Whoever you are and wherever you are on your faith journey, there's a warm welcome for you at St Benedict's...

St Benedict's Episcopal Church, Los Osos, California

The Hollister Institute

The Hollister Institute at St Benedict’s provides an opportunity for all those who have an interest in spiritual inquiry, whether or not they are members of a church, to take part in stimulating discussion and thoughtful learning.

  So what happened to the Women ?

Women have been relegated to subordinate roles throughout the history of Christianity. Or have they? If we look again at the Christian Scriptures – and at early Christian history – we will discover that Jesus had women disciples as well as men, and that women were co-workers with Peter, Paul, and other early church leaders. Did something happen in the early centuries of the church that denied the gifts that women have to offer?

So what happened to the Women? will look for answers to these questions through personal reading and group discussion. This study is open to everyone: to women who want to learn more about their foremothers; to women who would like to engage in some honest discussion about Jesus, his relationship with women, and the way the church has treated women; and to women who are not at all sure about Jesus or the Christian faith. Discussions will be led by the Rev. Donna Ross, retired rector (pastor) of St. Paul’s Church in Cambria and now serving at St. Benedict’s Church in Los Osos.

When: Thursday mornings in April and May (April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15) 10 am–noon.

Where: St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 2220 Snowy Egret Lane, Los Osos.

Cost: $20 (to cover the cost of the book, “Women and Christianity,” by Mary T. Malone)

How: To register, or for more information, email Donna Ross at donnaross@charter.net or call 235-5117