SALSA Devotional Sisters Alive in Leadership, Spirituality and the Arts Gabrielle Martone (GM) Gina Yeske (GY) I am a woman of God, a pastor, a shepherd, a wanderer, a Family is my center. I am a wife, a mother, Oma, sister and simultaneous sinner and saint. I am, in many ways, daughter. Peter in 2018! I am a daughter and a sister, an Abby (to my I am a encourager, a pastor, a disciple of Jesus. goddaughter), a mom to my cats. All these relationships make life rich. I am passionate about food, making it eating it, enjoying it I am a human- a beloved creation of God. with friends. I firmly believe some of the best ministry I am a provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church and occurs over a meal. I am casual, and easygoing. Music is currently serve as the associate pastor at Central UMC in essential, all different styles! Linwood NJ. I have served 2 congregations prior to my It is my mission to imagine new and creative ways to help appointment here. others see the value in connecting with the people where I am blessed beyond measure to get to serve God in this they are, to build relationships and to share the hope found way every single day. in faith in Jesus. Fran Noll (FN) Vicki Miller Brendler (VMB) Lover of ALL people, for God loves us all. Mother of Dave, Earth Mother and Pioneer Chris, Kaitlyn and Andrew. Grannyfranny to Sarah, Sophia Third generation pastor and pioneer clergywoman, learner Becca, and Kiran. and teacher, gardener and grower of God’s beautiful flowers Pastor for 37 years and now retired - 13th woman ordained and delicious veggies, passionate about ecology and in NJ - passionate about the homeless and those who live organic living, swimmer, reader, camper, lover of travel, on the margins of life. advocate for the least, last, and lost with a heart for missions. Wife of Larry for forty-six years, mother of four Life coach, Soul Sister - Artist and Interim pastor of many, grown daughters who are educators, counsellors, and a Angel of happy everything. Prayer warrior. pastor. Grandmother to three grandsons and three Lover of travel-bicoastal - California and New Jersey. I will granddaughters. Ordained Elder in the United Methodist see you at the beach or at the movies. Church who spent a life serving in varied ministry settings Dear friend to many - Student of life - Celtic Theology and for 40 years before retirement to live at the Lake House in creation - Activist for justice for ALL people, for All means northwestern New Jersey and caring for aging parents and All. other family needs. Francie Preston (FP) Diane Dyson (DD) Lover of God and God’s people and God’s creation. I have lived out my call as a Deacon through both my Teacher; pastor; writer; friend; activist; worship leader; practice of nursing and my service in the local church. hiker; knitter. Mother of four grown sons, grandmother of I have connected the congregation to the world through three grandsons and two granddaughters, wife of forty- family and children's ministries. I have served as a small eight years.Lover of creation and creation spirituality, I group leader and women’s ministries. write reflections - “lectio” divina - on nature, believing as I have a special passion for mission, local community the Celtic Christians do that Creation and the Bible are outreach and regional and global mission trips. God’s books of self-revelation. Advocate for justice for all I am married to my best friend. people and for creation; activist for change when things We have a house-full of children and pets. are not right. Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Give me a good book and the beach and I am happy. Church, retired after twenty-two years serving six I have enjoyed serving the Lord and look forward with great churches, now enjoying living in Philadelphia. anticipation to the years ahead. Jana Purkis Brash (JPB) Lynn Mears (LM) From the time I was a young child, I have been very aware I have been a local pastor in the GNJAC for the past of God’s presence. fourteen years. I experience God when walking through the forest, at the I also worked as a servant of God as a registered nurse for bedside of someone who is ill, quiet chats with my 33 years at Somerset Medical Center grandchildren, worshipping in a sanctuary with sisters and in ICU and Recovery Room. brothers in Christ. I have been married for 37 years and have two grown children. I cherish God’s call on my life to serve through the church, as a mother and grandmother, as a follower of Jesus, and My BA in nursing is from Albright College and my Masters of in my current role as the Executive Director of the United Divinity from Drew University. Methodist Stewardship Foundation of Greater New I enjoy quilting, card making, gardening, cooking, nature, Jersey. and being with friends. Jean Arlea Eriksen (JAE) June Tamburro (JT) I feel called to preaching and teaching in the local church I was ordained as a deacon in full connection in May 2018. connecting to the community through creative evangelism I am currently serving as an Associate Pastor of Spiritual and small groups. Formation at Bridgewater UMC where I am primarily I have served as Associate Pastor at Bound Brook and responsible for small group ministries, ministries of justice Chatham, Behavioral Health Clinician at St. Clare’s and outreach, pastoral care and worship assistance. My Hospital and Pastor in Residence at Whitehouse UMC. I passion is working with those on the margins and hold an undergraduate degree from Northwestern equipping people to live out their faith in the world. I have been married to my husband, Gerry for 33 years and University, a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological they have two young adult children, Kristen and Johnny. In School and a Master of Clinical Social Work from Rutgers. I my spare time, I enjoy working out at the gym my husband am finishing her Doctor of Ministry from George Fox and I own in Chester NJ, reading, spending time with family University. I am very grateful for my loving family including and friends, and travel--especially to her home away from husband Chris, daughter Thea, and cats Ham and Fig. home in Key Biscayne, Fl. “How is it with your soul?” is a question that comes from the early Methodist class meetings. These meetings were not social gatherings, Bible studies, or prayer meetings. Instead, the soul care of the membership was the agenda. Since September of 2015 this group of clergywomen have gathered together to share their love for God and the church. From our first meeting we knew this was going to be something special. Over the years we have celebrated and lamented together. We have studied, prayed, played and tended to each other’s souls. It is our hope that this devotional offers you a glimpse into our lives, our prayers, our hopes and joys. It is our prayer that it enlivens your ministry and your life. Thank you for sharing your year with us. All Hymns: United Methodist Church (U.S.). (1989). The United Methodist hymnal: Book of United Methodist worship. Nashville, Tenn.: United Methodist Pub. House. We begin our reflections with this new church year, Advent Week 1 New Beginnings Sunday A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said, “Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation. You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples. It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel.” Jesus’ father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.” Luke 2:25-35 On Thanksgiving weekend we usually put up one of the Christmas trees at our lake house. Last year, one of the Christmas ornaments that had a new depth of meaning for me was a cross ornament. It wasn’t the most beautiful ornament in the box, nor the brightest. It didn’t light up or play a tune. It had no moving parts. Yet, I paused as I added it to the tree to reflect on the depth of God’s love for me that we celebrate at Christmas. Emmanuel; God is with us! I have a number of cross ornaments that we place on the tree each year, some are beautiful and ornate; others are simpler or more rustic; but they are all powerful reminders that we would not be celebrating Christmas at all if it were not for the offering of Christ’s love crucified for us on the cross. There would be no birth nativities, Christmas trees, garlands, and lights were it not for the power of God’s eternal love that overcame the grave in the resurrection of Christ on Easter morning.