We at Cranaleith Spiritual Center, a sponsored ministry of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, in Philadelphia, PA hosted an ecumenical retreat on September 29th and 30th, 2023 entitled “And God’s Daughter’s Shall Lead Them” exploring and uplifting women’s leadership in the entire Christian community. Together we took time apart to reflect on the shared call of women leaders in each of our respective faith communities. Women leaders (both clergy and lay) from multiple denominations celebrated the richness of our traditions, as well as places where we desire growth and change. Our time together was facilitated by Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker, D. Min who led our meaningful time together as we moved toward our full potential. 

Together, we are grateful that the ministry and example of St. Phoebe enlivens our community to participate in exploring the unique gifts of women in our faith community. Here at Cranaleith, we feel strongly about creating space for all those seeking wholeness and transformation for themselves, their communities and society. This retreat was an opportunity for us to do just that. 

In particular, during our time together, the sharing over Scripture was incredibly powerful. At the end, participants laid hands on participant Bernadette Rudolph, who traveled to Rome last October 2023 with Discerning Deacons while Rev. Dr. Janelle Dixon read a blessing for Bernadette on her journey.  

We are grateful for the example of St. Phoebe who inspires us not only to explore our own gifts for leadership in our own faith community, but also to be inspired by similar journeys of other women from other traditions. We will continue on this journey together, trusting in the Holy Spirit which continues to breathe wisdom and change through our ecumenical, sacred space we have here at Cranaleith.