Since March when we went into this pandemic, we have had very little socialization with others as we worked from home, wore masks, socially distanced ourselves, and did not get together with friends. In the midst of all of that, many of us, if not at some point all of us, have felt lonely, isolated, and sad. Some of you live alone and others with family. I have seen a great need for staying connected in some way, which is why the Health & Wholeness committee and I have put together a virtual women’s retreat on November 14th from 9:00am-2:30pm. We will have space for worship, chair yoga, art meditation, music, discussion, space for lunch and a nature walk, and closing worship with door prizes. Included in our day will be a keynote address from my good friend, Lisa Hancock, a PhD student at Southern Methodist University, studying disability theology. Lisa will particularly give an address on our theme, “Celebrating Our Imperfections.” Lisa’s work studies what it means to embody the broken body we all have. In her work as a theologian and researcher, Lisa has been studying the Disabled God. When Jesus was resurrected, he was resurrected with scars and wounds; he was resurrected in a broken body. God says that we are all beautiful, despite any flaws or imperfections.
What I love about disability theology is that it reclaims “body” and puts all bodies on a spectrum of disability. Disability theology rejects the “normal body” and what our bodies should look like. Disability theology reclaims our imperfections and our flaws. It reclaims our brokenness as beautiful. How many of you feel pressure from society to look a certain way, be a certain way, and portray a false image of who you are? In this retreat, we will explore celebrating our imperfections and embrace who we really are, our authentic selves.
I hope you will join us for this virtual women’s retreat on November 14th, 9:00am-2:30pm, which will be held over Zoom. The cost of registration is $20, which will cover the cost of the keynote speaker, the door prizes, and packet materials that you will receive ahead of time. We do have scholarships available if the registration is a hardship for you. If you are interested in joining, please register by November 7th by emailing me at kristina@lovelylane.org or by calling the office at 319-393-6674.
Peace, Pastor Kristina Peace, Pastor Kristina