Women's Ministry:
Self Compassion
This group was formed to offer women an opportunity to build community and grow together spiritually and emotionally. Each semester we choose a different book to study and discuss. In January 2026, we will study Self Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind.
The relentless pursuit of high self-esteem has become a virtual religion. Our ultracompetitive culture tells us we need to be constantly above average to feel good about ourselves, but there is always someone more attractive, successful, or intelligent than we are. And even when we do manage to grab hold of high self-esteem for a brief moment, we can't seem to keep it. Our sense of self-worth goes up and down like a Ping-Pong ball, rising and falling in lockstep with our latest success or failure.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to self-esteem that many experts believe is a better and more effective path to happiness: self-compassion. The research of Dr. Kristin Neff and other leading psychologists indicates that people who are compassionate toward their failings and imperfections experience greater well-being than those who repeatedly judge themselves.
Join Rev. Priscilla MacDougall as we explore why it's important to be self-compassionate and give ourselves the same caring support we'd give a good friend. Using empirical research, personal stories, practical exercises, and humor, we will seek to heal destructive emotional patterns to be healthier, happier, and more effective.
