Join Me on Mission
Living in the Family of God
“‘This is my commandment, the you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'“ -John 13:12-13
Life as a Friend of the Bridegroom
I delight in living as a Friend of the Bridegroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Bethany House of Prayer. There, I am learning to live a life dedicated to the renewal of the priesthood and women’s religious life through prayer and intercession, study, hospitality, and preaching and teaching others about His love and life, whenever I have the opportunity. This life is pure gift.
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Prayer and Intercession
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." -John 15:4
One of the greatest gifts of being a missionary is dedicated time for prayer, growing in personal intimacy with the Bridegroom.
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Study
"No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." -1 John 4:12
Loving the women I live with and the guests that we receive, especially priests and religious, at the Bethany House is one of the most beautiful ways that I get to serve. Whether it is baking fresh bread, taking Sisters for ice cream, or cleaning a bathroom, being available to pour love into our home is integral to our mission. After all, "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and "wherever there is love, healing is constantly occurring."
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Hospitality
"And he said to them, 'Follow me...'" -Matthew 4:19
I always laugh when people ask what my "day-to-day" looks like. It's never the same.
Imagine a combination of a stay-at-home mom, event coordinator, and communication director.
As this movement grows, I've started to just ask Jesus, "How do you want me to make a gift of myself today?" Then, I try to listen, and simply say, "yes" to whatever is needed.
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Preaching and Teaching
"What have you that you did not receive?" -1 Corinthians 4:7
Serving in a movement dedicated to the renewal of the Church, I take my own personal journey of renewal very seriously. Taking time to receive the truth of who God is and who he has made me to be, especially through study, retreats, and other formation opportunities, helps prepare me to receive those we serve.
Join me.
Living in Loving Dependence
Firstly, I beg your prayers, “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). If you aren’t already, please pray our prayer for renewal every day!
Part of the way I serve this movement is by not taking a salary from Friends of the Bridegroom. In a real way, I’m staking my life on the truth of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew, where He invites us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” promising that “all these things shall be yours as well” (Matthew 6:33).
If you are moved to join this movement by supporting me financially, I am so deeply grateful. There are instructions on how to do so below.
Know of my prayers!
Donation Instructions
I’d invite you to prayerfully consider whether this may be a way the Lord is inviting you to support the renewal of women’s religious life. If so, you can click the link below to donate online through Brew City Catholic (a missionary program in our Archdiocese that I serve under), or by sending a check made out to Brew City Catholic with “EMILY DAVENPORT” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to 1331 N Astor St. Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. God bless you!
