Mennonite Women USA

By Laurie Oswald Robinson                                                         Back to Women's Groups
timbrel, May-June 2006

Glenna Schrag has sent “thinking-about-you” cards to women who don't belong to a traditional sewing circle but may hunger for another kind of circle of care. A card is such a small gesture. But Glenna, a longtime member at Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge, Kan., hopes it will draw women into connected community; those who have not been part of a close-knit group or younger women who work all day and don’t sew or quilt.

The seven care circles make these connections possible. The faciliators who led each group were willing to serve when asked and join with others in their circle group to plan the programs and service projects that engage everyone. Activities range from sharing a meal to visiting the elderly to studying the Bible or a book to tying quilts for Mennonite Central Committee. No matter what the activity, the circles are meant to foster one-on-one nurturing, spiritual care and connection across generations. [The new care circles] invite women to not only serve with their hands for people around the world but to share their hearts with people at home.

Though this being together is another option for gathering, it is not meant to replace tried-and-true sewing groups, named “Mary Martha” and “Dorcas,” says Annie Schrag, one of the women who helped envision the new circles. For decades these groups have provided meaningful connection for women, now in their mid-50s through 80s. These groups sew, quilt and do other service projects, and provide meals for such events as funerals. But a fast-paced 21st-century, coupled with the large size of the congregation, calls for circles that incorporate women of all ages, lifestyles and interests. All the some 200 women at Eden—whether a deeply engaged member, a more loosely-affiliated associate or an occasional Sunday-morning attender—were placed in a circle. Each circle has from 30 to 36 women, though about eight to 10 women attend regularly. Ages range from 20 to 80, and women in existing groups were also placed in a circle. “Our congregation is so big that one can miss a Sunday morning without anyone knowing,” Annie says. “These smaller circles help us to know when someone is hurting or missing from the congregation.” Glenna adds, “The circles also provide leadership opportunities for those who may have the gifts but have never been asked. For example, there was one woman I suspected would make a good circle facilitator. After I invited her to consider it, she responded really quickly, ‘You are the first one who has ever personally asked me to do something.’ “Our bulletin invites people to join commissions and committees, but the personal touch can be lacking. The personal touch works well in inviting women to come to a circle.” Karen Stucky, a 42-year-old working mother and facilitator for Circle Six, is one of the younger women drawn to her group’s flexibility, diversity and intergenerational focus.

“This gives me an opportunity to build relationships in the evening when I can come,” Karen says. “I am so inspired by these women, especially those who are older. There is one former pastor’s wife in our group who has taught me so much. “And despite our different ages and experiences, we accept each other. There’s lots of love and prayer here. It provides us all with someone to listen—but we also have a lot of laughs, too.”

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