This weekend starting Friday from 7-9:30 and Saturday from 9-3, Carolyn Heggen and Rhoda Keener will be presenting Sister Care, a project of Mennonite Women USA, in Newcomer 19. A grant given to Keener has allowed this to be a free pilot workshop. Women from Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, Silverwood Mennonite Church, Waterford Mennonite Church and College Mennonite Church will be providing home-cooked snacks, breakfast and lunch.
Keener, a director of Mennonite Women USA since 2000 and a mental health counselor, developed this workshop with Heggen, who has a PhD in psychotherapy and is the author of “Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches” (2006), for women in the US. Heggen and Keener have presented this workshop in 11 different countries since its start in 2008. Other women who have participated in previous workshops have encouraged Keener and Heggen to develop this program specifically for younger women.
Birky was “really excited about their ideas for adapting their materials to younger women.” Last year, Birky helped Keener and Heggen meet with six Goshen College women to discuss and learn more about issues that are important to them.
There will be a follow-up workshop in October 2015, with the hope of expanding the workshop to other college campuses and communities.
“Women will also really benefit from [Keener and Heggen’s] input about self-care and compassionate listening,” said Birky.
Maggie Weaver, a sophomore, has created a Facebook page specifically for this event. Students can join there or email Birky at bethmb@goshen.edu.