Women's Convocation. The purpose of this conference was to develop a platform for Episcopal women in the 21st century to recognize, support and empower women in carrying out the variety of roles they perform in the church.

        The conference focused on the stories and ministries of four panelists who come from ethnically and professionally diverse backgrounds. The panelists were Rev. Maylin Biggadike, a priest of Asian and Hispanic heritage from the Diocese of Newark, Ms. Kelly Fayrad, a twenty year Native American who is a junior with a double major in Religion and Cultural Anthropology at Duke University, Ms. Martha Gardner, Director of the Episcopal Public Policy Network and Jubilee Officer for the Diocese of Newark, the Rev. Margo Maris from Minnesota, and the Rev. Janis Robinson, rector of Grace Church in Silver Springs, Md. Ms. Jane Wolfe, the president of the International YWCA, who, in her dynamic, outspoken and humorous way, put the issues in perspective for women in the Church, moderated the panel. The various themes from the panelists' individual stories and ministries included spirituality and social ethics, advocacy for the "still small voice" inside that calls each one to seek healing and justice, recognition of the role of youth and young adults in the life of the Church, and the advocacy for peace and justice in public policy. Small groups of five to six women were predesignated and were charged to reflect on what they heard and to report to the larger group after each session. These small groups also took this time to share their stories and ministries with each other.

       Prayers and music gathered the participants each day. The music was enlivened by different instruments collected from different parts of the world and displayed on a table on one side of the room. Community singing preceded the Sunday service. As it has become a tradition in national women gatherings, the participants got off their seats and marched and danced single file conga-style around the conference hall to the beat of "We are Marching in the Light of God". Several dynamic workshops also punctuated the conference. Topics included Women in Prison, Violence Against Women and Children, Clowning, Visioning in the Vineyard, Spirituality Through Prayer, Living the Jubilee Life in the 21st Century, When You are From Venus and They are From Mars, Women of Vision/Gates (these are leadership training programs), Ministry with Children, The Language of Worship, Women and Aids, and Drumming. All workshops were professionally presented and enthusiastically attended. An "open space" was provided toward the end of the conference for groups with common "passions" to talk about next steps in their ministries.