Two years of wonderful

Published by Helen | Filed under Faith

Today marks my last post for Ask the Matriarch, a column the RevGals started two years ago that made me, as Gallycat, part of a weird A-list of bloggers that cause a room full of women priests to smile knowingly when they hear that name, even though phonetically it’s more commonly associated with a top publishing blog.

In this capacity I’ve been fielding questions from priests and passing them along to a panel of women pastors and priests with a tremendous amount of experience under their belts. And advice, dispensed with love, has flowed from them through me to a point that ever so briefly, I’ve been kind of an advice columnist in my own right.

It’s time for me to turn the reins over, however. I took a brief respite last summer during which time Listing Straight was kind enough to cover for me while I juggled a new house, a job transition, and summer with the kid at home. This year, it’s become harder and harder to keep up with the responsibilities I already had when I bit something else off: I’m starting graduate school in the fall–er, next week.

I’ll be getting my master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in nonprofit management, and continuing to dedicate myself to helping organizations, including church organizations and faith-oriented progressive causes, understand and leverage web 2.0 technologies like blogging, social networks and new media.

And, in less than three weeks, I’m marrying my darling future husband, Dean, on the occasion of our fourth dating anniversary in a private ceremony in Northern Virginia. (FINALLY.)

Ann Fontaine of What the Tide Brings In and a colleague of mine at the Cafe, and the blogger RevHoney, both themselves matriarchs, are taking over management of the column for the foreseeable future. I will remain available to them as they take it over, and I do hope the column continues to be as much a success and as valuable a resource for you as it has been.

I really want to thank the RevGals for the opportunity, as it lead to other wonderful things for me, including my role at the Episcopal Cafe, my first published spiritual reflection, my present job, and my emergence as a social media strategist who’s “internet-famous” among a really amazing, creative, thoughtful group of people. I’m not as reflective these days, more intent on being a humorist and tapping my DJ roots, but perhaps this will free up just enough time to get back to weekly meditations.

I also want to thank the Matriarchs for their insights. I’ve learned a lot from all of you. And for all the RevGalBlogPals for participating each week, cheering us on, and being an amazing community of diverse viewpoints and experience.

May blessings run over for you all!