Workshop Presenters Put Talents to Work for God

By Mary Donovan

Two women with three names each will be joining the array of presenters at Gather Us In 2009. Jaymie Stuart Wolfe and Linda Gray Kelley will demonstrate the unique talents they have put in the service of building up the Kingdom of God.

Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is an author, columnist, musician, and speaker. Her presentation is titled, ``Fan the Flame, Living a Life Fueled by the Spirit.’’ There are fires in our lives that need to be put out, she said, and fires that need to be kindled. In her session she will help her listeners identify the fires in t

heir own lives. In her easy-to-listen-to-style, she will incorporate music and humor as she talks about finding the fire that leads to seeking and responding to the Living Spirit of God.

Ms. Stuart Wolfe and her husband have eight children and four grandchildren. They live in Wakefield. She is a working mother; in addition to writing and performing music, writing columns and books and meeting speaking engagements, she is Music Minister and Faith Formation Coordinator at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Lynnfield. She is a 1983 RCIA convert to the Catholic faith. She is a graduate of Harvard University, class of ’83 with a 2008 Master of Arts in Ministry degree from St. John’s Seminary in Boston.

Her bi-weekly column ``Under My Roof’’ has appeared in Boston’s Archdiocesan newspaper The Pilot for 13 years. As an author, she has three books to her credit. As a musician she perf

orms inspirational concerts of music and reflection through the Loaves and Fishes Ministry. In addition, she has produced eight recordings of original music.

Linda Gray Kelley is an actress and writer. Her workshop is a one-woman performance called, ``Good Girls and Bad Girls! (Old Testament Part II, Delilah – Esther).’’ It is a contemporary interpretation of legendary characters of the Bible. Thanks to Ms. Kelley’s skill, Delilah, Naomi and Ruth, the Witch of Endor, Hannah, Bathsheba and Esther will convincingly inhabit our present-day world.

Although these characters will be in costumes appropriate to the times in which they lived, their speech will be today’s language. These women out of Bible history become as recognizable as the neighbor next door. Their problems, experiences, emotions and, yes, foibles resonate with relevancy. The play is serious, silly, spiritual, realistic, fun and entertainment. Ms. Kelley cautions her audiences to remember, though her pieces are carefully researched, they are not Bible study.

Linda Gray Kelley has been performing in professional theatre for over 30 years. She is an award-winning former member of Actors Equity. Ms. Kelley heads up her own production company, Theater Rising Unlimited, as well as touring with her one-woman shows. She has a collection of six plays portraying women of the Gospel and women of the Bible, as well as Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor and Spoon River with its 30 characters. She produces, writes, directs and costumes her own productions.

Ms. Kelley and Ms. Stuart Wolfe are two of four workshop presenters at ``Gather Us In, 2009,’’ November 7 at the DCU Center in Worcester. The theme of the conference is ``The Triumph of Forgiveness, Sharing Stories of Compassion.’’ Keynote speakers are Paula. D’Arcy and Immaculee Ilibagiza, workshops will be presented by Ms. Stuart Wolfe, Ms. Kelley, Sister Ellen Dabrieo and Virginia Blass. The conference is a day-long event, beginning at 9:15 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. followed by Mass.

Information regarding Gather Us In 2009 is available at every parish in the diocese. In addition, registration forms may be obtained on the diocesan website, www.worcesterdiocese.org using the link to the Commission for Women and on the Commission website, www.worcestercommissionforwomen.org.