Episcopal Church Women, Author at National Episcopal Church Women

For People in the Midst of War

O God, you have loved each of us since before we were born, and you love each of us in equal and abundant measure. Yet we sometimes chose not to see ourselves in one another. We sometimes choose to live as though we were not the brothers and sisters we know ourselves to be. Pour your blessing upon all your people in every nation especially for the women and children in areas of unrest and violence, for whom we pray today, whatever their faith or ethnicity. Preserve their lives, deliver them from the terror of war, and, when this is over, guide them in the way of reconciliation and peace.

Bring them a deepening sense of their oneness in the human family, that those things that unite your people may be seen and felt as greater than anything that can ever decide us.

Amen.

-The Reverend Barbara Cawthorne Crafton Women’s Uncommon Prayers: Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated edited by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, Ann Smith, Marjorie A. Burke Morehouse Publishing, 2000

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:22:49+00:00December 5th, 2012|

Help us to see you on the faces of our sisters and brothers

Gracious and holy God, you have made us in your image, male and female you have made us. Help us to see you on the faces of our sisters and brothers, particularly those who suffer the unlovely gaze and unholy actions of others. Your son was born a helpless child to a woman who seemed shameful to many. We are all those helpless babes and those despised women, and we are those who hurt and hate. Keep us mindful that we see and touch you, and heal us toward your purpose for us all. We pray in the name of that babe. Amen

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:26:14+00:00December 4th, 2012|

God of Compassion, please help our abused

God of Compassion,

Help us to remember that every woman and girl who is beaten, exploited, mutilated, raped or murdered has a name.

Help us to remember that every woman and girl who is beaten, exploited, mutilated, raped or murdered carries the scars inwardly as well as outwardly of the violence perpetrated against her.

Help us to remember that every woman and girl who is beaten, exploited, mutilated, raped or murdered was born with hope and grace and is deserving of them in her life now and forevermore.

Give us the courage and the strength to stand up for and with those for whom life has been inalterably shattered.

Give us the courage and strength to listen deeply of their stories, to hold steadfast in our resolve, and to give of ourselves in a manner that is kind, protective, gentle, healing and powerful.

Oh God, let the chain of violence against women and girls and all that is feminine be broken…

We beseech You to embolden every loving and caring man and youth with the courage and compassion to intervene in the chain of violence against women and girls.

We beseech You to inspire every loving and caring man and youth to serve as a model to other men and youth to respect and uphold the inherent dignity and sacred worthiness of all women and girls.

Oh God, may we, children of your many faiths, reflect our love of You by carrying forth compassion and hope to the fulness of Humankind that You have created.

May it be so… Amen

The Reverend Dr. Gwynne Guibord Founder, The Guibord Center – Religion Inside Out www.theguibordcenter.org

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:29:40+00:00December 3rd, 2012|

For Healing from Abuse by your gentle touch

Jesus, by your gentle touch and encouraging word, you raised up the woman who had been bent over: Lift up the heads and hearts of those who have been bowed down by the shame and pain of (sexual) abuse. Heal them so that they may stand up with dignity and may praise you through the living of their lives in fullness and in hope. Amen.

The Reverend Canon Lorna H. Williams Women’s Uncommon Prayers: Our Lives Revealed, Nurtured, Celebrated edited by Elizabeth Rankin Geitz, Ann Smith, Marjorie A. Burke Morehouse Publishing, 2000

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:31:28+00:00December 2nd, 2012|

We thank you for your grace and mercy.

Good and gracious God, in whom we live and move and have all that we need, we thank you for your grace and mercy.

Stir up in us, all that is in your perfection; love, truth, justice and compassion.

Stir up in us, the courage to see you in all that we say and do.

May our relationship with you, be the guide in our relationships with all people,

Who see you, too, in your perfection.

Stir up in us, daily, love, truth, justice and compassion.

Restore us, in your grace and mercy, to daily living, as a reflection of you, in all those we see.

In your perfection we pray to you, good and gracious God.

Amen.

– John Tomoso Member Good Shepherd Church-Maui Postulant for Priesthood

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:33:22+00:00December 1st, 2012|

At a Vigil for Domestic Violence

Dear God our Creator,

we gather today because we care about those affected by domestic violence: women, children, and men.

We remember those who have lost their lives to this malfunction of our society. We pray that their souls are now at rest.

We remember children living in homes of domestic violence. Deliver and protect them from further harm.

We pray for perpetrators, that they may seek help.

Help them to relinquish their need to exert power and control.

We remember current victims whose lives are filled with fear and uncertainty.

Those who are trapped in the psychological cycle of violence and abuse, hope and false love.

We ask that you give them a new vision.

Guide them with your wisdom to make sound choices that will lead to new life.

We pray that religious leaders will end Scripture abuse so that they may no longer contribute to the oppression of women.

We give thanks to those who dedicate their lives to providing education, shelter, and support.

Finally, O gracious God, be present with us, restore peace and hope that we may persevere with your Holy Spirit.

In faith we pray.

Amen.

-The Reverend Angela R. Shepherd

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:53:44+00:00November 29th, 2012|

Our hearts are broken over the abuse of women

Dear Heavenly Father, Our hearts are broken over the abuse of women and the subtle and dramatic ways they are violated. What is broken in our relationship to You, oh heavenly Father, that we must remember to help stop this abuse?

How do we protect and keep safe our children and our neighbor’s children and the girls and women around the world that are vulnerable to this violence?

In the name of Jesus and all that is good we pray for safety and peace for all.

Amen

From: Mary Lou Mellinger Outreach Chair Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Maui, Hawai’i0

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:37:19+00:00November 28th, 2012|

A Retelling of the Good Samaritan for Battered Women

From Jerusalem to Jericho: A Retelling of the Good Samaritan for Battered Women “A woman who was much abused by her wealthy husband left Jerusalem and headed toward Jericho to seek shelter among kinswoman,” Jesus told the crowd. “And as she was going, her wounds caused such pain that she sat down beside the road and wept.

“Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and noting her fine garments, he stopped to ask the cause of her distress. When she told him that her husband had beaten her near to death, the priest drew back and counseled her to return to her husband and be a better wife. Then he crossed the road and continued on his journey.

“So likewise a judge, when he came to the place, stopped to question the woman, and learning the cause of her agony he, too, counseled that her duty was to her husband and that she should return at once to Jerusalem. When she refused, he, too, crossed the road and continued on his journey.

“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where the woman lay beside the road, and when he heard her story, he had compassion, and he bound up her wounds and set her on his own beast and brought her to an inn where he found women to care for her, saying, “There are those who seek her life to destroy it, and no one must know that she is here. When she is well enough to travel, see that she has safe passage to Jericho. And whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.”

“Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the woman?”

And the lawyer said, “Should not the woman have returned to her husband? You preach words of forgiveness. Should she not have forgiven her husband, obeyed the law, and returned home? Weren’t the priest and judge the better neighbors? The Samaritan assisted the woman in her disobedience.”

And Jesus said, “Woe to you who pervert justice and allow injury to the innocent! You fools! Did not God make woman and man both in the Divine image? Is not a woman’s body a temple of God? I say to you, whoever injures anyone, woman, man, or child, injures the Divine image and is held accountable before God.”

And the women in the crowd spoke to one another, “Here is one who understands; truly this must be the Holy One of God.”

-Mrs. Mary Lee Wile

Women’s Uncommon Prayers

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:49:07+00:00November 27th, 2012|

We pray for women across the world

Almighty and merciful God, we pray for women across the world who are suffering from violence. Help us to be agents of transformation and promote justice and equality for women around the world. Open our eyes Lord so we can see the truth, the words to speak the truth, and the courage to eradicate a world culture in which violence against women is tolerated. Help us remember that vision without action is a daydream.

God of life, lead us to justice and peace. Amen

Deborah Gardiner Member at Large for Social Justice National Board of Episcopal Church Women

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T15:51:20+00:00November 26th, 2012|

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence begins November 25th.

Continuing a partnership begun in 2010 with Anglican Women’s Empowerment and the Episcopal Women’s Caucus, Episcopal Church Women will observe this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence by writing and collecting prayers from Episcopal Women speaking to the theme From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women! Visit our page to read the prayers or subscribe to the eCommuniqué to receive prayers via email.

Episcopal Church Women2020-05-27T16:44:29+00:00November 25th, 2012|

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