Sorry to have been so absent folks, but the Urban Abbess is busy, busy, busy. Doing what, you might ask? How about: buildling floats for the Solstice Parade on Saturday; doing the solo-parenting thing while Paul’s in Boston for eight days; babysitting overnight for two kids ages 1 and 4 (one of whom threw up); pet sitting Spike, the girl guinea pig (who came without her water bottle, thus necessitating a trip to Petco to buy a new one); running Cate has her last dance rehersal before the recital; attending her Kindergarten graduation (hat, gown, and all!); buring a deceased sparrow complete with a burial bed made of poppy flowers and a prayer circle; coaching a teenager finals; and trying out new part-time babysitting job for the neighbors. Phew. I kind of feel winded just typing it all!

I did want to update you on our Thursday night activities, as promised. Last week Jen M led the tribe. Here’s a funny little conversation that went on just prior to Jen’s evening of teaching.

Rebecca: “I like everybody taking turns leading at Monkfish, but I miss the more spiritual aspects of what we used to do.”

Rachelle: “Well, this week Jen M is leading and we’re going to do a Bible story.”

Rebecca: “A BIBLE story! At Monkfish Abbey?!”

Rebecca was greatly relieved to find out it wasn’t going to be an exegetical study — though Jen’s boss tried hard to get it to be that way, loading her up with no less than six commentaries — one for each verse of the short story she was preparing to tell.

Jen M’s a teacher and works in Children’s Ministries at a local church, so I had asked her to do something the mini-monks could participate in. Jen wisely chose to highlight the story of a Biblical woman, Dorcas. I knew Dorcas’ name, but that what about it, and I loved how Jen brought her to life — a fountain of generosity and kindness. Dorcas had a funeral you could be proud of. You can find her story — the sotry of a leader, philanthropist, and social activist — in the book of Acts.

Jen had the kids read the story as a script, with the repeated refrain of “Dorcas, we speak your name.” I liked the aspect of name-memory and keeping the names of our foremothers on our tongues.

After we learned Dorcas’ story, we made little icons to her, or to anyone who’s name we wanted to remember. I put mine on desk so I can let Dorcas sink into my memory — right there next to the “big name” boys like David and Solomon, Peter and Paul.

I remember Dorcas. Dorcas I speak your name.