This is Only the Beginning
I’ll see you this week, beloveds, on the pages of Blessed Are the Women, and in real life, as we breathe, together, and then let the women, ourselves, and our sacred, untold stories fly.
Dearly Beloved,
It’s 6:18 a.m., and I receive a text from a dear friend.
One sip of coffee in, I smile when I see her name on the screen of my phone—Maria Kane.
She was an early reader of Blessed Are the Women, when it still had the working title of Women’s Gospel. She endorsed my book well before I received any other accolades for it, and she’s been my friend, writing companion, and sister for more than 10 years now. An episcopal priest with a Ph.D. in history, she is a gracious editor and loving pastor, and the fact that I get to call her “friend” is a marvel.
I swipe up on my phone’s screen, eager to see her message.
It reads: “You will only release your first book once. I am praying you bask in the wonder and holiness of it all this coming week.”
My shoulders relax away from my ears. I breathe deeply, and a soft smile stretches across my face.
Maria’s words remind me that I and we are held in a Love that transcends time and space. Her words allow me to bask in the wonder and holiness of the book I wrote and channeled and prayed and breathed and danced into being. Maria invites me to lean fully into the goodness and warmth I feel every time I hold Blessed Are the Women, and Maria calls me back to the women themselves, whose community and compassion transform the world.
***
I really love Blessed Are the Women, which I suppose is what you hope for when you set out to write a book.
But I don’t love her because she’s mine. I love her because she’s ours.
The Good News According (not to) Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, but to Women.
The Good News According to Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Eve, Susanna, Salome, Adama, Miriam, Mari, Edith, Rachel, Sarah, Leah, Ashera, Talliya, and Mary Magdalene.
The Good News According to Me. The Good News According to You.
Sacred stories from, by, with, and for us. Stories that can shift the world closer to Love. Stories that can help us heal from male dominated, patriarchal constructs that perpetuate rigid gender roles that harm us all.
Blessed Are the Women is an invitation to play and practice a way of reading sacred story that invites curiosity and wonder, openness and generosity. We get to bring our whole selves to the text. We get to imagine what a woman-led faith can be. And we get to live it—through the stories of the women, and through the stories of our own lives. Thanks be to God.
***
As we approach the official release of Blessed Are the Women in two days and the book launch celebration at Parnassus Books here in Nashville, Tennessee on February 28, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. (come one, come all!), I feel all manner of thing—nervous, excited, curious, grateful.
Underneath it all is the pesky thing we call hope. That thing with the feathers that wants to fly. (Emily Dickinson)
When I asked Love what she wanted me to know in these days leading up to the big release and the exciting launch, she simply said, “Breathe. This is only the beginning.”
Love, ever on point, is right, you know? This is only the beginning of what I hope is a long and beautiful journey of allowing the women and their stories to transform us and therefore our faith into an ever widening circle with women’s names, stories, experiences, and hope at the very center.
I’ll see you this week, beloveds, on the pages of Blessed Are the Women, and in real life, as we breathe, together, and then let the women, ourselves, and our sacred, untold stories fly.
With love and gratitude,
Claire
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BOOK RELEASE EVENTS! JOIN ME IN-PERSON + ONLINE!
We’re almost full for the Parnassus Book Launch! Make sure to reserve your spot here!
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JOIN ME ON MY TEXAS BOOK TOUR!
RSVP for Fabled Bookstore (Waco) event here! (It’s free!)
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OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
3.13.2024 | Seventh and James Baptist Church | 6 p.m.
3.19.2024 | Faculty Lunch and Learn, Abilene Christian University | 11:30 a.m.
If you’re interested in finding a time for me to teach, lead, and/or preach at your church, with your community, or at your organization, please email me at claire@clairemckeeverburgett.com. I’m available both in-person and virtually.
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HELP! BOOK REVIEWS!
If you purchased your book on Amazon, please take a few minutes to give Blessed Are the Women a five-star review. Visit this page, scroll to the bottom, and click on the button that reads “Write a Customer Review.”
I need at least 35 reviews for the algorithm to kick in and pay more attention to the book—recommending it, advertising it, etc. Will you help me get even more than 35?
Just like preorders tell booksellers you want this book, reviews tell both booksellers AND the general public AND the pesky algorithm that you loved it and they will, too. Thank you! Love you! Happy reading and reviewing!
Thank you for reading my Substack. This post is public so feel free to share it.
Happy release week! 💗💗 I just left a review! (Apparently Amazon has to review the review before it goes public. 🤔) Oceans of love your way during this special season!