For a study guide see page 22.
Today we could say things are
still complicated for women in the U.S. and around the world. Depending on which statistics
you accept, women in the U.S. still earn only two-thirds to three- fourths as much as men for the same work. According to the 2014 Global Gender Gap Report of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, the U.S. ranks 65th of 142 countries in terms of wage equality. T e same report found that girls and women have equal access to educa- tion in 25 of 142 countries. Seventy-seven percent of the
church bodies in the Lutheran World Federation ordain women. But women in those countries report that female pastors oſt en don’t have equal access to decision-making roles or to higher education opportunities beyond a theological diploma. Since October 2014, I’ve led a
series of ELCA seminars in Wit- tenberg, Germany, for women from Lutheran churches in the “global south” (Africa, Central and Latin America, and most of Asia) and the former Eastern bloc. T e theme of the seminars is “T e Reforma- tion and the Empowerment of Women.” Most of the participants, pas-
tors and laywomen, report gender- based discrimination not only in their countries but also in their churches. Lindie Kanyekanye, a pastor in Zimbabwe, said “a real woman gives birth to boys.” If she doesn’t, the man is likely to take another wife. T e Malagasy participants
agreed: in Madagascar, sons are valued because of their own worth; daughters are valued because of the bride-price they will generate for the family. Nima David from India knows a man who says he has no children—in fact, he has fi ve
Scholars today describe Katharina von Bora, Martin Luther’s wife, as a housewife and the manager of a midsized business, feeding family, student boarders and frequent guests by purchasing land, raising crops and livestock, and handling all the household fi nances.
Katie’s Fund
Women of the ELCA chose to name its endowment Katie’s Fund. In the spirit of Katharina (Katie) von Bora Luther, the organization receives and manages money to support ministry in three areas: leadership development, global connections and living theology. Katie’s Fund is now more than $1 million.
Learn more at
www.welca.org/ katiesfund.
October 2015 17
LUCAS CRANACH THE ELDER WORKSHOP, 1529.
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