You Are A Woman Of Saint Michael by Adele Broughton and Sarah Hamlin

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” –Psalm 19:1

Who exactly are the Women of Saint Michael, and what must you do to join? It could not be any simpler: all women who are members of our parish are members of Women of Saint Michael (WOSM). Our purpose is to “be the extension of Christ’s Kingdom by uniting the women of the parish in a program of worship, study, service, and fellowship and leading them into the service for the Church in the parish, the community, the diocese, the nation, and the world.”

Since 1945, the Women of Saint Michael (WOSM) have organized activities that included, in the early days, publishing cookbooks, organizing home tours, producing musical performances, and holding Christmas bazaars. Today’s robust programming offers luncheon speakers addressing a wide range of timely topics and representatives of nonprofit agencies speaking about their essential work in the community, along with parish-wide evening programs, the Parish Party or Mardi Gras Party, annual Spring Luncheon, and numerous volunteer opportunities within the church and the Dallas community.

For the first time since 2019, the Women of Saint Michael (WOSM) are excited to announce the return of the always-popular Parish Party. With an apropos theme of “Work of Heart” and chaired this year by Kittie Buchanan and Hallie Lawrence, everyone should mark their calendar now to join the festivities on February 2 at

The Arts Mansion on Ross Avenue. Be assured that Auction Co-Chairs Emily Billingsley and Kristi Staffieri will have plenty of exceptional items on which to bid while Zoe Hart, Rebecca McDaniel, Christi Morrow, and Erin Osborne will orchestrate a Wine and Bourbon gathering party like no other!

Perhaps the most well-known activity hosted by the Women of Saint Michael (WOSM) is the annual speaker series. This year’s line-up promises to be engaging and enlightening as we contemplate our interactions with Art and how Art, the Decorative Arts, and Literature can inspire Spirituality. Beginning in the Fall, with the return of the lunchtime series, we will hear from our own Rector about the plans for the Parish, and Capera Ryan, on the topic of Collecting Visual and Decorative Arts. Finally, we will reexamine Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice with renowned Barbara Heller before enjoying a lovely and traditional High Tea. We will close out our year with the annual Spring Luncheon, where artist Anne Neilson will share personal stories about her faith and how it resonates in her work.

Another enduring institution of the Women of Saint Michael (WOSM) is the Saint Michael Woman’s Exchange, which began life in Highland Park Village in 1939 as a consignment shop called the “Woman’s Exchange.” Originally, the store served as a source of income for consignors, for whom jobs were scarce. Several years later, the Junior League of Dallas purchased the store as a fundraising project. By 1958, the WOSM bought the store from The Junior League for $1,500 to create the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange we all enjoy today. Our store has occupied #5 Highland Park Village for over six decades and is an institution in the shopping center. On the surface, the Exchange looks like other chic gift shops. But it isn’t. Volunteers run our store–a real community effort; we love that!

Every year, the WOSM Gifts Committee makes grants to nonprofit agencies with funds generated from sales at the Exchange and from fundraising activities, such as the Parish Party and generous individual donations. Since 1967, the WOSM have distributed over $11.6 million to more than 200 agencies, reviewing over 100 grant applications annually. WOSM grants focus on supporting crisis needs and addressing financial stability for those living in poverty in Dallas County and beyond. The Gift Committee uses the criteria outlined in the Book of Matthew. Last year alone, after a banner year at the Exchange, more than $600,000 was distributed to 71 organizations around the Dallas metroplex.

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.”

Certainly, SMAA has grown and adapted to societal changes as necessary over the years. Still, one thing that has remained constant is that the WOSM has remained an organization for women of all ages to find joy, fellowship, and engagement while working together to fulfill SMAA’s missions. Whether we are cooking in the Parish Kitchen, teaching Sunday School, VBS, or Confirmation, reviewing grants with the Gifts Committee, arranging flowers for Sunday services, or serving one of our outreach opportunities, our younger parishioners make connections to gain wisdom and experience from our older parishioners. Meanwhile, our older generation forges new friendships and finds perhaps unexpected learning. In all cases, the WOSM provides an environment for rekindling, enhancing, or initiating rich, lasting friendships while fulfilling the gratifying work in which Saint Michael and All Angel participates.

Our world continues to be fraught with polarization and multiple challenges. This year, as President of the WOSM, Adele Broughton invites us to take a minute to stop, look, and appreciate the beautiful, artistic world in which we live. Her focus on art, literature, and the decorative arts “offers us an encounter, which is a gift—a spiritual gift that might bring us into a deeper relationship to God and a focus on something bigger than ourselves.” Come as you are, and when you are able, to join the kind, conscientious, riotously funny, talented, and welcoming Women of Saint Michael.

**This article was written by Adele Broughton and Sarah Hamlin and was featured in the 2023 Fall Archangel.