Women bishops share their pastimes
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A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert Bishop Charlene Kammerer's favorite way to relax is to sit on the beach with a good book.
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Bishop
Charlene Kammerer, Virginia Annual (regional) Conference, says her
favorite pastime is sitting on the beach with a good book. She gave a
demonstration during a plenary session, "Upfront and Personal," at the
2006 Clergywomen's Consultation. The bishops, led by Susan Morrison,
demonstrated their favorite pastimes and talked about how they relax and
renew their spirits. Some 1,500 United Methodist clergywomen from
around the world have gathered in Chicago to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of full clergy rights for women in the denomination. The
event, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry, is Aug. 13-17. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo #06890.
Accompanies UMNS story #484. 8/15/06 |
Aug. 15, 2006
By Linda Green*
CHICAGO (UMNS) - One works with gourds, another likes to sail, and others enjoy knitting and gardening.
The women bishops of the United Methodist Church have a wide variety of
interests and techniques for relaxing and recharging during their free
time.
Active and retired women bishops showed 1,500 clergywomen and a
smattering of men attending the 2006 International United Methodist
Clergywomen's Consultation what they do to find peace and free
themselves from stress.
A consultation session called "Upfront and Personal" allowed a glimpse
of the women behind the episcopal robes. The bishops, dressed in
clothing that represented their hobbies or things they enjoy, answered
the question: "What is a hobby that you have that renews you, sustains
you, that is outside your professional role, to keep you whole?"
What do the 16 active women bishops and retired bishops do to find their quiet centers?
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A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert Bishop Sharon Rader spends time with her grandchildren when she wants to relax and renew her spirit.
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Bishop
Sharon Rader, retired, told participants her favorite way to spend her
time is with her four grandchildren. In a session called "Upfront and
Personal," led by Bishop Susan Morrison, the bishops demonstrated their
favorite pastimes and talked about how they relax and renew their
spirits. Some 1,500 United Methodist clergywomen from around the world
have gathered in Chicago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of full
clergy rights for women in the denomination. The event, sponsored by the
United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is Aug. 13-17.
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo #06891. Accompanies UMNS story
#484. 8/15/06 |
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- Susan Hassinger: Knitting. "It is the thread throughout my life; a
thread of the connection. … It's a prayerful activity. ... It is
relaxation and spiritual renewal for me."
- Ann Sherer: Drinking coffee. She said there is nothing like having a
cup of coffee with people. "It allows sharing and openness. One of the
most important things in my life is community." She also enjoys reading
mysteries.
- Linda Dobbins Lee: Weaving and knitting. "Making things to give to
people is an expression of love." When people give her things to wear,
"I am clothed in their spirit" and "clothed in God's spirit."
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- Rosemarie Wenner: Traveling as widely as possible. She likes getting
connected with people and learning "to speak their language." She is
learning to speak Spanish.
- Beverly Shamana: Working with gourds. "I became friends with gourds
in 1993." Women from all over the world use them, carry things in them
and make music with them. "When I reach inside it, it feels like I am in
touch with the womb of God."
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A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert Bishop Violet L. Fisher loves to garden.
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Bishop
Violet L. Fisher, New York West Area, loves to grow vegetables and
flowers in her garden. Fisher talked about her favorite pastime during
the plenary session, "Upfront and Personal," at the 2006 Clergywomen's
Consultation. Some 1,500 United Methodist clergywomen from around the
world have gathered in Chicago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of full
clergy rights for women in the denomination. The event, sponsored by
the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is Aug.
13-17. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo #06896. Accompanies UMNS
story #484. 8/15/06 |
Violet Fisher: Gardening. "I enjoy working with the soil." She likes
"getting on my knees and working the ground." She grows flowers and
vegetables.
- Sally Dyck: Running. She began running Jan. 17, 1998. "I do so to be
outside. I run for fitness, to be with God. ... I run when it is 100
degrees in Minnesota and scare the neighbors when it is 20 below."
- Hope Morgan Ward: Sailing. She likes being on the family boat, named
"Grace," and being part of "a family relay." She likes sailing the
waters off the Gulf Coast.
- Charlene Kammerer: Being near the water. She appreciates the rhythm
in the sounds of waves breaking. Also, she says, "I read novels,
mysteries and historical pieces."
- Deborah Kiesey: Playing piano. "I promised myself that I would play
in the morning and I would play in the evening. … It is part of my
devotion."
- Sharon Brown Christopher: Taking photographs. "I want to see as God sees, hear as God hears and love as God loves."
- Jane Middleton: Performing Tai Chi. In her absence from the consultation, the bishops performed a Tai Chi move in her honor.
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A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert Bishop Minerva Carcaņo works out her stress with a game of racquetball.
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Bishop
Minerva Carcaņo, Phoenix Area, says her favorite way to relax is with a
good game of racquetball. Carcaņo talked about her favorite pastime
during a plenary session, "Upfront and Personal," during the 2006
Clergywomen's Consultation. Some 1,500 United Methodist clergywomen from
around the world have gathered in Chicago to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of full clergy rights for women in the denomination. The
event, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry, is Aug. 13-17. A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert. Photo #06897.
Accompanies UMNS story #484. 8/15/06 |
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- Janice R. Huie: Hiking. Growing up on a farm, she was familiar with
nature and was always outside. "I listen for the one that is so much
bigger than I." She listens for the "sounds of the earth," the
fluttering of the leaves, the sounds of birds and insects and water.
- Minerva Carcaņo: Playing racquetball. "I don't cuss or curse, so it
helps fill the need to cuss and curse" after dealing with people who
might make you angry or upset you.
- Sharon Rader: Being with her grandchildren. "They remind me to be in the moment."
- Virginia Taylor: Caring for horses. "I have five heads-four
Tennessee Walking Horses and a mule." There is "joy" in caring for
horses.
- Mary Ann Swenson: Riding bicycles. "There are 26 bicycles in my
garage. ... I pray when I peddle. God restores me and life is good."
- Judith Craig: Playing cards. "The best thing about retirement is that I can own up to fact that I was playing the whole time."
- Susan Morrison: Collecting sports memorabilia of women athletes. "I love sports."
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During the session, a rocking chair in the center of the stage
represented two episcopal matriarchs - Bishop Leontine Kelly, who could
not attend because of health reasons and the late Marjorie Matthews, the
first woman bishop in the denomination.
When the bishops finished revealing themselves, Morrison challenged the clergywomen to "find the things that make you whole."
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Video Clip from Western N. Carolina Conference |
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