that WOC allies with.  At the end of the day, WOC is a grass-roots movement. It’s not about egos, it truly is about equality.

I know this gift I have been given is going to pay huge dividends. I do not know how or what that will be, but I know Sophia’s Wisdom has truly begun a great work in me and I am grateful.

But Terry, I can not make that kind of commitment, but I want to support this cause and I want to meet people who also support this idea of women priests. What can I do?

1. Become a Wildflower. This group is near and dear to my heart as they are seeds that will bear many blossoms. The exciting thing about the Wildflowers is this is a new way to get more people involved with WOC. We just concluded our first year and had some great conversations. We have now bloomed and are looking to grow groups at a local level to advance the mission and vision of WOC.  There truly is something for everyone in the Wildflowers movement. So, whether you want to be a lily or a periwinkle – please check out the Wildflowers portion of our website to see where you can be of service.  Five people meeting over coffee can change the world! And the great thing is, you are not alone, you have WOC to till the soil, fertilize, and grow you into a wonderful spiritual bouquet.
2. Pray for us and the cause of women’s ordination to the priesthood.
3. Contribute. I know everyone says this and it’s the part of the movement that is the least favorite (at least for me) but a vital need for our mission. As someone discerning my call to the priesthood, I appreciate that WOC offers scholarships for women to become priests. I know the Catholic church will not be funding my ordination to the priesthood – so knowing we do this and all the other work that is done to move this issue forward is well worth any amount you can give. In my best infomercial voice: but wait there’s more! For $10.00 a month you can become a member and receive a spiffy ordain women tote to be a witness for the movement.  You can literally and spiritually carry us.

Please comment below with any questions.

Amen & Namaste.