A call to support 318 WOMEN to gather in 2025 to review the Christian notion of God and the Creed, 1,700 years after 318 MEN met in Nicaea to do the same. Let us make it happen!
By Jamie Coats
- In the year 325, a single man, the Roman Emperor Constantine I, a convert to Christianity, summoned delegates from throughout the Roman Empire to decide on the “correct” belief of the Christian Church. These men–318, according to some historians– met as a Council in Nicaea starting on June 19th. They defined the Godhead as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and created the original Nicene Creed.
We believe it will be wonderful and inspiring for 318 women to gather in 2025 and declare how they view the Godhead and the “correct” belief of the Christian Church. - Men – can we be quiet for a moment, pause, breathe and listen? For nearly 1,700 years God has been predominantly defined in the Christian context by the men of Nicaea. Can we, men, be supportive to listen to the voices of our sisters?
As men, we join in pledging not to obstruct, but to support without strings and provide funds for the Council of 318 women. We do not expect to participate, and will be bold enough to listen, support, and wait to learn what happens. - Women – so many sisters have been silenced. Before a new council, please ask women all over the world, and anyone who does not identify as male, to meet to read the gospels and reflect and comment on the power of the gospels.
As women, we will support and provide funds for the Council of 318 women; we will encourage women to read the gospels and reflect on why Jesus was so adored by the women of his time. - Dear 318 women: We do not know how you will organize yourselves, but please engage with men afterwards and help them understand how you define the Godhead and the creed we need.
We, the undersigned, look forward to learning what the 318 women discern, and will share their news widely to inform the deepening of our faith.
Please sign the Mary Manifesto
41 signatures
I will keep you updated on progress of building a coalition of men and women to support this idea through my newsletter.
Read the poem and story that inspired the writing of the Mary Manifesto.
Latest Signatures
| 41 | F/♀: Nicole Hershey |  United States |
Jan 22, 2021 | ||
| 40 | M/♂: Mike Kennedy | United States |
Jan 22, 2021 | ||
| 39 | F/♀: Helen Van Koevering | United States |
Jan 22, 2021 | ||
| 38 | F/♀: Sarah Henderson | United States |
Jan 21, 2021 | ||
| 37 | F/♀: Jerusalem Greer | United States |
Jan 19, 2021 | ||
| 36 | F/♀: Christianna Singh |  India |
I’m a woman and God reveals that my life matters... I am an important and beautiful part of His Master design! | Jan 19, 2021 | |
| 35 | F/♀: Bernadette Raspante | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 34 | F/♀: Carol Nyberg | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 33 | F/♀: Wendie Roberts | United States |
After having read, "The Chalice & The Blade" 28 yrs ago, I think this gathering would be fabulous! | Jan 18, 2021 | |
| 32 | F/♀: Pamela Moore | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 31 | F/♀: MICHELLE DAYTON | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 30 | M/♂: David Moloney |  United Kingdom |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 29 | F/♀: Catherine Powell | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 28 | F/♀: Catherine Tyndall Boyd | United States |
This feels powerful and meaningful, Jamie. Thank you. | Jan 18, 2021 | |
| 27 | F/♀: Katherine Doyle | United States |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 26 | F/♀: Audrey Stewart | United Kingdom |
Jan 18, 2021 | ||
| 25 | F/♀: Meloni Armstrong | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 24 | F/♀: Jamy Madeja | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 23 | F/♀: Catherine Maresca | United States |
I’ve been working on my creed for so long. What a delight to work on it out loud with other women | Jan 17, 2021 | |
| 22 | F/♀: Melissa Rau | United States |
Gosh, I’d love to take part in this! As long as there aren’t too many other white American women. | Jan 17, 2021 | |
| 21 | F/♀: Lisa Puccio | United States |
♡ | Jan 17, 2021 | |
| 20 | F/♀: James Goodmann | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 19 | F/♀: Suzanne Haraburd | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 18 | M/♂: Peter Field | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 17 | F/♀: Emily West | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 16 | F/♀: Susan Sevier | United States |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 15 | M/♂: Abraham Oliden |  Mexico |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 14 | F/♀: Jane Shaw | United Kingdom |
Jan 17, 2021 | ||
| 13 | F/♀: Belén Gatica |  Chile |
Waiting to know and learn from the results of this initiative | Jan 15, 2021 | |
| 12 | F/♀: Suka Joshua | India |
A unique initiative! | Jan 12, 2021 | |
| 11 | F/♀: Thora Beatty |  United States Minor Outlying Islands |
Course | Jan 11, 2021 | |
| 10 | F/♀: Belinda Bennet | India |
Its about time! | Jan 10, 2021 | |
| 9 | F/♀: Jill Guthrie | United States |
Jan 09, 2021 | ||
| 8 | M/♂: Alfred Brown | United States |
Jan 07, 2021 | ||
| 7 | F/♀: Karen Bird | United States |
It is long overdue for women to reimagine the gospel message as women. | Jan 06, 2021 | |
| 6 | M/♂: Peter Goodwin | United States |
Nicely done, Jamie! And a happy new year to you, too! | Jan 05, 2021 | |
| 5 | M/♂: James LaBelle | United States |
Jan 05, 2021 | ||
| 4 | F/♀: Suzanne Bowles | United States |
Thunder! Perfect mind. | Jan 05, 2021 | |
| 3 | F/♀: Francisca Rocco | Chile |
Comment on the power of the gospels | Jan 04, 2021 | |
| 2 | M/♂: John Hammock | United States |
Time for men to listen | Jan 03, 2021 | |
| 1 | M/♂: Jamie Coats | United States |
Let's make this happen | Jan 02, 2021 |