Dignity/Boston and DignityUSA Host Women-Church Convergence Annual Meeting

October 31, 2012

by

DignityUSA

<p>Women-Church Convergence (W-CC) is a coalition of autonomous Catholic-rooted organizations that raise a feminist voice and are committed to producing an ekklesia of women who are participative egalitarian and self-governing. DignityUSA has been a member of the Convergence almost since its founding in 1983. The Convergence generally does its work through email and conference call but holds an annual in-person meeting early each Fall.</p> <p>This year Dignity/Boston and DignityUSA were proud to welcome Women-Church Convergence members to Boston where in addition to the business and social events of the Convergence the three groups offered an inclusive feminist liturgy and discussion of how women of Catholic backgrounds respond to their ministerial calls. Attended by approximately 60 people the discussion was led by a panel of five women each of whom represented a different kind of ministry. The panel included</p> <ul> <li> Rosemary Ananis bishop in the Old Catholic Church</li> <li> Teresa Novak Chabot Roman Catholic Womanpriest</li> <li> Michelle DeCoste a United Church of Christ minister and supervisor of Clinical Pastoral education at an elder-life center</li> <li> Marianne Duddy-Burke laywoman and executive director of DignityUSA and</li> <li> Nancy Simonds a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.</li> </ul> <p>The liturgy developed by members of Dignity/New York and Dignity/Boston echoed the theme of ministry. Following liturgy participants enjoyed an Italian dinner in Boston&rsquo;s famous North End. The event was part of Dignity/Boston&rsquo;s 40th Anniversary Celebration.</p>