It has been a very busy September and October as I am sure it has for you as well.

Our Beijing Circles gathering happened at Episcopal Divinity School during a very rainy period on Cambridge. We had a productive time however, those who braved the weather.  We experimented a bit by doing a fishbowl for the opening discussion and that was a great experience from which we gained much learning.  Swanee Hunt was wonderful as our keynoter and all of those who came participated fully in the sessions. EDS proved to be a great venue for doing this, thanks to the staff especially Priscilla Burns and Nancy Davidge.  I envision more and more that this work on Beijing Circles will be done regionally throughout the country and several more gatherings have been scheduled.

I also took part in the first ecumenical conference on human trafficking, sponsored by the Justice for Women Working Group of the National Council of Churches and the Methodist Women. Ana White from our Washington office was one of the panelists. You can go here http://www.ncccusa.org/news/081001traffickingconference.html to see more info on this.

In the last few weeks I have been in Houston and Chicago. A group of women are planning a Latina women�s gathering for next year which will be called Vive Eva�En Voz Alta. I was the only person at this planning meeting who didn�t speak Spanish�and several people graciously translated for me. I wonder if we are as accommodating when the shoe is on the other foot.  The Diocese of Houston is a thriving place and I spent time with Carol Barnwell in the communications office, with Brigid�s Place, had a private tour of the cathedral and reconnected with others at both the cathedral and the Diocese.

Next stop Chicago and the Diocese to work with a group gathered there for Beijing Circles.  I also met with a group of ECW women who were planning a women�s gathering in Indianapolis next spring. Finally I participated in an ecumenical gathering of women who are responsible for women�s ministries in their denominations. I was very aware during these trips of the great benefit of getting out of the northeast and into other parts of the country. When I was growing up, I lived in many different states, a result of my parents seeking a better life I guess for our family but I have now lived in the NY metro area for a long time.

Other things I have been working on include:  new brochure for women�s ministries in English and Spanish, domestic violence resources, planning for the first gathering of the International Anglican Womens Network in NYC, and planning for the Council of Episcopal Women�s Organizations.