Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 Ecclesiates 4:9-10

It has been just a week ago Sunday that we celebrated the birth of our Church on Pentecost. I can only imagine the joy and empowerment those first followers of Jesus must have felt. Nine days earlier they had watched as Jesus ascended to heaven leaving them behind with the mission to "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. " Mark 16:15. They did not yet have the gift of the Holy Spirit. How unprepared they must have felt as they went back to the upper room and prayed and waited. There is so much we can learn from these nine days. The lesson that is really sticking with me this year is the importance of prayer and surrounding yourself with other faithful disciples as you prepare to go on mission.

I know women's ministry is not new in our diocese, by any means, but we are trying to develop new ways of supporting each other. Each of us are called to mission by our baptism into Christ. That mission is unique and can only be filled by us. But how often can living a life of faith and mission seem overwhelming. I am sure I will not be able to change that. I do hope that by offering us opportunities to gather together and ways for us to support each other, our fellowship can lighten the load for each of us just a bit. Let's make sure, that like the early disciples, we are surrounding ourselves with supportive people of prayer.

This month I hope that you will take time to join us on June 10th for our first annual Spring pilgrimage. We have a wonderful day planned of prayer, faith formation and fellowship. Take time for yourself and be  energized, inspired and refreshed! You can still register as late as Thursday so please consider joining us.

We are also planning on traveling throughout the diocese this summer and fall to invite women to join in on our ministry efforts and learn about what you would like to see happening. If you or your women's ministry group would like to host one of these listening sessions at your parish please reach out to me at bprasad@diojeffcity.org to get a date on the schedule.

Finally we are looking to give ourselves a name and invite all women to join in on our efforts to grow and support women's ministry in our diocese. Please submit this naming survey to help us choose that name. In order to join in our efforts all you need to do is sign up for our newsletter and keep informed of ways to get involved! I am here to help support your efforts and am looking forward to joining you in proclaiming the good news throughout our diocese!

We Are Better Together,

Barb