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FAITH, SEXISM, JUSTICE: Conversations Toward a Social Statement a Study from the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ

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FAITH, SEXISM, JUSTICE: Conversations Toward a Social Statement a Study from the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ FAITH, SEXISM, JUSTICE: Conversations toward a Social Statement A study from the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ 1 TASK FORCE CO-CHAIRS: Dr. Erik Heen Mr. Solomon Trimble professor of New Testament and youth counselor Rev. Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld Greek, The Lutheran Theological Portland, Oregon pastor, Cross Lutheran Church, Seminary at Philadelphia, Burlington, Wisconsin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania CHURCH COUNCIL Mr. Brad Wendel Ms. Linda Herrera professor of law, ADVISERS: community organizer and Cornell University, Rev. Dr. Robert G. Moore integral health promoter, Ithaca, New York senior pastor, Christ the King Phoenix, Arizona Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas MEMBERS: Rev. Dr. Kathryn A. Kleinhans professor of religion, Ms. Pamela Pritt Bishop Jeff Barrow Wartburg College, journalist, Greater Milwaukee Synod, Waverly, Iowa Milwaukee, Wisconsin Hillsboro, West Virginia Rev. Lori Kochanski Rev. Bruce Berg assistant to the bishop, CHURCHWIDE pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Northeastern Pennsylvania Westbrook, Minnesota, and Synod, interim pastor, St. John GOVERNANCE: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Marcus Kunz Dovray, Minnesota Allentown, Pennsylvania assistant to the presiding bishop, executive for theological Sr. Clare Josef-Maier Ms. Sherry Liske discernment mental health therapist, registered nurse, Lutheran Counseling Network, Rush University Medical Center, Ms. Linda Post Bushkofsky Seattle, Washington Elgin, Illinois executive director, Women of the ELCA Ms. Diane Brauer Dr. Mary Elise Lowe administrative assistant, associate professor of religion, McCook, Nebraska Augsburg College, THEOLOGICAL Minneapolis, Minnesota DISCERNMENT STAFF: Mr. Darren Diggs Dr. Mary J. Streufert solutions designer, Mr. Heber Rast director for Justice for Women Biomimic Sound, engineer, retired, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cameron, South Carolina Rev. Dr. Roger A. Willer director for Theological Ethics Ms. Bethany Fayard Dr. William Rodriguez business owner, professor of religion and Ms. Heather Dean Ocean Springs Seafood, philosophical ethics, administration services Ocean Springs, Mississippi Bethune Cookman University, coordinator Point Orange, Florida Ms. Fern Lee Hagedorn Ms. Caitlin Zimmerman media consultant Bishop Ann Svennungsen assistant, Justice for Women Beach Lake, Pennsylvania Minneapolis Area Synod, Minneapolis, Minnesota Rev. April Almaas, Rev. Mary Lindberg and Ms. Erin Parks assisted with the creation of this study. English language Scripture quotations in the booklet are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, unless otherwise noted. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement” Copyright © 2016 Office of the Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Prepared by the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ Permission is granted to reproduce this document as needed providing each copy displays the copyright as printed above. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks in the United States of America Print copies can be ordered from ELCA.org/Resources with this code ELCAOB1018 or by calling 800-638-3522. Cost is $4.00 per copy plus shipping. It is also available for download at ELCA.org/womenandjustice. FAITH, SEXISM, JUSTICE: Conversations toward a Social Statement A study from the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ 3 A letter from the presiding bishop I will pour out my spirit on all fl esh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. (Joel 2:28a) Dear Friends in Christ, The ELCA recognizes the God-given dignity of all people and is committed to the full and equitable participation of women and men in church and society. God rejoices – and the world is blessed – when all have opportunities to fl ourish and freely share their gifts for the common good. I am heartened that we as a church body are engaged in a concerted discussion around women and justice in church and society. The 2009 Churchwide Assembly authorized a social statement process, and the work will continue long after a social statement is brought to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. Right now, however, are the years for focused conversations. Whatever your experiences and perspectives, you are invited to use this study, “Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement.” It is a call to hear new things and to explore together how matters of justice and sexism intersect with faith. I encourage its widespread use across our church – in congregations, conferences, circles, social ministry organizations, campus ministries, youth gatherings, homes and classrooms. Your participation in this process is important because the feedback you share (due by Aug. 31, 2017) will help the task force continue to think together with our whole church when they sit down to shape the fi rst draft of a social statement. As a pastor who has served in congregations and in synodical leadership, I am quite aware that it can be challenging to have conversations on these complex topics that are so close to our homes, congregations and communities. I believe the task force has produced a study for these conversations that you will fi nd spiritually enriching, engaging, respectful, clear and well-balanced. As people of God, set free in Christ and brought together in loving community, we are called to work for justice and the fl ourishing of all God’s people. We can be confi dent that the Holy Spirit will faithfully lead us through this conversation. God bless you as you join in. In God’s grace, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 4 Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement CONTENTS Preface by the presiding bishop p. 4 Introduction to the study p. 6 Leader’s Guide p. 7 Devotional Options p. 20 Study modules 1. Why do we need to talk together? p. 24 2. What problems do women face, and what does justice require? p. 36 3. How is sexism personal, and how are we the body of Christ together? p. 49 4. What does economic sexism look like, and how can we seek equity for all? p. 62 5. How can we address violence against women and girls? p. 75 6. Why do words and images for God matter? p. 86 7. How do we challenge the misuse of Scripture against women and girls? p. 99 Appendices • Appendix A: Glossary of terms p. 112 • Appendix B: Images for Module Six p. 117 Response forms • Module 1 p. 123 • Module 2 p. 125 • Module 3 p. 127 • Module 4 p. 129 • Module 5 p. 131 • Module 6 p. 133 • Module 7 p. 135 • Overall evaluation p. 137 5 Introduction: From the ELCA task force Welcome to “Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement!” In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA authorized a social statement process “on the topic of justice for women in church and society.”1 Our task force was convened to lead this process as the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ. This document is the result of our study and conversation so far. We hope that it will generate honest and empowering conversations about sexism and how it negatively affects individuals and families in our homes, congregations and communities. As Christians we all are living into the promises of God and are being called to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). We know that Jesus Christ came that we may have life abundantly (John 10:10), but in the world around us, it is clear that countless people are suffering under the weight of injustice. They cannot live the abundant lives God intends. Many individuals and their families struggle emotionally, physically and economically because of the effects of sexism and patriarchy. These forces are personal, religious, social and economic. As members of the body of Christ that is the church, we are called to help all people live abundant lives that are just and sufficient – lives in which every individual and community is committed to the mutual values of respect, dignity, interdependence and equity. As a task force, we designed this study to invite you into dialogue and action with us about faith, sexism and justice. We investigated and discussed a broad range of problems as a task force but could not explore every topic (sex trafficking, women and health care, women and the law, etc.) in this document. For this study, we have focused on: 1. Why do we need to talk together? 2. What problems do women face and what does justice require? 3. How is sexism personal, and how are we the body of Christ together? 4. What does economic sexism look like, and how can we seek equity for all? 5. How can we address violence against women and girls? 6. Why do images and words for God matter? 7. How do we challenge the misuse of Scripture against women and girls? These issues are complex and hard for some to talk about. We trust, though, that when we come together as members of the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is with us and among us. We hope that this study will help individuals and congregations hold honest and respectful conversations about faith, sexism and justice. We look forward to hearing feedback from you who take part in this process. (The response period runs until August 31, 2017.) We anticipate our common work together and invite you to pray with us that God’s reign of compassion and justice “may also come to us.” In Christ, Members of the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ 1 www.ELCA.org; ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action CA09.06.31. 6 Leader’s Guide Thank you for your willingness to provide leadership for “Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations toward a Social Statement.” As the ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ, we pray that you will be blessed by the Spirit’s presence as you participate with your congregation or group in this conversation about women and justice.
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