FCC Women

The FCC Women encompass, and welcome all sexual orientations and are a community who gather regularly to study scripture, hold discussions and talks, as well as for fellowship and support. Our activities focus on women’s issues within the life of our church. We welcome all women to join us.

International Women's Day Service 2007
FCC, 11 March 2007

Gathering
In celebration of International Women's Day, we gather to mourn, to express our indignation over violence against women, to give thanks for survivors and to pray for healing. And in the midst of our complaints, our praise and our prayers, we commit to removing the stones of violence, break the silence and to remember the cross of Jesus as a sign of hope for women suffering from all forms of violence throughout the world.

Call to worship

Resilient Women
(adaptation of Miriam Therese Winter’s “Valiant Women”)

Leader : Where can we find a resilient woman?

All : Where can we find a resilient woman?

Reader 1 : Look! We are all around you
In the work rooms of industry,
And of every functioning enterprise
Unheralded, invisible
Some say nonexistent,
But we know otherwise

All : Where can we find a resilient woman?

Reader 2 : Look! We are all around you:
Contributing, setting standards,
Changing the course of history,
Preparing, supporting,
Challenging those resentful of our claims and capabilities.

All : Where can we find a resilient woman?

Reader 3 : Look! We are all around you:
Woman of courage, compassionate, patient
Our number is legion, our gifts diverse,
Our goal one and the same:
That history hear, that history is cognizant of,
That history will one day recall our names.

We honor the women of the Hebrew scriptures,
Esther, Ruth, Miriam and Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Whose courage, persistence, love and fidelity
Kept the lineage of faith alive.

Reader 4 : We honor the women of Jesus’ time
Who cared for the community of believers
Who followed Jesus to Calvary
Who buried Him
Who proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection
Who passed the Gospel to their families, friends
and strangers

We honor the resilient women of our own time
Who nurture us, sustain us, inspire us
Who remind us of the promises of Christ
Who claim the Gospel for women, too
Who preach the reality of wholeness
Who strain against a patriarchal church
Who nudge us back on track and challenge us to grow!

Leader : Living God, today we gather in Your Presence.
Raise our voices in global petition
For your promise of wholeness – fullness of life!

Choral Reading

A Psalm for Women who are Abused
by Miriam Therese Winter

O Sacred Shalom,
we lift to Your compassion
all the victims of abuse
whom we know and do not know.
Shalom to Your wounded daughters.

All women who have been violated
in their bodies
and their spirits.
Shalom to Your wounded daughters.

All who have been exploited
for sex
or greed
or power.
Shalom to Your wounded daughters.

Give them the grace
to shed all guilt
and to shout aloud with Your Spirit:
I am a victim!
I did nothing wrong!
I will not let guilt consume me!

Victims of physical abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of verbal abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of psychological abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of psychotic abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of religious abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of racial abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.

Victims of society abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of spouse abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of child abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of sexual abuse:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of rape and incest:
Do not let guilt consume you.
Victims of mind control:
Do not let guilt consume you.
All victims of some form of violence:
Do not let guilt consume you.

May all abused women shout:
I am a victim!
I did nothing wrong!
I will not let guilt consume me!

Responsive Reading

A Liberation Psalm for Women
by Miriam Therese Winter

Leader : Where shall we find a liberated woman?
in the public square,
in the corridors of power,
in the pulpits,
and in our midst.

All : She dares to stand up for freedom,
not only for her gender,
but for all who are oppressed.

Challenging those who oppose her,
she puts her hand to systemic change,
knowing that only time will tell
how effective are her ways.

Leader : If married, she is a wholesome wife
who loves and supports her husband,
yet has a life of her own,
a separate identity,
personal plans and goals.

If single, she has a sense of self
and rock solid relationships
that nourish and enrich her
and help to make her whole.

All : If permanently bound to another
in a covenant of love,
she seeks to share
her inner strength
and vision
with the world.

She shares herself with all who hunger
for meaning
and for love,
sinking her roots
in a rich and personal experience
of her God.

Who is the strength of a liberated woman?
Her God,
her family,
her friends,
for she grows by their affirmation
and succeeds through support
and a helping hand,
all the days of her life. Amen.
Yes, let us say: Amen!

Collective Prayer

Leader : Loving God, be with us as we gather together, one in heart and spirit. For all those most vulnerable to oppression, abuse or neglect, especially women and children, we pray …

All : Loving God, hear our prayer

Leader : For women who bring forth their children in uncertainty -
for refugees and for victims of war, we pray …

All : Loving God, hear our prayer

Leader : For all those who go hungry while others feast in plenty, and for those who struggle to support families in the midst of economic injustice, we pray …

All : Loving God, hear our prayer

Leader : That women who nurture, teach, sustain and guide, be themselves nurtured and sustained, we pray ...

All : Loving God, hear our prayer

Leader : We ask for your guidance for the men and women in positions of trust, that they seek justice and peace in all they do; for all world leaders, that they may be moved to work for justice and peace by ratifying the United Nations Convention, to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, and carry out its terms we pray …

All : Loving God, hear our prayer

Leader : Loving God you have heard our prayers today.
Give us the courage to be your heart and hands for those who are in pain. Give us the wisdom to speak out for justice and righteousness. May your will be done through us today and always.

Amen.