The Women Arise Collective will release a new resource in early fall authored by Rev. Sherry Cothran, ordained United Methodist minister, author and musician. By amplifying largely untold stories of biblical women who were prophets, warriors and healers, women of today will be inspired to also begin writing new stories for their lives.  Sherry said, “As we dig up the bones of women’s stories who were also at times victims of violence, we find new language for what has been lo

The world has changed – seemingly overnight – and the reality we once knew is no more. But we are still alive, and a different way of being is developing whether we are conscious or unconscious of it. Our prayer is that each of you reading this is staying safe, focusing on personal wellness, and able to withstand the economic impact of the pandemic. God loves YOU. Never forget that. The Women Arise Collective is Helping The Collective has always been focused on the value of c

At the recent Women Arise Leadership Conference, Maeghan Orton led participants through an exercise where they discussed local issues that need addressing. Maeghan shared that the real problem is rarely the one we consider first. The real problem is layered beneath other issues, and it takes time to be uncovered. We learned that finding it often takes asking the question, “Why?” five times. Following the conference, I traveled to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to vi

It can be hard to imagine an environment where information is not easily accessible by the entire population. In some places, individuals do not have easy access to life-saving information. It’s equally difficult to think about living in an environment where women have to teach other women that their voices matter – that they do not have to remain silent about the stigma placed against them. The heartbreaking reality is that women in many countries all over the world, includi

The Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) Leadership Institute was held at St. Mary’s National Seminary in Ggaba, Uganda from January 6-12, 2019. A Diverse Gathering The Woman Arise Team were so happy to be part of International Christian leaders, and they came from many different parts around the world. Harper Hill Global supported Kalungi Kenneth from Uganda, Joyce Jaka from South Sudan, Judith Yanga Osongo from DR Congo, and Rev. Suzanne from DR Congo. The Leadership Institute incl

By Philippe LOLONGA October 10/3/2018/Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo In 2018, the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced two episodes of the Ebola virus disease: first in early May in the health zones of  Bikoro, Iboko and Mbandaka in the Equateur Province, (in the northern part of the country); then at the beginning of August in the Beni region, in the North Kivu Province (Eastern DRC), with the extension in Ituri (Northeast). Since August, the Ebola virus has been p

The last time I saw her alive, Angie shared this story: A new neighbor on the “Next Door” app cautioned everyone about a suspicious looking homeless couple in the Nations neighborhood. Angie said that a response was soon posted from a lady – saying that she and her husband were that couple. She said they worked at McDonald’s but couldn’t afford a place to live. The lady had added in her response that nobody needed to worry – they wouldn’t bother anyone. Each of the voices you

What if churches provided transitional housing for discharged patients who have no place to call home? In Nashville, Tennessee, a church named Glencliff United Methodist Church is doing that – together with Open Table Nashville – “a non-profit, interfaith community that disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized and provides education about issues of homelessness.” Those who live there will be cared for by health, social and spiritual professionals as permanen