Claiming a New Vision Together
Ecumenical Gathering for
Women
Community of Christ International Headquarters
By Gail Mengel
“Behold, I will do something new….” —Isaiah
43:19
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. Doing requires our
participation. The world changes and 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, heart transplants have extended life, 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.
Living in the United States and Canada, we have been
(largely) protected from the cruelty of war and hunger. 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. 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 the idea of 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 it 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 is 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 do not take
the unique parts of who we are, but 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 there are newspaper stories and television reports
of violent acts, homeless people, hurting children, and war. We cannot bring
peace on our own. 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 our women will
come and blend our voices with others in visioning and discussing new ways
of bringing needed ministry and hopeful solutions to issues in our 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 granddaughters,
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.
