On the 4th and 5th of August, I was at the College of Preachers in DC, at the annual board meeting of The Young Clergy Women Project.  The above is a picture of all of us vested in our finest, wearing our favorite church shoes.  Any guesses as to which feet are mine?

This two day meeting has quickly become one of my favorite events of the entire year.  The board is divided into two groups:  those that deal with the magazine, Fidelia’s Sisters and those that deal with the membership of the group itself.  I am a member of the former.  These women are all ordained ministers, but from many different denominations.  They drove in from Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and flew in from California, Chicago, St. Louis (and more!)  They are all energetic and interesting and great writers.

I am lucky in that I live fairly close to some young clergywomen friends from Seminary, but the YCW women are even a smaller subculture than that–they are young clergy women who also geek out on the internet. :)  Most of us have blogs and we love keeping up with each other via Facebook and Ning.  When I am with them, I feel like I am with “my people”.  In my own region, I am the youngest female priest by about 15 years, but only one other female priest is even in her 40s, the rest are in their 50s or older.  Fellowship with them is wonderful, but having other newlywed, baby-wanting-or-having, associate pastor or brand spanking new head pastors are all really helpful conversation parters.  The membership of YCW has taken off, too.  We are well over 200 members now, including members from Trinidad and Tobago (Shel!), England, Sweden (I JUST missed meeting them when I was in DC), and Australia.  Let me tell you, discussions about maternity leave with Swedes is a depressing business.  They are horrified at how little time we get off in the U.S.

The Young Clergywomen Project was started by Susan Olson, an awesome woman in her early 40s who wished she had more fellowship with fellow young clergywomen when she was in her 20s and 30s.  She got a grant, gathered us together, and has guided us patiently and enthusiastically while holding down two other jobs!  She is going to be moving on in December, when the grant runs out, and we will be left to our own devices.  But, we are all deeply committed to each other and I think she has organized us enough that we can manage. . .but not without many tears.  I, personally, think she should be elected member for life.

So, thanks to Susan, and all the other board members who enrich my life so.

(And my shoes are the green ones furthest to the left.  Liturgically correct color, baby.)