Kirralee Nicolle
27 February 2023
An eastern suburbs parish is providing women in the community a chance to talk about broader issues of spirituality and concepts of faith in a non-judgmental setting.
The Faithfull Women group at St Margaret’s Anglican Church in Eltham was initiated by parishioner Mandy Stevens, who said the group began as a response to a need within the community.
“We had friends and acquaintances who sought something spiritual but weren’t churched,” she said.
“There were a number of women on the peripheral of the church who sometimes dipped their toe in.”
Ms Stevens said this was a more creative way to meet needs for spiritual exploration than a Sunday service.
Faithfull Women attendee and social worker Amanda Jenkins said she had found attending the group to be a form of mental and spiritual self-care. She said the group focused on different mediums – art, meditation, music and nature being some.
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“I meet with a group of women who are non-judgmental and open minded to get back in touch with concepts around spirituality that speak to me,” she said.
Ms Jenkins said she often arrived at the gatherings tired and overwhelmed by her list of tasks to do, but left feeling rejuvenated.
“After a little while, you just enjoy the peacefulness of the church,” she said. “And you just have an opportunity to reflect with the other women. It brings you back to your centre.”
Ms Jenkins said the group also offered a chance to explore faith in unconventional ways.
“It’s not limited to preconceived ideas about what spirituality should be,” she said. “I like that flexibility.”
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