Episcopal Church Women, Author at National Episcopal Church Women

Meditation

Meditation“I read the news today oh boy.” This line begins a poignant song written by Lennon and McCartney in 1967. I read the news today about a man who attempted to abduct a young woman from her home. The girl was rescued and the man was arrested. Not all children are so fortunate. Too many are abducted and immediately routed to a human trafficking network, or kept and abused, but finally dumped into the trafficking system when their innocence is spent. I read the news today about the people brought across the border illegally and coerced into labor or prostitution. Here are people seeking a better life for themselves and their children, yet their vulnerability makes them easy prey to human traffickers.

I read the news today. Oh Boy! Another Episcopal diocese has created a ministry to address the concerns of those trapped in the trafficking trade. Shelters and services are popping up all around the nine provinces as our awareness increases of this violation of basic human rights. May we Episcopal Church Women continue to raise awareness and with God’s help eradicate human trafficking from the face of the Earth.

The Rev. Dcn. Nancy Crawford, National ECW President

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-20T15:57:27+00:00December 4th, 2014|

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|

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