For our series on the Sacred Feminine, we knew we needed to make space to talk about feminism, and how racism shows up within it. One biblical story offered us a lens through which to consider our topic. The Genesis story of Sarah and Hagar shows two women struggling under the patriarchal system of the ancient Jewish tribes. Sarah, wife…
#listentoblackwomen #reclaimingourspace #reclaimingourtime “Well behaved women rarely make history.” The same seems to be true for Biblical history as well. Biblical women, starting with Eve, rarely fit the meek and mild definition that patriarchal standards put forth. The Open Table, as part of the Sacred Feminine series, looked at the ways women have subverted patriarchal structures. The Open Table turned…
There are times in the Open Table when a reflection does not come close to capturing the essence of the evening much less offer something that is close to the depth of the live experience. This reflection will be one that falls into that category. Alex Kimball Williams joined the Open Table to explore aspects of First Nation or Native…
The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus sitting in the temple courts when a woman was brought to him by strict followers of the law. They accused her of adultery and demanded that she be stoned in accordance with the law of the time. Jesus wrote something on the ground and then said, “You who are sinless cast…
For the opening of The Open Table KC’s series on the Sacred Feminine, Eve and Mary, and the mythos around them became the focus. We discussed the harmful ways Eve is portrayed as a vixen and Mary as a virgin. To help folks unpack these archetypes, various images and icons of both women were distributed on each table, and people…
“Maybe stories are just data with a soul.” Brene Brown’s statement came alive in our gathering this week as we shared our stories of what it feels like not to belong and what it means to belong to ourselves. This week Core Group member Garrett Brown and resident Tony Beyer shared with The Open Table some of the work of…
