From Sermon to Song, Lessons and Inspiration
This past weekend, the Reverend Becca Stevens joined the Circle as the 2013 Pyne Lecturer and spoke about changing the balance of love in the world through individual efforts.
Ms. Stevens, an Episcopal priest at Vanderbilt University, shared her involvement with Magdalene, a two-year residential community for women who have survived prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. After seeing the impact the program brought to its residents, she concluded, “Even smalls acts of love can change the balance of love in the world.”
Ms. Stevens also founded Thistle Farms, a social enterprise that employs Magdalene residents and graduates and produces a line of natural body care products. Through Thistle Farms, the women of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, share their stories, and learn cooperation. The Thistle Stop Café, as Ms. Stevens explained, anchors a corner of the Thistle Farms building and serves as a stage for the women to share their stories and showcase their artistic talents. The Café impresses not only with its beautiful decorations but also with its incredible healing power.
At the end of her lecture, Ms. Stevens stressed, “Faith, humility, and compassion are all it takes to change the world.”
Besides her Sunday afternoon lecture, Ms. Stevens delivered a sermon on Sunday and a Chapel talk on Monday. In addition, her husband, Marcus Hummon, who has written several hit songs and won a Grammy for Best Country Song, worked closely with Groton students, offering a master class in songwriting and a workshop in which he critiqued students' original songs. He finished with a concert in Gammons Recital Hall.
The Percy and Eben Pyne Chapel Lecture was established in 2007 by members of the Pyne family to bring distinguished guests to speak to the Groton community.--Amy Zhang '14
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Ms. Stevens also founded Thistle Farms, a social enterprise that employs Magdalene residents and graduates and produces a line of natural body care products. Through Thistle Farms, the women of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, share their stories, and learn cooperation. The Thistle Stop Café, as Ms. Stevens explained, anchors a corner of the Thistle Farms building and serves as a stage for the women to share their stories and showcase their artistic talents. The Café impresses not only with its beautiful decorations but also with its incredible healing power.
At the end of her lecture, Ms. Stevens stressed, “Faith, humility, and compassion are all it takes to change the world.”
Besides her Sunday afternoon lecture, Ms. Stevens delivered a sermon on Sunday and a Chapel talk on Monday. In addition, her husband, Marcus Hummon, who has written several hit songs and won a Grammy for Best Country Song, worked closely with Groton students, offering a master class in songwriting and a workshop in which he critiqued students' original songs. He finished with a concert in Gammons Recital Hall.
The Percy and Eben Pyne Chapel Lecture was established in 2007 by members of the Pyne family to bring distinguished guests to speak to the Groton community.--Amy Zhang '14
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