Woman: A Rite of Passage is a mentoring program designed to facilitate the transforming journey of Christian womanhood by developing participants’ relationship with God, themselves, others and Creation.

The Woman journey includes eight large group meetings of instruction and interaction, small group meetings, one-on-one sessions, and biweekly mentoring. Participants enjoy reading assignments, special projects, and other opportunities for growth.
The meetings follow and respond to the progression outlined and explained in the Book of Womanhood. We explore themes like the image of God in humanity, caring for and loving ourselves physically and emotionally, developing confidence and voice, modeling our relationship with others after Jesus’ relational habits, creativity, creation care, and Sabbath.

The journey culminates in the Crossing Over Ceremony, where participants present a creative project that shows how they now understand womanhood to the Woman community and invited guests. Each participant is honored with a custom-designed necklace and blessing.
Are you interested in learning more about the next Woman cohort?  Please contact the site coordinator: Alison Strange at astrange@centerpoint.faith
2023-24 Mentor List
Learn more about WOMAN

FAQs

Q: Who should participate in Woman: A Rite of Passage?
A: There is no specific age limit for Woman: A Rite of Passage. Those who have participated in the program as mentees have ranged in age from late teens to mid-40s, with the bulk being in their early 20s. Participants of every age have found the program beneficial & empowering for their own reasons.
Woman: A Rite of Passage is truly for any woman seeking to gain a deeper understanding of both her own unique God-given calling, and of God’s heart and call for all women as valuable contributors to the Kingdom of God.

Q: Do participants have to be affiliated with Centerpoint church?
A: No, Woman: A Rite of Passage is open to women both within and outside Centerpoint church.

Q: What is the Time Commitment?
A: The co-hort runs 8 months: September - April and consists of 1 group meeting per month and 2 one on one meetings with a personal mentor. Participants & mentors will also read 1-2 chapters per month from the Book of Womanhood to help guide their meetings.
Group meetings are held the 2nd Sunday of each month from 6:30-8:00pm; concluding with the Crossing Over Ceremony the evening of Sunday, April 14th. Mentor meetings are agreed upon by each mentor & participant according to their own schedule.

Q: Who Created the Program?
A: Woman: A Rite of Passage was created by Rev. Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah in 2010 because she saw a need: women at her college were not firm in their identity as Christian women or empowered to be their true selves in the world. She had the same needs when she graduated college. So, she did doctoral-level research pertaining to rites of passage within Christian communities.

Q: Why is it called a "Rite of Passage?"
A: The purpose of a Rite of Passage is to move participants from one state of being to another state of being. In this program, the purpose is to help participants move into a clear understanding of their identity as a Christian woman. Unlike a typical Bible study or mentoring program which may seek to facilitate similar transformation, Woman is truly a transformative community journey, based on years of doctoral-level research and practice.
For more on why a “rite of passage” see the article: A Rite of Passage

Q: What can women who participate in the Woman Rite of Passage expect to experience?
A: Women who participate in the Woman Rite of Passage can expect to discover their unique identity through developing relationship with God, themselves, others, and creation. Participants will be guided on a journey to understand, appreciate, and integrate the rhythms of their bodies and spirit, as well as a journey to restore their physical and metaphorical voice; learning to speak and engage in diverse creative expression.
Throughout the program, we will explore themes like the image of God in humanity, caring for and loving ourselves physically and emotionally, developing confidence and voice, modeling our relationship with others after Jesus’ relational habits, creativity, creation care, and Sabbath.
The women who participate no longer look to a romantic relationship or a personal role to define themselves; they learn and embrace who God has formed them to be in their unique relationship with God, self, others, and creation.

Q: What do Alumna have to say about Woman: A Rite of Passage?
A: “Through Woman, I gained a deeper respect for myself as a woman of God. I have learned to accept myself more, and to embrace the freedom I have in Christ. Before I felt so limited as a woman. However, now I feel free to be who I am, with all of my abilities, thoughts, feminine characteristics, and even the so-called "masculine" ones, like leadership.” - Woman Participant
“I love mentoring women throughout this program because it is truly amazing to watch how God uses it to transform girls into Godly women before my very eyes. Amy offers clear guidelines, tremendous support, and beautiful ceremonies where you can actually see the fruit of your labor of love.  It is amazing to see a group of confident, world-changing women gather together at the end of the year to present what the Lord has done.” - Woman Mentor

Q: What is the cost of the program?
A: There is a $150 one-time registration fee for all participants. Scholarships are available. If cost is a barrier, please contact Alison on how to apply for a scholarship.

Q: I am curious about participating in Woman: A Rite of Passage, what are my next steps?
A: Those interested in participating in Woman: A Rite of Passage should email Alison Strange at astrange@centerpoint.faith to express their interest no later than August 15th.