International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day. While it isn't an official holiday in the United States, it is in some 27 other countries. International Women's Day was instituted in 1977 by the United Nations as a way to encourage and empower women across globe. It is a day, also, dedicated to celebrating women's achievements throughout history and across nations. Each year there is a theme associated with the day. This year it is "Women in the Changing World of Work."
 
The ELCA, as part of the Campaign for the ELCA, has adopted "International Women Leaders" as one of our priorities. International Women's Day is a perfect time to join in with this effort. In many places women do not have educational opportunities that can bring about lasting change in their communities.
 
Our goal as a church is 4 million dollars by the end of January, 2019. There are a number of other aspects to the Campaign for the ELCA. You can learn more at ELCA.org/campaign.
 
The focus of the ELCA campaign for International Women Leaders is education. Educational n is the one for that makes a difference in the lives of women, children and their communities. Providing education for women the single factor in lowering mortality, improving the economy, and creating sustainability in communities.
 
We are approaching this on several levels. One level is providing textbooks for basic education. You can provide a textbook for $45. Many of our congregations do a giving tree around Christmas. We could do the same in Lent, or Easter!
 
The other level is providing women with scholarships to become leaders church and society. One such woman, Lemah Gbowe, a past recipient of the scholarship, received a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering peace in Liberia. I have committed a dollar a day for the next 3 years to support this effort.
 
So, does this emphasis on women exclude men? No. Men, both at home and abroad still receive scholarships from the ELCA. This week I was in conversation with a male bishop about the Women of the ELCA gathering in July. I asked if he was attending, and he looked startled. "Would I be welcome?" was his question. "Of course!" Lifting up one part of the population, does not require the exclusion of the others. International Women's Day is not just for women. It is for all of us to celebrate, remember, and look forward.
 
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
Our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior.
 
For Eve, the first witness to your creating work in the world,
For this, and all faithful women we give you thanks, O, God.
 
For Miriam, who witnessed your redemption of Israel at the Red Sea,
For this, and all faithful women, we give you thanks, O God.
 
For Mary Magdalen, Mary of Clopas, and Mary Salome, who witnessed your ultimate redeeming act at the empty tomb,
For these, and all faithful women, we give you thanks, O God.
 
For Ruth and Naomi, whose sustenance of each other witnessed to your sustaining love,
For these, and all faithful women, we give you thanks, O God.
 
For Deborah, whose wisdom witnessed to acts of creation, redemption, and sustaining love,
For this, and all faithful women, we give you thanks, O God.
 
You have come to the aid of your servants,
To remember the promise of mercy, the promise made to our forebears.
 
(Litany from ELCA Campaign Resources)
 
Jessica Crist, Bishop