THE SCATTERED BECOMING A COMMUNITY Carolyn Piper is a Together in Ministry participant, an ABCUSA chaplain, and a member of the Ministers Council Communications Committee.

The Rochester Genesee Region is far flung, and those of us who belong to it find just being together is a challenge. Creating community is an even greater one. For an ordained clergy woman, belonging to one more group is frequently a trial, and given the distance between us, seems almost impossible. And yet, many of us feel the need to belong to the sisters in the group that took us into their fold. Some of us met at other Women in Ministry events and our names were familiar to each other.

Thanks to Susan Maybeck, who first extended the invitation, several of us agreed to form an e-mail group that would meet in person twice a year – once at the annual regional meeting and then at a scheduled retreat.

This has been our approach. Susan poses a monthly question that we ponder and then respond to so others can read our reflections. In between her initiatives we share the thanksgivings, joys, and concerns of ministry, family, and examples our own journeys.

We use our Together in Ministry funds for the scheduled retreat arranged by a participant. This gives us an extended time to share our faith stories, reflect on our experiences, and worship together. The Ohio and New York groups then meet and share the experience with those who cannot be present at the retreat.

The surprise continues: What began as obligation has become an important source of strength “for the journey.” Out of differences in age, experience, ministry, education, ability, needs, and life styles comes a new appreciation for each woman’s story and support for her life – now. When family needs prevent time for a new question we wait until someone writes, ”I miss you.” The response is usually immediate, and having experienced the group’s need and desire, a new question appears.

Our journey continues as we thank God for group understanding and healing. We also give thanks for all those who made the TIM groups possible.