• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Deep Faith Conference
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / Menno Snapshots / The Women in Leadership Project: I keep coming back
Oct 16 2015

The Women in Leadership Project: I keep coming back

Moniqua

Moniqua Acosta has been a part of the Women in Leadership Project since 2012.  She previously served as an intern and advisory board member of the former Women’s Concerns desk at Mennonite Central Committee. Her educational background is social work with an emphasis on children and families. She is currently a member of the New Holland Spanish Mennonite Church Jesucristo es el Señor, and has attended the church for the last 29 years.

My engagement with the Women in Leadership Project has energized me, and so I keep coming back.

My journey with the Women in Leadership Project began at a point in my life when I didn’t feel I had much to offer to this important work. I never considered myself knowledgeable or particularly skilled in the area of power and gender dynamics. I think at times I felt that my contribution to the church was limited at best. But given my personality, to always give when asked (or better put, not be able to say no), I went into this venture of serving on the steering committee. And it has truly been a blessing to me, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

The WLP has shown me that at the very core of things, EVERY person has a voice and is a vital member of the church, we are pieces of a whole.

We don’t have to always agree (and we don’t) or be best friends, but we should always have mutual respect and love for our brothers and sisters.

While the work we do with the WLP is not easy or comfortable to process, it challenges me to dig deeper into myself and rely on the strength the Creator gives me through personal meditation, and to rely on my very capable sisters on the steering committee. I am stretched to seek out more information and to be vulnerable when challenged to think differently.

At times we disagree, but as we seek to understand one another we encounter creativity and make space for innovation to flourish.

We realize that together we are stronger and so is our work. The positive and life giving energy that flows from our time together is truly a blessing to me. This blessing reaches out and extends into my professional, church and family life. I depart from our meetings with a more hope for our work and our church.

Our work – naming and undoing the sexism within our denomination – is very near and dear to my heart, and it isWLPLogoSwirls important for many people across the church. I truly believe it should continue to be embedded into to mission and values of our denomination. I continue to come back and stay engaged with the WLP because of the connection and respect I have for our church, and the hope I have that my children will also feel connected and valued as members of this church family. I use the word family because that is how I view our denomination. We are a family that does not always agree, that at times needs space and separation, but we are also a family that refuses to give up hope that we will stay connected. I believe that Jesus is who keeps the connection from breaking.

I look forward to many more life-giving experiences with the WLP, and I hope that this ministry will be lifted up in prayer by the church, so that all can feel connected and energized through this work.

  • Posted in Menno Snapshots, Women in Leadership
  • Tagged Moniqua Acosta, Women in Leadership Project
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail
Official comments policy for users of Mennonite Church USA’s websites and other social networking tools. We reserve the right to remove any comment that violates this policy.
  • The purpose of comments is to engage in constructive dialogue.
  • Please provide your own full name.
  • Be respectful. If you’re offering criticism, focus on others’ ideas — not their motives, person, character or faith. Consider the log in your own eye before pressing ‘Enter.’
Comments are moderated. Comments with any content that is deemed obscene, libelous, defamatory or hateful toward an individual or group will not be approved. Comments will remain open for 10 days.
    --
Política de comentarios oficiales para los usuarios de los sitios en Internet y otras herramientas de redes sociales pertenecientes a la Iglesia Menonita de EE.UU. Nos reservamos el derecho de eliminar cualquier comentario que viola esta política.
  • El propósito de los comentarios es entablar el diálogo constructivo.
  • Por favor brinde su propio nombre completo.
  • Sea respetuoso. Si ofrece críticas, enfóquese en las ideas del otro, no en sus motivos, su persona, su carácter o su fe. Considere la viga en su propio ojo antes de apretar ‘Intro’
Los comentarios son analizados. Aquellos comentarios que contengan contenido que se considere obsceno, calumnioso, difamatorio u odioso hacia algún individuo o grupo no será aprobado. Los comentarios permanecerán abiertos por 10 días.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore categories

Search

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE