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It is easy for us to get comfortable with what has been. We want things to
remain the same. Sometimes we wish for life as it was lived in the past. It is
easy to talk about something new, but doing requires our participation. The
world changes, and this impacts our lives. From birth to teenage years we change
constantly; it is natural and expected. During the last six decades, the United
States has had twelve presidents;
television was born; organ transplants have extended lives; astronauts walked on
the moon, and microwaves, computers, cell phones, and satellite and cable
connections have come into millions of homes. We have accepted these changes and
enjoyed new conveniences and lifestyles as they have become a part of our lives.
Those of us living in the United States and Canada have been (largely)
protected from the cruelty of war and hunger. Ecumenical Gathering
for Women Community of Christ International Headquarters But we can no longer
deny our responsibility to be part of changing and transforming our world from
war, hunger, poverty, violent acts, trafficking, genocide, and global warming to
become a new creation. We are called to step out and work with others. Problems
we used to define as somewhere else are now affecting our own communities and
neighborhoods, and putting our children, youth, and young adults in danger.
I proposed having a special Ecumenical Gathering for Women in June 2008 with
the hope that many Community of Christ women of every age group would join me,
Church Women United (CWU) members, and women from other denominations in an
event at our International Headquarters. I have been serving as the elected
national president of CWU for the last three and a half years and realized we
could offer
this special once-in-a-lifetime invitation.
Our facilities are unique and this can be a wonderful opportunity to welcome
women into the sacred spaces of our Auditorium conference chamber and Temple
sanctuary. I hope we can create the same kind of special experience that many of
us shared at our own women’s conference in 1993. Just as Emilie Townes, a
vibrant and energetic Baptist minister, inspired and excited us at that event,
we look forward to
welcoming other outstanding speakers and presenters this June.
Church Women United was organized sixty-six years ago in a time when the
United States was divided by race, class, and economic status. CWU members
dreamed of a different society. They broke traditions and crossed racial and
cultural boundaries because they knew that was what God wanted and they knew
they could do much more together than apart.
The diversity of women working and ministering enhanced their collaborative
achievements and set examples for many others to follow. Programs and activities
have helped generations of women work and minister together, provide worship and
celebrations in their communities, and be inspired to engage in community
projects and services assisting women, children, and families around the world.
They
have addressed national and global issues; provided clothing depots, soup
kitchens, prison ministry, school projects, women’s shelters, and so much more.
Thirty years ago President Wallace B. Smith, his wife Anne, and some members
of the Women’s Commission traveled to New York to meet with CWU executives and
national board members. Many of our women had been active in CWU locally and in
states and regions of the United States for many years. This was a time to
request consideration for our becoming a supporting denomination of this
ecumenical women’s movement. At a time when ministerial alliances and other
groups were not including our church, Church Women United
welcomed us.
The Community of Christ and its members have much to contribute in our
ecumenical and interfaith relationships. We join because of those things we have
in common and offer our unique voice. Inspired counsel given to the Community of
Christ in 1974 offers us this guidance:
You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of
those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons
and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their
lives.—Doctrine and Covenants 151:9
We are thankful for the many women and men who have offered leadership,
served, and worked in “those organizations and movements.” At the same time
there is more we can do. There are people who need our help:
In the many places where you are called to labor, the forces of
darkness and destruction are active indeed, and seem to hold sway. Your
hearts are burdened by the magnitude of the tasks that are yours in bringing
the light of my gospel into such darkness. …. I am aware of your desires to
serve me and my assurance is that as you go forth, your offerings of faith
and service are acceptable to me.—Doctrine and Covenants 157:16a–b
Every day reality is reflected in newspaper stories and television reports of
violent acts, homeless people, hurting children, and war. We cannot bring peace
on our own, but we can work with others to create transforming changes.
Three years ago I left my ministry in the Council of Twelve Apostles to
become the first full-time Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer for the church.
This position has given me some extraordinary experiences and opportunities to
represent our World Church. It has been wonderful to share the message of the
peace of Jesus Christ and to explain our pursuit of peace, reconciliation,
and healing of the spirit. I have found these words to have a meaningful
impact on ecumenical and interfaith organizations.
From The Web of Women’s Leadership come the following thoughts:
Women are more comfortable taking the time to talk to people,
connecting and building relationships that characterize inclusive
leadership…. Caring ministry is not just a “feel good approach,” trying to
make everyone happy; it is helping people connect with and care for one
another.
I hope the Gathering in June will be a time when our women will come and
blend their voices with others in visioning and discussing new ways of bringing
needed ministry and hopeful solutions to issues in the world and in the
communities we call home. We are hoping for teens, young women, and all women to
come to the Gathering. Bring your daughters and mothers, friends and neighbors.
You can register online at www.gathering08.org or mail a
registration today.
“Claim a New Vision Together” is the theme, and it will be enriched by
your presence and your dreams for the future. Come! Let us worship Christ
together, celebrate the gifts of women, and explore new relationships and
opportunities for ministry.
Registration: Visit www.gathering08.org
to register online for the Ecumenical Gathering for Women, June 19–22, 2008.
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