The Marcella Project

10/02/2024

It occurred to me, that when we talk about hot topics, whether it’s abortion, immigration, racism, or book bands - well there’s more at play than just what we think. We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think.

So maybe we should start there. In this episode, we talk with Becky Castle Miller, an expert in emotions and theology. I am grateful for her work.

It occurred to me, that when we talk about hot topics, whether it’s abortion, immigration, racism, or book bands - well there’s more at play than just what we think. We bring our experienced reality, our emotions, and preconceived beliefs to the table. Emotions play a role in how we think. So ma...

06/24/2024

Sharon Brous discovered a Midrash teaching from the 3rd-century Jewish legal compendium about an ancient ritual where ten thousand people descended upon the Temple en mass. The people formed two circles; one group went right, while the other went left. Those going right, life was doing okay - for now. Those circling left, not so much. They were in pain, suffering, deeply sad.

Those circling right would look each bereaved person in the eye and say something like, "I see you." "You are not alone." "May God comfort you." "May you be wrapped in the embrace of this community."

The ill or bereft person walking left might respond, "I am broken." "Our son is sick." "I am feeling lost." "My husband left me."

This is an example of community care; it's a way we heal from trauma. I love what Brous says about this in her book "The Amen Effect." She states, "Today, you walk from left to right. Tomorrow, it will be me. I know that eventually, you'll hold me...This ancient ritual [helps reshape our understanding of the power of community.] It taught [her] the transformative nature of showing up when we want to retreat, of listening deeply to each other's pain even when we fear there are no words. Of grieving and rejoicing together, and recognizing that even though we can't heal each other, we can and must see each other."

Where have you experienced trauma healing from community care? What results when it's not done or poorly done? How can we become better at being people who walk the circle?
https://www.themarcellaproject.com/jackie-always-unplugged/112-faith-trauma-and-transformation-a-conversation-with-dieula-previlon-on-her-new-book-does-god-see-me

06/19/2024

NEW EPISODE with one of my favorite preachers, Dieula Previlon. An ordained pastor, trained counselor, and trauma-informed certified expert, Previlon recently authored "Does God See Me?" a book on faith, trauma, and transformation. Her unique approach combines clinical knowledge, personal experiences, and biblical narratives.

In our convo, we discuss:
Dieula defines trauma and explores its various forms.

She discusses how trauma manifests in our lives and provides examples from the Scriptures.

She shares her personal journey with trauma as a black woman who immigrated from Haiti to America at age ten. She also shares her faith journey through complex grief, which can be a type of trauma.

We also discuss practical tools and steps to begin the healing journey.

And I mention my recent experience with trauma and how I turned to Dieula for help. The point of this episode is to empower you, the listener, with knowledge and resources to navigate trauma in your own life and/or the lives of your loved ones.

I'd love for us to dialogue more about how we can become better at being trauma informed.
https://www.themarcellaproject.com/jackie-always-unplugged/112-faith-trauma-and-transformation-a-conversation-with-dieula-previlon-on-her-new-book-does-god-see-me

04/15/2024

Sacramental - a sacrament, in its most general sense, is something through which God is revealed to us and through which we can encounter God.

This weekend, I traveled to Northern Idaho to listen to women preach. I was exhausted before I went. Friends prayed. My time with these women preachers was a delight. Tired, yes, but delight!!!! To see and hear them preach with such confidence and skill! Thank you, Jesus, for all you have done and continue to do in their lives. Change the church in northern Idaho through these fierce, loving- Jesus women.

Steve and I stayed on for another 24 so I could spend time in nature. The sacramentality of nature is one of the ways I enter into God's wonder.

I hope you had time to listen to our discussion on WONDER with Shawn Lee Small. More so, I hope you are out there wondering and finding wonder. https://www.themarcellaproject.com/.../-107-into-the...

04/11/2024

This week, I spoke with my mystic friend, Shawn Small, about his new book, Into the Wonder. If you need an awakening of wonder, this episode is for you.

Here's just a few words from Shawn about the eclipse and our innate need for wonder.

“We went out in our backyard with our glasses, and we watched this event happen. The direct path of this event was over 32 million people, but they're saying there were 200 million people that came together for five hours. They shut down their businesses. Crime went down to almost nothing. We all gathered as humanity, 200 million people to watch an event that the actual part of the event, the totality, was going to last two to four minutes. And everybody should ask, what is it within us? That's not practical. There's nothing even quote-unquote productive or theological about this, but we were all drawn, and people are now telling their eclipse stories.

It's because, and man, when I sat there, I probably did as you did and everybody else, when that totality happened when the moon covered over the sun, all I heard throughout our neighborhood was children screaming and clapping throughout our neighborhood, like all in yards and at the park and at schools, and adults, all of us went, whoa.

There were no words. It was just, it was just this moment of awe.
Why would 200 million of us plan this? Dallas alone had an influx of 1.25 million people. That took up every hotel room and every Airbnb property to come and see this three-minute event because we long, we hunger for that, the sublime, for wonder, for awe, for those moments.

And when I hear people saying, that this cosmic moment of wonder was the most incredible thing that's ever happened in their life. And I think. Okay, but that's sad to me because these moments are all over the place all the time in so many ways, all the time. God has overflowed this universe with wonder. It's us that don't take the time to slow down. We don't take the time to stop and listen and hear and see. There, it is - everywhere.

Shawn exemplifies the true spirit of the Blessed Alliance, proving that men and women can work together in harmony and mutual respect. We'll dive deep into his new book, 'Into the Wonder,' exploring themes of faith, understanding, and the beauty of wonder.

03/20/2024

Participating in the Rise 24 Consultation in Amsterdam was indeed a gift. Surrounded by seventy-five incredible women leaders, we delved deeply into discussions about the challenges women and girls face worldwide. I had the honor of facilitating a theological dialogue alongside esteemed scholars such as Marg Mowczko, Mary Evans, and the emerging voice of Zana from Bosnia.

As Christians, we understand the importance of aligning our beliefs with the teachings of Christ, especially concerning the treatment of women. Through our conversations, we were reminded of the profound responsibility we hold to challenge and reshape societal (and the church's) perceptions about women in accordance with God's plan for equality and dignity for all His children.

In this sacred space, we were inspired to renew our commitment to advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls, knowing that it is our divine calling to do so. As we stood together in faith and solidarity, we felt the presence of God's love and grace guiding us toward a future where every woman and girl can flourish, empowered by the truth of their inherent worth in the eyes of our Creator.

Thank you, Amanda Jackson, for your vision, wisdom, and tenacity. You made it feasible for us to gather and experience the holy fire.

10/18/2023

Have you ever wondered why people claim that America is "the city on the hill?" Kaitlyn Schiess' new book, The Ballot and The Bible helps us understand how Scripture has been used and misused in politics.

09/26/2023

In September, I accompanied Steve and the Water is Basic team in South Sudan to witness the impact of women repairing water wells. One of the main issues in South Sudan is the lack of clean water. Water is a woman's issue (role). This means women and girls put themselves in danger as they walk 8-10 hours collecting dirty water that makes their families sick. It also means girls can't attend school. When girls are educated, "we see faster poverty reduction, better maternal health, lower child mortality, greater HIV prevention, and reduced violence." (https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2022/10/leaving-no-girl-behind-in-education)

To tackle this problem, Water is Basic attempted something that has yet to be done: train women to repair the water wells. Since collecting water is a woman's role, it sounds like a no-brainer, but it isn't effortless to empower women who live in highly patriarchal societies. The Water is Basic team must go to the villages and cast the vision to the village elders. If the male elders decide yes, they select a woman from their village to be trained. Before proceeding, she must get permission from her husband, and many disapprove. If the husband agrees, the elders select a man from the village to assist her; women can only travel with the accompaniment of a man.

The most inspiring thing was to see how, in three short years, a small economic investment in women shifted the community's view of women. In a culture where the custom was for women to crawl on their knees to approach a man, they now have dignity and voice, serve in local leadership, and have financial agency. Now, they make enough money to build 5+ mud homes on their homestead, housing all their relatives. They send their kids to school and grow crops for food. Hearing them share how this has shifted their view of themselves was mesmerizing. "We have rights." "We are equals." "We are capable."

The men have also started accepting women as partners and responding with honor. We need our brothers to change how we treat women; male allyship is crucial to cultural shifts. These male team members are willing to put their "maleness" on the line to lift women (and the community.) We need men like this!
For decades, my life's work has been to reshape the view of women as Jesus intended. It's only been three years since Steve came up with the idea to train women in well-repair mechanics. Three short years, and on this day, I stood and prayed blessings upon one of their teams. What a privilege to lift Elizabeth and Gabriel to the Lord. They are examples of what happens when men and women choose to live out God's vision for his blessed alliance. I left Africa overflowing with gratitude and conviction. We have more work to do to change our view of women in our homes, churches, and workplaces.

But I also came home with a heart full of admiration for my husband. I've always known I'm married to a real-life Indiana Jones, but to see him in action was just… no words. He has served these people for twenty years. He loves them like family. The African leaders call him a Majokdit, a colorful black-and-white bull. It's a name they give to important people. No bull! On one of our visits, Steve knelt to greet one of the female mechanics. The counter-cultural posture was not lost on them. I loved watching how he moved so effortlessly between the African leaders and the American travelers. It's not easy to traverse two cultures at the same time. And to see this man, an enneagram eight, white privileged male leader, defer his leadership to the African team was … well, a lot like Jesus. Witnessing the incredible impact of empowering women has shown me that we can all make a difference in the world. It takes hard work, dedication, and the willingness to break down barriers, but it's worth it.

09/22/2023

If you're a woman who ministers (paid or unpaid, title or no title, staff member or volunteer), it's essential that you get a coach, sage, mentor - whatever you want to call it, you need her!

Women who minister are a unique tribe. We're isolated. We lack confidence and feel like we're forging an unknown path. We can't share what's happening; whew, the need for confidentiality is essential!

Women who minister need women who've been there and can put words to their vocational experiences. They need someone who understands and can help them overcome their internal and external obstacles.

Last week, TMP traveled to California to partner with Lead Bold in equipping women who minister. I was privileged to speak on male/female relationships in the Church. Whew, the women were hungry to learn more at our breakout. Many complex questions were asked about their real-life experiences of being a female in a male-dominated space!

But it was the offline conversations that were so soul-filling. A sister in Christ shared how she's struggling with burnout. Another shared how she'd been let go because she was a "threat" to her male co-partner in ministry. I could go on and on if you're a woman who ministers, you know, what kind of conversations were had.

If you're a woman who ministers, I want to encourage you to find a person who can walk with you so that you can run your race, win the prize - and fulfill your calling.

In your corner, Jackie

07/23/2023

There’s still hope that I’ll have a library with a ladder!!!

As a little girl, books were my escape. I didn't attend school until I was 10, so I would read anything I could get my hands on from the local library.

Now at 88, l've achieved my dream of having a library ladder and shelves filled with books that I love, sorted by categories like "Women's History" and "Written by Friends." That's why this creative project, a Bookscape photograph of my bookshelves, is truly a project of the heart.

In this age of Zooming, I've noticed that most people are seen in front of their bookcases, and we peer around to see what books we might learn from. I hope even one of the books on my shelves piques your curiosity.

The artist Max-Steven Grossman photographed the bookshelves in my home and created this work of art, and a few months ago, in partnership with Sponder Gallery launched it at Art Miami + Context. It is for sale now and proceeds are generously being donated to Gloria's Foundation, which will preserve my home and these bookshelves for future generations of activists.