

Presbyterian Women (PW) is the national women's organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Cecilia Castillo is Continental Coordinator of the Women and Gender Justice Pastoral (PMJG) of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI), with presence in 20 countries of Latin America and the
Milcah Lalam is a peace building development specialist with special expertise in trauma healing, drama as therapy and story-telling. She works closely with women, children, youth, victims of rape and abuse, displaced persons, development and human rights workers in post-war contexts. She currently works with RECONCILE in
The Rev. Heidi Neumark has worked in urban ministry for 30 years, mostly in the South Bronx and in
Watch video of the side event (in 4 parts) here:
Pam Tankersley of thePresbyterian Church of Aotearoa/New Zealandspoke at the Ecumenical Women's worship service this morning. She reflected on the earthquake that struck her country - of the loss of human life - the injuries - the pain in the hearts of the people - the devastation. Pam also shared stories of hope and courage and faith and efforts to clean up and plans for rebuilding. And in a powerful moment of affirmation, she shared a song by New Zealand's Colin Gibson - Nothing is Lost on the Breath of God.
Hold the people of New Zealand in prayer.
Learn more about the earthquake and its aftermath.
It is not often that I am put in a position of being in the minority. I am a young, white woman, who grew up in Hutchinson, KS – the center of the Midwest and I now attend college in Hastings, NE – an even smaller Midwestern town. The Midwest is typically considered to be sparse and without diversity (I can say from experience that although this is not necessarily true, in comparison to larger cities, there is much less integration and understanding). So, when I arrived at LaGuardia Airport on Friday, February 18th, I was shocked to hear the loud buzzing city, to see the packed, busy, dirty streets and taste the difference in the air.
As it turned out, I was rooming with a young, Hispanic woman, who would describe her first language as Spanish. The other young Presbyterian women I was gathering with also spoke Spanish – I was the only one who didn’t. Respectfully, they spoke English with me and around me because they wanted me to be invited into their conversation. This consideration was a shock to me. English was the only language I knew, let alone was used to hearing. Throughout the week I was surrounded by women (and a few men), who were from all different communities, countries, cultures and spoke different languages. And just as one young woman spoke of her enlightenment to the realization that God is the God of everyone, not just people like her (or those who speak her language), I too was exposed to this broader understanding of God. Although, I had always know in my heart that God is the God of all, this week I have been able to see it in practice.
I am entirely thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The experience has opened my eyes to the wonder of diversity and how to advocate, specifically on behalf of women all over the world. Too often, I feel inadequate and uneducated as to how to even interact with people of different cultures, languages and race because I have not been exposed to such diversity. This week provided me with a safe space to ask questions and open up about how I am so afraid of accidentally offending someone different than me. The women listened to my confession and welcomed me with open hearts; I cannot thank them enough for their support.
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women was focused on providing women and the girl child with equal access to science and technology. Theologically, the theme of access was interesting to point out. During one of the Ecumenical Women orientations we took a closer look at Romans 5:1-5,
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Throughout the passage are words such as “boast,” “sufferings,” “endurance,” “character,” and “hope.” To society, about half of these words look negative and half positive, but in the context of this passage, they are all positive, leading to better things along the way. And so, when I take this and apply it to women and women’s rights across the world, I see that women have taken a stand, a strong fighting stance, against violence, unequal pay, unfair conditions and anything that might oppress the woman/ girl child. So, although, women have suffered, we are enduring, and producing character – one that includes equal access and this gives us hope that one day, the world will reflect God's love for all people.
Since I returned from the eye-opening trip, I have already begun to express my newfound appreciation for women all over the world. I have started to understand that I am a part of a great network of women all across the nations. And I have started promoting the increased awareness of women’s rights for all peoples.
So, I will forever be working for women’s equal access to science and technology (and in every aspect of life) here, because a vote for women here, is a vote for women everywhere.
Pictures taken by Christine Mangale. Cindy Eschliman is a member of the National Network of Presbyterian College Women.
Carolyn Groseclose Sprinkle, a member of Presbyterian Women from Sparta, North Carolina, reflects on her experience at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She considers God's vision of a world where all live and all thrive - and how we can work to bring that world into being. Carolyn and the other Presbyterians engaged in the Commission throughEcumenical Women.
Video courtesy of Mark Koenig, Director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the UN. Read more here.
Pam Snyder, a member of Presbyterian Women from Staunton, Virginia, reflects on her experience at the55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She considers what she has learned and what she will do when she returns home. Pam and the other Presbyterians engaged in the Commission throughEcumenical Women.
Video courtesy of Mark Koenig, Director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the UN. Read more here.
"They are now brothers and sisters, and now death amongst us shall stop."
That's the promise made by Nuer women and Murle women in South Sudan who worked with RECONCILE International - a promise all the more amazing because of the conflict between these peoples.
Milcah Lalam, Programs Manager & Acting Principal for the RECONCILE Peace Institute, told the story during an adult education class at First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York.
Inter-ethnic fighting between the Murle and Nuer tribes claimed many lives during 2009. RECONCILE reports:
There are many explanations for the fighting, ranging from decades-old disputes to third-party spurning and instigation. Whatever the case, the violence has heightened, and now involves relatively new instances of women and child casualties and abductions. Such intense conflict has had an extreme traumatising effect on members of the two tribes, especially women and children.
Recognizing the need to address the emotional and spirtual wounds in the Nuer and Murle communities, as well as the conflict between the ethnic groups in general, RECONCILE sought a way to respond.
With the support of Presbyterian Women, RECONCILE led three workshops in November, 2009 - two in Murle communities and one in a Nuer community. From these workshops, the Nuer and Murle women began a written conversation that focused on the desire to meet and work for peace among their peoples. This conversation led to meetings between the women. And at one of those meetings, RECONCILE reports:
The women ‘shared’ babies with each other. This act carried a very deep traditional peacemaking commitment. The women explained the significance this way: “My baby is yours and yours is mine, and now these are our children. They shall not fight against each other for they are now brothers and sisters, and now death amongst us shall stop.”
Supported by RECONCILE, the Murle and Nuer women continue the journey to peace.
Milcah also talked about RECONCILE's work to heal the trauma endured by the people of Sudan through years of war and violence. Often this trauma-healing involves the use of art, drama, and games.
Watch for video clips of Milcah's presentation.
Milcah is present in New York for the Commission on the Status of Women. Her visit is made possible byPresbyterian Women.
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations hosted the Presbyterian participants in the Commission and arranged for Milcah to lead the adult class at First Presbyterian.