Brigid's Place Records, 1993-1999


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Brigid's Place (Houston, Tex.)
	Title	Brigid's Place Records
	Dates:	1993-1999
	Abstract	Brigid's Place is the women's center at Christ Church Cathedral and is dedicated to the spiritual and personal development of women. The records consist of administrative files, agendas, minutes, notes and fliers, records of activities, speakers, and ministries, and publications.
	ID	uhwbrp99
	Extent	9 boxes; 5 linear feet
	Language	English.
	Repository	Special Collections & Archives, University of Houston Libraries

Organization History

Brigid's Place, the women's center at Christ Church Cathedral, a place of prayer, meditation, research, and mutual support, is dedicated to the spiritual and personal development of women. Brigid's Place was established in 1996 by Christ Church Cathedral's Women's Assembly when the Assembly recognized that it needed to expand both its resources and its space. The Women's Assembly itself was formed in 1993 as a network for progressive women of Christ Church Cathedral.

Originally, the Assembly envisioned Brigid's Place as a separate project, but the Assembly and Brigid's Place soon became closely identified with one another. Brigid's Place assists women in finding mentors, in forming support networks through Small Groups, and in searching for answers to questions about female spirituality, gender roles, theology, and other issues facing religious women in the modern world. Brigid's Place participants join Small Groups, which focus on specific issues of particular importance to women at different stages in life

Brigid's Place is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization with a board of directors; the Rotating Circle, composed of members from smaller communities who serve limited terms, is the advisory board of Brigid's Place. Brigid's Place also publishes an annual newsletter and brochures for their programs.

Scope and Contents

Although the Women's Assembly founded Brigid's Place in 1996, the papers in this collection span from 1993 to 1999. Some research items date to the late 1980s and early 1990s. The papers arrived in five boxes, which split naturally into the two categories of the Women's Assembly and Brigid's Place. The papers were arranged topically and chronologically.

The largest portion of the papers concern the Women's Assembly and Brigid's Place, which are the first two series of the collection. Because the activities of the Women's Assembly quickly became synonymous with Brigid's Place, the papers of the Assembly are included with Brigid's Place beginning with 1996, the year of its foundation. Therefore, the papers relating to the Women's Assembly from 1993 through 1995 were placed in the Women's Assembly series. All papers from 1996 on are in the Brigid's Place series; however, researchers may note some overlap with 1996, and should check both series for complete documentation. These two series contain administrative records; agendas, minutes, notes and fliers for the Rotating Circle and Small Groups; the records of activities, speakers, and ministries for both organizations; and publications.

Papers filed throughout the collection, but which did not directly relate to the functioning and activities of either Brigid's Place or the Women's Assembly, are arranged into two more series: Christ Church, and Other Related Information. The Christ Church series contains various newsletters, minutes, and documents relating to the Christ Church Cathedral, and to other organizations associated with the parish. Other Related Information contains information regarding other religious and women's organization not directly tied to Christ Church, as well as various research materials. The current organization is primarily topical by series and sub-series, and is either topical or chronological within the sub-series.

Detailed Description



Brigid's Place
	Brigid's Place contains the papers relating to the administration and activities of the women's center at Christ Church Cathedral, beginning in January 1996 and continuing through 1999. This series is divided into eight sub-series: Administration, Rotating Circle, Small Groups, Ministries, Activities, Speakers, Labyrinth, and Publications. The Administration sub-series contains the documentation for the creation and organization of Brigid's Place, as well as some financial records, correspondence, and information regarding its board of directors. The folders are arranged alphabetically by subject. The Rotating Circle and the Small Groups sub-series include agendas, minutes, notes, and fliers for the Rotating Circle administrative committee and for the various topical committees of Brigid's Place. The Rotating Circle folders are arranged chronologically, while the Small Groups folders are arranged alphabetically by group name. The Ministries sub-series contains similar information, as well as descriptions and plans for the different outreach programs associated with Brigid's Place. Those folders are arranged chronologically. The Activities and the Speakers sub-series include the plans, budgets, attendance records, fliers, and brochures for various liturgical events, workshops, retreats, and educational lectures sponsored by Brigid's Place. The sub-series are arranged chronologically. Information regarding the research and execution of the Labyrinth, a major project of Brigid's Place in conjunction with other Houston area religious organizations during 1997, is contained in the Labyrinth sub-series. The Publications sub-series contains The Women's Journal newsletter, and Lenten Meditations, a group of prayers for women during the season of Lent.
		Administration
			Creation
box	folder
1	1			Proposal, 1995-1996
	2			Organizational Meetings, 1995
	3			Budgets, 1995-1996
	4			Long Range Planning, 1996
	5			Architectural Plans, 1995
			Organization
box	folder
1	6			Statement of Purpose, 1995-1998
	7			Articles of Incorporation, 1997
	8			By-Laws, 1998
	9			Non-profit Status, 1996-1998
	10			Organizational Structure, n.d.
	11		Board Meetings Information, 1998-1999
	12		Brochures, n.d. [c. 1998]
	13		Computer Disks, n.d.
	14		Correspondence, 1995-1997
	15		Directors Lists, 1994-1996
	16		Treasurer's Reports, 1997-1998
		Rotating Circle
box	folder
1	17		Meeting Information, 1996
	18		Meeting Information, 1997
	19		Meeting Information, 1998
	20		Meeting Information, 1999
		Small Groups
box	folder
1	21		Feminist Forum, 1996-1997
	22		Noontime Meditation, 1996-1997
	23		Women in the Workplace, 1997
		Ministries
box	folder
1	24		Jail Chaplaincy, February 1995
	25		Jewish and Christian Women in Conversation, June 1996
	26		Women in Crisis, 1996-1997
box	folder
2	1		Caring Partners, 1996-1997
	2		Noah Project, 1997
	3		Brigid's Hope, 1999
		Activities
box	folder
2	4		Calendars, 1996-1999
	5		Seasonal Programs, 1997-1999
	6		Blessing of Brigid's Place, August 25, 1996
	7		Yoga, 1996
	8		Outdoor Program, 1996-1997
	9		Workshops, 1996-1998
	10		Theater LaB Benefit, April 1997
	11		Creative Writing Workshop, Spring 1997
	12		“Racism: Woman to Woman,” September 10, 1997
	13		Mary Magdalene Festival, 1997-1998
	14		Retreats, 1997-1999
	15		“Creativity as Sacrament” Workshop, May 8-9, 1998
	16		“A Time for Friends,” November 7, 1998
	17		St. Brigid's Festival, 1998-1999
	18		Women's Spirituality Day, January 23, 1999
	19		Hildegard von Bingen Festival, April 30, 1999
	20		Julian of Norwich Festival, May 5, n.d.
		Speakers
box	folder
2	21		Laurence Freeman, May 1996-Nov. 1997
	22		J. Pittman McGhee, September 6-7, 1996
	23		Richard Howard, September 26, 1996
	24		Living the Questions series (misc.), September 1996-April 1997
	25		Jane Chance, September 1996, June 1997
	26		Don Benjamin and Jennifer Elkins, October 1996
	27		Anne Carolyn Klein, November 1-2, 1996
	28		Erika Lorentz, December 6-7, 1996
	29		John Lienhard, 1996, n.d.
box	folder
3	1		Martha Serpas, January 1997
	2		Edith Mayo, January 1997
	3		Tinka Tarver, March 14-15, 1997
	4		Rev. Michael Mayne, April 1997
	5		Elizabeth Smith, April 1997
	6		Patricia Orr, June 1997
	7		Sue Monk Kidd, September 1997
	8		Fr. Thomas Keating, March 1998
	9		Sister Helen Prejean, March 6, 1999
	10		Betty Adam, n.d.
		Labyrinth
box	folder
3	11		Meetings, 1996-1997
	12		Correspondence, 1995-1997
	13		Budgets, March-April 1997
	14		Events, 1996-1997
	15		Presenter Training, February 9, 1997
	16		Volunteers, 1994-1996
	17		Research, 1991-1997
		Publications
box	folder
3	18		Women's Journal, 1997-1999
	19		Lenten Meditations, 1998-1999



Women's Assembly
	The sub-series for the Women's Assembly are nearly identical to those of Brigid's Place: Administration, Rotating Circle, Small Groups, Ministries, Activities, Speakers, and Publications. The materials are dated 1993-1996. Because Brigid's Place is an extension of the Women's Assembly, the duplicated sub-series contain the same types of papers that are included in Brigid's Place, and follow the same arrangement.
		Administration
			Creation
box	folder
3	20			Organizational Meetings, March-June 1993
	21			Budget Rationale, 1994
			Organization
box	folder
3	22			Mission and Goals, n.d.
	23			Organizational Chart, 1994
	24		Brochure Plans, 1995
	25		Correspondence, 1993-1995, n.d.
	26		Mailing Lists, 1993-1997
		Rotating Circle
box	folder
3	27		Meeting Information, 1993
	28		Meeting Information, 1994
	29		Meeting Information, 1995
	30		Publicity Committee, 1993
		Small Groups
box	folder
3	31		Lists, 1994-1995
	32		Contemplative Woman, 1993-1994
	33		Feminist Forum, 1994-1995
	34		Mothers and Daughters, 1994
	35		Through Her Eyes, n.d.
box	folder
4	1		Weavers, 1994-1995
	2		Wisdom Bearers, 1993
	3		Women in the Workplace, 1993-1995
	4		Women on the Cusp, 1993-1996
	5		Women Praying for Women, n.d.
	6		Women Saints and Mystics, 1993-1996
	7		Women in Crisis, 1993-1996
		Ministries
box	folder
4	8		New Hope Housing, 1996
	9		Caring Partners, n.d.
		Activities
box	folder
4	10		“Savvy, Spirited, Southern,” 1993
	11		Retreats, 1993-1994
	12		“Let Freedom Ring,” 1994
	13		St. Lucia Evening, 1994
	14		Facilitator Workshop, 1994-1995
	15		St. Brigid Festival, 1994-1996
	16		Taskforce (unidentified), 1995
	17		Personal Empowerment Workshop, 1996
	18		Workshops, n.d.
		Speakers
box	folder
4	19		Christine Cozzens and Donna Sadler, September 1993
	20		“Herstory”: Women of the Bible, November 1993
	21		Speakers Bureau, 1993
	22		Carol Anderson, 1993
	23		East Harris County Convocation, n.d. [c. 1993-1994]
	24		John Lienhard, May 1994
	25		Parker Palmer, September 1994
	26		Allison Cheek, May 1995
	27		Daphne Grimes, April 1996
	28		Lois Ann Peckham, May 1996
		Publications
box	folder
4	29		Newsletters, 1993-1996
	30		Matrix Award, 1995
box	folder
5	1		Notes, 1993-1994
	2		Notes, 1995
	3		Notes, 1996
	4		Photos, n.d.
	5		Mailing List, n.d.



Christ Church
	The Christ Church sub-series and folders contain papers relating to Christ Church Cathedral and its other organizations for the years 1985 through 1999. The folders in this series are arranged alphabetically by topic: Administration, Cathedral Organizations, Cathedral Bulletin, Events, and Miscellaneous. The Administration folders are arranged alphabetically, and contain church policies, brochures, parish reports and plans of action. The Cathedral Organizations includes minutes, information, and fliers concerning Christ Church organizations other than the Women's Assembly or Brigid's Place. The folders are arranged alphabetically. The two Cathedral Bulletin folders contain an incomplete set of newsletters for the Cathedral from 1992-1999. The Events folder contains fliers for various church functions. The Miscellaneous folders contains fliers, clippings and other information related to Christ Church, but not directly related to the other subseries and folders in the Christ Church series.
		Administration
box	folder
5	6		Brochures, n.d.
	7		Building Use Policies, 1997, n.d.
	8		Church Policies, 1992-1995
	9		Parish Report, 1994-1999
	10		Plan of Action, 1997
		Cathedral Organizations
box	folder
5	11		Daughters of the King, 1985-1986, 1990-1994
	12		Guild of the Christ Child, 1993
	13		Ladies' Parish Association, 1992-1997
	14		Mary and Martha Guild, 1993-1995
	15		Women's Breakfast, 1992-1997
	16	Cathedral Bulletin, 1992-1996
box	folder
6	1	Cathedral Bulletin, 1997-1999
	2	Events, 1994-1999
	3	Miscellaneous, 1996-1998



Other Related Information
	The Other Related Information series contains papers not directly related to Christ Church Cathedral, the Women's Assembly, or Brigid's Place, dated 1986 through 1999. Three sub-series are found in the Other Related Information series: Organizations, Conferences/Events, and Research. The Organizations sub-series folders are arranged into two groups: Women's and Religious. Women's Organizations include both secular and religious groups focusing primarily on women. Religious Organizations include only religious groups that have no particular gender association. The folders in the two Organizations groups are arranged alphabetically. The Conferences/Events sub-series includes programs and information for conferences or similar events that were not sponsored by Christ Church, the Women's Assembly, or Brigid's Place. These folders are arranged alphabetically. The Research sub-series contains clippings, papers, notes, brochures and publications relating to the various issues that concerned the women of Brigid's Place. These folders are arranged alphabetically by topic. All of the material in the Other Related Information series provides context for the different activities, networking, and ideas that influenced the creation and functioning of Brigid's Place. The oversized box contains three issues of New York Times Magazine, January and April 1990, and June 1993; three issues of the Texas Episcopalian, September 1996, and March and May 1999. The box also contains one page from the April 1995 Texas Episcopalian, and ten sheets of butcher paper with notes written on them.
		Organizations
			Women's
box	folder
6	4			Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1993
	5			Episcopal Women's Caucus, 1993-1995
	6			Federation of Houston Professional Women, 1994-1997
	7			Gladney Center (adoption), n.d.
	8			Greater Houston Women's Foundation, 1993-1997
	9			Houston Area Women's Center, 1993-1994
	10			National Assembly of Religious Women, 1992-1993
	11			Planned Parenthood, 1991-1996
	12			UH Women's Studies Program, 1993-1996
	13			Women for Social Witness, 1993
	14			Women in Mission and Ministry, 1992-1995
	15			Other, 1993-1996
			Religious
box	folder
6	16			Center for Progressive Christianity, 1996-1997
	17			Episcopal Diocese, 1988-1999
	18			Institute of Religion, 1994
	19			Jung Center, 1996-1997
	20			“Let Freedom Ring,” 1995
box	folder
7	1			New York Open Center, 1996
	2			Other, 1992-1998
		Conferences/Events
box	folder
7	3		“Catching Fire,” 1992
	4		“Continuum of Violence,” 1992
	5		Trinity Institute National Conferences, 1992-1995
	6		“A Vision of Wholeness,” 1994
	7		“Women in Photography,” 1993-1994
	8		Other, 1993-1996
		Research
box	folder
7	9		Anglican Spirituality and Liturgy, 1974-1994
	10		Diversity, 1992-1995
	11		Family Issues, 1992-1995
	12		Feminism, 1990-1994
	13		Gospel of John, n.d.
	14		Male/Female Difference, 1988, n.d.
	15		Prayer, n.d.
	16		Reproduction Issues, n.d.
	17		St. Brigid of Ireland, 1954, 1994
	18		St. Hildegard von Bingen, 1998
	19		St. Lucia, n.d.
	20		Science and Religion, n.d.
box	folder
8	1		Supplemental Liturgical Materials, 1993-1997
	2		Women and Education, 1993-1994
	3		Women and Spirituality, 1985-1994
	4		Women in the Clergy, 1986-1994
	5		Women's Health, 1991-1992
	6		Women's Self-Esteem, 1990-1997
	7		Handwritten Notes, n.d.
	8		Other, n.d.
box	folder
9	OV-1		Oversized, 1990-1999