Episcopal Church Women, Author at National Episcopal Church Women

Lord Jesus Christ, you know what it is like to be whipped and scorned

Lord Jesus Christ, you know what it is like to be whipped and scorned. You know what it is like to have the powers and principalities of this current age turn against you, and seek to destroy you. You know what it is like to lose friends to violence, and to be betrayed by those who sit at table with you. You know what it means to not have a place to lay your head.

Yet you also know the healing touch of one who poured oil over your tired feet. As Mary of Bethany so lovingly anointed you before your journey to the Cross, may we too reach out to those who suffer. May we be alert to those who need our help. May we open our hearts to all of creation. And we may be empowered, through your love, to dismantle all systems that isolate and hurt the least among us—for in doing so, we find and serve you.

All this we say in your name. Amen.

The Rev. Lindsay Hardin Freeman Author of “Bible Women”

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:01:55+00:00December 3rd, 2014|

A Litany Almighty Father, Provider and Protector

We come before you today humbly asking for your healing and loving touch be given to those women throughout the world who are hurting from physical abuse. Remove hatred from those who do not treat your daughters with respect and love.

There are women who cannot feed themselves because they must feed the men even before the children and there is not enough food. Just as Jesus was able to feed the masses, stop the hunger from hurting those who only want love and peace.

Your Son, our Savior teaches us to care and love all people. He has also taught us that YOU have created us all the same . Let us learn to love each other as You love us. Let us learn to treat every person with respect, teach us that by being kind to others, others will then learn.

We are now in Advent, awaiting the coming of the One who is called Peace, Love and Joy, allow those who are stopping others from enjoying the presence of your Son in their lives, to feel the need to become kinder to all they meet.

Let those who can spread your loving message speak out with strong voices, teaching love, and acceptance is better than hate and rejection.

Thank you for answering our prayers , Father, and for continuing to fill our hearts and minds with your grace and peace.

In Jesus’ name we pray Amen

Submitted by Kate Gosselin, Province IV Representative to the ECW National Board

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:03:59+00:00December 1st, 2014|

O God

O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed.

Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these, our sisters and brothers with love that is tender and good, and send the exploiters away empty handed.

Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen

Gen Cassan, SSND ( School Sisters of Notre Dame )

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:09:49+00:00November 30th, 2014|

A Prayer for Wisdom and Courage

Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, you call us out of our aloneness and set us within communities and families, sending us out to bring your healing and peace to others: In this time of great need send your Spirit to lead us to those suffering abuse and violence. Give us the wisdom and the courage to love and care for them, offering them communities of friendship and shelter.

As you showed particular concern for those most overlooked and vulnerable, so give us eyes to see those who live in fear and darkness and give us hearts to stand with them, as you stand with them, against all degradation. All this we pray in your Name to our Heavenly Father, whose love calls us to go out and love others. Amen.

Faithfully,

Bishop David Reed Diocese of West Texas

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:06:05+00:00November 30th, 2014|

Prayer for Victims of Gender Violence

A Prayer for Victims of Gender Violence

God of all peoples, awaken our hearts and deepen our commitment to work for a world where every person is free and able to live their lives fully and joyfully. We ask for conversion of heart for traffickers and for strong laws that protect victims.

Help us grow in our awareness that we are all connected. Give freedom that is you gift to all your people.

(From the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center)

Submitted by Lisa Towle

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:14:34+00:00November 28th, 2014|

Prayer for Violence to Women

O Gracious God, lover and comforter of all souls: give strength and courage to all women who suffer from violence. Shelter their hearts and souls from damage too deep, brokenness impossible to bear, and bodies bruised and bloodied.

Let them feel your Presence in their lives. Guide them to seek help and release from their trauma. Let their self-worth increase and their dependence on those who batter them with violence decrease.

We ask your Love to empower them, Blessed Jesus, and to bring them peace. All this we ask in your Name. Amen.

The Rev. Mary S. Janda

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:30:11+00:00November 27th, 2014|

You are a Beloved Child of the Holy, Always

YOU ARE A BELOVED CHILD OF THE HOLY, ALWAYS When darkness surrounds you, and the chill of night… invades

Remember this… You are a beloved child of the Holy, always

When there seems to be no recourse — when there are no tears left

Remember this… You are a beloved child of the Holy, always

When no one is there to believe you — when your aloneness is breaking you

Remember this… You are a beloved child of the Holy, always

Know this … Your tears will be wiped away — by those who will help you

Know this… Your story is real and will be heard — you are not alone

Remember this… You are a beloved child of the Holy, always

Written by: The Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord

The Guibord Center

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:37:17+00:00November 26th, 2014|

Prayer – Watches Over all Your Children

Almighty God, who watches over all your children and knows our needs before we ask: help us to understand more fully the plight of those who are imprisoned in lives controlled by human traffickers. Give us the strength and courage to unshackle these victims and bring them to your kingdom here on earth, so they may know the joy of your everlasting love. Grant this, we pray, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Submitted by NECW President the Rev. Dcn. Nancy Crawford

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:39:52+00:00November 25th, 2014|

Almighty God of Creation and Liberation

Almighty God of creation and liberation, we send up fervent prayers for all those who are abused and enslaved around the world – most especially the women and children caught in the web of the sex trafficking trade. We lift up their physical and emotional suffering to you, merciful Lord, and ask you to give them strength and courage in bearing their present circumstances.

As your servants in ministry, we ask for wisdom and skills to work to overcome their desperate plights wherever we encounter the need, so we can help to bring each woman and child to a life free from abuse and exploitation. We ask this in the name of your most beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T16:41:43+00:00November 24th, 2014|

Tamar and Tamar’s Midwife

We have had an interesting start to our 7-month book study. I hope you are enjoying every aspect of it and that you will join in the conversation. What did I know about Tamar before reading about her in Bible Women? I knew she was the first of five women mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, and I only knew that because Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina told me so in a talk he gave a few years ago to the ECW of Oklahoma.

We learn a lot about ourselves by studying our genealogy and finding a place where we belong. Tracing one’s family pedigree is regarded by many societies as vitally important. It is your name and your background that opens doors for you, determines who you marry, and what work you might do. In our more democratic and diverse country we no longer bar the doors because of one’s name or ancestry. And yet, knowing and telling the story of our family is an important way of understanding how we came to be the people we are. I have a friend who is very much engaged in genealogy. She has gotten past the trunk of her family tree and even the larger branches. Now she is researching those smaller twigs of her family that bring the excitement of new discoveries and the joy of connecting to previously unknown family members.

Tamar is one of those smaller twigs in the genealogy of Jesus. In the genealogies of the Book of Genesis there are no mothers named, but in Matthew’s genealogy we find “Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar.” Lindsay Hardin Freeman+ notes that Tamar was not a Jew (p. 66), and neither were three other women in Jesus’ family tree: the Canannite, Rahab; the Moabite, Ruth; and the Hittite, Bathsheba, wife of Uriah.

When God spoke to Abraham, the first name in Jesus’ genealogy, God said: “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them. So shall your descendents be.” We see now that the family of Jesus includes Tamar and other women who are not descendents of Abraham, yet can be counted beyond the stars. Why do you think Matthew included Tamar as one of only 5 women named in Jesus’ lineage? How does it make you feel to be a member of the family of God, to be counted beyond the stars?

Studying one’s family can dig up some quite interesting stories. Can you imagine discovering someone like Tamar? She is the real stuff; you can’t make this up! The hope of motherhood is a strong incentive to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. “Take note, please, whose these are: the signet and the cord and the staff.” What have your maternal ancestors done to achieve motherhood? What have you done? I myself went through years of fertility tests and treatments. It was embarrassing and humbling, yet in the end, with the birth of my second son, worth it.

What did I know about Tamar’s midwife before reading about her in Bible Women? Why, absolutely nothing. Because of Lindsay’s book, I am learning that several midwives spoke in the Bible. At a time in history when any childbirth could be difficult, the birth of twins would be not only painful but dangerous. How blessed Tamar must have felt to have an accomplished midwife at her side. To have known that twins were coming and to have the foresight to mark the first born (though in this instance the crimson thread was premature – “This one came out first.”) are great attributes of a veteran midwife.

Although these two women are not well known outside of Bible scholars, and although their words are few, they both play a vital role in the continuity of the Hebrew line from Abraham to Perez to Jesus.

How have these 2 women impressed you, both individually and collectively?

Tamar depicted in Claire’s illustration has a posture and presence to her as she holds the objects of Judah’s pledge in her hands. What does Tamar’s posture say to you?

What “For reflection” questions from these Chapter 3 Genesis women jump out for you?

What would you add to the “What might we learn from” lists for Tamar and Tamar’s midwife?

++++ Coming December 1st ++++

Miriam

Content provided by Author Lindsay Hardin Freeman

Illustration: Claire Elam

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-22T17:52:11+00:00November 16th, 2014|

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