"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

Many years ago, in my photojournalism days, I was inspired to collect stories of people worldwide doing uplifting, inspiring things- the change makers. I wanted to call it A Culture of Peace—a compilation to be a bridge between people, a reminder of all the fantastic things happening in the world. It would also show all the ways that we are similar, as we are bombarded with negative media regularly that continues to separate and divide humanity.

Gather with me now and listen with your heart.

Today, I am finally beginning my passion project, which starts with something happening in my backyard.

There is a sweet group that I want to share with you called…

When Women Come To Pray.

(Not a religion, and everyone is welcome who identifies as a woman)

Let me share the back story of how it all started.

This all began three and half years ago when our dear sister (friend) Melanie passed away from Breast Cancer in December 2020. You see, I live where conscious community is the mainstream. Asheville is a role model for how to offer support for birth and death. When I gave birth to my second child here, I was in awe of how women circled me. That’s for another story. All I will say is thank you, you know who you are. In fact, many of the same women I’m about to mention below were also there for me pre and post-pregnancy. Hmm, what a gift to know such thoughtful and kind humans.

Let’s talk about death. I invite you to close your eyes, place your hand on your heart, and take three slow, deep breaths in and out of your heart.

Melanie (Mela) was a courageous woman on her healing journey regarding her breast health. She was very private and wouldn’t call it cancer. She was determined to heal it in her unique alternative way. This was her business, her choice. Some were afraid and didn’t agree, but in the end, she lived five years, about the same amount of time someone using traditional Western medicine typically lived with the same type of aggressive cancer. As hard as it is to swallow, sometimes dying is the healing that our soul needs. It is part of the mystery we all face.

Her death was healing for our community, and birthed a new project.

Several women, myself included, gathered on the phone to make a plan to support her at the end of her life. Groups went down to Texas, where she resided with family members to help out. It is such a deep and beautiful story; it is not all mine to share. In short, friends gathered around her to hold a sacred ceremony led by our dear sister Cat so that she could face her fears, heal, and hopefully gain clarity. In this ceremony, she finally accepted that she was dying. Several others and I created altars in our home to support Mela from a distance. A few weeks later, my dear sisters Luna and Ellen went down to be at her side and were present as she took her last breath.

The most beautiful thing happened: They organized all of Mela’s friends and family far and wide to show up on Zoom to sing to her and pray with her.

This was a part of her final wishes...

Luna and Ellen anointed Mela with roses and oils and surrounded her with love and song, a testimony to the love she gave all of us during her time on earth.

After she passed, a group of amazing people, inspired by Jackie, gathered nightly for 40 days to pray for her soul’s journey. Jackie was one of Mela’s best friends. She and others devotedly showed up nightly for 40 days to pray for Mela and read prayers from the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

This was the initiation of When Women Come to Pray.

Luna, who I lovingly call Sparkie, saw the power in our gathering and continued it. Luna has an inner compass for igniting sparks of life into existence to make our world a better place.

Below are some images I took from a day retreat held at the Center for Conscious Living and Dying, which gives you a sense of the essence and power of When Women Come To Pray. It is important to thank Aditi, the founder of CCLD, immensely for also guiding us when we knew Mela needed our support.

Wow!

What a legacy Melanie left. Her death catalyzed all of this. As I write this, I remember Mela calling her business Creation Catalyst as she wanted to be an activator in people’s lives. She clearly accomplished this and continues to do so.

Mela had a beautiful singing voice and often sang in Kirtans. It was her dream to make a CD. Luna and her family, with donations, made her dream of publishing an Album come true. You can hear Mela’s angelic voice on Spotify.

And now, three and half years later, Women Who Come To Pray are a strong force, thriving, growing, and evolving. Mela’s catalyzed legacy lives on. Thank you, Sparkie and Ellen, for making this dream a reality and allowing Mela to catalyze positive change.

If you want to be a part of WWCTP….

“This is a circle of presence, trust and support to empower women, to uplift our spirits, and to feel the ancient ways of harmony. We gather two times weekly to read prayers and blessings from all traditions, hold each other in all cycles of life and offer prayers to the world. This is a simple, accessible and underground way to rebuild the paradigm of our world. When Women Come to Pray is all-inclusive, non-denominational and anyone who identifies as woman or girl is welcome.”
- Luna & Ellen

They meet on Zoom weekly ~
Sundays, 8:30-9:00 pm & Tuesdays, 8:30-9:00 pm

You must register ahead of time, to ensure the group remains private and intimate. You will receive an email with a unique link that you will use to get on the group each week.

For more information, click HERE

The also hold annual retreats, the next When Women Come to Pray Women's Retreat is August 2-5th, 2024 in Black Mountain at the Wheel of Bliss Retreat Center. You don’t want to miss this beautiful retreat! Click here for more details.