The Christian Scriptures contain myriad stories of women who are connected in heart and in history.   Who are they and what can they teach us about faith and friendship?  What words of hope, courage, and grace might they offer to women today?  This morning program will include prayer, text study, conversation and making connections with these women and with each other. 

The Rev. Donna K. Manocchio is the senior pastor of Rocky Hill Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, and an adjunct faculty member in spirituality and interfaith relations at Hartford Seminary.  A certified spiritual director, she previously served as the Associate Director of the Women’s Leadership Institute at the Seminary and she and Janet Bristow have presented numerous times together in a variety of settings. Donna is passionate about discovering women’s stories in the Bible and in the world as a source of inspiration and hope.

Janet Bristow, a graduate of the first Women's Leadership Institute at Hartford Seminary, is a 2009 recipient of its Distinguished Alumna Award. She is co-founder of The Prayer Shawl Ministry and co-author of The Prayer Shawl Companion and The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion.  She is a parishioner of St. Patrick & St. Anthony Church in Hartford, coordinator of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and member of the Women of Hope Ministry and Pastoral Council.