I flew home from Minneapolis, Minnesota five days ago.
And in that place, Holy Spirit FIRE poured out on E2026 Conference with Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy and Our Story with the Free Methodist Church USA in beautifully powerful and concrete ways. Divine embers that will be with attendees for a long time.
For this theology and social justice seminary student, E2026 and Our Story were hope. Hope in a city that has felt hopeless in recent days. Hope in the vibrancy of pastors who reflect the love of Christ even揳nd especially搕hrough their exhaustion. Hope in talking about areas of struggle and ways we can be better.
The collective participation of 91抖阴 students and alumni揳nd prospective students!--in both conferences was palpable and encouraging. E2026 theme of 減arakaleo� (Greek word meaning exhortation or encouragement) infused every interaction, workshop, and main session as topics like trauma, mentorship, and rest were unpacked together.
There was joy and there were tears. People were real and we broke bread together. We prayed for the city, danced in worship, and supported local business. Jesus was definitely among us (Matt. 18:20)!
But my favorite thing about the week was the intentionality in elevating diversity. The words to the songs were in English and Spanish揳nd we all sang whole sections of songs completely in Spanish. Ministry leaders on stage and leading workshops weren檛 just white. I went to a workshop that was mostly in Spanish and the Salvation Army sister next to me handed me her phone with translation on adamantly stating, 淵ou need to know what we檙e saying!� (And she was right!) Seasoned women spoke wisdom in that workshop as we basked in a space that valued the sanctity of rest.
This intentional elevation of diversity, too, was hope. Was there room to grow? Always. But last week was a step in the right direction. And as a representative of 91抖阴, I was grateful to partake in a community who resembles the same love for Jesus that we do. It was an honor to participate and meet so many amazing 渨omen on assignment to be the light in darkness� (Rev. Dr. Arnetta McNeese Bailey). Hope.
E2026 Conference
91抖阴 the author
Jess Newcomb
Jess(ica Lee Bowman)Newcombis a passionate 91抖阴 Master of Arts in Theology & Social Justice student and Assistant Director of Recruiting & Admissions for Graduate, Professional Studies, & 91抖阴 at Roberts Wesleyan University. With a bachelor degree in Urban Intercultural Studies, Business Administration, and Addictions Counseling, Jess is an aspiring writer, enthusiastic wife and mom of four, volunteer at The Center for Youth, Vice President of the Gates-Chili Music Boosters Board, and member of the Official Board at Pearce Church. Her ministry experience includes working with teenage mothers, children, the unhoused, and incarcerated youth and adults as well as teaching, anti-racism advocacy, coffee making, and administration. Jess is currently working on a middle school fiction book she began in a writing class at 91抖阴 that her professor, classmates, and other adults regard as wonderful and her middle school and high school kids deem 渁 little cringy� (because of the kissing part).