What is Community of Spice?

Community of Spice was conceived as a medium to reach out to persons married to clergy. Frequently these persons are female, but more and more there are husbands and committed partners of clergy who find themselves in this unique and fascinating - as well as trying and isolating - way of life.

Stereotypes about us abound, but those stereotypes constrain everyone...those being stereotyped and those making the stereotyped judgements. Stereotyping diminishes all of us. This community seeks to address the issues and support all people who must deal with them.

Our goals are to:

  • Build a community of clergy spouses and partners
  • Address issues unique to clergy families
  • Share common experiences
  • Publish a quarterly newsletter


We embrace the label "liberal". We take up the characteristic "conservative".
Sometimes we are asked if those of us who are affiliated with the production of the publication are conservative or liberal. We are evenly split politically and theologically.

This is not a publication that debates the issues of the day. We are spouses dealing with our own day to day issues; compassionately reaching out to each other, affectionately supporting each other.

Community of Spice was conceived by and is produced by spouses of Episcopal clergypersons.
Produced quarterly, the publication deals with issues and concerns, joys and successes of those of us who have attached our lives and hearts to the clergy. While the majority of subscribers are wives of bishops, priests and deacons, we also count among our subscribers husbands of clergy, spouses of seminarians, ordained spouses, and committed partners of clergy.

How can I subscribe to Community of Spice?

Community of Spice is available by subscription and is published quarterly (January, April, July and October).

A yearly subscription costs $17. If you are interested in a yearly subscription (4 issues), please send a check or money order to:
Community of Spice
1505 Deerfield Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904

There are copies of the first two issues available on a first come, first served basis.

Special Offer:
Each time you recommend a newsletter subscription to a fellow clergy spouse (or friend), we will extend your subscription by one issue. Just make sure that the new subscriber mentions your name when sending in their check or money order and your friend's subscription (and $17) will get you an additional issue FREE! Recommend us to four friends and you could get an entire year's subscription absolutely free! There is no limit to the number of free issues you can receive, so recommend this newsletter to all your friends!!

For more information

Karen D Powers
Community of Spice
www.communityofspice.org

Would you like to contribute to upcoming issues?

The theme for October 2006 issue is Clergy Children. If you have insight into the following questions please contact us at communityofspice@new.rr.com

How are your children treated or perceived...

  • by parishioners?
  • by the community?
  • by their teachers and classmates?
  • by friends and/or roommates?
  • by spouses or in-laws?

In our Subscribers' words...

"I think this is the single greatest thing I've seen to support spouses."

"You've started a good thing, and I hope more clergy spouses will take advantage."

"Definitely worth the $17!"