“Pomrenke opens our eyes to God as mother in stories of attachment and commitment that open our hearts to the challenges and extra scrutiny faced by clergy mothers. Our faith communities, like families, thrive when they value the relational gifts that mothering energy brings.”
—Martha Spong, clergy coach, and co-author of Denial is My Spiritual Practice (and Other Failures of Faith)

“Lee Ann M. Pomrenke does a marvelous job, through storytelling and scriptural reflections, of portraying God’s mothering attributes and identity to help us understand the complexities of the life and ministry of clergy mothers. This book is an invitation to reflect on our internalized gender stereotypes and attitudes with and within the Church. Embodied creates a platform for much-needed deep conversations about the role and space of clergy mothers in the church in today’s world.”
—Miguelina Howell, Dean Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut

Introduction: Solidarity

A Note on Word Choice and Metaphor

1. The Wait

2. Mama in the Center

3. Unpacking “Like a Family”

4. Scrutiny (and the Ministry of Unseen Details)

5. God Give Us Discipline . . . and Flexibility

6. Divided Attention and Loyalty

7. Emotional Labor

8. Who Is the Church for Us?

9. Mother to One, Mother to All

Acknowledgments

Suggested Reading