Triennial participants check in at the start of the gathering.
Keynote speaker Susan Sparks says humor has power in repairing the breach referred to in Isaiah 58:12.
in our lives that sometimes we can lose perspective. … Big houses, fancy cars, money, titles … none of that matters because—you ready? —the size of our funeral will depend solely on the weather. Humor is prob- ably one of God’s greatest giſt s to us. If you can laugh at yourself, you can forgive yourself. And if you can forgive yourself, you can forgive others.” Bible study leader Diane Jacobson, who directs the
ELCA Book of Faith initiative, said God calls women of many generations “to repair, rebuild and restore not only our relationships, but also the world around us.” She urged women to search Scripture for stories “that take us into this calling.” Look at Mary and Elizabeth, women of two diff er-
restore
Heidi Johnson of Mes- siah Lutheran Church, Vancouver, Wash., poses for a selfi e with ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton.
you also are leaders. Sometimes I think we discount our leadership if we are not elected to positions.” Part of that leadership, Eaton said, is to help the
ELCA become an “alternative face of Christianity in this country”—a diff erent face from popular media images of Christians as rigid, judgmental and not advocating for the most vulnerable in our society. Become an “undercover force in your congregations,”
Eaton encouraged the women. “[Working together] we’re a powerhouse. But you know what? We’re also Lutheran. So we don’t tell anybody [because] that would be boastful,” she quipped, eliciting knowing laughter from participants. “But how can people know where to get help if they don’t know what we do?” It was one of many moments when Eaton had listen-
ers laughing. T at laughter continued when ex-attorney, Baptist pastor and stand-up comedian Susan Sparks took the stage to speak about the power of humor in repairing the breach referred to in Isaiah 58:12. In this world “we can get beaten down pretty easily,” Sparks said. “Especially as women, we manage so much
ent generations who came together in mutual support, Jacobson said. T at’s without the rivalry or jealousy seen in some other biblical relationships between women (Sarah vs. Hagar, Rachel vs. Leah, Hannah vs. Penniniah), she added. Moreover, Mary and Elizabeth’s relationship was
not just about them. “Even though this encounter is between two individual women, it is not a private aff air,” Jacobson explained. “T eir encounter is very much about the future of the whole world.”
Concern for our world During exhibit and free time at the gathering, the six generations of women sewed quilts; gave blood; and donated tens of thousands of dollars in phone cards, socks, toiletry items and prayer shawls for women sur- vivors of traffi cking, female military veterans struggling with addiction or homelessness, and others. Participants also attended workshops, such as
the one on creating intergenerational spaces. In that workshop young adults and women in other genera- tions experienced what it is like to participate in a Café group, an entry point for younger women to engage with existing Women of the ELCA groups. Workshop leader Rozella White, 33, ELCA program director for young adult ministry, encouraged existing women’s groups to consider two tough questions: Why do you want younger people in the church? Are you willing to be vulnerable in seeking out younger people? Back in plenary, participants heard how ELCA inter-
national women’s scholarships are helping women in the global Lutheran communion heal the breach in their communities. (Fiſt y percent of the triennial’s closing wor- ship off ering was designated for the scholarships that are a priority of Always Being Made New: T e Campaign for the ELCA, a fi ve-year eff ort to raise $198 million for new
September 2014 25
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