This had been the subject for my prayers for action for many years. In January I had asked Bishop Ladehoff’s permission to begin work on this project and mentioned the Rev. Margaret McMurren’s name as presider/ celebrant. I had also asked the Rev. Jonathan Weldon, Vicar of the Church of the Resurrection, for permission to hold the Eucharist at Resurrection. They were both hopeful this would come about. Any ideas I had about how I might find a group of women with the passion to work on such a project did not include finding a group of women in my own church. But they were there. I believe there are women in every church waiting for leadership.

    We began meeting with Margaret in July, and by October had made our plans. There was a lot of work to be done, almost more than we had imagined there would be. We met as a group, using a circular leadership style, encouraging everyone to say what she felt and discovering that each of us was there for her own individual needs. In the healing and reconciliation that occurred among us, we were transformed into a cohesive body focusing on what we felt to be the calling of the Holy Spirit, to serve those who were most separated from God, most in need of healing. In truth, we found ourselves among those whom we wished to serve.

    The content of the service came from several sources, including the New Zealand Prayer Book, All Desires Known by Janet Morely, and other Episcopal Supplemental Liturgical Materials. The Great Thanksgiving itself came from Eucharistic Prayer 3, newly authorized by the 1997 General Convention. We chose Eucharistic prayer 3 because the liturgical language in these prayers seeks to balance male and female images, and is gender neutral as far as possible. Music was especially chosen to express in song what we hoped would be embodied in the service as a whole. The Resurrection choir, including both women and men, was invited so sing.

    Finally everything came together. The flyers for advertising were printed. The service booklet was printed, plenty of them, so they could be taken home and mailed to friends who were looking for such a service. The worship leaders, chalice bearers, readers, ushers, child care providers – all women – were in place. A flautist was coming to enrich the music. The healing teams were chosen to be present at the close of the service. Food was prepared for a joyous celebration following the event.

    On the day, an hour before the service, those helping with the event were invited to join in prayer and anointing. There was a room full of people. We talked about why we were there, and our hopes and dreams for this day. We offered prayers for those who would come, and for those who could not come. There were prayers for those who had gone before us, and for those who would come after us. We prayed for our sisters, our families and for each other, each speaking as she felt called to speak. The room was filled with the Holy Spirit. For me, it was perhaps the most moving part of the whole experience. As we left to make our final preparations, Margaret anointed each of us with oil.

    Sixty-four people came. Some had never been to an Episcopal church before. Some had not been to a church in a long time. Others were regular church-goers. There were Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Unitarians. Some described themselves as Wiccan. A grandmother, daughter and granddaughter came together. Mothers brought their daughters. There were also men in attendance. We were all together experiencing God’s love, even those who had all but lost hope of knowing God’s love again, in a rite of passage, of return to the knowledge of God’s love.

    Some of the comments I heard were: "The whole church was filled with love. I had never been in a church and felt that way before." "I didn’t think I would cry, but places I didn’t know existed were revealed to me, and healing has begun." I was afraid there would be a lot of women’s lib stuff, but there wasn’t - just God’s love." "Thank you for such a beautiful service." "Why can’t we experience this every Sunday in our own church?" "I will always remember the cross - it seemed like it was glowing." "Don’t made any changes, just do it again." It is time to pray for direction to do it again.

    It has now been some time since that day and I have had time for reflection. More new life was given than I had ever imagined. I didn’t even know how to think about the miracle of opening up unknown internal places, of experiencing a church filled with God’s tangible love, of a cross that seemed like it was glowing. I have thought about the urgent cry "Why can’t we experience this in our own church every Sunday?" And I think about the people, especially the women, who could not allow themselves to come. I have talked to some of them. "Oh, I had planned to come, but maybe next time. I decided I had to do something else instead."

    I have many questions. Where will the next Eucharist By Women be held and where? I am thinking of an outdoor Eucharist to make it possible for those who can not enter a church building to come. I am thinking of less formal music which, I have heard, keeps some away. I am wondering who will design it, who will be healed by working on the team? Will we include liturgical dancing? Who will finally risk taking a chance to come and find a God of love? Who will come for the sheer joy of more of what they already have and find that there is more healing, reconciling, transforming love than they knew was possible? There is much more work to be done.