Mary, the mother of Jesus, was called to give birth to the Messiah. In her path to obedience, she found herself knocking on doors in Bethlehem, looking for space to bring this call to fruition. All of us, like Mary, are called to be available for creative and significant acts, but may encounter challenges as we live out this call. Women in the Academy & Professions would like to invite you to join us at a Day Ahead pre-conference event for women called Finding Space for God, December 27-28, 2008, just prior to Following Christ 2008 December 28-31, 2008.

Anchored in the familiar advent story, this event will provide a sheltered space for busy women, in the company of friends, to enter into God’s presence. Through dramatic presentations of Scripture, meditations on sacred art and music, rich teaching and testimony, and small group interactions, we will have the opportunity to hear God speak into our lives in fresh ways.

Sharon Gartland, director of Women in the Academy & Professions, will serve as host and tour guide as we seek to hear God, encourage one another, and explore our own narratives in light of God’s big story. Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Following Christ 2008 keynote speaker, will be participating with us as well.

Our time together will be divided into three sections:

• What has God called us to “give birth to” in our lives, both big and small?
• What are the challenges, both internal and external, that we encounter in seeking to be faithful to those tasks?
• Where and how might God make a way for us in unexpected places and what can we do to support the creative and sacred call on our lives?

It is our heart’s desire to see academic and professional women flourishing as they learn to find space for God to address these questions in their lives.

Come and be refreshed and restored. Through the generosity of donors, scholarships are available for anyone who feels they need financial assistance to attend. As a special thank you, we are offering paid registration to the Day Ahead “Finding Space for God” event for all who have contributed writing to The Well, an online publication of Women in the Academy & Professions. For more information contact Sharon Gartland.